What is it Saying?
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 81 °F
I love seeing details like this and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda has them everywhere! I can’t read any of this, of course, but I do recognize a lot of the writing as being numbers. Maybe this is someRead more
Turning the Corner
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 81 °F
Courtyards seems to be around every other corner. I like exploring these temple grounds. I never know what I’ll be seeing next! Each time I turn the corner it’s something different.
Courtyards
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 81 °F
The courtyards look very beautiful. They aren’t the traditional gardens or fountains you would expect in a courtyard but that sort of thing would actually be very out of place. These look veryRead more
At the Pagoda
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 82 °F
Everyone in our tour group wanted a photo in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Lee, our tour guide, patiently took photos for everyone. He’s such a friendly guy and I’m liking him a lot moreRead more
Budai
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 48 °F
Budai is a semi-historical Chinese monk who is venerated as Maitreya Buddha in Chan Buddhism. He is said to have lived around the 10th century in the Wuyue kingdom. His name literally means "clothRead more
Buddha
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 48 °F
It’s been said that placing Buddha statues around your home can bring peace, positive energy, good health and prosperity. If that’s true, this place must be the most lucky place in the world.Read more
Ice Cream Break
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 82 °F
After making our way to our groups meeting place, we saw a few stands selling ice cream and decided that a snack would do us good. Once we bought some, most of the other people in our tour groupRead more
Time for Lunch
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 81 °F
We had lunch at a buffet style restaurant within walking distance to the pagoda and it was awful! I’m so happy that I had that ice cream because there wasn’t really anything here that I could eat.Read more
Dumplings
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 81 °F
These dumplings were very well made and looked beautiful but, unfortunately, completely inedible. Even Kathy, who will eat almost anything didn’t like the food here and ate almost nothing. Zoom inRead more
Back to the Bus
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 79 °F
Our time at Big Wild Goose Pagoda has come to a close and lunch, such as it was, has ended so it’s time to head back to the bus and go to our hotel. We’ve been on the move since before dawn soRead more
Arriving at the Wyndham
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 75 °F
After taking the more scenic route, we arrived at our hotel, the Wyndham. I really enjoyed seeing more of Xi’an. I just wish that we had made a few stops while driving so that I could get some moreRead more
Our View
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 73 °F
This is the view from our hotel room. It’s so much more impressive than the views we had in Beijing and Chengdu! Xi’an seems to be a much more modern, and built up, city. I like it here!
Blue Hour View
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 68 °F
While Kathy was taking a nap, I set up the tripod and decided to get a few good shots of the view from our hotel room. I was very tired and wanted to nap a bit but. Didn’t want to miss this greatRead more
Out and About
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
Kathy was feeling very hungry when she woke up so we decided to go outside and look for somewhere to get food. There wasn’t much around but it felt good to be out exploring again. I’m hoping thatRead more
Dinner, Finally!
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 64 °F
We found Weijia Cold Noodle, a fast food type of restaurant, right near the hotel. They only served Chinese food so, while not really for me, it was a good choice for her. She didn’t think that itRead more
Mass Transit
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
This is the entrance to the subway system in Xi’an. I wanted to go down and see what the trains here are like and, possibly, get another transit card for my collection. Kathy didn’t think that itRead more
Good Night
September 29, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
With a last look out the window, we’re ready to go to bed. It’s been a very long and busy day and we’re completely exhausted. I know that we’re going to sleep well tonight!
Early to Rise
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 59 °F
Despite the early hour, I’m already wide awake. I’m hardly sleeping on this trip but I don’t think that it’s because of the time difference. This is the most exciting trip I’ve ever takenRead more
Breakfast Time
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 61 °F
Despite looking a lot nicer than the Beijing hotel’s restaurant, the food looks to be about the same meaning that there is very little for me to eat. I’m happy with buttered toast though. TheRead more
Today’s Plan
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 63 °F
Today we’re going to a factory and shop where terracotta warriors are made in all different sizes and sold as souvenirs. After that we’re going to see the real terracotta warriors. I’m lookingRead more
Meeting a Warrior
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
So far, I haven’t been overly impressed by the different factory tours that we’ve gone on but this place seems very different. We just got here and I’m already liking it very much!
My Terracotta Buddy
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
I know that these aren’t the actual terracotta warriors but I’m still surprised that we’re allowed to be so close to them and touch them. These statues make great photo opportunities!
These Look Real!
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
I’ve never seen the real terracotta warriors but, in all the pictures that I’ve seen, this is exactly what they look like. These reproductions are very well done!
My Warrior Princess
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
They even had some hollowed out terracotta warriors so that we could step inside and become one for photos. What a great idea for a photo op!
Terracotta Soldiers
September 30, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F
Here’s both of us transformed into terracotta warriors. The center figure seems to be designed for a child. It would have been great to take this trip with the kids when they were small. I bet thatRead more