Hangzhou

We toured Suzhou in the morning and went first to a leaning tower of pagoda. We could not go up into the pagoda because it has problems and is leaning, but the gardens around it were very beautiful. There was an older man in the park that must have had a stroke and couldn't move one side, and he was drawing these beautiful pictures of different areas in the park. He wouldn't sell them...but he would show anyone all of them.

We next went to a silk factory. We watched how they would soak the silk worms, then attach a thread to a machine and collect the silk. Fascinating.  We were then sent to the store, but I just  don't have room to bring home a wonderful silk comforter. I did pick up a couple of pillows. Don't know how I will get them home!  I better buy a new suitcase.

We had a buffet lunch, which was pretty good. They tried to make American food. 

Then it was off for a 3 hour bus ride to Hangzhou. We stopped once at a rest stop and took a picture for Mike and Rich of some fish that was vacummed packed! It looked very interesting! We thought of you fishing in Alaska.

Hangzhou is the 5th most popular tourist site in the world, according to our tourguide, Henry.

There are 30 million tourists that visit here each year. 7 million people live in the city, and it is twice as big as Shanghai. Doesn't seem like it because there aren't that many tall buildings.

75% of the world's shoes are made here. Hangzhou Travel Guide: Hangzhou Tour, Hangzhou Hotel, City Map

We went to another pagoda, and climbed the stairs, or took the elevator. We met up with our other friends that went to Tongxiang. That was exciting to see all our old friends again!

We then went to a shopping street where our tour guide tells us has lots of local crafts( sound like craps, which a lot of it is). Jon Marie and I found a McDonalds and treated ourselves to dinner. Then off to a yummy dinner. Chinese food! Very tasty. Another 13 dishes to choose from. Our last city was spicy food, this city is more sweet food. We even had fried bananas in a hard coating. 

Finally to our new hotel where we will be for two days. We were disappointed to find out we have to pay for internet! So, we will only get it for one 24 hour period.  We are cheap, or are we just out of money?  Ha Ha! Re-dick-o-us, as our tour guide is constantly telling us!