summer.palace.颐.和.园

it's mid july and peak summer yet you are drinking hot chocolate, wearing your jumper and shawl at home.  you took out your autumn trench coat and been wearing it outdoor against the rain... frankly speaking, you don't mind the 15 temperature but the rain, the wind and the gray cloudy sky, suck...

you missed the summer palace (颐和园) of beijing and the time of the year. it was the month of may with a pleasant temperature of just above 20c.

you met your friend here because you thought you never visited summer palace before and would like to have some space to escape the crowd of the city. and you love the willow trees that danced according to the rhythm of  the wind sweeping on the floor, on the surface of the lake, dancing like a group of elegant imperial dancers.

it was a time where peonies were blooming and you were in love with peonies...

and there are many pretty windows tinted with some painting and every scenery beyond the glass window was a surprise to discover.

summer palace is big, it took you almost the entire afternoon and early evening to stroll through the various compounds. some places were full of tourists, other spots were completely deserted and it was just you and your girlfriend. and you chatted your hearts out. it has been a good eight years, there're lots to catch up... so you walked and you chatted, you paused and posed for photo moments and before you know it's evening. and all you remember is that was a totally pleasant time with nice temperature and breeze and great company.

 there're plenty of photo opportunities when you looked to the details like these patterns in green and red.  

and this pillar in green, red, blue, gold and white colors. imperial colors. striking and profoundly beautiful to you.

and even the pattern on the tree caught your attention in contrast with the imperial red and green against the woody earth brown color.

and you missed your friend too.. interestingly both of you are now working for the same company, except she is based in beijing and you in the lowland...

in reality, today is sunday (a cold and rainy summer day) and a new week is coming. a week full of surprises and blessings and hopefully the weather will improve too.