![\"Summer](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Summer-Palace.Beijing-01.jpg\")
<\/a> ![\"Summer](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Summer-Palace.Beijing-06.jpg\")
<\/a> ![\"Summer](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Summer-Palace.Beijing-04.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHe does a great job!\u00a0 He\u2019s very personable and has good knowledge.\u00a0 He presents the information well.\u00a0 We see some wonderful sights and really enjoy the day.\u00a0 One of the most interesting stops was\u00a0 a \u201csinging\u201d area.\u00a0 We heard singing in the distance and asked John (our guide), to take us to the source.\u00a0 We arrived and there was a big crowd of older people singing in \u201cfull voice\u201d.\u00a0 There were some instruments accompanying (sax, trombone, trumpet, and a snare drum).\u00a0 The most interesting part for us was the total enthusiasm everyone had for singing.\u00a0 Someone had passed out books.\u00a0 We shot video, but it\u2019s too much for the website.\u00a0 John said they were patriotic songs.\u00a0 Those people were serious about the singing.<\/p>\n
<\/a>One very small section of the “Long Corridor”. It’s the longest wooden corridor in the world. The Emperor used it to walk from one section of the Summer Palace to another. Each painting is different, and there are over 10,000 of them.<\/p><\/div>\n
We climbed to the highest point in the Summer Palace area that was accessible, over 200 stairs according to John (we believe him).\u00a0 There are great views.\u00a0 After we recover from the climb, we head down, and John puts us on one of the ferries that cross Kunming Lake.\u00a0 The ferry pilot is constantly having to honk at paddle boats in his path.\u00a0\u00a0 The \u201cSummer Palace\u201d is one of those \u201cWOW\u201d spots with so much history and beauty, combined in one place.<\/p>\n Over 200 steps to reach the “Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha”. It’s a lot of steps, but we couldn’t pass up the chance for the view. It was worth it!<\/p><\/div>\n The view from the top! Check out all the paddle boats on Kunming Lake, and the ferry at the bottom and on the right side of the picture. The island is the South Lake Island. It’s connected to the mainland by the “17 Arches Bridge”. The island was built by over 100,000 laborers during the 1800’s.<\/p><\/div>\n It’s the “Goddess of a Thousand Hands”. (the statue that is)<\/p><\/div>\n We taxi home, and spend most of the rest of the day recovering from our excursion.\u00a0 Judy finishes up schoolwork, and gives me a \u201cPowerpoint\u201d lesson, so I can begin to put together my first few days of school.\u00a0 I head out late in the afternoon, looking for some ink for our printer.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been trying to find it for over a week.\u00a0 Nobody carries ink?\u00a0 I may have to order it online, and hope I can get our address correct for the delivery.\u00a0 Can\u2019t find an Office Depot anywhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We\u2019re excited to do some sightseeing today.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to visit the \u201cSummer Palace\u201d.\u00a0 It was the summer home of the Emperor\u2019s family, and we\u2019re told it\u2019s a beautiful area.\u00a0 Judy stayed up last night till 3:30 am.\u00a0 She got … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n
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