Sunday, May 25, 2008

Song Dynasty Park

Today we visited a park whose theme has been taken from the Song Dynasty.  We went with Alice, Guido and Francesco, and Damiano and Stefania.  Here are Guido, Peter, Stefania and Damiano pictured below.


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We arrived at the park early in the day, and this merchant was awaiting his first sales...Hangzhou 004

Colorful decorations everywhere, and all could be had for the right price!
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These pots were set aside to age vinegar, and you could sure tell with your nose!
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Peter enjoyed looking around but became tired quickly as it was SO HOT and HUMID out.  We all did a good bit of sweating!
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LEFT: A sign for a shop that sells the vinegar, and RIGHT:  Some horesemen wandered through town, all decked out in period garb.
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Here they come again looking handsome, but very menacing!
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Damiano and Stefania, looking around the Song park.

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There was an old pharmacy there, and we smelled something interesting...
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Aah, here's the smell!  Some Chinese medicinal tea cooking over the fire.  Very pungent!  It'll cure what ails ya!
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Next, we found some period clothing to try on.  It was SO HOT and HUMID, so what did we do?  Put on more clothes!  Here's Queen Sue.
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The King and one of his Princes...
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The other Prince is just back from conquering other warlords, no worse for wear!  An of course we have our own Chinese Princess!
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In our royal wear with the waterfall as the background.  There's also another waterfall going on under my shirt!
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Our three little royals, ready to assume the throne.
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Jack was be-knighted by King Damiano.
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Guido, Francesco and Alice, looking marvelous in their Song clothing.
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Stefania and Damiano also took a short rest on the bridge...
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All of the grown-ups... Thanks to Peter for taking this shot for us!

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More ancient Chinese Song artifacts to buy...

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In the middle of this theme park there was a water feature with rope swings, hanging rings, and a pond with lots of floating obstacles on it.  The kids had a really good time here.  Sue and Sophie crossed the rope bridge...

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Peter also took his turn...
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He also enjoyed running across the water obstacles.
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Jack easily swung on the rings across the lake.  I was amazed!
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Success!  However, no skin left on the hands...
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Peter, Jack, Sophie and Sue crossed this floating log obstacle...
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Here is Sophie before falling in...Hangzhou 122

... and AFTER!
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Sophie is certainly not one to complain about going around mostly naked, however.  In fact, it is her preferred state.Hangzhou 147

The kids found some historic figure's lap to sit on.  However, all of the signs in this park were in Chinese, so we had no idea who it is.
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Jack enjoyed a bowl of cold pasta containing cucumbers, hot pepper flakes, and vinegar.  Delicious!
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Usually, he isn't up for these types of poses, but today he was being a really good sport.
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They found their own hamster wheel to run in.  Maybe we could use this to generate electricity back in the U.S.!
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Jack gonged a bell that could be heard for miles around...
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This drummer played, while a man balanced a ping pong ball on a stick, on top of which was another stick which balanced a glass.  Impressive!
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Cooking lunch. Yum, looks good!
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Sophie whispers a secret to her buddy, Francesco.
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They were watching a little puppet show / musician act and they were both engrossed by it.
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Love this little boy's hairstyle!
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The two buddies, exploring the Song park...
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So many things for sale on this busy little street!Hangzhou 217

Souvenirs...
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Candied fruit...
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... and decorative fans for this HOT day!
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

hamster wheel + Sophie = electricity for Lewis family when you get back home... with the added benefit of MABYE this will wear Sophie out.... well, at least you'll have electricity!

Bob & Amy said...

I think you've found your family Christmas photo in this lot - loved the costumes!!! Hope you are doing well!! I wanted to see the after shot of Sue assuming she fell in with Sophie on the log thingie!
Love,
Amy