April 10, Tuesday

April 10, Tuesday

Last morning in Beijing:  Dress suit gets delivered and it fits beautifully.  Suitcases are picked up before breakfast.   We are soon back on the bus, on our way to visit the site of the Temple of Heaven.   Very nice start to the day, we are handed out beige jackets and are given a Tai Chi lesson in the park.

 

I thought the pink flowering trees were all cherry trees, but someone said they may be peach, apricot or almond trees as well !    I’ve tried to research this on the internet with no luck, so your guess is as good as mine.

 There are many people in the park, just enjoying retirement, playing board games and cards.

 Back at the Temple of Heaven

 Lighting for the interior is much better so I get a couple of good shots.

We only visit the last plaza of the site, so I am pleased that I came early for a longer visit.   

We stop for lunch and also take in a tea ceremony. It is very nice and elaborate.  Different types of pots depending on the type of tea.   Different water temperatures depending on the types of tea.   We get to sample quite a few different teas as well so that once we are taken into the shop it is easier to make purchases based on what we sampled.   Unfortunately all the boxes are huge and I would have preferred to just purchase a few bags to enjoy during my trip. 

 This one was quite interesting, she dropped a bulb in a hot glass of water and out popped a flower.  Mostly used as a decoration, not to drink.

 You have to try to read this for a sample of "what gets lost in translation".

 Some of the pretty cups for sale in the shop, along with the tea.

We get to the airport for our flight to Xi An.   And a few hours later, we are there !

The Hilton Hotel where we are staying is simply amazing.  The lobby is as huge as a museum.

 The lobby of the Hilton !

 
 We eat dinner at the hotel and get to rest for the evening.
  A quick glimpse of Xi An.  Huge cit.

“Xi An, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, has been a famous historical and cultural city of China for more than 3,100 years.  Since 1126 BC it has served as the capital for more than 12 Dynasties.  The city is an open-air museum and the starting point for the Silk Road.”