Emperor's Park

We just went for an amble in the park that 'two Emperor's quite liked' according to the info sign. It was fairly impressive, the crystal-clear water flowing down from the backdrop thrustful snowcapped mount and the old gentlemen playing card games and counter games. The trees are in full Autumn bloom, with all the brilliant flares of colour one might expect. The leaves often fall onto the ponds and skiff about blown by the wind, looking like little boats. Sounds of the traditional Naxi-Tibetan music wafts across from the dance pagoda.
I'm reading my way through Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment"; I thought, you know, 'history', Russia borders with China, funny social quirks and protocols etc. We have one more night midst the cobbled streets and pointy roofs then it's the long journey back to the whanau.