Up at 6. The suitcases had to be outside our doors by 7. We
started by visiting the pearl factory. Bought earrings for $20 a pair. They
were of the lowest of the 3 qualities that they had. One of the ladies from our
group bought a pearl necklace little diamonds around the pearl. It came as a
set with the earrings and a ring. She said that the price was the price of a
trip.
Afterwards we visited the summer palace. Over 60,000 people visit
there every day. It was very crowded with people everywhere.
On the way to the airport we also stopped at the tea house where
we were served 3 or 4 different teas. We ended up buying some jasmine tea. If
you bought 2 boxes, you could have a half box free. The box came to about $34
but supposedly there's enough in the box to last a year. This is starting to
feel like a subsidized shopping trip.
Check in at the security was different. They make you put all
electronics in the basket, tablet, cell, camera, even batteries. Then everyone
is patted down. They made me remove my money belt and checked every corner even
removing my credit cards from my anti scan sleeve.