Saturday, September 8, 2012

china trip : the summer palace

We spent our second full day taking in the Summer Palace, here in Beijing.
The last time we were in Beijing, was in December, so the Summer Palace wasn't an option!

We got a taxi outside our hotel, pointed to where we wanted to go on the map and we were away! We seem to be getting more brave as time goes by! Half an hour later we were paying the taxi fare, I think it was 60RMB, which is less than $10 - for the three of us! We also waved off the English tour guides at the entrance of the Summer Palace, we didn't feel like a history lesson and just wanted to relax and enjoy it all at our own pace.

After we paid the entrance fee, we walked straight to Kunming Lake, rented a pedal boat and spent a beautiful hour just pedaling around the lake, photographing all the different points of interest: The seventeen arch bridge, Yu Feng Pagoda, Longevity Hill and the absolutely beautiful Summer Palace itself. It was so peaceful and relaxing, especially compared to the crazy taxi ride we took to get there, in which we thought, either we or a few other people were going to lose their lives!

I think you can tell from my pictures how hot and hazy it is over here, we are getting into the time zone nicely and can you believe it? Tomorrow we fly to Changsha, Hunan! It's so exciting and surreal. We can't wait to meet our baby girl!

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some of our last pictures with just one girly
love this girl, can't wait to love one more

China, Beijing, Summer Palace - day 2 China, Beijing, Summer Palace - day 2

[ the flickr set is here ]

17 comments:

  1. Sounds like another exciting day! Can't wait for Phebe! Praying for you all!

    Rykauna

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  2. safe travel tomorrow. Thinking of you lots!

    lea
    xo

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  3. The Summer Palace looks wonderful. It's nice to do something relaxing like that before traveling again. I can't wait to see both your girls together. Of course I can't wait to see Phebe in your arms either! Safe travels tomorrow!

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  4. Oh goodness, I love EVERY one of these pictures, Jill! Simply stunning!!
    Prayers for safe travel for y'all, sounds like the trip is going perfectly so far :)

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  5. Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!

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  6. So very very happy for the three of you!! Glad you had safe travels. Praying for the 10th!! Love you, M xoxoxoxoxo

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  7. One of my favorite places and you captured it perfectly. Thinking of you lots.

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  8. Thinking of u all loads. Safe onward journey keeping u in my thoughts and prayers can't wait for the 10th:)

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  9. Thinking of u all loads. Safe onward journey keeping u in my thoughts and prayers can't wait for the 10th:)

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  10. I LOVE the photos! keeping you all in our prayers! only one more sleep C-: yikes!excited!

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  11. I can't wait to see Phebe

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  12. Such lovely photos. We visited the palace, and I was soaking it all up. So happy you were able to go here and do the same. Can't wait until you get your girl!

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  13. What a lovely place....its looks so calming! I know that its just a facade though Jill and you will all be super excited to meet little Phebe.....LOL!!! Dx

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  14. Great pictures, brings back memories!

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  15. Your photos are so beautiful!!!! Thinking of you and praying all goes well tomorrow:)

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  16. Your photos make me ache to return to China. I just love that you waved away the guides and were able to spend the day and relax and enjoy the beauty at your own pace (how I wish we had been afforded that same luxury when we visited the Summer Palace!).

    And now you are four, I saw the photos on Facebook. Phebe is simply darling and sweet Lilah has a mei mei at last! Congratulations to the four of you. Praying that Phebe's transition is smooth.

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  17. very nive picture best i'have blospot for travel i'am from morocco essaouira my city

    http://day-best.blogspot.com/2012/09/summer-palace-in-beijing-china.html

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