上有天堂, 下有苏杭: Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou.

For May holiday (May 1st-May4th), we traveled to Hangzhou--the most beautiful city in China. Having become accustomed to what mainland Chinese describe as fresh air and picturesque scenery, I prepared myself for disappointment. However, Hangzhou turned out to be quite refreshing! Shame on me for becoming so jaded.

Hangzhou is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta and is the capital of Zhejiang province. Located 180 kilometers (112 miles) southwest of Shanghai, as of 2004 the entire Hangzhou Region ("shì", 杭州市) or Prefecture-level city had a registered population of 6.5 million people.

As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its natural scenery, with the West Lake (Xī Hú, 西湖) as the most noteworthy location.

The bamboo forest on our way to West Lake (Tiffany, April and Stacey):

 

Wing, Derek and Justin.

 

Chinese national holiday = chinese crowds = millions, many with umbrellas on sunny days just waiting to poke your eye out. Ella ella ella eh eh eh unda my umbrella.

 
 

The famed West Lake:



 



Posing with the locals:



串儿 (chuanr) = delicious chinese kabobs.

 

Those suffering from food anxieties order more than they can handle but still hesitate to share. I'm not naming any names...

 

After a very long day of walking, Wing and Justin squuueeeeeezzzzeeee onto a motoche:



Tea Party! The following day we peddled our way to a local tea plantation. Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. The city is best known for originating Longjing, a famous variety of green tea. The aroma in the air is simply wonderful.

 
 

Soaking up the Floridian rays:



It always seems like we are fixing Justin's bike. But that is what Dads are for! We heart DAD.



The Mitchells' definition of a vacation = Haagen-Dazs by the lake.

 
 

The nightlife awakes at Xihu Tiandi.

Pictured below: The most amazing guitarist this side of the hemisphere and his two groupies.

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same

'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

 

A rough night for this stranger with his head in a tub of popcorn. Derek made me take a picture.

 

I have two beautiful couples before me, but I only have one photograph in my hand. That photo represents the couple who is still in the running for America's Next Top...

Sorry, Derek and I love that show! Shout out to Amanda--ANTM! D, next time, try to smile with your eyes.

 

 

Frank...wasn't that his name?

 

We land back in Beijing...and the best way to end a vacation? Take-out Rumi and a two hour massage. Bravo yiqis!

 
 

7.8 New China Experience

Earthquake!

Around 2:30pm today I was sitting in my 19th floor office when I felt dizzy for a few seconds. Another 10 seconds later it got stronger, I looked outside and realized the building was swaying. Lasted about a minute. The quake was measured at 7.8 and was centered around Chengdu in the Sichuan Province in central China, about 950 miles away from Beijing. Can't imagine what it felt like close to the epicenter. No reported damage in Beijing as far as I know.

I've never really considered Chinese construction to be among the safest in an earthquake, so it wasn't the most enjoyable experience I've ever had.

All is well though!

Derek

Check out this posting on China's version of YouTube:

4/4/08-4/6/08: Is This What You Wanted? Yangshuo.

Over Qing Ming Jie (Tomb Sweeping Day), 14 of us made our way to T3 (PEK's much anticipated new terminal) and flew down to the quaint town of Yangshuo.

Our awesome friend, Ali, planned the entire getaway. She is, BY FAR, the most organized person I know. As a self-admitted Type A, her skills put me to shame (insert smart ass comment from Josh Jon).

The running joke is that when Ali moves back to the States the rest of us will not know where to eat, get facials, purchase wigs--much less get in touch with each other. Gabe, you are one lucky guy. Team Ali is skinny, tan and #1!

Upon arriving in Guilin, Ali had a bus to Yangshuo ready to go.

 

First sign that it is going to be a rough weekend for Derek--traveling with Gabe, Danny, Dan and Justin.

Second sign--it's 10:00 am and Derek is drinking beer on a bus.

 

Insert educational tidbit: Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The famous Li River traverses the county while thousands of hills dot the lush landscape.


 

 

 

 

Mr. Invisible: Let the hazing begin.

 

 

With this group, little sleep is allowed. Various instigators will hunt you down, drag you out of bed and dress you. Beware of flying vases.

 

 

Of course, Danny and Ben rallied.

 

 

Even after a rough night, we managed to go on a 4 hour muddy bike ride through neighboring villages.

 

 

 

   

Our sore (yet rock hard) butts were grateful to take a junk boat back into town.

 

 


 

We also had the lovely opportunity to take a "romantic" hot air balloon ride with April, Justin, Will and Cara. It was an amazing experience that can only be described as: loud, crammed, en fuego, BRACE, BRACE.

The outcome? We crash landed into an orange grove. Everyone survived unscathed (Cara, just barely) so now we can safely say it was a definite trip highlight.

 

     

 

     

 

 

Post-crash:

 

The other major highlight--driving motoches through town.

 

 

     

The motorbike did slide out from under us once, but Derek sacrificed his handsome cankle to save my life. That's what husbands do.

Another memorable group trip.