Views of Guangzhou

These are just a few views from Guangzhou. We were so happy to get out of there. We were so bored. It's amazing. With Brynn's adoption, we were so excited to get there. Now, we couldn't wait to get out.

The Victory Hotel was horrible. It smelled musty the minute we hit the lobby. I don't have allergies and I sneezed the entire 53 hours we were there.

The medical appointment was done the minute we got to the island. We then walked to the Victory. We ate at Lucy's and Starbucks the majority of the time. We also ate at the Thai restaurant. It was so tasty.

Wednesday was our swearing in ceremony. We literally sat around the room until it was time to go. We didn't shop much this time. We just couldn't think of anything we had to have. That part was so different from last time.

After we finished our consulate ceremony, we were whisked away by private taxi to the China border. I swear it felt like we were running from the mob. Close to the border between China and Hong Kong, we turned off the highway and transferred our luggage to another van, filled out our immigration paperwork and were off again.

The border is very interesting. You go thru the China border, then drive about 50 yards and go thru Hong Kong immigration. The officials look at the passports and then you are allowed to go. The van took us directly to our hotel in Disney. If we were to do this trip again, we would do this part exactly the same. For about $200 US dollars, we didn't have to mess with our luggage, the train station, immigration, or a taxi. So worth it.

The Walk to the Park

Yes, you can walk to DisneyLand from the hotel. We loved the path. It was about a 10 minute walk. When we left the park at night, we and 2 other couples were the only ones on the path. Everyone else jumped on a bus. It was really weird.

We enjoyed the walk Brynn and Nathan got to run around and we didn't have to worry about them. So nice.

The Characters

This is how Nathan reacted towards all the characters. That is why we have no pictures of him with them.

In the Park

Snow White's Grotto

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

The Disneyland Hotel

This is the back of the hotel.

Every kid got to use these at the restaurant. So cute.

Gorgeous Chandeliers

Sneezy at the Kleenex dispenser. Isn't that cute?

Now this is a toiletry set. Amazingly cute. Yeah. I brought those home even though I didn't have room in the suitcases.

Leaving in the morning

We just got back from Disney. It was such a wonderful way to end this journey.

We leave in the morning. We are flying from Hong Kong to Chicago and then to Pittsburgh.

For anyone meeting us at either of the airports please know, I am not a pretty traveler. I will not get off a 12 hour flight looking like I just stepped out of Vogue. It just won't happen and I honestly don't know how others do it!

See you on the other side of the world!

Thought I was done...

...then I saw this picture. This was taken in our hotel room.

The Red Couch

It's tradition. Everybody has to do a red couch photo.

Nathan is not too sure of the camera. He often hides his face. This is, of course, completely opposite of his sister. She is such a poser.

The family of four

This is in the hotel of the White Swan. We didn't stay here. We chose to stay at the Victory. I will never make that mistake again. The hotel smells so musty. And I think I am allergic to it. All I have done for 2 days is blow my nose.

Goodbye to Guilin

XiXi, our guide, and the four of us.

We left Guilin early in the morning setting off for our first plane ride with Nathan. It went so well. Another sigh of relief.

Off to Guangzhou.

(Yeah, I know I am a little out of order. That's what happens when your in China for 2 weeks.)

For those who had XiXi

XiXi is our guide in Guilin. We had the pleasure of meeting her daughter, niece, nephew and her daughter's best friend. Isn't her daughter pretty? She and Brynn are from the same province, Jiangxi.

Of course, you will notice that Nathan and I aren't in the picture. All of us were at a restaurant and Nathan threw a huge tantrum. I took him back to the hotel, him kicking and screaming the entire time. Remember that picture I posted of the view outside our hotel? That's the square I had to walk acrossed. I am sure people were wondering what was going on. I thought maybe people thought I had stolen him, but nobody wanted him at the time. It was so ugly. He finally calmed down after about an hour and a half. He hasn't had one like that since.

Maybe that was his last hurrah. Now he has just given up and realizes he is stuck with us forever.

On the Li River Cruise

The Waterfall Hotel in Guilin

This hotel is so nice. I am so glad we decided to stay here. Every night at 8:30, a waterfall falls from the top of the building. It's a tourist attraction.

Our room was underneath the hotel. We got to see it from both sides. Brynn wanted to open the window and touch the water. Didn't happen.

Siblings...

This was taken as we were walking the streets of the city in Yangshou, the city at the end of the Li River cruise.

Fun at Lucy's

Aaaaaah, Guangzhou

Everyone who has ever adopted from China knows exactly how we are feeling. We finally made it to Guangzhou. The flight was wonderful. Nathan did so well. Surprising to say the least.

Our trip to Guilin was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. I will post pictures of it as soon as I can. We are so thankful to our guide, XiXi. She made it so wonderful for us.

Pandas

We were so excited to see some pandas on this trip.

The handler is giving this panda sugar cane.

Hey, what's that over Kevin's shoulder?

Look! A Family of Four!!

Our Saturday

This is where we went today. Again, just stunning.