Visitors from Home

In April, Katie and Brandon came to China.  Their first stop was in Beijing where they spent only one full day before coming to Xi'an.  They spent Thursday through Sunday with us.  We loved every minute even though we walked our legs off.  After they left us, they traveled to Guilin and Yangshuo. After that they went to Zhangjiajie.  Because it was the weekend, we decided to meet them there and experience what is known as the Avatar Mountains.  Then we flew to Shanghai and went to Disneyland with them there.  Here are a few highlights of their visit.
We weren't with them when they experienced the Beijing Wall but I really love these pictures.
 Best noodles in Xi'an.  And they cost a little bit of nothing. 9 Yuan, which is less than $1.50.
 Front row of the double decker bus can be a little frightening. 
 Pictures with the locals.
 On top of the city wall.
 Riding bikes on top of the city wall.
Shopping in the Muslim District.  The crowds here were extremely huge.  I thought I had a picture but can't seem to find it.  It was Tomb Sweeping Holiday.  Everyone travels.
Trying out dumplings at a street restaurant. 
 Wild Goose Pagoda
 Having the most delicious treat ever--even though my face doesn't show it.  They coat fresh strawberries with a hard sugar candy coating.  They do it with other fruits as well, but strawberries are the best!
 Terra Cotta Warriors--You can't tell in this picture, but it was soooo crowded that day.
Here's the crowds!  You just had to wiggle your way through and be patient for your turn.

 We buy way too many souvenirs.  This is one I wish I could say we bought.  A wolf skin hat! Or even the whole wolf skin you can see behind this nice Chinese man who would have been so happy if we had bought something.  ANYTHING! 
 Shopping at the market.  My favorite place to shop.
 Wonderful aromic spices.  I always wonder if they ever sell all those spices!

Chicken?  Liver?  Pig's feet?  Anyone?  NO Thank you!
 We had to take them to get a good Chinese foot massage.  I think the Chinese loved being able to talk about us while they were "working" on us and we had no idea what they were saying.  They'd say things and look at us all and then laugh!  But's it's okay.  We were doing the same thing about them.

 The deepest hardest back massage you'll ever get.
Katie experiencing the subway.  It gets a little crowded sometimes.  But she actually got a seat.  That doesn't happen very often during the busy times.  
 Walking home through the Pagoda Park after church.  It's so beautiful and peaceful.
 We took them to a traditional Chinese performance with a live orchestra.

 
Then we flew to Zhangjiajie and took this crazy road up the mountain to Heaven's Gate. 


We had to walk up 999 steps to get to the "gate" which is a big hole through the mountain-like Arches in Utah.  As you can tell, though, it was a completely cloudy and rainy day and all we saw the whole day were clouds.  It was such a disappointment.  If at all possible, Kim and I want to go back.  Fingers crossed.
But even if we don't--this place was absolutely breath taking, even with all the clouds.
 Glass trail that hangs out over a 4000 ft. cliff.  I actually think that maybe it was a blessing that it was cloudy because Katie was having a hard time with it.  I don't know if she could have handled seeing all the way to the bottom.  She'd get pretty nervous if one of us got too close to the rail.  😂😱




 The Chinese LOVE to put red ribbons on things-like trees-and they write their wishes on them.
 Everywhere we go, someone wants their picture taken with the "Americans." This trip, Brandon was very popular with his big bushy red beard.

 We came down the mountain in a tram car.  Then we could see a little bit more. The lower we got, the less clouds there were. (obviously)
The next day we were off to the glass bridge.
 And as you can see it was a much clearer day.  Wahoo!

 Apparently, when you're on the bridge, you have to lay down for your picture.  As soon as we joined in with the Chinese we became the greatest phenomenon they have seen for a while.  Then they all wanted to pose us and take their pictures with us.  We had a fun time and had some pretty good laughs.




See the security guard there to the left.  Well, we got in trouble for jumping on the bridge.  Haha!  I guess that's not allowed.  If we'd known, we wouldn't have jumped right beside him!  😉
 Then we took these 100s of stairs to the bottom of the canyon where we witnessed beautiful waterfalls and streams.  Some of God's best creations.


I could add a zillion pictures of this canyon, but just a few will have to do. 



Then we had a little boat ride on this beautiful lake with the amazing mountain peaks all around us.  After this we were off to Shanghai to see Disneyland.
 First ride had to Pirates of the Caribbean.  It's the best ride that Disney has.  FABULOUS!

 The castle at Shanghai is the best also.  It's sooooo big and pretty.
Tron is a pretty great ride too.  You can kind of see the "motorcycles behind Katie and Brandon. It's a pretty fast roller coaster type where you ride motorcycles.  




 It was super crowded the whole day.  This line was insane--we waited for over 2 hours.  But Katie and Brandon had never been on Soaring Around the World.  Had to do it!



We had a fabulous trip with Katie and Brandon.  They were here in April.  Maybe I'll get pictures of Millie and Jacob's visit next week.  I'll try at least! 


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