Up early again for coffee in bed, blogging from my phone, and the breakfast buffet, complete with American country music drifting through the dining room. It seemed a little out of place when NONE of the staff speaks English.  Good thing our guides are teaching us the basics in Mandarin.  Anyway, the buffet is delicious and diverse, and this is our favorite … noodles.

On the bus at 7:45am and in traffic again heading to the Emperor’s Summer Palace. But first …. a stop at the government run Pearl Showroom. Quite a sales pitch which was lost on me since I don’t typically wear pearls with my robe while working at home.  ha ha

So being Sunday, we ran into the biggest crowds we’ve seen yet.  The Summer Palace is quite popular with the Chinese of all ages.

The Summer Palace is a vast array of lakes, gardens, and palaces.  It covers an area of 1.1 square miles with 3/4 being water.  It dates back to the Jin Dynasty in 1153.  Pictures can do some justice here …

There is a covered walkway along the lake that is more than 7 football fields and PACKED with locals.  Too crowded to stroll upon but beautiful all the same. Great place to people watch and to be watched.  Many Chinese were interested in foreigners who they call a “Big Nose”.

It was another perfect weather day which is a HUGE BLESSING since we learned that just a few days before we arrived, Beijing suffered from SEVERE smog and a sandstorm.

I think God was making up for our massive rain in Costa Rica.

So back on the bus again for the hour drive, out of Beijing to our lunch and then to THE GREAT WALL.  I AM so very excited!