Day 16 - Home

Made it home!  Thanks for the many prays, thoughts and well wishes while we were away.  Many thanks to mom for sharing the journey with us and Gabbie and Poppy for taking care of Emma and Sophie for us.  The day was a little of a fog; feeling the effects of 24 hours of traveling.  We did manage to call the Hogs of course...

 

Emma and Sophie just love their baby sister; and she loves them.  They are being excellent big sisters.  Our welcome home from our house - a/c not working...hopefully something simple.



Day 15 - coming home

We stayed at the Regal airport hotel in Hong Kong prior to leaving in the morning.  It was by far our least favorite hotel; the room was much smaller and not near as updated or nice.  Essentially paying for the convenience of being able to walk to the terminal, which I have to say was very nice.  The flight was approximate 12.5 hours to San Francisco.  We had upgraded to economy plus but mom was split from us.  We asked if they could put us all together, but we assumed would still be in the econ plus, but they put us altogether in regular economy.  After some discussion they let us keep the 3 economy seats and mom got to keep her economy plus seat - actually turned out to be the best; Grace took a couple good long naps and it was a life saver being able to lay her down in her own seat.  After a near four hour flight to St Louis we were finally close to home.  We were warmly greeted by Gabbie, Poppy and the girls.

newest US citizen

Day 14

Our last day in Guangzhou; bittersweet.  This trip has exceeded all expectations I had.  Grace seems to be adjusting well; still the happiest little baby.  In addition to her two bottom teeth, her two front teeth are coming in.

Lunch was at the hotel bar - hotdogs and beer for mom and me; Malia opted for some noodle soup.  Was actually quite good.  The bar is having it's eight annual Octoberfest soon; looks to be a good time with German food and beer.

 

We said good bye to our excellent guide Jason and the rest of the CCAI families and took a van to Hong Kong.  We had the option of flight or much cheaper train ride, but with all the luggage and new baby we opted for the van and have no regrets.  We had our first rain in Guangzhou; it has been hot and sunny with a few days with a nice breeze.  Mom got one more scarf at the shopping area near the hotel; I believe they know us by name now...

 

 

Day 13

The day of course started with the breakfast buffet.  Today was visa day.  We drove to the consulate office and submitted our documents for Grace's US visa, should be ready the next day and we can start our journey back home, sure miss our other girls.

We then went as a group to a wholesale jewelry market.  It was a six level complex with all jewelry, pearls, gold, silver, jade, costume; a little overwhelming.  We were able to get our girls some pearls for later.  

We ate lunch back at the hotel for our last traditional style meal, although several of the dishes had an Indian and Thai flavor.  We have run into a couple from California that are with another agency, we had originally meet them in Nanchang and have seen them at several different of our stops.  They have a 7 year old they adopted when she was 9 months and their new baby girl is 13 months old; at our new hotel they ended up staying across the hall; it was nice getting to know them.

Orphanage visit

Just outside of the building

Earlier on our trip we were able to visit the orphane Grace was found/lived.
August 22.  Visiting the Orphanage.

Our adventure begins. We had a different driver for today's outing. Evelyn explained that the last numbers on the license plate indicate which day of the week the driver is not allowed to drive. Assumed that perhaps this was a way to reduce the number of vehicles on the streets, but apparently not.

We set out to find the orphanage. The driver knew how to find the orphanage by traveling the old road, but the director advised us to take the new road. Of course, the driver had to find the new road. He stopped to ask several people along the way. Finally, he was directed the correct way. The new road was a fairly new freeway. After forty minutes or so, we exited and went through a toll booth. We drove to a village and again asked for directions. Wrong way again, so we returned to the toll booth area and again asked for directions. No one seemed to know which way to go. The driver contacted the orphanage director for more accurate directions. We turned around and went through the toll booth plaza going the wrong way. Quite alarming, especially since we kept driving while seeing the over head signs facing the other direction. Fortunately, there was very little traffic. We did occasionally meet another vehicle. Finally, it did become clear that this road was not completely finished as would have to change sides of the freeway. There were no signs and no exits! We continued our adventure passing several locals who were working on the road. Again our driver stopped to ask for directions and called the director. After speaking to the director's driver, we turned around. 

The countryside was very beautiful with mountains in the background. Primarily farming country with rice being the primary crop. There were several incomplete concrete buildings. Evelyn explained that the farmers would move to the city to make more money to send home. Basically, they would build their house over a period of several years. Another interesting observation is that the farmers grow camphor trees. Evelyn said that once a tree reached a certain circumference it is required to be registered, and criminal action taken if cut down.

At last, the director's driver was on the opposite side of the road flagging us down. We followed him down an embankment off the side of the new road. We finally reached the orphanage. It was a very nice building with a beautiful view of the mountains and a small lake with a bridge and gazebo. The director welcomed us and had refreshments for us: watermelon, bananas, sunflower seeds (unsalted so they had a sweetness to them), candies, and bottled water. Everyone was very nice. We looked around and saw where AnZi spent her first nine months. She was well cared for and loved in this place. The director gave a newspaper with Grace's picture from when she was found.  It was an emotional trip but one i'm glad we made. 

Where she was left/found

The ride back to the hotel was less stressful since we knew what to expect.

Day 12

Today was a free day, or as mom and Malia like to call it a shopping day.  Jason had planned it as a day for the zoo; the other 3 families opted out and with my little reaction we decided to sleep in.  We took a cab down the road to a shopping center we had seen on the way the night prior.  It was actually a neat shopping area with about 6 levels of souviners.  The prices were good as well.  I believe it was called Onelink International.  We then ate lunch and Grace had her first McD's fries.

Grace seems to be adjusting well.  She had two bottom teeth and two front starting to come in with one of them partially showing since we arrived.  

Ready to shop

Day 11 -evening

In the evening we went as a group on a Pearl River dinner cruise.  I started to feel not so well on the drive over and got worse as we got there.  Just after we got on the boat I felt like I was going to pass out.  I took a Benadryl and drank some water and decided to stay.  I started feeling better and the night views lining the river we wonderful.  The food was ok and the ride was smooth.

Day 11

Today was the medical exam and visa paperwork.  We meet and drove as a group to the medial clinic.  There were lots of people there getting check ups in hopes of a us visa.  There was an area just for adoptive families so we were able to get the visa photos and medical exams fairly quickly.

We then returned to the hotel and ordered family style dishes on our own...turned out well.

We then did some exploring around the hotel; walked several blocks around window shopping and taking in the city.  I have to say I'm really impressed with the city.  I'm sure we are in a newer area, but they have seemed to take care as everything seems clean, the weather has been nice (and hot), lots of landscaping.  Reminds me that in Nanchang on our way back from eating we had to dodge some sqatty potties.  A girl that seemed a little old to be in spilt pants was mailing several no. 2 land mines for us.  Back to Guangzhou - on our walk we saw several different groups of men playing cards.

Day 10 free day

Today we did some sightseeing in Guangzhou with a little shopping.  We started with buffet breakfast at the hotel.  Our first stop was walking around the Six Banyan Trees Buddhist temple.  I believe it has a near 1500 year history.  Unfortunately the tower is closed now as it has started to lean; they tried to correct to no avail.

We then visited the Old Chen House; a museum.  They had several different exhibit areas with porcelain, bone and wood carvings and embroidery, amount other things.  

We then went to the Provencial Arts & Crafts shopping center.  It had a/c and a number of different items for souviners; however in hindsight most of the items are much cheaper in a small shopping center next to the China Hotel.  The only thing there that I have not seen at other places is finger painting; there was an artist there painting general Chinese landscapes with his fingers and a rag.  

We had meet up with 3 other nice families on this leg which has been nice.  For dinner Jason took us and another family to the Macau Street Restaurant.  It was nice; very large place.  Me and mom tried some of the local beer; Pearl River, much like American lager.

Grace is still doing wonderful.  Eating solid foods really well, but does not really want to take a bottle.  Jason has a six month old and indicated his daughter does not like to take a bottle either; we even tried to purchase a "Chinese" bottle, but she doesn't like it either.

Day 9

Then in the evening we explored the hotel and ate like kings at the buffet.  There was a good mix of western, Chinese and Indian food.  We ate ox tongue, goose liver, duck and raw tuna.  I even got mom to venture out and try the ox tongue.  It is actually very good, taste like chicken; just kidding , it actually tasted like a tender beef roast; likely could have eaten more if i did not have to look at it prior.  Tomorrow is a free day and I'll be adding some of my mom's commentary to earlier posts.

Day 9 Guangzhou

Well we have Grace's passport now and we are off to Guangzhou for the second leg of our tour.  While Nanchang will forever hold a special place in our heart, I think I speak for all of us that we are ready for the next adventure; not sure how many more of the breakfast buffets we could take.

Grace did well on her first flight, only 70 mins, small primer for the big one that awaits.  We were greeted by our guide Jason.  We are staying at the China Hotel.  Our first impressions of the city are great.  It almost feels like we are back to civilization.  The traffic, while busy is more "normal".  They have banned scooters since 2007, and if any indication that was a great move.  The hotel is spectacular; probably one of the nicest we've been in.

Don't judge...needed to inspect for quality control

Day 8 Nanchang

Today we went for a walk around August 1st park.  The weather had cooled some, aprox 85 with a nice breeze.  The park was full of people, mostly grandparents with grandchildren, but a fair amount in-between.  There were several spots where people were dancing (ballroom, and traditional Chinese). There were people playing poker and several using the monkey bars to workout; we were told it was a common way to avoid paying a gym membership.  We had several come up to us, mainly to look at Grace's hair and well wishing.  Everyone was very pleasant and it was nice to walk around the area.

From the park we walked over to a Buddhist temple.  We walked around as Evelyn gave us some history.

Grace does really well in her carrier, she stays calm and relaxed; much better than if we tried to carry her.  I was a little hesitant of getting/using one, but it is a must have.  

We walked to a restaurant that evening for our last dinner in Nanchang.

Day 7

Some side notes to the trip thus far; our ride to the registration office was in a Buick minivan and the driver was listening to 90s pop music, reminded me when we came back from Vegas our foreign driver was signing country music.  Grace loves steamed egg and will let you know if you are not feeding her fast enough.  I have not done the traffic justice, as there are literally hundreds of bikes, scooters, busses, cars trying to get one vehicle ahead without regard for anyone else.

Today we did a little shopping, the area is known for porcelain and we got a tea set and other items.  

Lunch was down town at a local restaurant, the local food here is excellent and puts any US Chinese food to shame, however Malia says the hotel Chinese food makes here miss US Chinese food.  We then made a trip to Walmart as you can't go more than a week without it regardless of the country you are in.

Day 6 Nanchang

Today we took a special trip, will post more about it at a later date.  We were on our own for lunch and managed to order some shrimp fried rice, pork dish and egg soup.  Grace settled in for a long nap and we are thinking of getting some Papa Johns for dinner.  We had a difficult time getting a good Internet connection the first few days in Nanchang, but seems to be working now.   We had some heavy rain last night that caused some flooding.

Day 5

The traffic here is horrible, the volume is as heavy as Hong Kong, there just seemed to be more order in Hong Kong.   The scooters here just drive and is a big game of dodging and weaving.  They don't obey traffic signals, and often drive the wrong way.  We went to the Tengwang Pavilion and walked its many levels with small shops and different historical actifacts.  We then ate lunch at a near by restaurant.  We shared a beef, pork, noodle soup and a thin fried pastry with bananas.  I think we all agreed our best meal yet.  The hotel food however is nothing to write home about. The local Nanchang beer is good (similar to a light US beer)

Grace is doing well.  She seems to like to eat a lot of solid foods like steamed eggs, congee and noodles.  She seems to prefer those to the bottle and has been stubborn taking a bottle.  Her personality is coming out each day.

Day 4

The day started with breakfast at the Crowne Plaza.  The hotel is similar to that in Hong Kong, similar mix of food and accommodating staff.  Today we finalized the adoption, agreeing to love and care for her forever.  We made our way to the Registration office, then drove to the notary office and then the public security office.  Now we just wait for her Chinese passport.

We then returned for a much needed nap.  We ate dinner at the hotel, but I think we were all a little disappointed by the food.  The doctor came in the evening and no health concerns for Grace.  She has a big smile, she will open her mouth some showing her two bottom teeth and closing her eyes.