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This picture is more for Zachary, as it is the lights of the television station that he would watch at night. When we found the station on our TV set, he enjoyed watching that station. Everything on our TV was in Mandarin, including HBO. The Incredible Hulk is more intimidating in Mandarin!
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Today, we are heading to where the Changjiang (Yangzi) and Jialing rivers converge. In route, we saw this monorail track. Chongqing just installed this system. However, the locals are not interested. 5 people can pack into a taxi for a minimum of 5 yuan (US$0.61), while the monorail is 10 yuan per person (US$1.23). To convert yuan to dollars, divide the yuan by 8.14. In stores, we generalized it by dividing by 8 (lazy Americans).
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This is a bridge we crossed to get over the Changjiang (Yangzi) river. Zachary said this was his favorite bridge.
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Along the way, we saw a bunch of men on bamboo building something in the middle of the road. The thin blue metal panel is the only barrier between the men and the traffic on the street. This blue paneling was used everywhere on road construction jobs.
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This old Chinese 1-4-1 engine and subsequent cars are being converted to a restaurant with a nice view of the Yangzi river.
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Looking west, this is where the Changjiang (Yangzi) and Jialing rivers converge.
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A closeup of where the rivers converge. When the Three Gorges Dam is full, most of the steps leading up from the river to the building will be flooded. This picture is of Chaotianmen and the remaining part of the old city wall can be seen. Chongqing is the destination for most of the bulk transport that passes the Three Gorges Dam.
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Zachary and Eric along with Tucker and his dad Jeff escape from the confines of the bus to hike to the Yangzi river bank. Most of these steps will be covered when the water level rises. There are chains everywhere to anchor boats. Currently the river level was low. When the snow starts melting in the Himalayas in a couple months, the water level will rise significantly.
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Welp...that first step is a doozy...
Standing as close to the river as he dared (or better yet, Eric dared since we did not have a change of clothes for him), Zachary looks at the many boats moving about the river with downtown Chongqing in the background.
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"Now where did they put that river?"
"I don't know, but it is around here somewhere."
Zachary and Tucker scoping out the Yangzi - looking at the shoreline for treasures.
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Looks like some sort of dredger on the Yangzi.
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A really neat park by the Yangzi, where many families stroll during the day and night. Zachary was disappointed that this was an adult park. But there were some cool stepping stones over water that the kids got to hop over.
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The Peoples Grand Hall of Chongqing is the icon of Chongqing. Built after the war with Japan in the 1950s as Japan leveled Chongqing, it is a symbolic replica of how some buildings looked before the war. The architectural style is a combination of the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City (both in Beijing). Also located here, the Gallery of Sichuan Fine Art Institute had beautiful paintings.
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Zachary, Tucker and Kendyl check out the map of the hall.
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The stage of the hall with seating for 4,200 people. Like the other buildings here, it was not heated. So, if you go, keep your jacket on in the winter time.
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The hall was quite large and the ceiling looked cool as well.
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A little girl playing at the People's Grand Hall.
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More structures at the People's Grand Hall.
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Tired of hotel food, we went across the street to Totolos, which is Chongqing's version of fast Chinese food. We tried to order ourselves, but ended up needing help from Candy our guide. It was a fun experience and there was a castle which the children liked to climb on after the meal.
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Dare I say it?!?! I dare...
Caution, oversized load... {smack} Ouch!
Having Renée in the baby carrier is the means of travel she really likes, that is except for the getting in and out (she really likes things only on her terms). Having the diaper bag on her back actually helps balance out Renée.
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| Next to our hotel (left) is the Parkson Shopping Center which we visited a couple of times. It has 6 stories and had just about anything you would need. This was a fun shopping experience. For starters, there were a ton of workers on each floor (our guess is about 20 workers per floor). This was definitely not the place to shoplift. So there was always someone within 10 feet of you to answer questions (and some knew broken English). Interestingly, there were only about two cashiers per floor. This was the complete opposite of America where 90% of the workers are cashiers and you cannot find anyone to help you. This aspect of service we liked.
The way to make a purchase was discovered by trial and error. When you find an item you want, you go to the nearest worker. They fill out a form which you take to the cashier. After paying that bill, you return to the original worker and retrieve your purchased item. It is NOT acceptable to walk around the store with an item in your hand and we were nicely chewed out. In essence, it is a buy as you go shopping experience.
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This blurry picture was taken in the subway - the British term for the underground means of crossing the street. It had many stores and entertainers every now and then. The Chinese definitely know how to use every inch of space. Above the ceiling is the road that can be seen from our bedroom window.
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This little girl was dancing in the subway to some booming music. She stopped dancing right when the picture was taken. It was an interesting crowd. All the Americans were watching her and all the Chinese were watching us.
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Zachary and Renée get their first bath together. They had a blast, or better yet, splash.
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Vampire Brother..."I vill take kare of you mine little sisster...hahaha"
Zachary's true nature comes out. Renée had better watch out!
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Zachary was trying to be so protective of Renée. He SO wants to be a big brother.
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Renée loves taking a bath. It is all so new to her.
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Must have sustenance...
Once again, Renée is eating. She is very serious about eating - no kidding around.
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