Day 9

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Today I am in Suzhou and Wuxi. we are staying the night in Wuxi. Pretty "town" of about 3 million! The weather is less than desirable. It is cold. Because we are on or near water it is very cold. So didn't dress appropriate today! Bright and early we went to what I imagine would be a beautiful scenic picture area, but honestly it was so cold and right on the water that it could have been avoided. Once we boarded the bus from Suzhou to head to Wuzi! We stopped at the Harley Davidson store. Which is odd as in the Shanghai area we were told motor bikes are illegal. Never-the-less Harley was brought in to cater the the rich who can ride the bikes in the country. just cannot in the cities.

Next we visited a silk making factory, which was really interesting. The harvesting, spinning from cocoons to the embroidery all unique and takes a special skill, to telling real silk from a synthetic. So yes, I did buy something!

Next we went to Turtle Head Park! and walked around the area, taking in the slow pace and beautiful trees. There was a lady playing some kind of instrument that echoed thru the park. You could really see her, but it sounded very relaxing. Really pretty. Wuxi is known peaceful and slow town. It's really a Fishermans village. Up before the crack of dawn and back to bed in the early evening.

Next we made our way to the Tea Pot museum. There we learnt more on the history of the tea pots. After all the Chinese are famous for their teas! Every pot is a bit different as they are all hand made, free hand made and designed that is. We couldn't take pictures in there, which was too bad, because they had a tea pot that does actually work that stands about 7 feet tall.

Finally we made our way to what I've been looking forward to... One of the Largest Buddha statutes in China! What a wonderful site area. The Buddhist monks live there. The statute is 88 metres tall. i was also lucky enough to see a special water show on the lotus flower which slowly "bloom" and a golden baby Buddha appears from the middle of the bloom. Next at the site we went to a palace. WOW!!!! If only I was a princess!!, it is stunning!

Our food today was not top on my list. A lot of pork and fishes and duck. Fish with its head still on, and a duck with its head still on... Staring at you as you are trying to eat. ? Not my thing, but people do enjoy, however I don't think many in my group enjoyed neither the lunch or supper.

Another thing to mention is anytime you hit up a starbucks, you grab a lot of napkins. Most public bathroom are squatters and they have no paper! You have to bring your own. Thank goodness I brought Kleenex and hand sanitizer!!!

I'm exhausted. We have been on the move from early morning to late nights. Nothing to mention of our hotels. They've been nice, but we really haven't spent any time in them. Late check ins and early checkouts. So far a different hotel every night for the past 3 nights. Thankfully tomorrow is the last of that, as we head back to Shanghai and get to stay put for a few nights before heading home! Can't wait!

Would I do a tour again... I'm not sure. It's very fast passed, and you sometimes just drive by what you might really want to see. It's way busier than I thought it would be!

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