Beijing: Olympic Park, Liulichang Market & Beijing Duck

With the London Olympics right around the corner, it was an exciting time to check out the Olympic Park from the 2008 Beijing games.

Of all the buildings I thought the bird's nest was the most impressive.  It is really a cool structure.  Ginger was less impressed.  She slept right through the tour.

Our main destination was the Water-Cube where many of the swimming events took place.

Recognize this pool?

A couple years ago they converted part of the Water-Cube into "Super Happy Magic Water-Cube, Beijing Water-Cube Water Park." What a mouthful.  A mouthful of super happy magic fun, that is!  

We spent the afternoon swimming and sliding.  The girls loved the wave pool and Jon & I enjoyed the thrill of risking our lives on poorly maintained, questionable (at best) water slides.  One slide in particular, you stood inside a glass tube (coffin?) then after a 3 second countdown the floor retracted and you just went straight down!  When I took my place in line I found that I was the ONLY one in line.  The people waiting for the slide next to mine actually applauded as I got inside.  Scary, yet happily, super fun & magical too!

Later on we visited Liulichang Market. What a cool area.  We basically just wandered around, shopping here and there, taking bunches of photos and chatting with some people we'd come across.  It was HOT outside, but so worth it!

Asian Mr. Clean?

Asian Zoolander?

Ginger played a bit with this little gentleman (currently in the process of potty training!) while Naomi & I picked out some souvenirs.  We found people in Beijing to be very friendly.

Asian Colonel Sanders?

Asian Cajun Boy?

These small brown poodles are very popular here.  Isn't this one adorable!

After our hot day out we dined on some famous Beijing duck.  It did not disappoint!  Incredible.  The girls loved wrapping the duck in the little pancakes.  Mmmmm...