Writes of Passage

This is my third time (2011 & 2010) visiting the garden but first with my dad. We stand in front of his room, two small pics are inside, is being used as an office.

As soon as we entered the Baotu Garden I could feel their dad and his aunt were anxious, on the cloud, revisiting their childhood home where they shared so many happy memories. (Maps of Jinan)

The two kids do remind me how my dad might have played with his aunt … when they were at this age.

My paternal grandma’s room

Donggao Quan, Baiyun Quan, Bailong Wan

My 2016 visit.

This is my 3rd time visiting this famous spring in Jinan. The pic below (four of us) is taken by uncle Changgeng who’s a enthusiast of photographer. More 2016 pix here

There are many other springs in Jinan.

Wuyou Quan 无忧泉 2016.03.17

Shiwan Quan 石湾泉 2016.03.17

Donggao Quan 2016.03.17

Baiyun Quan 2016.03.17

The hotel is in the heart of the town, with an easy stroll, we visit a couple of shopping malls. I even get them into a Starbucks.

Xiaolizhen, Changqing, Jinan, Shandong, China

聚福林海鲜城(市中店)
市中区 大纬二路184号(八一立交桥东北角)
Jufulin Seafood Cheng dianping

Cheng = city, it’s indeed huge and has a couple of locations in Jinan. The room we have was off the main dining hall, not luxury but functional – the suites are to the left of the restaurant but were all booked – it is that busy, on a Wednesday night in March, at 5pm. The wide range of seafood and other food for diners to choose from is somewhat fun, compare to sit and order – although you could also sit-and-order if you choose.

Nothing really jumped out to grab me. A little above average service and food, no-frills. Maybe a 3.5 star? Because I probably would go back.

The staff is having fun before the starting time.

Part of dinner and the leftover:

Oh … and the wine

Shandong, Dong’e County, Liuji town, GaoShang village
山东省东阿县刘集镇皋上村 东北500米 (map from Google)

After lunch, we came to visit this temple. It’s sits on 6605 sq meter / 1.6 acre of land, built in 1109 and my great grandpa had renovated it in 1920. It’s now the County Buddhist Association. (baike). We didn’t get to visit inside because it’s closed. The government of Shandong province has declared it a historical relic in December 2006. FB pix

A primary school 山东省东阿县刘集镇皋上小学 is next door (zip 252214)

After paying respect to my great grandpa and many other ancestors, we stopped by 鸿运农家院 for lunch at the edge of Gaoshang Cun – (刘集镇皋上村 – 鸿运农家院在村边) distant relatives who are still living there. My family had lunch in a room and the locals, men in the next room while their ladies were in the main dining hall..

The bathroom is still very rudimentary. This kid just peed right out side of the entrance to the restaurant.

It’s time to depart and the locals bid us a warm farewell. Thank you!

My great grandpa resides at Liuji township and GaoShang Cun village 刘集镇皋上村 here (map). They’re under the jurisdiction of Dong’e County then Liaocheng 聊城 (wiki). Dong’e County (wiki) as well as LiaoCheng are on the left bank of Yellow River, 100 km / 62 miles upstream/northwest of provincial capital Jinan.

This canal is the conduit sending the water from south to north 南水北调. My relatives said initially the government wanted to build the canal through the tombs but after negotiation or persuasion, they agreed and the site of the tombs is preserved.