Beijing to Shanghai to Suzhou, China – 11/1/2016

November 1, 2016 (Tuesday)

Today we had to get up early, WAY EARLY! In fact, so early the 6:30 am breakfast buffet wasn’t open and the tour group had arranged breakfast boxes for us to take on the bus and eat as we traveled to the airport. The breakfast boxes had a sandwich and a few other little things to munch on, but no COFFEE! Michael and I ended up getting some way expensive coffee at the airport while we waited on our flight. The coffee was something like $15 for two cups. As we were drinking it, Andrew and Brandon came walking up with Starbucks and said they got it across the way for about half that. Bummer but….we just weren’t in the mood to explore since it was so darn early.

Sunrise in Beijing.
Sunrise in Beijing.
We made it in plenty of time to the Beijing Airport.
We made it in plenty of time to the Beijing Airport.
It is huge, modern, nice and not under construction.
It is huge, modern, nice – and not under construction.
Emily, bottom center right, saw us through every hurdle at the airport and to the gate.
Emily, bottom center right, saw us through every hurdle at the airport and to the gate.
They told us to board, we walked onto the gantry, down stairs and got on a bus. Then we drove for 15 minutes to a distant part of the airport and walked up stairs to board the plane.
They told us to board, we walked onto the gantry, down stairs and got on a bus. Then we drove for 15 minutes to a distant part of the airport and walked up stairs to board the plane.

The plane ride went smooth and Michael and I got extra leg room, which was nice. The flight was only about two hours or so. When we landed in Shanghai, we were met by our new tour guide, David.

On our way to Shanghai.
On our way to Shanghai.
The Shanghai Airport is finished and nice.
The Shanghai Airport is finished and nice.
Lots of shops along the way, lots of interesting art work.
Lots of shops along the way, lots of interesting art work.
Baggage claim was fast and impressive.
Baggage claim was fast and impressive.
We have met our new guide, Dave. We mutinied almost immediately, we were hungry, he wanted to go and eat later. Fellow traveler, Michael Lopez, asked for the evaluation form and Dave immediately made an executive decision and gave us 20 minutes to find something to eat.
We have met our new guide, Dave. We mutinied almost immediately as we were hungry and he wanted to go and eat later. Fellow traveler, Michael Lopez, asked for the evaluation form and Dave immediately made an executive decision and gave us 20 minutes to find something to eat.

David speaks and spells English perfectly. We started out a little rough with him as we were all pretty hungry by that time and he didn’t want to spend the time to let us eat (there was a KFC in the airport real close to where we were all waiting). After someone spoke out (loud enough for David to hear) that this would reflect on his evaluation. Once that was said all the plans changed and we got to get something to eat.

The bus was a double decker with huge glass windows in the front.  Michael and I were able to get the front seats and were excited.  By the time we got underway for Suzhou, we were wishing we had sat in the back because there were so many close calls.  Driving is crazy in China.  We got on the bus and David talked while the bus drove to Suzhou. The drive was quite lovely and we got to see the countryside. Such huge homes in China. David explained that a lot of the large homes we were seeing were farmer homes that didn’t want to leave their land. I’m talking homes that were three and four stories high. Also as we were driving, we saw many people who just pulled over to the side of the toll road and took a pee (hopefully just a pee). I even saw one that was really close to a police car so it must be allowed there.

We are departing the airport. Edie and I are on the top deck, in the front most seats, about 20 inches from the glass windshield, on the bus. If we had thought it through a little, we would not have sat here.
We are departing the airport. Edie and I are on the top deck, in the front most seats, about 20 inches from the glass windshield, on the bus. If we had thought it through a little, we would not have sat there.
Our fellow travelers.
Our fellow travelers.
We saw so many clusters of high rise apartments like this one as we traveled the countryside. When we traveled at night we realized many were empty.
We saw so many clusters of high rise apartments like this one as we traveled the countryside. When we traveled at night we realized many were empty.
All the major roads are toll roads.
All the major roads are toll roads.
They have that Texas syndrome, having to build everything a little bit bigger than everyone else. Tunnels are included.
They have that Texas syndrome, having to build everything a little bit bigger than everyone else. Tunnels are included.
The concrete art exiting the tunnel is wonderful.
The concrete art exiting the tunnel is wonderful.
So Chinese.
So Chinese.

When we got into Suzhou, we went straight to the Lingering Garden. What a beautiful place. Parts of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and other movies were filmed here. Just beautiful and peaceful. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lots of tolls.
Lots of tolls.
Riding in the front of the bus is amazing, 10,000 near misses, no accidents.
Riding in the front of the bus is amazing, 10,000 near misses, no accidents.
Entering the Lingering Garden from the street. Doesn't look very big.
Entering the Lingering Garden from the street. Doesn’t look very big.
The first areas can be unimpressive.
The first areas can be unimpressive.
Then quite lovely like the grotto.
Then quite lovely like the grotto.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
The place just goes and goes and goes.
The place just goes and goes and goes.
Dave talked into our ears as we walked around.
Dave talked into our ears with radio headsets as we walked around.
Great rocks.
Great rocks.
Love the paths.
Love the paths.
In the background, middle right, Dave has failed at photo bombing.
In the background, middle right, Dave has failed at photo bombing.  Need to smile Dave.
Famous and beloved rocks.
Famous and beloved rocks.
I love the detail in all the sidewalks. I have included about 1/10 of the photos I have taken of the stone pathways.
I love the detail in all the sidewalks.

 

Freestyle mosaic.
Freestyle mosaic.
Fine detail as I look at the eye.
Fine detail as I look at the eye.
I've just never seen such walkways, labor intensive, each unique.
I’ve just never seen such walkways, labor intensive, each unique.
Rough and yet makes a nice walkway.
Rough and yet makes a nice walkway.
I would like to watch the workmen install some of these.
I would like to watch the workmen install some of these.
Nice art work.
Nice art work.
Great patterns.
Great patterns.
Blends so good with natural stone.
Blends so good with natural stone.
A turtle.
A turtle.
Bonsai and oriental buildings.
Bonsai and oriental buildings.
Every inch of the acreage is manicured based on Fung Shui.
Every inch of the acreage is manicured based on feng shui.
There are beautiful views everywhere we look.
There are beautiful views everywhere we look.
The place is so deceptive from the outside. It is huge inside and you get no indication walking in that you are entering a large acreage (5.76).
The place is so deceptive from the outside. It is huge inside and you get no indication walking in that you are entering a large acreage (5.76).
The garden was built in 1593 and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where was the life that is in me in 1593?
The garden was built in 1593 and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where was the life that is in me in 1593?
The Chinese house has always appeared stiff and uncomfortable to me. I've been walking a lot, but don't really see anyplace I want to sit down.
The Chinese house has always appeared stiff and uncomfortable to me. I’ve been walking a lot, but don’t really see anyplace I want to sit down.
Window that looks like a mirror.
Window that looks like a mirror.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was filmed in part at this location. Great views out almost all the windows.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was filmed in part at this location. Great views out almost all the windows.
The cloud rock is famous. It was selected to represent a mountain that has captured a cloud in it's peak.
The cloud rock is famous. It was selected to represent a mountain that has captured a cloud in its peak.
We loved it here.
We loved it here.
The bonsai are huge and very old.
The bonsai are huge and very old.
Whatever master put this together has a great eye.
Whatever master put this together has a great eye.
Pretty woman taking a rest.
Pretty woman taking a rest.
There is a wonderful balance here.
There is a wonderful balance here.

We could have stayed there much longer but it was getting late and almost everyone in our tour wanted to do the optional boat ride on the Grand Canal with a walk around the local market ($29 US option). As we drove to the area we got to observe the stores and quaint little streets. David pointed out there are a lot of bridal shops in Suzhou, which we saw.

The front of the bus was amazingly freighting. So many close calls just slipped away in front and to the sides of us.
The front of the bus was amazingly frightening. So many close calls just slipped away in front and to the sides of us.

We got to the Grand Canal and onto the boat. It was very exciting as there was very little (if any) room for boats to pass. We banged into a couple boats as we were going along. We got to see people doing their laundry in the Grand Canal, people getting water for dinner from the Canal (don’t think I would trust it but I guess if it’s boiled), and generally just how the locals lived. Some of the homes would be exciting to live in as they looked like they were ready to topple into the Canal at any minute. We went to a main intersection, turned around and went back up the canal.  Going back up the canal on the boat we got to see the lanterns all lit up for the evening. Just beautiful.  When we got out of the boat, we walked down a narrow alley and saw shop after shop of local fruits, vegetables, and other things they were selling from little cubbiest. Loved seeing what I call the “real China.”

grand entrance off the grand canal.
Grand entrance off the grand canal.
Side canals with bridges.
Side canals with bridges.
Most of the canal surfaces need to be freshened.
Most of the canal surfaces need to be freshened.
The lanterns are prettiest at night.
The lanterns are prettiest at night.
Lots of bridges over all the canals.
Lots of bridges over all the canals.
Some of the bridges are nice.
Some of the bridges are nice.
The arches are lovely.
The arches are lovely.
We had to duck for several bridges. Don, who is 6'5" almost go decappitated, he ducked just in time as he walked onto the back deck and turned forward to see a bridge, neck high, about 2 inches in front of him
We had to duck for several bridges. Don, who is 6’5″ almost got decapitated.  He ducked just in time as he walked onto the back deck and turned forward to see a bridge, neck high, about 2 inches in front of him
Old and new.
Old and new.
Pagoda's are fairly common in Suzhou.
Pagoda’s are fairly common in Suzhou.
Really tight quarters ahead.
Really tight quarters ahead.
The boats are big and the canals are at times quite small. We bumped other boats several times.
The boats are big and the canals are at times quite small. We bumped other boats several times.
Nighttime makes it all look better.
Nighttime makes it all look better.
Mysterious steps and spaces disappear off into the darkness.
Mysterious steps and spaces disappear off into the darkness.
Cantilevered steps from who knows how many centuries ago.
Cantilevered steps from who knows how many centuries ago.
Getting some water for the house.
Getting some water for the house.
Sometimes the canals are wide.
Sometimes the canals are wide.
The color and light beckons us into the nearby commercial district.
The color and light beckons us into the nearby commercial district.
The alleyways are so exotic to us.
The alleyways are so exotic to us.
Good looking fruits.
Good looking fruits.
We wished we had more night time here.
We wished we had more night time here.

We had to walk a little ways to get to the bus, which was an adventure in itself as the traffic was horrible and we had to cross a very busy street. David escorted us with his flag held high but it was still scary as heck hoping (and praying) the cars would stop for us. We all laughed and hollered for joy when we made it across, but it was exciting.

We got to our hotel, the Pan Pacific Suzhou, which was absolutely beautiful.

Our hotel entrance.
Our hotel entrance.
Lobby is on the 4th floor.
Lobby is on the 4th floor.
Looking out a window in a hallway on our way to our room, a distant lighted pagoda.
Looking out a window in a hallway on our way to our room, a distant lighted pagoda.
Nice bed, and chair with ottoman
Nice bed, and chair with ottoman
Nice Flat screen with several engilsh channels. Desk with electric adapters for our western phones, laptops and toothbrush.
Nice flat screen with several English channels. Desk with electric adapters for our western phones, laptops and toothbrush.
All in all an attractive and functional bathroom.
All in all an attractive and functional bathroom.
Edie got her bathtub and was grateful for it each night.
Edie got her bathtub and was grateful for it each night.
All the bathroom stuff you need.
All the bathroom stuff you need.
Indirect lighting, towels on glass shelves.
Indirect lighting, towels on glass shelves.
Wonderful granite showers, don't drink from the tap, always soap and shampoo provided.
Wonderful granite showers, don’t drink from the tap, always soap and shampoo provided (as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors and sewing kits).

After we got our things into our gorgeous room, we went back downstairs to have dinner at the Garden Brasserie. A little pricey (for China) but the presentation was lovely and the food was delicious.

Edie had a pasta dish and she really liked it.
Edie had a pasta dish and she really liked it.
Won Ton soup
Won Ton soup
I had a club sandwich with fries.
I had a club sandwich with fries.
We split a piece of carrot cake which was pretty good.
We split a piece of carrot cake which was pretty good.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!