Yangtze River Cruise - Day 1

After Xi'an, we flew to Chongqing to board a boat that would take us down river on the Yangtze.  The bar was well stocked with beer.

Jason and Lily enjoying the sights.  It was a bit hazy the first day.

What a cutie!

I'm not sure what pagoda this is:)

Katelyn was pushed by one of the crewmen from the boat.  He had his work cut out for him.  There were some big hills to go up.

Our first stop was at the Shibaozhai Pagoda.  It is known for how it is built into the mountain side.  Jason captured a nice photo of another family:)

This is the bridge over to the pagoda.

The wall that was built around the pagoda to protect it.

Before they built the wall around the pagoda, the water level would get as high as the entrance into the pagoda at 75.1 meters high.

The boat's photographer took our picture .

Just a picture taken from the boat.

Dinner is served:)

We shared our table with a nice couple from Australia.

The evening entertainment performed by the crew.

Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors

The biggest attraction in Xi'an is the Terracotta Warriors and Horses exhibit.  Our first stop was to see a factory where they made "authentic" warriors.

 

We were waiting for the tour guide to buy tickets.  Notice the couple on the left looking at us.

The trees were beautiful with blossoms.

The main building is huge.  The crowd was huge too!  It didn't help that it was a national holiday - Tomb Sweeping.  The crowd on the right is how it was the whole way around.

A nice family picture with the trees.

Kate bought a book about the Exhibit written by the farmers that found the warriors.  He signed her book and allowed a picture.  I believe the government rewarded him for his find by compensating him one months salary - which wasn't very much $20.  I think an arrangement was made and he is living a much more comfortable life now:)

There are 3 buildings in all at the grounds.  The following 2 are the best pictures of some of the original, fully intact warriors.

Now that we have been there, I would like to sit down and watch a documentary on tv. 

Xi'an - Pagoda & City Wall

After Beijing, we flew to Xi'an.  On our first tour day, we visited the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Of course, every where we went, there is always the markets selling "stuff".  Jason was looking at some flutes. Dad captured some great pictures of the crowd building up around Jason and looking at what he was buying.

Then we headed to the City Wall of Xi'an and took a little walk.

We had fun trying to capture some good pictures at sunset.  We took the next 2 pictures thru our sunglasses.  I think they turned out pretty cool.

We ended the day with a dinner show.  Lily and I didn't see much of the show.  She was a bit afraid but everyone else enjoyed it.