Do-ing Dujiangyan
June 24 – Dujiangyan, China
We don’t often splurge on a 5-star hotel when we are traveling, but in this case we knew that Tibet would be challenging and that we all would be craving some extra comforts, like soft beds and a swimming pool. Indeed the day before, the kids had jumped in the pool almost immediately upon arrival. After purchasing the mandatory swim caps, of course!
Another significant benefit of stay at the Balan International was the immense breakfast buffet complete with French fries, pastries, sushi, bacon, fruit, and most importantly – fresh ground espresso!! Oh, and did I mention rooms only cost $75! We may never leave!
Around 9am Sammy arrived at our hotel to take us to Qingcheng Mountain, famous as the birthplace of Taoism. The hike through the forest passed dozens of pagodas and small temples. The weather was mildly overcast, but it was muggy and warm.
We were joined on the walk by Ann, the daughter of Judy one of the teachers we had hosted in February. She had also visited Bullis so her English was excellent. Also joining us we’re Hunter and Bob, school friends.
Before the hike, Tom spotted his first Curry jersey and quickly scampered over for a picture. Around 10am, we began the hike along with another few thousand Chinese day-trippers, some of whom opted for the royal treatment of being carried up the path. Up and up we went, until around 1:45 we finally arrived at the 8th story temple at the top.
Along the way, it was interesting to see the many similarities between the Buddhist statues of Tibet and the Daoist statues of Sichuan. Around 2:30 we began the return journey which was facilitated by a gondola and a boat ride.
Around 4pm we were back at the bottom and Tom saw his second Curry jersey. The father of a Cal student, he was going full Bay Area with his Giants cap, Cal shorts, and Curry undershirt.
At 4:30 Sammy picked us up and drove us to the restaurant of a friend of Judy’s. There, will the boys ran off to play laser tag in the extensive garden, Sue and Tom learned how to play mahjong. Fun! And the automatic tile shuffler was a hit with the kids.
Around 6:30, Judy, Michael, Lori, and Elsie joined us creating a reunion of all the teachers who had visited California in February. Of course, it was a huge feast with dish after dish arriving at our table, until the servers had piled the dishes 3 levels high!
Stuffed to the gills, we were driven home by Sammy to our cushy hotel. and we all fell fast asleep by 10pm, after a surprise bath by Tyler (aka Jack Frost).
