Day 3 - Saturday update.
Saturday July 13 - We took a different route to the subway station, and found two adjacent places to purchase
breakfast. Fresh fruit and baked goods, some prepared while we stood and watched. Once again served in clear
plastic bags, once again inexpensive, and fresh as could be. Then off to the day’s sights.
breakfast. Fresh fruit and baked goods, some prepared while we stood and watched. Once again served in clear
plastic bags, once again inexpensive, and fresh as could be. Then off to the day’s sights.
First stop was Summer Palace, in the Northwest part of the city. Good exercise, with some steeper boulder
climbing. We mistakenly thought we entered at the east gate, which came back to haunt us a bit later. We had
given instructions at the beginning that it would be okay to separate into small groups, and agreed to meet at
the large marble dragon boat at noon and we would arrange a boat ride. However, not all instructions were
received, as at the agreed time, Zoe and Jack headed to meet us at the gate through which we entered. The
remaining 10 agreed to meet them after the boat ride. Unfortunately we headed to the east gate. All’s well
that ends well, and Zoe and Jack got the experience of figuring out how to get around on the subway by
themselves, until we met up again a few stops away.
climbing. We mistakenly thought we entered at the east gate, which came back to haunt us a bit later. We had
given instructions at the beginning that it would be okay to separate into small groups, and agreed to meet at
the large marble dragon boat at noon and we would arrange a boat ride. However, not all instructions were
received, as at the agreed time, Zoe and Jack headed to meet us at the gate through which we entered. The
remaining 10 agreed to meet them after the boat ride. Unfortunately we headed to the east gate. All’s well
that ends well, and Zoe and Jack got the experience of figuring out how to get around on the subway by
themselves, until we met up again a few stops away.
With the higher elevations at the Summer Palace, the air quality consultant in me couldn’t help but notice the
smog and haze in the air. Much better than my last time to Beijing 15 years ago, but still...
smog and haze in the air. Much better than my last time to Beijing 15 years ago, but still...
Next stop was the Yuan Ming Yuan Park (former Summer Palace, and aka Labyrinth Park). Abby R’s calf injury led
a contingent to stop and rest, and the group split once again this time foraging for food. And the other group
never did find the labyrinth. Or perhaps we were in the labyrinth the entire day?
a contingent to stop and rest, and the group split once again this time foraging for food. And the other group
never did find the labyrinth. Or perhaps we were in the labyrinth the entire day?
One more split was in the cards, as some wanted to kick back at the hotel and others wanted to stop and see the
Bird’s Nest Stadium, site of the 2008 (and 2022) Summer Olympics. The adventurous majority got some choice
photos, and some fine bubble tea.
Bird’s Nest Stadium, site of the 2008 (and 2022) Summer Olympics. The adventurous majority got some choice
photos, and some fine bubble tea.
That evening the kids got some dinner, after hanging out at the hotel, replaying some karaoke videos, etc. Too
tired for hennas, will save those for another evening.
tired for hennas, will save those for another evening.
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