May 9: Chenggang's dad always talked about wanting to visit Zhenjiang and Yangzhou with us. Today, his wish finally came true. Early in the morning, a Ctrip chauffeured car came to pick us up at home. We hired a private driver for 10 hours and 300 km for today’s one-way trip to Yangzhou. The weather was beautiful, and everyone in the family was thrilled as the five of us, including Chenggang's parents and his sister, set off on our journey.

We made a short stop at the Yangcheng Lake service area, which is like a rest area along the highway in the US but much fancier. The luxurious amenities, including specialty restaurants, shops, and a traditional Chinese garden, surprised us. It exceeded the typical pit stop and provided a delightful break during our journey.

Then we headed to Zhenjiang's ancient Xijin ferry terminal. It is a famous historic ferry crossing over the Yangtze River. Near the crossing site was a bustling old town for people to trade, eat and shop in those days. However, today the actual ferry crossing site is buried under the ground and is separated from the river by a comprehensive four-lane road. We could still see the ancient ferry site through the glass panel protection at several locations. But the old town area thrives more than ever. It has undergone a revitalization, embracing traditional-style architecture for its shops, restaurants, and historical buildings.

It was lunchtime, and our driver suggested a restaurant, and he only indicated a general direction for the restaurant. Following his advice, we leisurely walked along the old town's main street, which had a slight up Incline. We worried about our 90-year-old parents and whether they could handle it since it was the first real trip in 4 years. But they were in high spirits and determined to proceed. Google Maps showed us that the restaurant was not too far away, but we couldn't see the restaurant nearby. As we looked down over the cliff, we noticed a flat plaza approximately 20 meters below where the restaurant was situated. To reach it, we had two options: either walk down about sixty steps or return the way we came. Surprisingly, Mom and Dad, who don't usually venture out much, effortlessly descended sixty steps, which both worried and amazed us. Their energy and enthusiasm were admirable. Eventually, we arrived at the restaurant and relished our first taste of Zhenjiang Cuisine, which turned out to be absolutely delicious.

After being satisfied with the delicious lunch, we walked to the Old Wharf Cultural Park, near the restaurant where we just had lunch. It was a beautiful area with statues and the ancient ferry site protected by glass panels.  

Before we drove over the bridge across the Yangtze River to YangZhou, we asked the driver to take us to another popular tourist attraction, Jinshan Park. Unfortunately, the nearest parking lot was full, so the driver dropped us at the front entrance. After a glimpse of the park map and the park at the gate, we felt it might be too much walking for our parents to reach the Jinshan Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple. We decided to skip this park and continued our journey to Yangzhou after captured a few pictures. We crossed the Yangtze River to reach Yangzhou Geyuan, a traditional Chinese rock garden. The garden features various pavilions, halls, rocks, and a lot of bamboo. The Chinese Character, Ge (个), symbolizes the bamboo leaf, and GeYuan in Chinese implicitly means Bamboo Garden. But unfortunately, the inside of the garden was overcrowded, and we didn't stay long and quickly exited the park.

At 5:30 pm, we checked in at Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort. The dinner was at the Yangzhou Banquet next to the hotel, and we enjoyed Huaiyang cuisine with the accompaniment of guqin music.

May 10: Two of us got up early and explored the nearby area around the resort. The streets were sparsely populated, and it was evident that the local government had put considerable effort into building this culturally rich food street. After a thorough stroll, we headed to Yangzhou's top-rated breakfast spot, Qu Garden Tea House, where we had to wait for nearly an hour before being seated. Unfortunately, the food quality and service of the breakfast were a bit disappointing.

After breakfast, we explored the renowned Slender West Lake scenic area. Dad was particularly excited to visit the Twenty-Four Bridges mentioned in Du Mu's poem. The arched bridge had been recently reconstructed with a modern creative imagination deviated from the ancient bridges from the region. Again, it required many steps to climb over the bridge. Despite our initial hesitation, Dad's enthusiasm was unwavering, and he insisted on crossing it. To our surprise, Mom and Dad confidently walked over the Twenty-Four Bridges and struck another small bridge to reach the boat dock. Their energy and spirit amazed us, making the visit more memorable and enjoyable.

We took a boat ride on Slender West Lake through the Wuting Bridge and arrived at the South Gate. Again, Dad and Mom walked up the hill. From there, we boarded a sightseeing car to White Tower, where we took a break and got ice cream for Mom and other snacks for the rest. Then we strolled through the Wuting Bridge. We truly admired Mom and Dad for their efforts in going through all the climbing ups and downs of the bridges and hills. After all, they seemed thrilled since it was their first trip in four years.

We continued our journey in the park as Mom and Dad returned to the hotel with Chenggang's sister. Away from the popular tourist attractions in the park, there were fewer tourists, and we were immersed in the natural beauty of landscapes combining land and water, presenting a beautiful painting of nature. The scenic area was stunning, and we wish we could spend more time there.

After finishing our exploration of the Slender West Lake, while Mom and Dad rested in the room, we went to soak in the hot springs to relax. For dinner, we sought the advice of the hotel's driver and went to the restaurant he recommended in the city center. It turned out to be fantastic, with excellent value for money.

May 11: Today, we headed back home from Yangzhou. Our train was in the afternoon. Since Mom and Dad were still in high spirits after breakfast, we strolled around the nearby Qu Garden scenic area for another hour. For lunch, we had a delicious meal at the Tea House before taking the high-speed train back to Shanghai.

Dad had a great time, and his poetic inspiration flourished during our trip to Zhenjiang and Yangzhou. He composed a poem in a seven-character rhythm to share his feelings. We asked ChatGPT to translate it into English. Here it is:

In this fleeting world, so vast and wide,

In the twilight years, we seek Yangzhou's side.

At Xijin Ferry, history we trace,

Stroll Twenty-Four Bridges with easy grace.

A spring breeze caresses Yang's pathways wide,

Our cherished kinship, love does reside.

With joy and harmony, age turns young,

As blessings from above, like stars, are flung.

(Note: The translation maintains the essence and meaning of the original poem while adapting it to English. Chinese poetry often relies on the natural rhythm and beauty of the Chinese language, which can be challenging to capture fully in translation.)

5/9: 老爸常说要带我们去镇江扬州看看，今天终于如愿以偿。好天气，好心情，一家人高高兴兴去旅行。一早携程专车来家接我们，先到阳澄湖服务区小休一会儿，然后来到镇江西津渡走走，在司机推荐的周家二小姐的菜餐馆品尝镇江佳肴。平时已很少出门的老爸老妈居然轻松地直下五，六十级台阶，着实让我们又担心又惊喜。跨过长江来到扬州个园，小小的竹园应该说是很漂亮，可惜里面游客人满为患，没待多久就匆匆离去 。入住瘦西湖温泉度假村，已到晚餐时间，来到酒店旁的扬州宴，在古琴乐的伴奏下享受着淮扬美食。

5/10: 大清早我们俩先去度假村附近走走。街上行人稀少，看得出来当地政府花了不少精力建造了这条文化美食街。转完一大圈后就去酒店附近的扬州顶级早点店－趣园茶社拿号，人还真不少，我们等了近一小时后才入坐。可能是期望太高了，我们对这家店的扬州早点的质量和服务都有点失望。

早餐后，来到著名的瘦西湖风景名胜区游玩，按老爸的意思我们直奔杜牧诗中的二十四桥，但新建的这座桥完全是现代人的想象。到了桥边，看着台阶再看着二老，我们有点犹豫，但老爸却来了兴致，坚持要上。二老不仅轻松地走过二十四桥，过桥后又走过另一小桥来到船码头。我们坐游船穿越五亭桥来到南大门，又从南大门坐观光车来到白塔，在那里小休后，又徒步过五亭桥。今天真佩服二老，上上下下走了不少。看得出他们很兴奋，毕竟四年来第一次外出旅行。整个景区很漂亮，陆路和水道并行，到处都是一幅美丽的山水画卷。

游完瘦西湖后，二老回房休息，我们去泡温泉轻松一下。晚餐请教了酒店的司机，去了一家他推荐的餐厅，果然不错，价廉物美。

5/11: 今天从扬州打道回府，因为是下午的火车，吃完早餐后，二老依然游兴未尽，又去酒店附近的趣园景区里整整走了一个小时。中午在乐园茶社美餐一顿后，坐高铁回上海。

老爸玩得开心，诗兴大发，为镇江，扬州行作七律诗一首，在此分享：

自叹尘世忽悠悠，暮年时节访扬州。

西津渡口探幽古，二十四桥漫步走。

十里春风润扬路，百般呵護亲情郁。

其乐融融老变小，胜如上苍许赐佑。