Friday, October 8, 2010

1 October 2010, Part 1 ~ Weekend Getaway

Our wonderful driver Jack picked Nancy, Claire and me up early on Friday morning and we headed north toward Anshan City in the Liaoning Province of Northeastern China. It was October 1, China's National Day, and we were off to enjoy our five day weekend and explore the sights and sounds of China.

Festivities for the holiday across the street from our hotel in Anshan City.
Nancy and Kimberly checking into the Futian Hotel in Anshan City.
Claire and Nancy...checking in.
Jade heart on bamboo plant.
After checking into our hotel rooms and settling in a bit, we had a yummy lunch. Jack then picked us up to ferry us off to what we thought was going to be a jade Buddha garden called Yufo Yuan just outside of Anshan City. We were quite surprised when we got out of the car and found ourselves smack dab in the middle of an amusement park. Well, we were in China and it was conceivable that the "jade buddha garden" we thought we were visiting was actually an amusement park called the "Jade Buddha Garden." After living in China for two months, I've learned that things are not always as they seem and never to assume a thing! We were all a bit disappointed and not one of us was able to shift our jade Buddha mood into an amusement park mood, so we started walking away from the rides toward what looked like a park.

Me being silly.... I wanted a "China Picture of the Day!"
This was a beautiful archway that led into the park.
Claire and Nancy framed...
View from the other side...
Beautiful architecture
Taking pictures of...
...people taking pictures.
(Notice the two sweet little girls in their winged outfits. Adorable!)
An amusement park named Jade Buddha Garden??
We were all quite relieved to find this sign. We had a choice! Pirate City or Jade Buddha Monastery! Jade Buddhas here we come...

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