Beijing Day 2 - Lama Temple/Olympic Stadiums/Hutong Tour/Panda Zoo

Panda Zoo

Birds Nest Olympic Stadium

Silk Factory

Hutong Tour

Greetings from Beijing! We had another fun filled day exploring Beijing. We met our tour guide at 8:00 a.m. in the lobby of our hotel and took our tour bus to another hotel to pick up 15 college kids from Australia. We headed out to the Lama Temple. Both Dan and I felt sad and a little freaked out at the temple as this is not our way of honoring the Father. Thankfully our time at the temple was short and we were off to the Olympic Stadiums. Since we were here just the week after the Olympics in 2008 (and were here during the Para Olympics) this was a fun stop for us. The weather was very hot and humid but it was still a lot of fun to walk the grounds and see the water cube, birds nest and other stadiums up close. I was able to say no to a birds nest ash tray, water cube earrings and fake momentos from the 2008 games...although the water cube earrings were attractive! After the Olympic Stadiums we went to the "Government Tea Store" Dr. Tea. We were given a lesson on how to brew and apprciate fine tea...complete with pee pee boy demonstration (inside joke) :-)) We did not laugh as hard this time but it was still fun none the less. We purchased some tea that we really liked and then headed out to another government store - the Silk Factory. This was a different factory than the one we visited two years ago...prices were more reasonable and the items were beautiful. Dan got some silk dress socks and we were back on the bus for the featured tour of the day...the Hutong Rickshaw tour. The Hutong tour was fascinating! We went through the streets of old Beijing in a pedal rickshaw and then had lunch with a local family in their Hutong Home. The lunch was simple but amazing. The food was all so fresh and everything was delicious. After the meal we were back in our rickshaws and continued seeing the sites of the Hutong. A Hutong is a very small, simple historic home in the heart of Beijing. The home we stopped at was very small, and the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom were all outdoors. After the Hutong Tour we went to the Beijing Panda Zoo and spent about an hour looking at the Pandas...they are so cute and fun to watch. We got a few good photos and then we headed back to the hotel for the evening. We decided to try a traditional Beijing Roast Duck dinner and it was delicious! We kept getting served more and more food and didn't realize this was all part of the deal. Tomorrow...Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tianamen Square! FOR DANIKA: Mama and Daddy love you and miss you so much! We loved seeing you all wrapped up in your towel after your bath, you are cute as a bug. We are glad you are having so much fun with Grandpa and Grandma and are enjoying your prizes each day. Way to go with being a big girl and going to sleep and staying asleep all night long! We are having fun picking out some fun surprises to bring to you! Just 4 more sleeps until you are a BIG sister! We took this Panda video for you!