Monday

We got an early start around ten or eleven. Megan had Nevin's Lonely Planet guide.

Jung bought some breakfast at the grocery store.

She has a serious hat psychosis.

Some of the rules for the Old Summer Palace.

Front gate.

On the other side of the gate was a lush garden.

We found a little cave.

One of the first buildings we encountered inside.

These two girls were eating their lunches at the building. I wanted a picture of Jung and Megan standing between them, but as they were moving to pose, the two girls hurried away to eat somewhere else.

Not too far away.

There was corn for sale in the park.

Little bridge.

Littler bridge.

We found a pond with boats.

Nearby, we found this big toad on the ground. Jung was freaked out, but Megan and I thought it was cute, and soon Jung came to agree. She even touched it.

Next we came to a lily pond.

This other bridge was much more exciting.

On the other end is some sort of Native display with totem poles, but it cost money. Maybe the Chinese and Koreans should fight over who can take credit for Native culture in the western hemisphere. And the winner will receive several Indian casinos.

The main attraction of the Old Summer Palace was the ruins of this old European-style palace, which was destroyed during the Boxer Rebellion. This must be what it looked like.

I have no idea how people were able to throw money inside. It looked airtight to me.

Here are some pictures of the ruins.

Then we went for lunch. We'd brought along Subway subs from Megan's breakfast.

Some Olympics merchandise.

The boat rentals looked like a very very relaxed place to work. We were the only ones renting a paddleboat.

At first Megan didn't seem interested in paddling.

Finally I got a break.

Everyone else got a chauffeur.

Megan's pale skin suffered in the sunlight.

Trying to reach the others.

A taxi waiting to take us to our next destination.

Dreamland.

For some reason I thought this licence plate was funny.