Saturday, May 09, 2009

Hello from Guangzhou - and a few Kunming Pics

It's Saturday night, and we've made it to Guangzhou. We landed shortly after 9:30 this morning, and were met by our guide (Kelly) who collected us and another couple (Brad and Veronica) and took us to the White Swan Hotel on Shamain Island in Guangzhou.
For no particular reason, I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that we had Sonny and Sherry (i.e. Sher) and Archie and Veronica all in a van at the same time. If someone named Meathead or Edith had been in the van with us, I would have completed the trifecta.

As I'm typing this, Cassie just went to sleep. It's 9:40pm. :) Rest well, my sweet.

Shamain Island is an island because it is divided from Guangzhou by a canal, which appears to be man-made. This in many ways reminds me of my home town - Sault Ste. Marie, MI. - which also has a small island, formed by a canal that cuts through the city. In Sault Ste. Marie, the island part of town is home to a high concentration of tourist enterprises. Shamain Island is no different. Here we are in China, and most of the people on this little island are westerners, here to complete the adoption of children. Nonetheless, tonight we ran into a little language barrier problem. We ate at an Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita, and had trouble reading the menu because it was written in Italian. Sherry had gnocchi and I had lasagna. Cassie liked them both.

And now, for some pics. Everyone loves pics.
On the way to Cassie's finding place.

Let this be a lesson to us guys - we CAN ask for directions. Our guide and our driver - both men - asked for directions several times.

First, let's ask these police women.



A few miles later, let's ask another police officer.

And then another. This time in a police station.


Getting closer. Time to ask a local.

And a few other locals not pictured here
Meanwhile, Cassie sleeps.

Eventually, we find what we are looking for but that is the subject of an earlier post.



On the way back, I ponder the following important question:

Would you buy a purse from a zombie?

Just wondering.

Watch this. Mommy can hold you, feed you with a bottle, while eating with chopsticks - all at the same time. But can she play the piano while riding a unicycle?

(Who would hold the piano?)

Daddy-daughter time.



Yeah, that's right. I've got a little girl, and mommy doesn't. Nanner nanner naannnnnerrrrrrrr.

7 comments:

Lesa said...

Sonny you are a riot! This is exactly why Mike and I wanted to travel with you guys!ha

I'm glad I'm at least getting to enjoy it via the blog.

Isn't Guangzhou lovely?! Like a tropical paradise. Now comes the shopping Sherry. Speaking of this is one thing you have not mentioned. Get going girl!!!!

Have fun, can't wait to see more photos and read more posts!

Lesa said...

Well, you did show Jade bracelets:)

LynnieB said...

Welcome to Guangzhou! Have a fabulous time!!

Pam said...

Have a great time in GZ! So happy to see Daddy and daughter together...Mommy has to give her up sometimes!

Cynthia said...

Great commentary and as always great pictures. Love the ones of daddy and daughter. They are too cute. She is looking awfully comfortable on Daddy's lap.
Love to you all.

Susan said...

Where's the zombie selling purses?!!! That's the missing link in this post ; ) Love the photo's her Cassie and Mommy sharing a meal, and of course the ones with her in Daddy's arms.

Sherry said...

Susan - didn't mean to confuse. To me, the blonde with the Gucci purse looks like a zombie. Must be the black eye-liner and body language. We drove by that sign about 10 times while we were there, and every time I saw it, I thought:

Who looks at that undead blonde girl and thinks "I must have that purse."?