Nov 9 Beijing City Tour #1

Got to sleep in and left at 9 am for the Forbidden City. Walked through Tiananmen Square while Dave gave us some history spiel. The square is the largest in the world and is surrounded by government buildings and museums. Took lots of pictures. Usually the square is known for kite flying but I didn’t see many kites. But I did see tons of Asian tourists. They are the pushiest people ever. Saw the well-known picture of Mao on the gate into the Forbidden City. We filed in with the mob into the city. We were given automatic guides to listen to for the buildings we decided to stop at as we went through the city. They let us free for an hour and the girls and I walked up through the middle of the city. Most of the major buildings were there. We tried to see where the Emperor’s throne was but trying to get to an opening was impossible. There was a mosh pit of pushy Chinese coming from all sides, I couldn’t even move or breathe. It was ridiculous. I have never experienced anything like it. I couldn’t even tell you what I was trying to take a picture f I just wanted to get out of there. After making it through the city with only a couple bumps and bruises we headed to lunch in a 4 star Chinese restaurant. After lunch was the Lama Temple. It is a working temple where the monks live and people come to pray to Buddha. There are multiple statues in buildings throughout the campus. It is also the site of the tallest Buddha statue made from a single tree trunk. This thing was huge!! Biggest thing I have ever seen of a Buddha. It was interesting to see people lighting incense and praying to Buddha. We weren’t allowed to take pictures of the statues of Buddha but I tried to take some inconspicuous hip shots. Some came out ok. A group of us made a quick tour of everything and then headed to the Pearl Market again. I had to buy a suitcase in order to get everything back on the ship. Came back, rested and then went to dinner at this really fun place. After went to an acrobatic show. One of the coolest and most bizarre things ever. The way the girls bent their bodies was not natural or normal. I think they surgically removed their spines. Bending ever which way and doing tricks upside down while holding/balancing a lamp thing in their foot….unbelievable. The guys did lots of flips, balancing, and positioning tricks. Lifting each other or rocket launching them into the air. The show was themed around birds and they live parrots and cockatoos. They did bike tricks, plate balancing on sticks, and hamster cage stuff. Really really cool but some times the guys almost fell and that was nerve racking. CRAZY! After went back to the hotel and just watched movies and chilled.