Liuhuahu Lake Park

Sunday, we had a very laid back day. We planned one extra day to get on the time zone since we skipped touring Beijing this time. We went for a long walk in Liuhuahu Lake Park. In Audrie's words, "It is so beautiful!" There were lakes, lots of Banyan trees, Squatty Potties, locals enjoying talking about us, and we even got to see a bride and groom taking pictures (Audrie said, "She is getting all married up to her prince!") There was also a display of miniature trees, which was very interesting. It looked like they were set up for judging.

Then, we came ate some Ramen noodle equivalent for lunch from 7-11, and attempted to go swimming. It was fairly nice on our walk, so I thought it would be a little warmer even if we waited until afternoon to go swimming. I was wrong. A front came in with lots of winds and when we went to go swimming, it was pretty chilly. We got in, but only lasted about 2 minutes. So, we came back to the room and went "swimming" in the bathtub!

For supper, we ate snacks in the Executive Lounge (this came with our room and gives us access to water, pop, hot tea, coffee, etc all day, snacks from 530-930 pm and we could eat breakfast there as well.

Jenny- We are at the China Hotel in Guangzhou (Marriott) since the White Swan is closed for remodel.

Laura - thanks for the comments.... funny that Audrie is having noodles for almost every meal. Or, not so funny. :-)

Hotel

 Our hotel has a nice play area, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and restaurants.

Breakfast

Breakfast was long awaited this morning. We were up about 1130 PM and waiting for the 630 am breakfast. It is now 11 am here, and we tried to nap, but it did not happen (except Audrie), so we are going to try to stay up as long as we can.

Breakfast was amazing from fish, noodles, pork dumplings, salad, veggies, fresh juiced carrots and carrot and mandarin smoothies to homemade doughnuts which Audrie enjoyed thoroughly. We were very attentively waited on by many staff, and stayed about an hour and a half:-)

Audrie wanted to share a noodle, so mommie and Audrie ate until we kissed (Lady and the tramp reference).

More later... since it only takes a couple pictures at a time, we will have LOTS of posts!

We are here!!!!!!!!!

Trying again... it says I received a delivery failure, so I will take out a picture and see if it posts. Sorry if it ends up duplicating. I cannot check the blog to see it!

Hello all:

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we arrived safely to Guangzhou. Travel was long and tough (as expected), but we are here, and all of our luggage is here. We were quickly met by a driver sent by our guide on arrival. He brought us to the hotel, where we were met by Kelly, who got us checked in. When I arrived, I found out that Marriott members get free internet while staying, so I am very happy that I brought my card (Just in Case I could Use:-))

In STL, we ate at the Pasta House before beginning our journey. The waitress was really nice and talking a lot with Audrie. She told Audrie she just loved her dimples... Audrie thought this was the funniest thing. Giggling and just allowing those dimples to pop! After the waitress walked off, Audrie pulled down her shirt and said "nipples" and kept laughing and repeating! She thought the waitress liked her nipples. We laughed for such a long time!

Strangely, what felt like the longest flight was the trip from STL to LAX. It was a little over 4 hours and there was no movie, or anything... and of course, this one, Audrie was awake for the entire flight.The layover we were worried about was really not that bad. We ate, walked around, found where we needed to go and just took turns wandering the International Terminal, which was oddly very quiet. The flight from LAX to HK was about 15 hours and 35 minutes. About 15 minutes into the flight, Audrie said... when are we going home to our Punzel Castle. Oh honey.... A LONG TIME! I watched several movies, played games, and TV shows, and even got around 4 hours sleep. Audrie slept a little, and has remained in a really good mood. She watched Belle three or four times, and played a few games, and she watched UP.... with her baby Kevin. Jerry slept a little as well, and watched several shows and movies. We landed in HK a little late 35 minutes, so our 2 hour layover was quickly eaten away with 5 rolling sidewalks, down two escalators to a train which took us to another stop, and up a huge escalator through a security stop, down an elevator, across a huge room to a shuttle bus which took us to another small terminal, and up another escalator. WHOO! We walked up to a sign that said, FLIGHT KA 782 Boarding Soon! We made it!!!!!!! YAY! (It was 5 minutes after the plane was supposed to board) The last flight was a huge one. Flight time 25 minutes..... LOL! Audrie just wanted to have her tray table down..... BUT the entire flight was take off and landing. Funny!

Overall great trip! Cathay service was phenomenal, and they actually turn the lights down and leave them down for a long period of time and are not interrupting your attempts at sleep. It was great! You can call anytime you want something, but after they serve supper, they turn everything off until breakfast! That really helped us since we were able to catch some zzzzz! Audrie was the most awesome traveler, and was even a little bummed when we got into a van at Guangzhou, saying "I don't like a car, I want to go in a plane!"

Pictures: Audrie passed out on the long flight, the view out the window from STL to LAX, and our BIG plane for the long ride!

Love you! Will have another post about our first meal!

Food Street

After checking in, showering and unpacking a little (if you know me... that means you get EVERYTHING OUT AND FIND A PLACE FOR IT), washing the stroller in the shower with oxyclean (never leave home without it) because it smelled like fish. It must have traveled with a fresh catch...

We went and exchanged some $$ and went to food street to eat. Food Street is in our hotel, and is a throwback to the lively open markets and open kitchens of traditional China. We went past the "vendors" and were shown to a seat. They brought a menu of teas and asked if we wanted tea. We said no...not really knowing that was our only choice for drink. I found on the menu, where you could order water, so I requested water. They brought hot water for tea and cups. Funny. We left very thirsty and headed for the 7-11.

We ordered Squid with Spicy Salt, Prawns with Chili Sauce and Vegetables, Fried Bean Curd Skin, Fried Dumplings, and Shrimp and Noodles for Audrie. It was neat because we all were able to try any of these items and just share like Dim Sum:-) The food was excellent, but a little pricy.

We hit the 7-11 and got some drinks and just looked around a little. We headed back to the hotel. I went to the Executive Lounge (included with our room since we got a Studio Suite). I found that they have coolers of drinks... pop, water, stations for hot tea and coffee, and an area for a huge spread of "snacks" from 530-930.

We went to the room and decided it was time for a nap. After about 2 minutes, Audrie was out and the phone started ringing. It was our guide. She said that she would see us Monday at noon for exchanging $$. I asked about going to a Market and she said we could go Monday. So, we hung up and were almost asleep and the phone rang again. She called to tell us about the 7-11 :-)

Well, it is now, 12:43 am, and Jerry and I are eating pistachios, watching TV and catching the blog, while our daughter quickly gets on this time zone!

Have a GREAT day and we will post more adventures soon!

Amie

PACKING

Heading out tonight and will be traveling until Saturday morning. Will post more when we can. Prayers welcome for safe travels, meaningful attachments, healthy kids, and great attitudes!

TA

We received TA on 2/8/12! We booked plane tickets on 2/9/12 and last night 2/14/12, we finalized our hotel booking! Things are starting to happen! We are extremely excited and cannot wait to travel!