Summer travel

When Lyle first got the orders to Okinawa, we started talking about what our vacation plans might be while here. Being a smaller island the local attractions, while interesting, will NOT take the four years we are here to explore.

We made our ultimate dream list: Austalia, New Zealand, Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Thailand, China. Of course the reality is we cannot afford to do it all, but we planned out our budget and knew we would be able to do at least a couple of places on our dream list.

This year's trip was supposed to be Tokyo. We were going to go over Stephanie's birthday and do Disney at the same time. Unfortunately, my work schedule and Lyle's work schedule didn't fit with the hotel's availability. Combine that with school, Chris' summer job and a base inspection, it looked like we wouldn't leave the island ths summer.

But I happened to see the dates on a China tour through the Marine's Travel Center, MCCS. The timing was perfect and the price was in our budget, so we signed up. The tour group does almost everything, except Lyle's official paperwork. He finished the last of it last night, so it looks like we are good to go!

Our EIGHT day trip is going to take us to three cities, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Our list of sites to visit includes the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen square, the Forbidden City, Great Wall, a rickshaw tour, Tang Dynasty dinner show, Terra Cotta Warrior museum, Summer Palace, Winter Palace, quite a few temples, silk fatory, jade factory and a couple flea markets. The tour includes almost all of our meals so we don't have to worry about anything!

We leave in three weeks and I cannot wait!