We disembark at 8am and take a bus to see the Flying Tiger museum and General Stillwells home and headquarters. I found this museum fascinating. There was so much history that I forgot. One particular fact was the Chinese citizens participation in saving downed American pilots. According to the documents 95% of pilots that were downed were brought to safety by the Chinese citizens
Next stop the Chongping Zoo. This has the largest panda population in China at this zoo. We did. It have time to walk around but we're able to see the baby pandas that are only out 1 hour a day. I have some great video of the pandas that I can bore you with when we are home
From the zoo to the airport, which is a zoo in itself. We fly to Xi'an. This is the town that uncovered the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1976. Xi'an is surrounded with a city wall that has been rebuilt like many of China's palaces and temples. We are able to walk on the wall and climb the 3 flights of steps to get to the top of the wall
Time to mention a few things about flying with a group. There are definitely pluses. Your luggage is picked up outside of your room about 1 hour prior to leaving for the airport. The person checking in all the bags also gets all the boarding passes. It is getting harder and harder to stay under the 44 pounds with all the new accumulated treasures. We have already sent 2 boxes home which means the treasures cost more than we thought. The down side of group travel is, we are a group and handing out boarding passes and passports is a pain. We usually get to the airport and through security 10 minutes before boarding so no long waits. On all of our flights in China, even the 1 hour ones, they feed you a meal. Yes it does fit the description of airplane food so ediblity is questionable
On arrival all the bags are taken off the baggage carousel at the destination and automatically transferred to the hotel and delivered to the room. Additionally on this trip there was no charge for people who were overweight on the baggage. It was just worked out with the airline. It is nice to have someone work out all the details it is just the group movement that makes me a little crazy.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Time to move again
Today we have an early morning flight to Yichang. This is a major docking area for small ships going up and down the Yangtze River and it is near the 3 gorges dam project. We will be on the ship for 4 nights. The ship is not scheduled to leave the dock until 24 hours or so after we board. This ship holds about 150 to 200 people. Entertainment is limited and provided by the housekeeping and dining room staff. Meals on the ship were some of the best we have had since it was a buffet not a fixed menu. There were also several recognizable courses that were along the western type of palette. There was also shopping on the ship and like all of China every price is negotiable. Before we went to the ship we stopped in the fast food market of before dinner or afternoon cocktail supplies
Our days on the ship were comprised of outings each day and one day we left the ship and walked into town. Unfortunately no one told us what time to be back and we almost missed the boat quite literally. We did find several treasures we couldn't live without.
We saw the dam and the view from several angles did a hike up into one of the canyons. Dan decided that he would see the "ships doctor" and see if acupuncture would help his hip pain and sinus drainage. What has helped the most has been rain. He breathes better after it has rained the highlight of the trip was getting laundry done. We have a small balcony which was great for drying the hand washing but it was nice to get the jeans washed.
We have had good weather the past 4 days and we are hopeful that the umbrellas can stay in the suitcase until we are home.
Our days on the ship were comprised of outings each day and one day we left the ship and walked into town. Unfortunately no one told us what time to be back and we almost missed the boat quite literally. We did find several treasures we couldn't live without.
We saw the dam and the view from several angles did a hike up into one of the canyons. Dan decided that he would see the "ships doctor" and see if acupuncture would help his hip pain and sinus drainage. What has helped the most has been rain. He breathes better after it has rained the highlight of the trip was getting laundry done. We have a small balcony which was great for drying the hand washing but it was nice to get the jeans washed.
We have had good weather the past 4 days and we are hopeful that the umbrellas can stay in the suitcase until we are home.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Shanghai Disney Here We Come
Today is a day we will depart from our new family of 40 and venture into the city of Shanghai and then into the magic kingdom. I have already posted pictures so will just entertain you with a few details. When booking our tour and determining that there were several days in Shanghai there was never a doubt in our minds that the newest park needed exploring after all we were in the same city. I did speak with the tour company and they assured me there would be no problem if we struck out on our own for the day. The group was going to a senior community and then a home hosted lunch and then a museum. That night they were seeing an acrobatic performance. Disney sounded much more inviting.
Logistics fairly simple. I knew what metro line and that I would need to connect. Weather called for rain but we now have 2 umbrellas and credit cards. I doubled checked the route. Got the station name written in English and the connection worked out. I was assured by the local guide and our tour leader that the ticket machine was easy to use. We left at 8AM only 30 minutes after my planned departure time. We found the station took pictures of the gate and in China the exits are numbered. We only had to find exit 2 when we came back.
The ticket machine was a snap once we figured out to put in the final destination. Good thing the line ends at Disney This is also a bonus when coming home. No confusion on what train or line to choose walk to the gate train arrives within 1 minute. No confusion or going the wrong direction, the connection works the same way and directions to the other line clearly marked. Unfortunately it took more than an hour to there
Arrive at the station, it is beautiful a big lake, wide walkways and clean. A little walk to the park where there are no fewer than 12 lines with 200 or more people in each line. Dan starts to worry assuming they are ticket lines or entrance into the park. So ask a Disney employee who has little English and he says just get in line. Good thing no rain yet. Turns out this is just security and bag check. Now to the ticket line. There is no one there. Seems everyone already has tickets. We got into the park for the senior rate which was about $40 each
When Dan and I go to Disney we go to people watch and evaluate the park in general. Rides are t really important. Off to Tomorrow Land. They have the fastest roller coaster of any of the parks. The wait is only 25 minutes but we decided to get a fast pass and go later. Fast passes for each land are grouped together at a "service center ". Well between the ride and the service center I lost my ticket. No problem except we weren't able to use the fast pass system the rest of the day
Impressions: we loved the park, it is big but manageable. Wide walkways and everything planted like Disney does. Lots of bathrooms, groundskeepers stopping to take pictures for people and lots more adults than children. This is probably due to the 1 child rule in China. The children are happy and well behaved; the teens not so much. Lunch was probably the biggest challenge and expensive by everyone's standards. No hot dogs and hamburgers.
Best ride of the few we went on: Pirates of the Caribbean, moving boat 4 D IMAX screen, absolutely terrific. Longest wait: 110 minutes for soaring type ride. Overall I think less rides but a great park. Would definitely go again. Got home with a little detour in the station, left Disney early due to rain....Great Day!
Logistics fairly simple. I knew what metro line and that I would need to connect. Weather called for rain but we now have 2 umbrellas and credit cards. I doubled checked the route. Got the station name written in English and the connection worked out. I was assured by the local guide and our tour leader that the ticket machine was easy to use. We left at 8AM only 30 minutes after my planned departure time. We found the station took pictures of the gate and in China the exits are numbered. We only had to find exit 2 when we came back.
The ticket machine was a snap once we figured out to put in the final destination. Good thing the line ends at Disney This is also a bonus when coming home. No confusion on what train or line to choose walk to the gate train arrives within 1 minute. No confusion or going the wrong direction, the connection works the same way and directions to the other line clearly marked. Unfortunately it took more than an hour to there
Arrive at the station, it is beautiful a big lake, wide walkways and clean. A little walk to the park where there are no fewer than 12 lines with 200 or more people in each line. Dan starts to worry assuming they are ticket lines or entrance into the park. So ask a Disney employee who has little English and he says just get in line. Good thing no rain yet. Turns out this is just security and bag check. Now to the ticket line. There is no one there. Seems everyone already has tickets. We got into the park for the senior rate which was about $40 each
When Dan and I go to Disney we go to people watch and evaluate the park in general. Rides are t really important. Off to Tomorrow Land. They have the fastest roller coaster of any of the parks. The wait is only 25 minutes but we decided to get a fast pass and go later. Fast passes for each land are grouped together at a "service center ". Well between the ride and the service center I lost my ticket. No problem except we weren't able to use the fast pass system the rest of the day
Impressions: we loved the park, it is big but manageable. Wide walkways and everything planted like Disney does. Lots of bathrooms, groundskeepers stopping to take pictures for people and lots more adults than children. This is probably due to the 1 child rule in China. The children are happy and well behaved; the teens not so much. Lunch was probably the biggest challenge and expensive by everyone's standards. No hot dogs and hamburgers.
Best ride of the few we went on: Pirates of the Caribbean, moving boat 4 D IMAX screen, absolutely terrific. Longest wait: 110 minutes for soaring type ride. Overall I think less rides but a great park. Would definitely go again. Got home with a little detour in the station, left Disney early due to rain....Great Day!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Suzhou Day Trip
Today part of the group went to Suzhou. It is an hour from Shanghai, the trip there was by train while the trip back by bus. This area has several gardens most are private and a series of canals linking the town. Our morning started with a boat ride along the Perfume River. This part of town is older without plumbing and sporadic electricity although many people prize living along the canals. Although it is a smaller city by China standards, with the amount of industry and high rises dwarfs the San Diego area
The garden was small comprised of many buildings and space outside the buildings was limited and consisted of several pools and rock garden structures. It was not the premiere garden of the area and I suspect we did not see that garden because of the time it would take to explore with 30 people and various interests. The weather today was beautiful, no rain and lots of sun. Tomorrow we head out by ourselves to go to Disney Shanghai of course it is supposed to rain
The garden was small comprised of many buildings and space outside the buildings was limited and consisted of several pools and rock garden structures. It was not the premiere garden of the area and I suspect we did not see that garden because of the time it would take to explore with 30 people and various interests. The weather today was beautiful, no rain and lots of sun. Tomorrow we head out by ourselves to go to Disney Shanghai of course it is supposed to rain
Shanghai by day and night
We arrive in Shanghai loaded on the bus, had a group dinner at the hotel, and a mandatory trip to the grocery store to find alcoholic beverages and plan for the next few days. The morning finds us off to see the sights of Shanghai First to the Bund which is the waterfront with new buildings on one side and old French government buildings. Rain in the morning and we are now equipped with 2 umbrellas since at lunch we were able to buy a second one and only 20 yuan compared with the 60 we spent at the Great Wall
Lunch proved more expensive than the great buy on the umbrella. We were taken to a silk embroidery location. The up side is we didn't buy the silk oriental area rug but did buy the silk embroidery. Should have bargained harder but it will be shipped home and insured.
In the afternoon we went to see the "Jade Buddha" again with more things screaming out to be purchased. I am holding strong after the mornings overindulgence. Tomorrow we will take a day trip to Suzhou. This area is about an hour from Shanghai and known for gardens. We will go by train and bus
Lunch proved more expensive than the great buy on the umbrella. We were taken to a silk embroidery location. The up side is we didn't buy the silk oriental area rug but did buy the silk embroidery. Should have bargained harder but it will be shipped home and insured.
In the afternoon we went to see the "Jade Buddha" again with more things screaming out to be purchased. I am holding strong after the mornings overindulgence. Tomorrow we will take a day trip to Suzhou. This area is about an hour from Shanghai and known for gardens. We will go by train and bus
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