Hi Gary,

Just wanted to let you know how much Jessica and I enjoyed the trip to
China. We enjoyed all of the guides/drivers and found them all well
informed, helpful and accommodating. I'm just sorry for the delay in
leaving Beijing and for not being able to spend a little more time in
Chongqing. It looked like a pretty city and different from the others
we'd visited because it was hilly. Ellie, the guide, also seemed very
nice, and took us to supper before taking us to the boat for the cruise.

All of the museums we visited were excellent, especially the National
Gallery of Art in Beijing. The Great Wall was a favorite site, and I
loved visiting the Jade Buddha Temple and seeing all the monks chanting
in the temple. I wish we had had more time in the French Concession,
for there we discovered unique shops that didn't sell the usual tourist
trinkets. The museums also had excellent gift shops. On our free day
in Beijing, we had fun taking the subway to the antique market and found
interesting things we had not seen elsewhere. Toby, our guide in
Beijing, was very helpful in directing us to a pearl shop where we got
great deals on pearl jewelry

In Beijing, one evening, not far from the hotel, and close to the
Olympic Park, we discovered a park filled with people roller skating,
line dancing, singing and generally enjoying the evening with their
families and friends. I even joined a group of ladies who were line
dancing, and had lots of fun. All the people we met, everyplace we
went, were all very nice, friendly and even though many didn't speak
English, all very helpful. Nearly always we were able to get a message
across about what we wanted, or what we were looking for.

Of course, the highlight of the trip was Ping's wedding, which was an
all-day event starting with firecrackers, two dancing dragons, and
ending with a fabulous display of fireworks. She looked beautiful in
her traditional, red dress.

Thanks again for all you did to make this a memorable trip. Truly an
experience Jessica and I'll be talking about for many years to come.

All the best,
Mary