We’re back on the Voyager after an amazing 3 nights away. We did so much while away! First we went to Xian where a guide picked us up at the airport and took us to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, now considered the 8th Wonder of the World. What amazing ongoing expedition this is. It’s massive and hard to believe the excavation is on going and will be for many many more years. Late afternoon on Tuesday we then flew on to Beijing where we stayed for 3 nights. We hired Jane Yeo, the same guide Ngaire & Ken and Anne & Gary used. She was just great and certainly gave us our money’s worth seeing all the sites of Beijing. On day one we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. On day two we went to the Great Wall and the Emperor’s Summer Palace. I feel like we did 4 days worth in 2 days but it was all so worth it. I even bought a tee-shirt “I climbed the Great Wallâ€. It was cold in both Xian and Beijing. We didn’t get any snow in Beijing though there was lots of snow patches through out the city from snowing the days before. On Thursday we even squeezed in some shopping at the Silk Market. Tom got a beautiful black Armani suit for such a cheap price!! He also stocked up on Polo shirts and sweaters. We stayed at a very nice hotel in a perfect location, The Jianguo Hotel.
We flew from Beijing to Hong Kong Friday and reboarded the Voyager around 5:30pm (the ship arrived around 4:00). It really was the perfect get away with the flights, guides, hotel, transfers all going perfect! All this for a fraction of the cost the ship charged for a 2 night excursion to Xian only.
While in Shanghi it was me who made all the purchases…..lots of purses, sunglasses, shoes, and watches! BTW, in case no one has mentioned it. The old outdoor Day Market in Shanghai is shut down. (Joanna, Tony, Tom and me got to know it all so well 2 years ago!) It has all moved to a nice multi level indoor building but has the same knock off shops inside. I don’t think there is any designer brand that isn’t sold in Shanghai or Beijing!
Yesterday was such a special treat when Marc & Arlene arrived. It’s so fun having them here….just wish they could stay onboard. After breakfast in LaVeranda, Marc & Arlene, Betty & Al and me took the Star Ferry and then a taxi to Stanley Market for shopping and lunch. We 3 girls bought very similar tops and matching jackets to wear to dinner. At 6:30 we had cocktails in the Observation Lounge (Frankie Holiday was playing the guitar) with Ardis & Stan joining us followed by a great dinner for the 8 of us in Compass Rose. Marc and Arlene are staying at the Hilton but will be joining us for LaVeranda breakfast shortly.
I think today we’re all headed for the Jade Market. The Voyager sails away at 7:00 pm tonight and we’ll be off to Vietnam.
Here are a few pictures to share.
Our fun dinner group last night
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Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian
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The First gate to enter the Forbidden City
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Emperor’s Summer Palace
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The Great Wall is amazing!
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To get to the bottom of the Great Wall we rode toboggans to the bottom
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