We just returned from an incrdible 2 week land trip to China! (Not sure, Karen, if this belongs in another section, so please move it if appropriate!) Still jet lagged, but happy to be home and want to share a bit of our trip with you.

We used points to fly Delta Business Elite from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta and then into Seoul Korea. From there, Korean Air to Shanghai. After a week in Shanghai we flew China Eastern to Beijing and pretty much reversed the trip to get home. Door to door each way was about 26 hours. The flights were all wonderful and remarkably on time! Biz Elite on Delta was fine but the Korean Air and China Eastern in first class were awesome. Both were only 2 hour flights, but in each case, a multi course meal was served, with french wines and gracious service. What a pleasure!!

Shanghai was wonderful, the city seems to have doubled in size since our previous trip there 18 months ago. This time we stayed at the Royal Meridien on the Club Floor. It was fantastic. Perfect location, gorgeous contemporary suite and impeccable service!

The earthquake occurred the day before our arrival. We happened to be on Nanjing Road when the 3 minutes of silence was observed to begin the three day mourning period. There are no words to describe the horror of this. Tragic beyond belief, but also inspiring in watching this incredible nation come together. To say we felt insignificant is such an understatement.

We managed to spend time and money in the markets and restaurants. Loved the dumpling restaurant at the Yu Gardens. The knock off market from our previous visit had been knocked down (pardon the pun!) and pretty much relocated to a multi story building. Same kids, yelling 'Lady, lady, want to buy a lewwee weeton.... Yup, I felt like I was right back in that same Jerry Lewis movie!

This was our first time in Beijing. Absolutely loved the city. It is congested beyond belief, but so exciting! The pollution is intense, but the streets are spotless and lined with roses everywhere! Not sure if the profusion of flowers is in preperation for the Olympics or just the norm. We stayed at the Peninsula and thanks to the AmEx FHR program were upgraded to a gorgeous suite.

Wandered over to the food stalls the first night where they sell all these incredible and very different foods. Even the scorpions looked delicious. No kidding. Huge pots of delicious looking vegetables, beautifully arranged fried scorpions and I'm not sure what else. I don't think I want to know!! Our favorite food experience was the Peking Duck at a restaurant called Da Dong. Yup. Duck at Da Dong. Ahhh...so many restaurants, so little time!

Thanks to Marcie, Ngaire and Anne, we found "Beijing Jane" and booked her for three days of wonderful touring. She was fantastic! We did all the usual sights and loved every moment! My legs are still weak from the walking. The Temple of Heaven was awesome, the Forbidden City beyond anything I could have imagined, and the Summer Palace was breathtaking! Probably the most exciting was taking the chair lift up and the toboggan down the Great Wall. My heart is still pounding!

Our too short visit was so full of exciting sights, moving moments and treasured experiences....will share more later....after I catch up on sleep and hugs from my doggie!!