What an amazing time this had been. Long flights and long layovers but worth every minute spent traveling! Shanghai was a very interesting city. We've now been in Beijing for three days and finally found Internet. We've been on the go constantly. Wake up calls at 6 on the bus by 8 and back to your room at 8 or 9 at night. Beijing has really undergone quite a transformation since and for the olympics in 2008. We've climbed the great wall danced in the temple of heaven park and dressed like the emporer and empress. We had lunch with locals who live with 3 generations in a " home" that has been in the family for 350 years. Hearing about all of the changes this country has gone through and is still going through is really humbling and eye opening.
Today also included a rickshaw ride through very narrow streets and a reflexology foot massage at an eastern medicine institute. Many of our 41 fellow travelers purchased herbal medicine for their ailments.
We have a diverse group. We have Canadians, Australians, Russians, Trinidad and tobego residents as well as Americans sprinkled in the mix. All of these personalities lead to some very exciting conversations. Wow!!
Tomorrow will be a tour of the forbidden city and tiananmen square then a late afternoon flight to Xian Another fun filled packed day!
Hope all us well with everyone and will try to find Internet in a week or so. Guaranteed to be none on the cruise we will be on soon.
Becky.