China

Day: 10
Countries: 1
Stops: 2


Still cheating over here. By Day 10, I had finished the first leg of my trip: Mainland China. Spent some time with Emma, Brad, and the boys in Shanghai, which was quite nice, and somehow still managed to see some of the highlights of Shanghai, including Yuyuan Gardens, Tian Zi Fang, the Bund, Jing'an Temple, Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Dong Lu, and even shopping for Dan's LV bag at the fakes market in Pu Dong! But the highlight was really spending time with the kids and seeing how much they've grown, and how fast too!

Pudong skyline at night

with Richeille and Emma at the Bund

On the 17th, Richeille and I took the fast G train to Beijing, which was about 5 hours. Saw Tita Maris right away after getting off the train platform, and we drove by Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before walking through the night street market by Wang Fu Jin. The next day was allocated for the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre, and an adventurous walk home-- all without a translator! Next day was spent with the Titas at the Great Wall (including more "getting lost" adventures") and some shopping at Ya Show, then finally the Summer Palace on Richeille's last day on the 20th. More shopping at Hong Qiao after dropping off Richeille, then it's off to apartment for some packing for my morning flight to Jakarta!

Temple of Heaven

At the Summer Palace with Tita Ellen, Don, Tita Maris, and Ninang Nida