Walking at Heihu Spring Park & Daming Lake

Today we toured two parks, just five minutes apart, Heihu Spring Park and Daming Lake. 

Jinan is known for its natural springs.  The people in this area gather at the springs to collect fresh water to take home.  Although there is a legal spot for collection, many choose the more convenient area, albeit precarious location, for their water gathering.

Right next to the contraband water carriers were three uniformed police officers who were casually observing and apparently discussing the weather.  I asked our guide about the seeming lack of enforcement of the law.  He just laughed and said, "This is China."  Okay??


Within eye shot, and across the spring, was the legal gathering location for H2O.  And  even the pampered pooch seemed to understand the proper, orderly way to wait for his turn.

 

The weather was beautiful and brisk, and we could see the sun!

Although Jinan boasts a population similar to Changsha at 7 million, it doesn't share the pollution of Changsha or Beijing.

The locals depend more on bicycles and scooters and less on cars which I am sure contributes to better air quality.

The combination of the beauty of the park, the weather and the fact that Michaela actually had her hands on my camera, gave us lots of photo ops.  (Normally I am VERY territorial over my camera, but Savannah was NOT interested in letting me take photos.  Michaela was very pleased that she was photographer for the day!)

 

 

 

 

Savannah was not sure she liked her carrier, but it sure saved my back.

 

 

 

 

After leaving Heihu Spring Park, we made the five minute drive to Daming Lake.  Jinan, according to our guide, is the only Chinese city that has a lake in the middle of  it. 

 

 

Here the girls pose with our guide, Jason.

 

 

 

Daming Lake is a natural lake, spring-fed by the Heihu Springs.  It is a popular location for the locals to come and spend afternoons and weekends.   They can even rent boats to take out onto the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evidently it is also a place where they hope to find romance.  As legend holds, long ago an emperor traveled to the city of Jinan and found his true love while at the park.  They were married and lived happily from that day forward.

 

 

 

Ever since that time, in the lunar month of September, single men and women of all ages hoping to find their soul mates come to the park and pin up notes on long red threads.  I guess it's their modern day equivalent of eHarmony.com. 

 

 

Savannah, not regaled by all these tales, fell fast asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Savannah Faith slept, her big sisters tried to look wise standing next to one of China's great teacher's and his student.

 

 

 

 

 

The next few days well include a lot of waiting.  Waiting for the notary papers and Savannah Faith's passport.  Then Friday it will be off to Guangzhou.

 

 

(It's come to my attention that those of you who receive the blog via e-mail can't see the photos due to their size.  I will begin including the link to the blog at the end of each blog post, so you can click on it if you would like to see the photos.  www.thehortonhome.blogspot.com )