The Forbidden City. What an imposing name. With it’s high defensive walls, the eerie framed portrait of Chairman Mao at the front gate, and the stone-faced guards out front with their fingers on their triggers, you definitely get the sense that this place is forbidden. But that didn’t stop us, or the thousands of other … Continue reading
Friday, April 29 This morning, we put on our sneakers and headed out the door in the early morning for a trip to the Great Wall of China! Since we only have a few days in Beijing, we decided to go to the closest access point for the Great Wall in Badaling. Our guide picked … Continue reading
I think I have SARS. Just a mild case, and I’m getting better, I think. It started off as a pretty heavy affliction of allergies on our second day in Shanghai, lots of sneezing, itchy throat, and runny nose. Then came the dry, hacking cough which lasted for several days. Then I lost my sense … Continue reading
Wednesday, April 27 Since we weren’t expecting pick-up for our excursion today until noon, the nice, leisurely morning gave me some time to explore the pool at our hotel. I wish I’d brought the camera with me, though I suppose I was planning on swimming, not taking pictures. Too bad, because this pool was probably … Continue reading
Tuesday, April 26 This morning, we were picked up promptly at 8:30 am in the lobby of our hotel by a chatty little tour guide in a van with four other English speakers to visit the ancient rice terraces of Longji. The ride out into the countryside was filled with lush scenery, dramatic karst peaks … Continue reading
