The Pearl Market

This is the pearl market where Tim bought me my pearl necklaces - I now have black pearl (from last year's trip) and white pearl necklaces, with matching earrings. Can't wait to visit this someday myself! 

Pandas at the Beijing Zoo

Tim visited the pandas at the Beijing Zoo. He thinks they are like koalas in that they don't do very much. 

Panda-monium!

Of course, where there are pandas, there is merchandising... 

The Temple of Heaven

This is the Temple of Heaven, which was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifices to Heaven.  

Lovely Buildings

The Temple's architecture and colors are spectacular. It was good that there were not too many people there on the day Tim visited. 

Roof Details

Details like the line of sitting lions on this roof edge are really cool. 

Beautiful Colors

More details on the Temple of Heaven. 

Beautiful Patterns

More details on the Temple of Heaven. 

Tim Shopping

Tim did a little bit of shopping in Beijing... 

Say what?

They really need someone to check some of their translations... 

Pardon me?

More troublesome English... 

Tim's Hotel

This was where Tim stayed in Beijing. In the background, the thing that looks like twisted metal is actually the main stadium for the 2008 Olympics. 

Hotel Views

This was the view from Tim's hotel, the Hui Yuan Apartments. 

Hotel Slippers

These are Tim's "hotel slippers." They gave him 3 pairs of these each day. 

Wedding Photographer?

In Tim's colleague's hotel there was a wedding going on, and when they saw Tim had a camera, they literally begged him to take their photo. 

International Business or International Fakes?

Tim next traveled to Beijing, for the Academy of International Business conference. You can see what international business is going on here in Beijing (but this was in fact a FAKE KFC...) 

Prius in Nice

Here is a shot of a Toyota Prius in Nice. This in fact happens to be the same car we bought two weeks ago, to replace our 4 wheel drive Suzuki... 

Prius in Brisbane

And here I am, standing in front of our very own brand new Prius. The car recharges its battery every time you step on the brake, so there is no need to plug it in anywhere. It uses 40% of the fuel of a comparably sized car, and produces 80% less emissions. 

Computer in dash very cool

The car has a computer monitor in the dashboard that shows you where the energy to run the car (or charge the battery) is coming from at any given time. To start the car you put in a "key" that looks more like a small remote, then you just push the start button. It is very quiet - really can't hear any engine noise when the car is just parked because at that point it is just running on electric. 

A very well-designed car to operate

You also work the CD player and the climate control from the computer touch screen (or by buttons on the steering wheel - very handy when driving). The car drives beautifully - very smooth.  

Good spacious trunk

It has quite a bit of trunk space, too. The back seats fold down so there is tons of room. 

Tim on the Beach

Tim stayed in a small hotel right on the beach at Nice. Each day he took the train down the coast to his conference. 

Wheelchair-accessible beach

Here is a shot of a handicapped beach! People in wheelchairs can go right down nearly to the water... 

Tim Goes Shopping

This is the view from Tim's hotel room. There were a lot of great shops right around his hotel, and he got me a great little dress from one of them. 

Tim Does Good with the Shopping

Here I am wearing the great dress Tim bought me in Nice. (We stayed at this Gold Coast resort for our anniversary this year...)