--ARRIVAL--
in Beijing, China
While in Beijing we stayed at the
LOVELY Marriott City Wall hotel.
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| The view of the city, at night, from our window |
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| The old city wall of beijing |
--DAY ONE--
Beijing, China
Before heading out for a day of sighting
we began our day with a GREAT breakfast.
It was nice that Dad and Nathan
had status with Marriott
so we could enjoy a buffet breakfast
and dinner in the concierge's lounge.
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| The view of the city from the lounge. |
Beijing was incredibly clear while we were there.
Most people we spoke with said they
had never seen it so clear.
We were very grateful for nice weather.
-After breakfast we took taxis from the hotel
to Temple of Heaven. One taxi left several minutes
before the other so we were unable to follow each other.
Jessica, Nathan, Heidi and I were in the second taxi.
When we got to the entrance of Temple of Heaven
we expected the other half of our family to be waiting
for us but, they were nowhere to be found.
We didn't panic, but ENJOYED the locals.
One man selling hats tried to kiss my cheek
and got this reaction - TOTAL SHOCK!
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| I love the little lady holding Jessica's hand. |
Jessica was like a MOVIE-STAR and
had many fans demanding they have their photos
taken with her. She was such a good sport.
After about 20 minutes of not finding the
other half of our family. I talked to someone
at the ticket booth and found we were at the
South Entrance. I was able to contact Haleigh
and find they were at the North Entrance.
We made arrangements to meet inside the gates.
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| The South end of the Temple of Heaven Complex |
After about 30 minutes we spotted
Dad, Amy, Stephen and Haleigh.
Now that we were together, our viewing of the
Temple of Heaven Complex could begin.
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| The Echo Wall |
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| The Imperial Vault of Heaven |
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| The CUTE locals! |
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| Inside the Imperial Vault of Heaven |
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| The Imperial Vault of Heaven Gates |
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| The Temple of Heaven |
This was one of my FAVORITE parts
of our trip. A FAMILY PHOTO of us
dressed up as Emperors and Empresses
of China. IT WAS SO FUN!!
As we left the complex a man was
playing a very interesting horn instrument.
-From the Temple of Heaven complex
we crossed the street to have lunch.
Nathan looked at the map of the area
and found we were in the same building as the
Pearl Market, a place we wanted to shop.
We spent the rest of the afternoon SHOPPING!
We found - Burberry ties and scarves, MAC cosmetics,
Prada purses and North Face jackets.
It was AWESOME!
To get back to the hotel half of our family
was able to jump in a taxi.
The other half of us jumped on tuk tuks.
This was Heidi and Stephen's favorite part of the trip.
I joined Jessica in this one.
It was a FUN way to end the day.
--DAY TWO--
Beijing, China
Our BUSIEST day of sightseeing.
-Tiananmen Square-
-The Forbidden City-
-The Summer Palace-
-The Beijing Olympic Village-
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| Mao's Mausoleum |
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| Monument to the People's Heros |
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| The gates of the Forbidden City |
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| Inside the Forbidden City |
Haleigh, Jessica and I were almost
smothered to death here. While in the overly
crowded line of people trying to see inside of the hall,
we were smashed to the point of not being
able to breath. We chose to leave the line
before we even reached the doorway.
I have grown very fond of these lions
after learning their meaning.
They are always in pairs -
one female, one male.
The one pictured above is a female.
Under her left paw is a baby lion,
symbolizing the female protecting the
home and family.
This lion is the male.
Under his right paw is a ball,
symbolizing the world and his
responsibility to go out in to the world
and provide for the family.
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| The lake at the Summer Palace |
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| Paddle boats on the lake of the Summer Palace. |
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| Jessica and Haleigh waiting to board their paddle boat. |
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| Anchors aweigh!! |
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| The Tower of Buddhist Incense |
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| Stairway to the Tower of Buddhist Incense |
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| The view from the top |
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| A kanji artist at the Summer Palace |
The Olympic Village
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| The Bird's Nest |
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| Haleigh in front of the Water Cube |
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| Inside the Water Cube where Michael Phelps swam! |
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| The diving platforms |
Stephen had some problems with the railing.
Thank goodness Jess was there to help him.
--DAY THREE--
The GREAT WALL
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| Haleigh and Jessica on the tram to the top |
Olivia, our cousin who lives in Beijing,
and her two boys were able to join us
at The Wall.
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| The MAN who made THIS all possible - MY DAD. |
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| My FAVORITE Chinaman and his friendly donkey. He sells postcards, candy and drinks on the Great Wall. |
Good bye Beijing!
It's time for us to see another
AMAZING part of China.
Off to Guilin!
