We had to deal with a bit of rain on the first couple of days, but that didn't dampen our spirits. This was the Summer Palace. It was built as a summer retreat for the emperor and overlooks a huge lake. The lake is filled with freshwater oysters that produce freshwater pearls. We had the chance to go to a pearl factory afterwards where I bought Bre some pearl earrings with pearls that were gathered from this lake.
Chase was so popular that random tourists always wanted pictures. This woman was modeling all around the summer palace but they made sure to stop and get pictures with Chase.
This was one of our Beijing guides, Eppy (I have no idea how to spell that). She was so nice and sweet and she loved Chase. I think she tried to get a picture with Chase smiling about 100 times. She finally succeeded at the Pearl Factory and I think Chase even liked her a little bit by the end.
The Bird's Nest, home to the ceremonies/competition of the Olympic Games in 2008. Chase was born on the day of the opening ceremonies-08/08/08-which is considered incredibly lucky. Our tour guy said that almost everyone that had a kid born on that day in China named their kid "Olympic". I remember watching the opening ceremonies in the hospital that night after Chase was born.
This meal was a traditional Mongolian Hot Pot. They pour boiling water into this pot in front of you. You pick up paper thin raw meat, vegetables, etc. and drop it into the water with your chopsticks (not exactly sanitary by US standards, but when in Rome...). You then wait only a few short seconds and then remove the meat/veggies with your chopsticks, dip it into a delicious sesame dressing, and bon appetit. You can see Chase's chicken mcnuggets and fries in the corner. He wasn't always adventurous with the Chinese cousine.
This was a snack shack alley near our hotel. They sold everything from scorpions to snakes to bugs on a stick. We were amazed at how many booths lined this street. There was some stuff that actually looked appetizing, including fruit dipped in liquid sugar and then cooled. I decided to pass on snake on a stick. And yes, those are starfish below. Yum.
2 comments:
Now, were talking, love the Pandas. Did Chase like them too. I could spend all day there.
This food looks more of an interesting nature.
Mom
Chase's personality really came through in these pics. No wonder all the people fall in love with him. We find pandas interesting, and the chinese find Cole interesting. Nice trade off.
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