Ni Hao!

We just returned from a most fabulous long weekend in Beijing, China. I think I can attest for the three of us and say we would have stayed there a lot longer if it were a possibility. I loved everything about Beijing (minus peeing in holes in the ground, but I pretty much mastered that by the end of day one). The people were friendly. The food was delicious. The city itself was very clean. The historical sites were breathtaking and it was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Day One in Beijing

It was a 45 minute ride to the hotel from the airport. China is so cheap. Our taxi fare was $12. One thing in Asia is the lack of car seats. They aren't necessary here which freaked me out at first, but I got used to it. Ella decided to take a nap standing up holding on to me on the way to the hotel.

Ella exploring the hotel room

The Beijing Zoo

We all know China is famous for the Panda bears...but this is a bit out of control. Ella kept yelling "LOOK at THIS!"

This is me instigating my daughter to climb over the fence and take a bear.

She listens so well:)

She didn't steal one, I promise. Here are some of the larger bears which Ella loved to smack their faces. She's such a doll.

Looking for the panda exhibit

Find the panda

There he is! It was amazing how close you could get to the pandas. You felt like you were a part of their den!

This panda was quite hungry...or he liked to put on a show. Chowing down on bamboo...

We caught the pandas at a good time because typically in the afternoon, they are sound asleep. Their busiest time is in the mornings. Where's the panda again??

Tom was as hungry as a bear.

My little monkey watching the monkeys play

I don't know about you, but those bears look like they are hunting for some dinner. And the menu seems to be humans.The largest cat statue ever.The Beijing Zoo was very beautiful, but I agree with what the critics always say...some of the cages the animals were put in were so small. I almost cried looking at the elephants in cages the size of our master bedroom. They treat the pandas like kings and the rest of the larger animals suffer a bit. It's really not fair, but I guess that's what you get for paying $1.50 to get in to the zoo, huh? It didn't bother Ella though and this part of the trip was all about her:)

Playing peek-a-boo in the hotel room before dinner

Dinner at a fabulous noodle restaurant right by our hotel. They loved Ella there and even brought her fresh watermelon juice which she couldn't drink fast enough.

Ella tried very hard to learn how to use chopsticks, but unfortunately she saw them to be more useful as drumsticks.

A great first day! To see more pics of day one, click here. Keep checking for Day Two:)