Hilarious Holiday in Hangzhou

  We heard about a favorite tourist town escape for the Shanghai locals. Hangzhou, only 50 minutes away by train is steeped in history and set around the beautiful lake at its center. While some of the lake side temples and gardens were a little “plastic” the whole ambiance was quite relaxed compared to neon-frenzy of Shanghai. The weather was a pathetic drizzle most of our first day (reminded us of a little place called Seattle) and we finally bought some umbrellas after surviving for 8 months with just our trusty rain jackets. $1.20 well spent.

  The weather was significantly better our second day and we set out on the 4 hour hike/walk around the lake. While the lake side boulevards were crowded with Chinese tourists obviously on a weekend getaway, we were seemingly a strange new attraction to many, especially Sue in her work out tights and tank top. The Chinese, both men and women, have absolutely no reservations about slack jaw gawking and blatant staring even at close range. It proved to be a rather amusing sight for us in return as we cracked up at the innumerable confused, bemused and contorted facial expressions of the passer-bys.  Ok so we weren’t exactly stylish, but damn.

  Also, we want to send a big thank you to Chris Parrish who has been acting as our relay and  posting all our China Blogs for us. Due to restrictions by the Chinese government several sites, including facebook and blogspot (by Google) have been permanently blocked from access within China. So without Chris’ time and effort, none of you’d be able to continue your vicarious living for the last few weeks. Thanks Chris.

The high speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou, travelling at 300 KPH (or 186 MPH) it covered the distance of 110 miles quicker than the subway ride from the center of Shanghai to the train station. We actually missed the train we originally bought tickets for…. Who knew it would take  1 hour to go 9 stops on the subway?? The good news was that we were able to trade our tickets in for the next train at no cost. Incredible. 

One of the several hundred little bridges that zig zag across small corners of the lake connecting the smooth boardwalks.

Misty day on the lake. Supposed to great on a clear day (when the smog isn’t too bad)

Graham squeezing through a more remote section of our urban hike. 

Fall colors on the lake

A good representation of how we felt after discovering McDonald’s has a Oreo-Coffee McFlurry for about $1. Fat and Happy. Might have had a few….