Beijing - Shanghai

Yesterday was a fun filled packed day, however we didn't get to see Tiananman Square or Forbidden City. So we are planning to get up early, pack, have breakfast and see these two historical landmarks on our way to the Airport. We are headed to Shanghai for a day of sightseeing.

We grabbed a cab to Tiananman Square and Forbidden City... Kids wanted to go swimming, however this is a far better educational experience which they will remember forever (at least that is what we told them).

Jacob, Abey and Kristen in front of the Forbidden City... Jacob had lots of question about who lived there...I pointed him to wikipedia for most of the answers. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City). The picture on the front of the Forbidden City is of Chairman Moa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong)

Our flight today leaves at 1:00 pm from Beijing and arrives in Shanghai around 3:00 pm. We are flying China Eastern Airlines Flight 5112. 

You can follow our flight online: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CES5112

Once in Shanghai we plan on walking the boardwalk and just taking in the sites....The hotel we are staying at is famous for the barrel-fault atrium which starts on the 56th floor and expands upwards to the 87th floor. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai is located in the Pudong Financial District of Shanghai. The hotel occupies the top 36 floors of the 88-story Jin Moa Tower. It was the highest in the world until the Park Hyatt was build right beside it. Here are some photos of the hotel (http://www.earlplacebnb.com/hotels-resorts/grand-hyatt-shanghai.html).

 Here are some more pictures of Tiananman Square.  Notice the color of the sky. It is funny to watch how some of the locals react to the kids.  Many locals have had their pictures taken with the kids.

When we got back to the hotel, we went downstairs to get Starbucks...This art display was setup and the girls wanted to get their pictures in a frame.

As we leave Beijing, the soldiers watching over the Chinese Flag in Tiananman Square.

Interesting Note: It only took the family until 10:00 AM to remember that today is father's day! Happy Father's Day to Pappa George, Pappy Gary, Uncle Gary D, Uncle Danny, Uncle Al and all the fathers who do great things for their families everyday! Cheers!

Miles Travelled to date: 19,963 (Total Hours of Travel - 43 hrs in the air)

Time Delayed in Airport - 3.5 hrs (LAX)

US Airways - Flight 2508 - Charleston (CHS) to Charlotte (CLT) - 168 miles - CRJ700
US Airways - Flight 721 - Charlotte (CLT) to Los Angeles (LAX) - 2,120 miles - A321
United - Flight 839 - Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) - 7,516 miles - 747-400

Qantas - Flight 922 - Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) - 1,275 miles - 737-800

Qantas - Flight 925 - Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD) - 1,275 miles - 767-300 

Thai - 476 - Sydney (SYD) to Bangkok (BKK) - 4662 miles - 747-400
Thai - 602 - Bangkok (BKK) to Hong Kong (HKG) - 1048 miles - A330-300

China Southern - 309 - Hong Kong (HKG) to Beijing (PEK) - 1225 miles - A321
China Eastern - 5112 - Beijing (PEK) to Shanghai (SHA) - 674 miles - A330-300