The Dacha

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Guilin Day 2-The Panda

We had several highlights on our second day in Guilin, China. First stop- the Qixing Zoo to see the pandas YangYang and YueYue.

YangYang, the male, stayed asleep for our whole time there...

But YueYue, the female, was busy as could be...

I mean, honestly, how cute could she be??

And I just LOVE it when our wonky English language is phonetically mistranslated...as here.....

(just say it outloud....)

Monday, June 8, 2009

After that relaxing trip, we went back to the hotel to rest...and then 6 of the 7 of us (you chicken, Diane--we got you back GOOD, didn't we???) went to have a traditional Chinese foot massage arranged by our darling guide Elfene....all 6 of us in the same room. Hilarious good fun.

The view out my hotel room was a lovely garden

After supper there were three MORE highlights on this packed day-

a chance to watch Cormorant Fishing

This traditional mode of fishing in China involves the use of cormorants to catch fish. Fishermen on bamboo rafts (consisting of five or six large, round bamboo trunks tied together) use strong lights suspended over the water to attract the fish. The fisherman stands on the raft, using a pole to propel the boat. His cormorants perch on his outstretched arms, diving on his command. The cormorants, which are tethered with rings round the base of their necks, catch the fish and then disgorge them for the fishermen . When their work is done the rings are removed so they can eat.

After the fishing tour, we walked past the Sun and Moon Pagodas

to watch the "World's Largest Manmade Waterfall" that cascades down from the Lijaing Hotel every night at 8:30pm.

A pleasant walk back through the city center and we were ready for bed.

Li River Cruise

The first order of business in Guilin was a relaxing morning cruising down the Li River. No need to describe anything...

X'ian Day 2

Xi'an is more than just the Terra Cotta Warriors--It's a medium-sized city (by China standards!) of 8 million.

There are 3 Starbucks, 2 McDonalds, a KFC, and, yes,

A great wall runs around the ancient part of the city

with amazing views

and phonetically translated warning signs.

We visited a jade factory and shop-by law, tourists must be taken by at least one state-owned store each day....

Walking through the market area

Then we went to the most UNUSUAL MOSQUE- built in the ancient Chinese style

THIS is the minaret!

We visited the loveliest Buddhist temple- the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

with some beautiful gardens...

This is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism- the two fish represent the goodness of all living beings who are fearless.

The evening we saw the Terra Cotta Warriors, we went to a quite interesting dinner and show. It might have been that we were in the throes of sensory overload, had enjoyed the Chinese beer, or were just plain exhausted, but by the end of the evening we were in fits of laughter. It was a show worthy of the best Las Vegas revue--complete with a master flute player, "world renowned", as the program said, for his ability to mimic birds. One of our crowd said it sounded like "several birds caught in a burlap bag full of cats..."