Chongqing with Qing and her family (3)

The day before Mid-Autumn Festival, school had been canceled due to extreme heat.  We went hiking in Wansheng Heishan Scenic Valley, one of "China's most beautiful valleys," which it was.   And, a great place to be on a hot day!!!  (It reminded us of Dole Valley!)

Chris and Qing hike down into the valley, while Paula takes a scenic ride over the forest in a cable car.  The three of us meet up at a lower point along the WONDERFUL trail!

Black Mountain Forest Canyon

Pretty  Qing!

China has 56 ethnic minority groups.  One group of local people greets visitors in the park.

Chris ties up our "prayer bell," after we ceremoniously consider the health and safety of all our family and friends.

Chongqing with Qing and her family (2)

We celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival with Melody, Qing, and Sam, along with Qing's parents and lots of family friends!  We traveled to a hot springs resort in the country-side.  The favorite activity there for Melody was FISHING ! 
Then, during mealtimes, FISH was the main thing on the menu! 


Melody Goes Fishing

Melody, feasting with her good-friend Niu Shio Yen....

I enjoyed the opportunity to read

Tikki Tikki Tembo

and 

The Story About Ping

to Melody and her good friends!

This sweet baby reminded me of my Baby Veronica, back home!

While the kids fished, the grandparents (including Qing's parents, and then, later, "Grandma Paula and Grandpa Chris) played Mah Jong.  We actually played "China versus America".....and came out about even in the end (with a little help from our friends!)   Fun holiday tradition!

Chongqing with Qing and her family (1)

We flew from Beijing to Chongqing, to fulfill our commitment to teach Conversational English for one year at Chongqing Number 8 Middle/High School.  Qing (and Ma Yanfei) met us at the airport.  That evening, we went out to dinner with Qing and her daughter (Melody), experiencing the famous Chongqing "Hot Pot" for the first time!  It's an eating extravaganza!

CHONGQING, CHINA

Qing and Melody

Another day....and then another.....and then another.....we went for "Hot Pot" at other restaurants.  Great fun!

We also enjoy weekend hiking with Melody, Qing, and Sam!

A tradition when hiking with Qing and her family:  Nap-time!

Last set of Beijing photos

Athletes (?????)  at the Olympic Stadium: Bird's Nest

Cool creatures out at the site of the Ming tombs:

Our friend, Jin, who had come to America and taught Chinese classes at our high school a few years back, came to see us in Beijing for a day of fun........ and to help us purchase airline tickets on to Chongqing.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes it is nice to see something familiar!

More of Beijing

Interesting foods at the Red Lantern food-vendor street included LIVE sea-stars.

Scorpions

Big crickets

Silk-worm Larvae

Also, various kinds of snakes... along with octopus, sliced kidneys, duck heads, sea urchins, eels, and WEIRD fish...  colorful!

Touring the "Temple of Heaven"

Dragon boat rides at the "Summer Palace"

A Carved Marble Boat !

Touring one of the "Ming Tombs" with our GREAT WALL of CHINA guide, Rita....

Ten Days in Beijing

We had ten days in Beijing, including a moment with Chairman Mao's "Little Red Book" at Tiananmen Square...

The Forbidden City....We spent parts of  2 days exploring here.

BEIJING

Beautiful Chinese Architecture

Night-time shot

We climbed to the tops of the Drum and  Bell Towers, and witnessed a drum
show similar to that performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.  Cool!

Typical way to travel, along with THOUSANDS of bicycles!

We found a dinosaur park where bones had been excavated.  The dinosaurs were animated.  Fun for kids!

Fun!