Garden City of Suzhou

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Today we cruised on the Grand Canal of Suzhou - it is a 1000 years old and like Venice all the houses and buildings back right onto the water. Very relaxing to just motor around and look at the old streets and houses - got to see people doing their washing even. After our cruise we went to the Humble Administrator's Garden - not so humble being 5 acres though and an amazing garden with lots of water, buildings and "garden rooms". We really enjoyed just wandering around. After the garden we went to a silk mill and saw how the spin the silk and how they stretch it to make layers of silk in a doona. We treated ourselves to one because they are the perfect airconditioner - warm in winter and cool in summer. Had it vacuum sealed so it fitted into the bottom of the suitcase. After lunch it was a visit to another garden - the Master of Nets - much smaller than the first one, but just as beautiful, a room filled with Ming Dynasty furniture (looked very uncomfortable btw).

We drove to Shanghai in the afternoon and settled into our hotel and had an early dinner then it was on to the night river cruise - very spectacular and well worth doing but boy was it cold! Another great day.

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Photos

Humble Administrators Garden
One of my favourite photos!

Silk Factory
Making a silk doona!

Night River Cruise
Spectacular!