I think came to the right place and right time in China. Had it been springtime and had I received a full tour of West Lake (the water, the gardens, the mountains) my first week here, I would have my "wow" moment all at once. But every week that I go "exploring," I get that "wow" moment nearly every week, as I find new inlets, new parks, new vistas. And now even familiar locations are "wowing" me, as trees turn green and flowers bloom.
I wish I could describe the feeling of absolute serenity I felt today. Usually I bring a friend along with me when I bike around the West Lake, but today I decided to go solo. Lying down on a lonely pier on one corner of the Lake, I breathed in the air, the dying sunlight, the waves, the wind, the mountains. Everything was absolutely perfect in that moment - bringing new meaning to the expression "Paradise above, Hangzhou and Suzhou below."
The Garden of Eden definitely had bamboo trees. I am convinced. I almost biked past this small forest, but seeing signs and some people emerging, I walked my bike down to investigate. Suddenly I felt like I was in the Sacred Grove. Across from the entrance to the bamboo forest was Jade Garden, a beautifully landscaped garden (also pictured below).
With the exception of the first two pictures (taken the week before), all pictures were taken in a single two hour period.