Playing Hosts

Mike and I helped our friends pack in as much as possible for their first trip to China. Here are some highlights from their week here:

Saturday: Met the crew at the airport in Beijing. Saw some bugs on a stick. One member may have eaten a cricket. 

Sunday: Conquered the Great Wall again, but a different part of it (less crowded, less touristy, less stinky, and still amazing). Did the required Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City visit. Ended the day with duck. 

Monday: Park chilled in Beijing (bringing a favorite pastime of ours to China) and traveled (in style) by train to Shanghai. 

Tuesday: Shopped and haggled at the Fabric Market and the Fake Market. Ended up on Yongkang Lu for fish and chips and (lots of) beers. 

Wednesday: Climbed (via elevator) to the top of one of Shanghai's tallest buildings for a drink (or two).

Thursday: Bought gifts for moms at the Pearl Market, lunched in Xintiandi ("lunched" being quite appropriate here for the Beverly Hills of Shanghai) and toured the Yuyuan Gardens. Sweated over spicy Chinese food for dinner. 

Friday: Ended the trip with a special finale dinner at Lost Heaven (since my mom approves).