We're on our trip!
Couldnt get into my blog or for Paige - no facebook in China!
So had to wait until we got to London!
What a time we have had...
NO scrapping here - all trip photos...
Photo heavy!
So off here we start...
Had to leave home just after 3am for drive to airport and depart at 6am to Melbourne..
Hannah and Paige heading into International Airport, Melbourne...for our flight to Shanghai
Changed planes to Beijing...
and with only 2 hours time difference to Australia...
Our room, the bed was very large and comfortable... lovely mattress and pillows!
We are told this is very lucky to get!
It's only a 6 roomed hotel enclosed in a courtyard - typical of hotels in the hutongs.
we set off sight seeing...
Our room, the bed was very large and comfortable... lovely mattress and pillows!
We are told this is very lucky to get!
It's only a 6 roomed hotel enclosed in a courtyard - typical of hotels in the hutongs.
we set off sight seeing...
Temples, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Titanam Square
Chairman Mao
Being Spring...the cherry blossoms were out and everywhere
Paige jumping for joy! Just managed to grap this!
GREAT WALL
Conquering the Great Wall, the sections we walked and climbed is well away from tourist-y part. In Australia the public would never be allowed to even attempt what we climbed- it would be so liable! (But we are so glad we did) it was very hazardous, sometimes there were no 'walls' left - only elevated paths (as you can see below).. and the steps which are very steep, sometimes almost vertical - some are just rubble..
we loved it!
Though Hannah struggles with debilitating fear of heights, and was determined to get through it. She is so courageous and was so proud of herself by the end.
Any part of this can fall at any time... or a brick drop on someone.
Hannah being encouraged
Silent tears and shaking resides as Hannah rests after conquering one big section , she was so determined .
Being brave
Got there- oh the smiles!!!!!
Our comic part.... Hannah's 'Bunny'...
Had to do it.... take a pic of 'keeping the rabbits out'!
That's now marked off our bucket list!
It was positively gruelling...even our Chinese guide (who did not come with us, thought we were mad! There were times (especially one set of vertical steep steps to the flower tower) I wondered why we even considered doing it. It was like 'what was I thinking'!!!
It was positively gruelling...even our Chinese guide (who did not come with us, thought we were mad! There were times (especially one set of vertical steep steps to the flower tower) I wondered why we even considered doing it. It was like 'what was I thinking'!!!
It is going to be one of the most remarkable things our family have ever done together.
Back to Beijing....
Rickshaws!!
This was fun! You can see our guide. She was fabulous!
The rickshaw drivers are strong and fit, they work hard and we tipped him generously...he was smiling when we finished!
The drum tower! This was amazing.. it was loud and the vibration incredible. Very long steep steps to get to the top of the tower! (ugh, like we needed more after yesterday!!!!)
So many people asked to have their photos taken with the girls... particually Paige because of her fair skin and blonde hair. They didnt mind this and was innocent enough. What Paige did mind and creeped her out was the people sneaking up and taking photos of her... Particularly older men so the hair ended up in a bun on top of her head and she held onto her father! It was just unfathomable what they did, they even walked in front of us (women included), with their backs to us, held their phones up over their heads as if they were taking a selfie, and included Paige in the photo. The constant staring got to her father.
Cruising on the lake of the Summer Palace.
Beijing Zoo!
Way cute!
Playing with his ball
Had to have Peking Duck!
The Chef came and carved it at our table
and lastly... and acrobat show..
---------------------------------------------
At home, our family looking after our house says that they have bonded well with our cat 'Blackie'...no easy feat... he's a scaredy cat and all's okay..
They are such good words to hear when being far away.
They are such good words to hear when being far away.
