This morning after breakfast we drove to the old village of Tongli which is known as the Venice of China. This was about a two-hour trip from Shanghai. As we walked by the old shops along the river and over stone bridges, we watched people floating down the canals in gondola-type boats. 
Boat ride through the Grand Canal
I was fascinated with the instruments in a small music store. I wish I could bring a pipa home, but it is too large. I found an interesting-looking instrument, though, that I had never seen before. It is called a Hulusi. The Miao people, a mixed raced people, played it. This recorder-like instrument has a decorated small gourd on one end. I knew that I could carry it on the plane in my daypack, so I bought it.
Music Store
We ate a delicious lunch in a very old restaurant, Teahouse of South Garden. Then we drove to Suzhou to ride on a little bit bigger boat with an engine through the Grand Canal. Last, we drove to the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Neither Paul nor I were particularly interested in walking here, so we sat on a bench near the entrance and watched people while the rest of the group walked. We had a great time watching people taking pictures of the wilting flowers that were planted in plastic flower pots and colorfully arranged in groups. I found it strange that the flowers weren’t planted in the ground.
Throughout the trip. People have been taking selfies with their iPhones attached to sticks. It is fun to watch them pose. Another popular spot to have a photo taken is by a blossoming tree.
Selfie
Our group decided that they wanted to take a shorter tour than our guide had planned, so we only got to people watch for thirty minutes. When our group left the gardens, we drove back to Shanghai. We stopped for dinner at a combination Chinese/Japanese restaurant for our farewell dinner. We watched the chef cook the meat in front of us then pour brandy on it to make it flame!
When we got back to the hotel, we packed. Our flight to Beijing has been cancelled, so we have been booked on a much earlier flight. We will have to leave the hotel at 5:45 A.M. Then we will have to spend more time in the Beijing Airport before our flight leaves for San Francisco.
7257 steps, 3.08 miles