Now that the Adoption formalities in Hangzhou are complete, we got to play tourist. This is a very large city by US standards at 4.6 million and quite small by China standards as Shanghai has 16.7 million and it's only a short ride downstream from here. Although this is a very metropolitan city with lots of cars, motorcycles and bicycles, there are many parks and open spaces. Today we visited the West Lake side of town and took a boat ride on a very large lake. West Lake covers 6.5 square kilometers and was hand dug by 180,000 laborers over 1300 years ago. Some things are very old here and some are very new.
While on the boat ride across the lake we heard something very strange. A Chinese lady was giving tourist reports to some German tourists and she was speaking German, very peculiar. But, this was just a reminder as to how international this city is.
The boat ride ended at what appeared to be an island with some splendid gardens that date back 400 years. Wonderful stone walkways, rock fountains brought in from the mountains and a few very old and beautiful temple like structures.
After walking for ±1 hour we came upon a parking lot that made it clear we were not on an island and there was our van waiting. Since it was nearly lunch time and we were standing in front of a restaurant that was nestled into the park, we decided it was time to have lunch. Turned out to be a good decision as the food was delicious and with very nice service. In addition to the fried rice and several types of Dim Sum we ordered Mao's favorite dish of very spicy pork and peppers. We all enjoyed lunch and then we were off again.
This time we headed for the Mei Family Valley where Green Tea is famously grown. Entering the valley felt much like touring the Napa Valley, except the rows of plants were Green Tea bushes. We stopped at a tea farm and participated in a Green Tea tasting ceremony. The tea there is known as Dragon Well Tea and the first cutting is known as the “Empress” or best cutting. To our amazement, Hannah like the Green Tea and finished off three glasses.
We headed back to the hotel to refresh and rest the girls before heading out to attend a traditional dance program that is in town this week. Will talk at you more later, Rodg & Norene
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