Beijing China, May 15

Onto another airplane, and we were off to Beijing, our final city.  My first impressions of Beijing? Much cleaner than I thought, and people, people everywhere. It is one big, busy city.

We had lunch after we arrived (is there a theme here?) at a restaurant that served Muslim food, then off to see the Summer Palace. One part of the Summer Palace history is that the Dragon Lady (woman ruler at the time) imprisoned the next heir to the throne there for a long time (nine years?). Another interesting note is that the lake is man-made, and it is one of the places they practiced naval maneuvers. We spent quite a bit of time wandering the grounds, and there were lots and lots of people. Everywhere.

Our next stop was the Olympic area. That was very fun to see in person. The Birds Nest arena and water cube are just across the walkway from one another. I don't think any of our pictures give that perspective.

Then we were off to see the giant pandas in the Beijing Zoo. Not a real thrill for me, but luckily we didn't spend much time there.

We ended the day with a delicious Peking Roast Duck dinner. No bizarre bird parts, just good food.

May 15

• Flight to Beijing
• Lunch
• Summer Palace
• Olympic Area
• Pandas
• Peking Roast Duck dinner
• Hotel

Our group taking over the Xi'An airport

Dad, Mom, Audry

Charles, Ann, Paul Orva, Ray

Paul, Orva, our guide Lucy, Ray, Dad, Mom, John, Audry, Ann, Charles

Diane and Lucy

Mom on our bus

Inside the bus

Diane right outside the restaurant where we had lunch

Ray, Diane, Paul, Mom, Orva

Summer Palace. Mom and Dad

Looking over the lake at the Summer Palace. Mom and Dad

Diane, Ray, Paul, Charles at the Summer Palace

Ray, Mom , Orva, Paul, Audry at the Summer Palace

On the boat at the Summer Palace.
John, Audry, Dad, Ray, Diane, Charles, Ann, Paul, Orva

On the boat at the Summer Palace. Dad, Ray, Diane

Paul and Orva

Ann and Charles

Diane and Ray

Dad bought us all popsicles for a treat. 

Ray

The man in the blue cap had his pole stuck in that tree and couldn't reach it. Ray saved the day.

Ray and the Olympic Birds Nest

Cute little boys.

Paul

Ray

Panda