(April 4, 2008) Jourdanton, Texas — Fun, fun, and fancy free! That's how South Texas Regional Medical Center's Senior Circle members feel as they travel the globe to exotic lands.

Most recently, 22 members of the STR Senior Circle group traveled to the site of the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China for a nine day journey that took them to exciting places such as: Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, Beijing Zoo, a Silk Factory, a Jade Factory, the Peking Opera, and the Temple of Heaven. The Forbidden City and Summer Palace are destinations once exclusive to only the royal families in the days of Emperors and Empresses.

Among the most memorable experiences ranks a visit to the world-famous Beijing Acrobatic Show. Top acrobatic artists are invited from all over the country to perform for Chinese and foreign tourists. At one point, there were 15 girls on one bicycle. The program featured trick cycling, leaping through hoops and Chinese magic tricks. Some of the artists have won prizes in international competitions.

The pinnacle of the tour was the visit to the Great Wall. The Great Wall stretches over 4,000 miles and has a history of over 2,000 years. Members took this once in a lifetime opportunity to scale a portion of this ancient wonder.

Along with breathtaking sites and unique landscapes, China offered Senior Circle a delicious plethora of cuisine. The best meal was with a local family in the Hutong District. Hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing.

On both sides of the alley are enclosed single-level family dwellings. The Chinese government is involved with these families to preserve this historic district and way of life.

Upcoming adventures for this organization include an already fully booked daytrip to Progreso, Mexico at the end of April and a two-day getaway to Kinder, Louisiana in May (the Louisiana trip is still open for additional member reservations).

Join our circle of friends today! Annual membership is only $15 dollars per member. Call 830-569-8000 to enroll today and ask how to receive a discount membership rate.

China_Group (photo ID): CAPTION: Several Senior Circle members ascended the Great Wall and received a Hero card commemorating their accomplishment.  Pictured Kneeling: David Lyle, Collette Tour Manager Bottom Row (l to r): Kay Brown, Jacque Stacy, Joel Muckleroy, Doris Dickinson, Sylvia Garza, Patsy Warnken, Fred Moczygemba and Beijing Guide, Zion. Middle Row (l to r): Nell Blaha, Dot Vrana, Vicki Milam, Kathy Allen, Ivanna Warnken, Karen McCauley and Sherry Keller. Top Row (l to r): Bill and Katie Schuchman, JoAnn McFarland, J.D. Smith, John Allen, John Scheel, Mary Lee Scheel and Jim Vynalek.