Loving those Pagodas

I love this style of architecture! I wish that we could have the roof of our house made into this style but I know that it's not possible. We own a co-op and one of their first rules aboutLeer más
The Temple of Heaven

I'm so happy that we came here and that we're able to see such wonderful sites. I'm very surprised that it's not more crowded here. I guess that the Forbidden City is a much bigger attraction than theLeer más
Netting

The nets that are strung up under the roofs of the pagodas are a bit distracting but I can understand why they are there. If something were to crumble and fall, would this thin netting really be ableLeer más
What Knockers!

I still remember that knockers line from the movie Young Frankenstein, in which Dr. Frankenstein said it, about the castles big door knockers, but a busty looking Teri Garr thought it was about herLeer más
Carvings

The craftsmanship and talent of the people who built all of this is incredible! This is a close up look at a carved post near the buildings. It's astounding that all of this was done by hand, withoutLeer más
The Post

Here's another look at that carved post, this time from a bit further back, to give it a sense of scale. This is just one small part of this place. These sort of elaborate details are everywhere!
Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven's Door

Here's another look at the door knockers. Those big door studs are placed in a certain way to accommodate a lucky number of studs. It seems that nothing was left to chance in the architecture of theseLeer más
It's Me

I think that I've had more pictures taken of me on this trip than any other time that we've gone away. I'm finding that I enjoy having my picture taken. It helps me remember all the places that we'veLeer más
Where is Everyone?

I'm still surprised to see such a popular tourist destination so empty, especially considering what a populous country China is. I'm guessing that the local people don't visit here very often. It'sLeer más
Kathy

That guy on the left was one of the Canadian people in our tour group. I'm noticing that he's trying to work himself into the background of nearly every shot that I take of Kathy. Is he stalking herLeer más
What a Day!

I'm so happy that we've been having such great weather while we're seeing the sites in Beijing. We had some rain in Chengdu while we were seeing the pandas but the weather is perfect today. I hopeLeer más
Looking Down

I like this photo of me a lot but that yellow caution sign on the left is bugging me. I wish I could have moved it but I wouldn't dare. I don't know what the rules are for things like that, since it'sLeer más
The Dragon

Like the Forbidden City, there's several animal figures scattered around the grounds of the Temple of Heaven. The Forbidden City has a lot more but having some here also is a nice touch.
Bright and Colorful

I'm thinking that the Temple of Heaven might have gone through a restoration recently. Things here look so clean and bright when compared to the Forbidden City. I'm sure restoration work is doneLeer más
A Last Look

It's nearly time for our group to get together at the assigned meeting place. I'm shocked by how quickly the time flew by. I'd really like for Kathy and I to visit China on our own some day. It wouldLeer más
Group Photo

Once we were all back together someone suggested a group photo which was a great idea. It's nice to have a shot with everyone in it so that we can remember our time exploring China together. I'll haveLeer más
Through the Doors

Once again, we're passing through the big studded red doors that guard the Temple of Heaven. Will we ever pass through these gates again? I'm hoping so much that we will. It may be many years from nowLeer más
The Way Out

This exit pathway looks nice, with it's covering looking like it was taken from the architecture of the buildings in the Temple of Heaven but it's obvious that it was built much later. Strangely, thisLeer más
On Our Way

Once again, I'm lagging behind everyone but there's so many fascinating things to see, and photograph, that I just can't help it. That's Kathy walking ahead of me with Fiona. Despite them being quiteLeer más
The Game

This is a shot that I felt like I had to stop and get. Two locals, playing Chinese Chess, so intent on their game that they aren't even aware that they are being photographed. This is the sort of shotLeer más
Back to the Hotel

We're back on the tour bus and headed back to the hotel. It's been a very long and busy day and we've seen such wonderful things. Kathy is so exhausted that she couldn't even wait until we get back toLeer más
Wanda Realm Beijing

After we got back to the Wanda Realm Hotel everyone from the tour group went their separate ways. I'm guessing that most of them went up to their rooms to relax. As for us, we decided to walk around aLeer más
Food Shopping

We stopped in a grocery store, wanting to get some snacks to eat, but everything we saw seemed to be past the expiration date. We couldn't figure out why everything this store was selling was stale soLeer más
The New Order

There's a movie theater inside the Wanda Realm Mall and I was surprised to see that they were showing one of the Star Wars movies. I wish that the theaters back home set up figures like this toLeer más
Stormtrooper

I was curious to see a movie in China, especially if it was going to be something as good as a Star Wars film, but Kathy was too tired for a movie. She's not a Star Wars fan anyway so she wouldn'tLeer más