"LIVE" - Ovation of the Seas (April 9-26, 2018), Bill & Marie's slow boat to China

[PCWalton1]

After we climbed down went to lunch then visited a jade factory where Marie came away with a jade bangle for Mother's day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

We then did a drive by of the 2008 summer Olympics site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

Traffic was bad but we managed to crawl across town to get to the theater in time for a kung fu show. (Marie flashing the new jade bangle)

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

The show was terrific, a lot of athleticism and special effects made for great entertainment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

After the show we drove to Wangfujing street to it food section. Some looked tasty, some interesting but we are flying across the Pacific Ocean tomorrow so we passed on eating here.

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[niksmom630]

Bill, as usual, fantastic review! and the photos! Wow.....

 

Thanks again for sharing your amazing journey. [emoji4]

 

Safe travels to you and Marie....hope you accounted for a little weight allowance in the suitcases for all of Maries baubles [emoji6]

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

I forget which province the food in the restuarant comes from, somewhere northwest of Xian. The lamb and noodles were especially good.

 

 

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

Bill, as usual, fantastic review! and the photos! Wow.....

 

Thanks again for sharing your amazing journey. [emoji4]

 

Safe travels to you and Marie....hope you accounted for a little weight allowance in the suitcases for all of Maries baubles [emoji6]

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

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Hi Chris, thank goodness we are flying back business so we get two 70lb bags each.

 

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[travelgoddess1]

Your Great Wall photos are amazing! I still find that was such an amazing feat, built so long ago. The crowds were also amazing -- what a difference 37 years makes! :D I hope you got to see as much of the Wall as you had hoped for. The gondola ride made the trip much easier for you. :)

 

Please ask Marie how she likes the C&A backpack. I'm thinking of using mine for an upcoming trip. Thanks! Tell her I love her jade bangle!

[travelgoddess1]

Hi Chris, thank goodness we are flying back business so we get two 70lb bags each.

 

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Smart move, especially with the added luggage allowance. :D

 

Safe travels to you!

[MindyJohn]

I spotted Marie's beautiful bangle in those Great Wall photos and wondered if she'd gotten it there - did she try it on both her right arm and then the left? It looks lovely on her! I bought one too, but lost my grip once when putting it on and let it fall onto our bathroom tile :loudcry: I did my best super gluing it but not the same.

 

Re comments on the Forbidden City, I didn't learn this until recently when I was reading a book about Genghis Khan, but that structure dates from when the Mongols had control before the Ming dynasty. The author said the Mongols generally allowed the conquered regions to continue their own lifestyles rather than force Mongolian habits on everyone. In the city which later became Beijing many diverse people mixed together in the broader city, but the royal family of the Mongols secluded themselves in a "forbidden city" where they could continue their Mongol traditions behind closed doors. Our Chinese guide never mentioned the Mongols so I hadn't heard that before.

 

Hope your trip home is smooth and thank you again for your brilliant live reporting!!!

[DreaAST]

Great review!! I always enjoy reading your reviews. Safe travels home!

[joand452]

[quote name='PCWalton1;

 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180428/e6a619a7e5ac284b5428e9a4ce690ed9.jpg[/

 

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Is this a security camera? Surprised to see the top of the tower empty' date= considering the crowds.

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

Your Great Wall photos are amazing! I still find that was such an amazing feat, built so long ago. The crowds were also amazing -- what a difference 37 years makes! :D I hope you got to see as much of the Wall as you had hoped for. The gondola ride made the trip much easier for you. :)

 

Please ask Marie how she likes the C&A backpack. I'm thinking of using mine for an upcoming trip. Thanks! Tell her I love her jade bangle!

She likes the backpack, light weight with lots of pockets. And free since I won it at an M&M.[emoji16]

 

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[PCWalton1]

I spotted Marie's beautiful bangle in those Great Wall photos and wondered if she'd gotten it there - did she try it on both her right arm and then the left? It looks lovely on her! I bought one too, but lost my grip once when putting it on and let it fall onto our bathroom tile :loudcry: I did my best super gluing it but not the same.

 

Re comments on the Forbidden City, I didn't learn this until recently when I was reading a book about Genghis Khan, but that structure dates from when the Mongols had control before the Ming dynasty. The author said the Mongols generally allowed the conquered regions to continue their own lifestyles rather than force Mongolian habits on everyone. In the city which later became Beijing many diverse people mixed together in the broader city, but the royal family of the Mongols secluded themselves in a "forbidden city" where they could continue their Mongol traditions behind closed doors. Our Chinese guide never mentioned the Mongols so I hadn't heard that before.

 

Hope your trip home is smooth and thank you again for your brilliant live reporting!!!

Yes she did but I think she has now settled for the left arm.

 

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[PCWalton1]

Is this a security camera? Surprised to see the top of the tower empty, considering the crowds.

 

 

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Nope just a picture I took.

Great review!! I always enjoy reading your reviews. Safe travels home!

Thanks, we are a bit worn out and actually looking forward to some time at home. [emoji3]

 

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[bluetiger59]

Bill, another series of great pictures.

 

It sounds like you rented a car and did this day on your own. If so, would you recommend it?

 

Thanks for another great review Bill.

 

Paul

[ptod]

Great trip report! Thanks for the nudge to move up plans to take these cruises. Need to start practicing with my cheater chopsticks.

Safe trip home!

[PCWalton1]

Bill, another series of great pictures.

 

It sounds like you rented a car and did this day on your own. If so, would you recommend it?

 

Thanks for another great review Bill.

 

Paul

We had a car, driver and guide for our three days.

 

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[Mrs.Dukes]

Thank you for sharing your fabulous trip with us. I truly enjoyed reading about it, and the pictures were great! Safe travels.

[dani negreanu]

Thanks, we are a bit worn out and actually looking forward to some time at home. [emoji3]

 

Sorry that u feel that way :(. Was it the length of the cruise, the visit to Beijing?