Beijing - Part 4

Hi everyone! How have you been? I trust you've been enjoying a lovely, blessed Christmas season. I know we have, praise the Lord! In the past few weeks, I've experienced mightily God's faithfulness and goodness in my life -- genuine miracles as I step out in faith. In this wonderful time of the year, I pray that the Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace :)

And now -- the last chapter of our Beijing saga! I realise that the Christmas week meant many of us were busy with family and friends, and Blogland was quieter than usual. If you missed the third part of our trip, you can find it here -- do have a looksie; I consider China's royal places some of its most beautiful areas.

In comparison, this last post on the subject will be a bit more mundane, as the picture at top should tell you haha! That's Wumart -- yep, Beijing's version of Walmart! We enjoyed shopping here very much -- in much the same way many of us enjoy shopping at Walmart (hey, well I do). We got loads of cheap stationery and Chinese books here.

The second floor of Wumart is the supermarket. There were lots of interesting produce which we don't get at home, like these fish. I think they're largehead hairtail, which can grow to over two metres -- if they had the chance.

Seaweed -- yum!

And yeah, you know how they say everybody loves fried chicken wings? Well, this way you can have them any time you want!

And while you're at it, have some chicken feet too!

There's Rebecca's Blythe dolly Isadora watching Mars Attacks! in the hotel with us (well, right there it's Tom Jones attacks). Incidentally, Becky has been blogging about Isadora's adventures in Beijing -- have a looksie here!

Outside the Beijing Museum of Natural History. The place has improved dramatically since I was last there, with many fascinating exhibits. I was glad the kids were always enthusiastic about all the places we visited.

Me taking a picture of an animatronic dinosaur, just one of many in an impressive re-creation of prehistoric life. He is cute, yes?

It was a truly educational visit.

An interesting house en route. I don't think it's abandoned.

Climbing up to the Temple of Heaven. This complex of religious buildings was built from 1406 to 1420; it was visited by Ming and Qing Emperors for annual prayer ceremonies. The place is huge, about 660 acres.

Inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is apparently located at the exact point where heaven and earth meet. The wooden pillars of all the halls support the ceiling without any nails or cement.

At the airport on our way home. There's Ro with Isadora.

It was a wonderful time of family bonding.

See you again soon! Here's wishing all of you a beautiful, prosperous, blessed new year!

* More pictures here :)