Beijing - Day 2

We have had a full day. Lin-Ley seems to be adjusted
to the time change and she enjoyed herself much more today.

Our first stop was a jade factory. We took a small tour and watched the jade

being carved. And then... we shopped.

Next stop - the Sacred Way.

This is a tree and statue lined road leading to the Ming Tombs.

We visited a few of the tombs as well as an underground palace.

Time for lunch so we stopped at a cloisonne' factory. We had a brief tour and saw how all of the products in the factory are made by hand. Then we had lunch upstairs and then... we shopped.

Then on to the Great Wall of China. Lin-Ley was very excited about this part of our trip because she was going to be at the same place as Mulan!

We had hoped to visit a part of the wall that had a cable car that would take us to the top of the wall but road construction prevented it. We did not go to the top because the steps are very steep. Ok, and also because it is a very, very long way to the top!
It was very foggy in the mountains so we did not get many great pictures. But the view was great and we were all very happy to be there!

Just when we thought we were done we took a small detour near our hotel and went to a silk shop. We had a tour of their factory and saw how they harvest silk. Lin-Ley was ask to participate. She and Dallas helped them

stretch the silk that will be used in a blanket. Very interesting process. And then... we shopped.

Now we are back in our room for a short while but the fun is not over yet... tonight we are eating at McDonald's. We have had Chinese food every day (three meals a day). Our guide and driver told us last night that they love Amercian food and they liked McDonald's. So we told them that we wanted to go there too! There are also many Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants here. Mary (our guide) said that McDonald's and KFC are cheap but Pizza Hut is very expensive. So we hope to treat them to dinner at Pizza Hut later this week.

Dallas and I are exhausted after this busy day and Lin-Ley is going strong - her usual chatter-box self! We have to stay awake 30 more minutes before we meet for dinner. I keep typing because if I stop I will fall asleep immediately....

Until tomorrow....