Day Two of Our Tour

We started the day with an "early" get up of 7AM. Everyone was actually up well be for 7 because of the jet lag. But that's the way it goes. John has been having wake-up call sent to the rooms and so far it has been effective. Everyone is enjoying themselves. Today was very full. I may be able to get some pictures put on the blog later as tonight I will have some time to get some edited and be able to send them to my daughter to post, with a little luck. The agenda today was The Emperor's Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Forbidden City,and Tienanmen Square.

The Summer Palace was quite amazing. I think the grounds are 85 hectares (you will have to look it up, huge). There is a man-made lake that takes up about 75% of the area. There are many building, living quarters, servant's quarters, store houses, and other building that are amazing. The architecture is what you would expect in China but much more amazing when you see it close up. The ceilings and the eves and supports are all intricately painted with scenes from all over China and scenes of myths and legends of China. It is truly amazing. The is a corridor that is over 1/2 mile long. It is outside but intricately decorate beyond what you could imagine. An island was built in the lake with a bridge the has a support of 17 arches, I right now don't remember the significance of 17 but I'm sure there is one. The island, the bridge, and other pieces make the image of a turtle which is a symbol of longevity in China.

From the Summer Palace we went to the Beijing Zoo to see the pandas. They have four young ones and several mature pandas in the zoo. The youngsters are housed together but separate from the adults. The adults were being fed while we were they so they were awake but not moving around very much. I think all had a good time the short while we were at the zoo.

From the zoo we headed for the Forbidden City. The way this has been constructed is amazing. There are actually many rings to the city. The inner most ring is the Forbidden City itself and it is further divided into more and more restrictive areas at least during the times of the emperor. There is also the inner city, Imperial City, outer city, and other portions with specific designations that you could enter or live in based on your rank in society and your position serving the emperor. The grounds for the Forbidden City are huge. There are many residences and office building as well as store houses. There were originally four gates into the city and it surrounded by a ten meter tall wall and a mote. Pretty formidable defenses for the time period. Over time the Forbidden City has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Mostly the destruction has been from within through fire. The size of the area boggles the mind and what it must have been like when it was used is really beyond my imagination. This is one of those sites in the world that written descriptions, even pictures cannot begin to describe. You really have to experience it first hand.

We entered the city by the north gate and exited through the south gate right into Tienanmen Square. We all remember the student standing in front of a tank in the square some years ago. The square itself is really huge. It is bordered on one side by the Forbidden City, on another by the legislative hall, on the third by the National Museum and on the forth by Mao's memorial tomb. There is a monument in the center to all of the people responsible for modern China and also the national flag. The flag monument is guarded by soldiers that don't what you to take their pictures. I complied with their wishes.

I have been truly amazed with the attractions we have seen. They are really over whelming. I'm glad I told everyone I would to this blog because it will help each of us to better remember the trip and may encourage others to take the adventure as well.

More later, thanks for reading.

The Weather Forecast

If you can believe it the weather forecast for next week looks really great. Sunny and in the 40s in Beijing. If we were going to be there at the end of the week it would be in the 50s.

For Xi'an near the end of the week it's supposed to be sunny and warm. With temps in the 50s and low 60s we should be roasting when we get there. The weather may be better than we could have ever hoped for. All we can do is cross our fingers and hope that the forecast is correct. It sure would be nice to carry our coats instead of wearing them.

The weather for Yangshuo may be a little wetter but it will be warmer. The temps on this page are in Celcius so the Fahrenheit temps are 68-74 for highs.

Shanghai may be a little bit cooler and even wetter. But a lot can change before we get there. We will have a wonderful time anyway.

Maybe the weather will hold as we move south while we are on the rest of the trip. We can only hope.

Packing Day

Well tomorrow morning we are off. It seems there is always more to do. Right now the dining table is receiving a stack of things that must go in the carry on. If it can't go in the carry on it will be packed away. What suitcase to take? What should I take for moving around on tour while I'm there? How much money will we need? And there are so many more questions that I don't even know that will need to be answered before tomorrow morning.

I have checked with the airlines and they will check our bags all the way through to Beijing for us. That's a relief. We won't have to hassle will bags in Seattle. Right now Bonnie is out running last minute errands. Picking up a few things that we still need to take with us and probably some things we don't. At least these are big cities we are going to and we will be able to buy anything that is necessary if we forget it.

Have already talked with one fellow traveler today and will call the rest to make sure all is well and that the schedule is solidified. 4:30 AM to the airport, that is very early. But we do whatever it takes. The excitement is starting to build and while I sometimes dread the preparations I am excited about the trip. All will be well. We will have a fantastic time. We will all come home safely. What more could any of us ask?

More tomorrow with a pic of the travelers tomorrow morning.

10 Days to Departure

Seems there is never enough time to get everything done. The visas came back from the Chinese counsel yesterday. All seems to be in order. So at least paper work wise we are ready to go. Will stop by the AT&T store on the way home to check on cell phone use in China. It's something I don't anticipate needing to do but should know about it anyway. Check on how to turn things off that I don't want to use because of cost or because it won't work. Will stop by the credit union to check on ATM usage in China. I had difficulties in Egypt and couldn't use it there so will try to find out what is wrong if anything. Need to call the credit card companies to let them know we may be using the card(s) in Japan and China until the 17th of March. It's not nice to have a card refused because it doesn't fit the use pattern.

Have a meeting tomorrow to finalize all of the arrangements with the travelers. Set times to be at the airport, get frequent flier numbers, make sure about meds, list what to take, get emergency medical permissions from the parents and set everything in play for the 8th of March.

Will need to call Alaska Airlines and see if they will transfer the bags to United for the flight to Japan and China. Hopefully they will or we will carry them on and check them in Seattle. Need to call tonight so I can let everyone know tomorrow. As we all know something will be forgotten. All we can hope for is that what we forget is not important and we will be able to buy it in China if it is. I'm sure we will be able to buy whatever we need in China and many things we really don't need.

The Yearbook folks at Bartlett want pictures for this year's book. Will have to get them in by the 16th to make the last deadline. Hope we have good internet connections so the email works well. Will be taking a computer along to update this blog and to keep in-touch via email with everyone back in Alaska.

Looking forward to the trip and hopefully a little relaxation along the way. More later.

28 Days

Seems impossible, but there really is only 28 days 'til our departure. In a month we will be on our decent into Seattle and getting ready for our next leg to Japan. The visa applications have arrived at the travel agent (mail tracking is wonderful) and we should have them back next week some time. We will need to get together at least one more time before our departure. I will need to return the passports to all who are traveling and finalize meeting times at the airport and go over the itinerary one more time. Temperature in Beijing is 27 F and the temperature in Shanghai is 54. Have to be sure to tell folks that is will be cold, like here, when we start and warm up as we move south in China. I am really looking forward to this trip but not the long plane ride there and back. Where is teleportation when you need it?

Preparing for China

Well another trip is in the making. Going off on a ten day trip to China with a half-a-dozen other folk. I am beginning to get excited about it. Exploring new "worlds", seeking out "new life" to boldly go where we have never gone before. Today is a meeting to get the visa applications in order and to once again visit with the acquaintances, soon to be friends that will be traveling together. Air, hotel and tour reservations are all made and awaiting our arrival. March 8 will be here before we know it. And the excitement will continue to build as the time grows nearer. I can't wait!