SuzhouApr 22, 2009
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Walking toward The Master of Nets Garden
We learn about the bronze doors that protect against fire spreading
We learn about the high thresholds
Today we drove about 1 1/2 hours to Suzhou, the silk capital of China and home to the most beautiful gardens.
Our first stop is The Master of Nets Garden :) A typical Suzhou type garden with beautiful rock formations, pagodas and furniture. It is a beautiful day weather-wise and very comfortable to just walk around and smell the flowers!
From there we visit the Silk Factory and learn how silk is made starting from the worms munching on mulberry bushes all the way through the spooling of the silk thread. The best part is the gift shop and we do some major "damage" there :)
After lunch we head for the boat ride, except the canal is closed off for some kind of celebration so we cannot take the boat ride. Instead we head to the Humble Administrator's Garden (I have always loved this name!). This garden is so large it is practically a Park! Azaleas of every color were in bloom everywhere. You wander down paths and explore places like "The Listening to the Sound of Rain Pavilion", "The Hall of Distant Fragrance", "The Keep and Listen Pavilion" and my favorite, "The "With Whom Shall I Sit" Pavilion". We take so many pictures! The kids are beginning to tire of all the pictures. But I still get some really good ones.
It is beginning to sink in that we are leaving soon. I am so happy everything went smoothly and the girls loved the experience.
Tomorrow is a free day to walk around Shanghai and to take some time to explore the city. We will be home soon and can't wait to see everyone!
