Jay and Ashley come to China!

Yes, we had visitors last week!

Jay and Ashley came for Chinese New Year. I was so excited to have them come at this exciting time. Last year Joe and I experienced Chinese New Year for the first time up close and personal. When Jay saw our pictures and heard about our experience, he wanted to come. Although this little city of 10+ million practically closes up during Chinese New Year we still had enough to entertain Jay and Ashley.

They arrived on Friday night (Feb. 12) late. On Saturday we let them sleep in and catch up on some sleep. Saturday afternoon, we took them into the City of Chengdu to look around. We introduced them to foot massages (110 minutes!) and had dinner at one of our favorite western restaurants, Peter's Tex Mex.

By the time we were through with dinner, the festivities were beginning to get underway outside. The Chinese love their fireworks. People were out on the streets and at the fireworks tents that are on practically every corner. After watching for a while, Jay was ready to get his own fireworks to set off. He and Joe picked out just the right ones to shoot off. Our driver Tom and Jay set them up in the street (yes, in the street for everyone to enjoy). They made a great choice, both VERY loud and very colorful. We walked around the area for about an hour watching the fireworks going off everywhere.

We went to Shamrocks, a favorite expat bar. Jay and Ashley played some darts and we enjoyed drinks and just relaxing from all the noise outside. From there we went to Lippo Tower, Joe's office building, to catch the festivities that would take place at midnight. There was a fireworks tent outside the building so we bought some more fireworks to set off before going up the Joe's office to watch the midnight show.

As we got closer to midnight, the fireworks increased. It sounded like a war zone outside, but from inside Joe's office it was the most amazing display you have ever seen. When midnight came, the city was lit up with fireworks for as far as the eye could see. We were on the 13th floor in a corner office and there were fireworks bursting at eye level! I think Jay and Ashley were somewhat surprised at what we had been telling them about the magnitude of fireworks they would see. You almost have to experience Chinese New Year firsthand to get the feeling.

On Sunday Joe and Jay got up and played a round of golf while Ashley and I had a quite day. We did go down to the clubhouse and watch the dragon dance and the lion dance. There was also a candy maker and cotton candy machine set up. Ashley was able to meet some of my neighbors. The rest of the day was quite and we grilled steaks for dinner.

On Monday we went to the Chengdu Panda Research and Breeding Base. It was a little rainy but that soon burned off and it turned out to be a pretty good day for Chengdu. I never get tired of showing visitors the pandas. It's a new experience every time you go. On this particular day we got to see some of the little ones playing. One was trying to climb up to see out the window we were looking through. These little guys are so precious to watch!

We had lunch at the Hooters Chengdu. It is in Joe's office building and he's a regular for lunch. The waitresses were excited to meet some of the family. Monday night we met some friends for dinner at another of our favorite places, The Hot Spot. It's tepanyaki style cooking and VERY good.

Tuesday morning we went to Jinli Street and Wuhou Temple and showed them some of old Chengdu. Since it was a holiday the place was packed. It did give them a taste of real China though; the shops, street food, ear cleaners, incense offerings. One disappointment was not being able to have Jay and Ashley experience one of our favorite Sichuan restaurants. With the holiday, most shops and restaurants were closed during their time in Chengdu.

Tuesday afternoon we were off to Beijing and by nightfall we were walking around Tiananmen Square. It is beautiful all lit up at night, something Joe and I had not seen. Our hotel (the Beijing Hilton Wangfujing and VERY beautiful) actually had a partial view from the top floor lounge of part of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace.

Wednesday, bright and early we were off to the Great Wall. We were some of the first up on the lift and it was so great to get photos of this amazing wonder without people everywhere. I think Jay and Ashley were amazed to see the Great Wall in all it's splendor. The weather even cooperated. Although cold, it was a clear and sunny day. We rode up on a ski lift and came down on the toboggan! The only way to get around! We had lunch with Florence, a work colleague of Joe's, and her husband Wang Wei, at a Beijing duck restaurant. It's one of our favorite things to do when in Beijing. Not sure what Jay and Ashley thought of Beijing duck and other traditional Beijing Chinese dishes but it was a must do experience.

After lunch Florence took us to her office building where we able to look out at a most breathtaking view of the Bird's Nest stadium from the 23rd floor lounge. From this view you could see the Olympic grounds and in the distance the Olympic village. There was also a view of the Water Cube where the swimming events were held. The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping at the Silk Market.

On Thursday morning we went to the Forbidden Palace. It was another beautiful day and the palace was very crowded. We went back to the Silk Market. Jay and Ashley got the hang of bargaining very fast and were soon getting wrapped up in the whole shopping experience. Thursday night we went to see the Chinese Acrobats and had dinner at the Union Bar and Grill (great steaks, ribs, burgers!).

Friday morning we were off to Shanghai. We spent the rest of the day seeing the city, more shopping. We finished off the day with drinks atop the 87th floor of the Hyatt looking out at amazing views of the city by night and then had dinner at the Blue Frog, another one of our favorites.

Saturday morning was spent getting ready to head back home. It was a great trip. Joe and I will treasure having Jay and Ashley here to see and experience a small part of our life in China.

Waiting for our next visitors! Will it be you?????

Love to all!