The Forbidden City

See! I REALLY was there in China! Here is what the inside of the first gate looks like. Just don't tell anyone...it's "forbidden!"

The Forbidden City

Welcome to the Forbidden City...Gate 1 of a bagillion. Note how the country of China still holds Chairman Mau in high regards!

Places I've Been

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Places I've Been

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The Great Wall

Is this not the best picture ever of Sharon? Here we are taking a break on the Great Wall. This particular section was really steep and we lost count of the steps about half-way up this section.

The Great Wall

Here is one of my favorite photos from the Great Wall of China!

Summer Palace

Here I am! My first day in Beijing. First stop: The Summer Palace

This entire area was man made over 500 years ago! The lake, the buildings, the mountains around the lake....all man-made! Take a look at all the amazing sights I got to experience. I hope you like!

Summer Palace

River rock can be found all over the ancient sites of China. This is one of the largest pieces removed from a river in western China and brought all the way to its home at the summer palace. The ancient writing photographed here basically says it was a bitch to move this far and that they would only do something like this for the Emperor.

Summer Palace

I know you can't see it, but there is a tree in this photograph. I know, I know...the camoflauge really makes it hard to see. I didn't want you get stressed out trying to figure out what this was.

Summer Palace

Here is a closeup of the beautiful artwork that adorn all of the columns along the world's longest corridor. All hand painted of course!

Summer Palace

Along the longest corridor in the world are a few small windows. Art was painted on the windows to add to what you see when you walk through. The cooridor for the most part is completely open air so there are only a few of these windows that look out on the man-made lake.

Summer Palace

Here is Sharon and Minnie (our Tour Guide)walking along what is said to be the longest corridor in the world. It leads from one side of the lake to the other. Believe me, it was REALLY long! I would say at least 300 yards! Notice the window on the left!

Summer Palace

It's a known fact that the Empress loved to be out on the water at the Summer Palace. The Emperor thought it was a little too dangerous so he had a stone ship built so that the Empress could sit out on the water whenever she wanted and the Emperor wouldn't have to worry. I like sitting in the mountains....anyone want to build me a log cabin?

Summer Palace

Even though you're away on vacation, you still have the responsibilities of running an ancient kingdom. Here is where the Emperor could meet the officials and still continue to conduct business. It's funny, but all these thrones look the same to me.

Summer Palace

Here is the back side of the meeting room. After this building is when you get the first view of the huge man-made lake.

Summer Palace

High on a man-made mountain, nestled on a man-made lake is the Imperial Opera House at the Summer Palace. It's good to be the Emperor! Unfortunately it was closed for refurbishment as were many of the the locations we visited. I think they are trying to restore the beauty of these ancient locations in time for the Olympic games. I guess I can live with that. I still got to see many things I never thought I would!

Summer Palace

Here is the magnificent archway that marks the entrance to the Summer Palace Opera House. Think of it as an ancient billboard or marquee. I think we should put one just like this at Epcot. Oh, wait. Too late!

Summer Palace

After crossing a beautiful arched bridge, you arrive here in the middle of the lake. Nothing like having your own imperial island to get away from the pressures of running an ancient empire!

Summer Palace

Here is a beautiful arched bridge that leads to the island in the middle of the lake.

Hong Kong

Yet another amazing view of the buildings in downtown Hong Kong.

Hong Kong

Here is the amazaing view of Hong Kong Island (near) and Kowloon (other side of the water). To get here we had to take an inclinator ride to the top. The view was worth it and luckily for me, the weather was cooperating!

Gold Coast

Here is the whole reason I travelled half-way around the globe in the first place! SEE....she really was there in China all this time! Mystery solved.

Gold Coast

Near the apartments where Sharon & I stayed is what everyone calls "The Wellcome." The Wellcome is actually a very small, two-level grocery store and part of a shopping area with great restaurants, spas and more. Here is the view of the Yacht & Country Club with the private marina in the background. The tall buildings in the back are the apartments where we stayed.

Downtown Hong Kong

Here are some of my first glimpses of downtown Hong Kong. After my first ride on the MTR (Mass Transit Rail) I emerged into a bustling downtown.

Downtown Hong Kong

Here are a couple of Hong Kong Policemen.

Downtown Hong Kong

Definitely not in Orlando anymore. Everything in Downtown was so efficient. Railways, trains, taxis and busses are available everywhere and the price is affordable to everyone.

Downtown Hong Kong

...more of downtown Hong Kong. It amazing that all of the building are very skinny and yet VERY tall.

Downtown Hong Kong

View from one of the many cross bridges for pedestrians in Downtown Hong Kong.

Here are a few more snapshots of the beautiful Hollywood Hotel. More photos to come as I find the time between rehearsals to snap some more!

Rehearsal Time

The very first day I am in Hong Kong they waste no time putting me to work! What do you ask? REHEARSALS! Part of the HUGE opening ceremony is the Hong Kong Children's Choir. I was assigned to assist hurding nearly 100 very tiny Chinese children from rehearsal room, into the park and as far away from the Characters as possible. In this photo are two of the girls that took a liking to me. Tunis and Joyce! They are two of the older girls in the choir and are SO much like children in America.

Hong Kong

Here is my first glimpse of Hong Kong. This photo was taken outside the Hong Kong International Airport. Buses, buses, buses everywhere!

A Place to Lay Your Head

Ahhh....a place to lay your head. After a long day of rehearsal, we get to sleep just outside the park at Disney's Hollywood Hotel. The theme: ART DECO! What a great treat to be able to sleep close to where you have to work for the opening events...and what better than the glitz & glamour of a Hollywood setting. Here is a close up of the comforter. What a beautiful pattern!

Life IS Good!

This photo was taken right outside in my back yard....

...life IS good!

Auto Blues

Woe is me...Brad & I FINALLY towed my car down the road to the mechanic to figure out why the heck it won't start. It hasn't turned over since before she-that-shall-not-be-named abandoned me and went to some little third world country to "spread the magic." WELL, I have something for all to ponder: Why is it, and you know you've ALL been there, that when you are towing your car everyone has to look at you like you are the white trash, camoflauge-wearing villiage idiot from po-dunk Oklahoma? I mean, c'mon. Is it REALLY our fault that the car decided to take a vacation without us? (insert Carrie Bradshaw thought-provoking question here) (cut to commercial)

Harry Potter Freaks Unite

Only Harry Potter fans will appreciate this! Nonetheless, I am most like Moony from the Harry Potter books.


Which Harry Potter Marauder Are You?

Sharon's Hong Kong Farewell and 40th Birthday Party

I'm not sure if Brad, Dave & Helaina are tired or just in shock that Sharon is turning 40?!

Sharon's Hong Kong Farewell and 40th Birthday Party

Once all the goodbyes were done, Sharon was very pleased with the entire weekend! She will be thinking of all of us while she is working in Hong Kong!

Sharon's Hong Kong Farewell and 40th Birthday Party

Sherri & John Hamilton sitting & drinking with me!

Sharon's Hong Kong Farewell and 40th Birthday Party

Michael & Jill were there to witness the debauchery, the drunken slurring and the retelling of several incriminating stories of our gang. OH...and to wish Sharon a Happy Birthday too!

Sharon's Hong Kong Farewell and 40th Birthday Party

At the recent gathering of her closest friends, we celebrated Sharon's 40th birthday milestone and also spent some quality time reminding Sharon that she is very well-loved and will have each and everyone of us to come home to when her time in Hong Kong comes to an end!

Editorial Note: If you ask me what those people in the picture are doing, I will never ever be able to provide an answer to your satisfaction!