Ganzhou to Nanchang day 7

Well meeting the director and staff of Ganzhou SWI has been one of the most memorable parts of our trip and how Emily dealt with it! She really loved seeing the director when she realized it was him she ran into his arms and gave a huge hug! She really enjoyed seeing her place in this world and the staff all seem really happy to see her and that was really special for all of us and now it seems so long ago! We were received like royality and the day was amazing first of all we went shopping and bought items for the children of the orphanage and then some shoes and Aiden Keith Emily and I all choose a toy for the children to use all educational and easy clean!
Then Director Ding meet us outside the department store and escorted us to the orphanage. It was one of my most moving experiences for me and for Emily we have done loads of talking but I am not sure how much has sunk in and how much more will and I think because it was part of an adoption it has been really interesting to watch!
She is so happy to talk about with others and what happened!
After the official part of the visit, tour of the institute , then lunch and then finding spot that was incredibly moving for me as a parent to this child and I can see whoever left the child slipping into the crowds and watching from a distance!
We are so fortunate to be her parents and us to be endowed with such a little treasure who has never thrown as many tantrums as she has here in China!
We spent the rest of the day in the van on the way back to Nanchang a 5 hour drive we arrived in late and I threw a tantrum of my own when Aiden and Emily were allocated a room 2 doors down! GRRR! Aiden has spent 1 night alone in it and Keith has slept there every other night!
We then went down for dinner and meet Eva and her friend Sylvia and Jean head of adoptions for China for CYF head office! Jean is a hoot!

Ganugzhou to Ganzhou via train day 6

Train to Ganzhou was an amazing experience the tickets we got were just the worst seats for first time travelers! But we survived and for it saw a very different side of China one which images will be forever burnt into our minds. It is a country of great differences and that in it self makes it incredibly valuable they are currently under an amazing building phase and that is another issue! Particularly since the major Earthquakes last month!
Also along with that goes the farmers leaving the farms and heading for factory work which means who will grow the produce?
Life here seems to changing at great pace and not necessary for the best! The openness however has been interesting the people seem to be more open and accepting!

Hong Kong and Guangzhou day 5

Day 5

Up early and a taxi with our entire luggage in it too Guangzhou. We had to go to the train station in Hong Kong the kids had had breakfast but saw McD’s and decided that would be good! Emily asked for chips oh well she didn’t last long!
The train was quiet and clean we didn’t get seats facing each other which was sad but we ended up okay in the end and then it was on to the White Swan got ripped off by a scam artist at the Train station but Keith just wanted to head to the hotel!
The day had been stressful and he wanted to know all was well!
We got to the hotel and then we went for a walk and ended up at Lucy’s for lunch! We can get money out via the eftpos card so that was a positive.
Then the kids had bugged Keith to take them to the pool as he did but Aiden saw bugs so there was no way he was getting in! we all got eaten by bugs over the 24 hour period which wasn’t nice!
I did a little retail therapy while Keith had the kids at the pool!
We had such a short time there so had so much we wanted to fit in! we were up graded to a suite which the kids thought was fantastic! So did we! We went back to Lucy’s as Aiden was feeling a bit out of his depths!

Hong Kong Day 3&4 Better late than never

Monday day 3 we went to the peak instead of Disney due to Emily’s Eye giving us some concern!
Emily loves the trains and really is into it! We have worked them out and it is such a cheap option for traveling!
We went up the peak on a public holiday no matter what we would have done it would have been the same long cues and hot!
The views were amazing and Aiden wanted to look at the shops! Keith wanted the view and Emily wanted to eat! I just was there trying to reason! Didn’t work! Oh well I did try!
The views are amazing and Emily found McD’s and a playground she was happy! I found a store that sold soda water I was happy!
I also got some supplies in which means we can eat again!
I know that the NZ dollar compares to Hong Kong dollar is about 1 to 6 but still the thought of putting a $40 hamburger in my mouth makes me shudder!
We had Room service for Dinner Californian Burger and Fish and Chips Both yum!

Day 4
We had a day at Disney so we were up and at the train station we had 3 changes to get there bought our tickets for the train and we were off!
I don’t know what brought me to tears more watching Emily fall in love with the princesses or watch Aiden grizzle that he didn’t get to do much! Next time in Hong Kong we stay at Disney and do a few days!
The age gap was so apparent today and that is why Aiden grizzled we hardly did any rides as it was for Emily about seeing the princesses and taking the lead!
Aiden and Keith did do some exciting rides together and that worked well!
Aiden fussed about food! And is scared to try anything! Good thing is that we didn’t know about the avian scare or Aiden wouldn’t have eaten anything!
We got home about 10 and had a late dinner!
Fish and Chips and burger and steak sandwich! Emily looked at us and said I don’t want any chips how long will that last?

Our first posting from Hong Kong!

Well we finally got packed and ready to leave around midnight on
Friday. Keith finished spray painting the bags and it made him
extremely happy!
The phone didn't stop ringing and visitors coming. I suppose that is
what happens when you leave to China the day after Keith's Birthday!
Oh well those whose messages we didn't get to we are sorry but gosh
this last week has just flown by!
We were up at 6 am on Saturday for the adults to shower and sort out
the children. Emily was so not ready to be awake! Well that theme
has carried on all day!
We were spurred on by several friends saying the weather was to turn
to crap! As we picked up Emma to drive our car back from the airport
her house had lost electricity so she had got dressed and ate
breakfast in the dark what a real trooper!
So we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to catch our plane
and check the luggage all the way through to Hong Kong! YEAH! We
had a great coffee and started to feel excited! The first time not
because we have an issue but because up until then it has been all
go!
The drive out to the airport was interesting as the hills were
covered in a sprinkling of light snow on the tops! So was really
glad we weren¡¦t leaving a day or two later as we could have had some
issues!
The kids had a great flight and they were even asked to hand out the
lollies on the plane! I remember doing that at 4!
Then we arrived in Auckland no hitches! Just one hungry teenager!
Well one kiwi burger, Danish and copious amounts of fizzy we were
finally on the plane and the meals were severed very quickly for some
of us, thanks Jenny!
We had a relatively smooth flight with Emily sleeping a good three
hours! Keith developed DVD player envy as he watched a man using
his! He also spent a lot of time laughing out really loud and having
many various people looking at him strangely!
Now the plane wasn't that full so loads of people have space to
stretch out!
Well we were all feeling very tired and sore due to the lack of space
we thought on the way back should be better!
We also thought we love Singapore Air more than Cathay Pacific but
also then we worked out that we could get noodles on the flight when
ever Emily was hungry! YEAH! That was such a find! Must remember for
the way home!
Well we arrived at Hong Kong just before 9 pm their time but due to a
storm we had to wait at the airport for another 90 minutes which when
you have had no sleep on the flight it was just a bit too much! We
had extremely rude and officious immigration official who made a very
bad first impression! Once we collected our luggage and found where
our shuttle was and we knew that there had been major flooding and
traffic was very slow with major delays! Well on the way to the
hotel we were so glad we were delayed as we arrived as opposed to all
the people on Airport buses stuck in gridlock traffic for miles! At
least 10 minutes of fast driving down our lanes we were saying OMG!
We also loved the lights of Hong Kong not very environmentally
friendly! But oh well it was pretty!
Well then we got to our room just before 1 am Hong Kong time you knew
you had been through the mill! It was amazing though Emily and Aiden
on the whole were such troopers and I had the eye roll a few times
from the teenager when I was trying to tell him something! Well at
6:30 HK time Emily woke I was lying on the bed with a major migraine
not unexpected and was just trying to organize the drugs! Now today
has been a full on day with a slow start and a walking tour of the
habour and one shopping mall with the only Money being spent was on
Keith's Chanel deodorant!
So yeah we now have a years supply of it! YEAH!
We also booked and paid for our first class tickets to Guangzhou and
have to leave the hotel by 8:15 am on the 11th!
Now we have seen heaps of Olympic photos and images and loads of
stares have been directed our way. It is interesting always being
the centre of attention due to our family mix! Hopefully we all will
have an early night with a day of Disney tomorrow and a viewing of
the night lights of Hong Kong tonight!
Well the kids are watching cartoon Network and Emily has a nasty eye
infection so we have medicated it and patched it so she is resting
the sore eye!
And Keith has run across the road for some supplies water water
water! Did I mention that it is 29 C here with humidity of almost
90% it is very hot! So Keith did well carrying and having Emily
having shoulder rides! She is so tired!
Well day 2 is almost finished here! We are very tired! And day 3 will
be full on!
Hugs Ruth , Keith, Aiden and Emily!
PS This time next week we will have Alice!
PSS I wrote this at 7:30 pm HK time Emily was asleep and Aiden and
Keith had gone for Male bonding time by the time they were back at
8:30 I was out to it! We all slept well until 5:30 am and have been
up since then! we are off to have a swim and then re assess Emily's
Eye!
Take care and I'll post more soon!
Hugs Ruth

Luggage

I am sure this phrase will be repeated many a time through out the trip!
Hugs Ruth