28 Nov. 2011: GARDEN VIEW, THE BOOK # 2 of 2

After admiring the catch-of-the-day and an ingenious corn/yam cooker, we were taken to excursion #2, Garden View Park. Another water-defined spot, it was more of a still life after the excitement and energy of the canal town. The feature here is that the entire 200 acres recreate a very famous Chinese storybook read by kids and adults alike. Ask Pat about the plot, I drifted off after the first 2 chapters. Apparently though it concerns a guy and a girl and unrequited love.

Many residences with reception rooms that seated you by how welcome the fictional guests really were, or weren't. Courtyards with names like Red Bamboo Gate or Water Heaven. Replicas of woman having tea while cattily discussing the guy's shortcomings, if you know what I mean. Active temples where a robed monk tried to sell us incense sticks. Amazing craftsmanship in wood, steel, jade, and bronze. Our escort Bill must have been quite affected by the story as a kid --- he led us through ALL the pivotal moments and structures in the story. We probably had walked 20km for the day by then, so the greenery and peacefulness was muted. Maybe we should have read this epic first.

I thought of Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, which is based on the fables of the Brothers Grimm. And of course, Green Gables in Prince Edward Island which has become real as the home of Canada's famous red-haired Anne. What would a garden or theme park look like telling YOUR story??