Day 9 & 10

So very sorry not to have posted yesterday.  It wasn't a very exciting day because it was our travel day from Zhengzhou to Guangzhou.  We had to check out of our hotel by 12:00 noon but we didn't need to leave until 2:30pm.  We took it very very slow trying to waste time and checked out around 11:30am and left our luggage at the hotel and went to lunch and then back to the park.  We were attempting to eat ice cream with Jordy but every time we decide to get ice cream, he inevitably falls asleep in the stroller.  And, he did once again.  No ice cream yet for our little dude.  After wasting an hour at the park, we visited with David and Kathie one last time before leaving.  They departed a day later than us.

After our visit, we were off to the airport.  We flew China Southern and hated it.  Wish we would have taken the train again.  People here in China don't understand what cool is.  Everywhere, it is HOT!  The airport, the hotels, the restaurants.  The airplane is no exception.  This time we were smart and wore light clothing and we still sweat while other Asian passengers used blankets.  We ended up delayed in the plane for 1 hour on the tarmac.  AND, they decided to start a show for us called something like the Happy Life of Dr. Jin.  We got halfway through the show and then they shut it off for take off.  Then an hour after we were in the air, they started the show completely over and shut it off after 15 minutes.  We didn't get to see the ending twice.  Grrrrr!  Oh, and we gate checked our stroller because Jordy cannot walk.  When we got off the plane, we asked for it back to help with the walking.  They said, "no, you have to pick it up with luggage."  Really, what do you do for all the other handicap passengers that cannot walk?  Do you tell them to go get their wheelchair from the baggage check?  I was just slightly upset at this.  China is not handicap friendly.  They just aren't and it is so irritating.  My rant is over now.

We arrived at our hotel around 10:30pm and we crashed.  However, we can tell you that right away, it was very visible that Guangzhou is a huge step up from Zhengzhou.  While we enjoyed our time in ZZ, GZ is much higher class.  AND, no scooters or mopeds are allowed.  No risk of being ran over at least by a two wheeled motorist.

We woke up today and were out the door at 8:30am to take Jordy off to his required medical examination for his Chinese Visa.  This is the last step before our US consulate appointment on Tuesday.  This appointment gives the Chinese government an opportunity to verify the health and condition of the child.  They are verifying that the information contained in his medical file matches his actual real condition and that there are no important changes or updates.  The appointment went very well and was very quick.

After finishing up Jordy's medical and paperwork, we headed out on foot to explore our new home for the next week, Shamian Island on which the Victory Hotel is located.  Shamian Island was a very important port for foreign trade at one point and was owned by both Britain and France at one point.  Because of that, the architecture is very western and it is beautiful here.  Enough of me babbling, I will let the pictures tell the rest.

He made it about one minute from the door of the restaurant.

A few last beautiful pics of the park.

Just a few fish living here.

This beautiful bird was playing in the park.  The tail feathers and wings are gorgeous.

And these are very social birds.  Constantly talking with each other and flying with other like birds.

This is the "I'm excited and ready for my first plane ride" pose.

Really?  This is an airport sign.  Sad!

I'm excited to be on my first airplane ride!!  He asked our guide here in Guangzhou if we could get back on a plane to go home today.  Guess he enjoyed the ride.

I love the sky from the air.  The sun is setting and leaving beautiful colors in the sky.

They left us on the tarmac where we had to catch a bus to the terminal.  That's a first for us.

Notice the sleeping child in the stroller.  Wanted to get a picture before we made the room a total mess.

This is what car rides do.  Of course, it is past bedtime.

Breakfast at our hotel.  Guess who likes bacon?

Fried rice for breakfast with bacon and eggs.  I'm in heaven.

Everything here is steamed.  Wasn't bad.

Not sure what carrots have to do with these.  They are mildly sweet on the inside but no carrots to be found.

I call these Chinese Cinnamon Rolls.  Yum!

Huh?  For breakfast?  Okay, I'm in.  Not bad.

The medical examination area.  We are the first ones to arrive.

The Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.

Weighing our big boy.

Measuring.

The Master Doctor as our guide referred to him.  He was very kind and actually very helpful.

Behind these closed doors is our son getting blood taken for a TB test.  :(  No parent's allowed.  Notice the Christmas tree on the door.

For my work buddies, a random picture of a place just down the road from us.

And, we are out . . . again.  This boy can't stay awake while in motion.

Ah, Lucy's on Shamian Island.  They have everything on the menu you could ever want or imagine.

Seafood soup.  It's what I had for lunch.  Yummy!

The fruit always looks awesome here.

Are you getting tired of food pics yet?  Can't help it.

The following picture is of this kind of tree.  They are beautiful.

These trees reproduce by letting down roots from their branches.  At least I think that's what they do.  They are absolutely beautiful.

Shamian Island is located along the Pearl River which our guide informed us is the third largest river in China.

The island is filled with statues.

A Chinese woman more voluptuous than me!!!  Sorry, I know that's slightly inappropriate but really?  I have yet to see any Asian women like her.

Another Chinese woman walking by informed us that Jordy was begging to sit on this dog sculpture.  Of course, we happily granted that request.

One of many interesting menu signs.  This menu choice costs a whole $3 USD.  Doesn't he look tasty?

Thai for us tonight.

I love bean sprouts!  No noodles here just sprouts.

Such a beautiful view from the walkway.

A river boat.  We are taking one of these on a cruise Monday.