Hello Hong Kong!

Our trip has now come full circle as we are back where we began... in Hong Kong! Of course this time is quite different - we now have our sweet little Lucy with us! It's hard to believe after 18 days in China we will be traveling home tomorrow.

Our kiddos!

Jaden is back in the saddle and feeling back to 100%, thank goodness! I think Lu got it shortly after and she still doesn't seem to be quite herself. I also got the bug, but it wasn't near as bad as the kids and didn't last the full 24 hours. We are still keeping our eye on Lu, though. She's been vomiting and has diarrhea. She continues to eat and drink, not as much, but enough. She did have a slight temperature last night. Please pray for Lu! She had a good night's sleep so we're hoping the bug has run it's course and she's on the mend. Bryan keeps bragging about how strong his system is, so I'm sure he'll be getting it sometime today. :)

Jaden expressing his feelings over Lu's poopy diaper.

We haven't blogged in a couple of days as it's been quite busy and we haven't been feeling up to par. Thursday Daddy stayed at the hotel with the kids resting (that was the day Jaden was so sick) and I got to go to the pearl market with the rest of the group. Bryan sent me with the credit card... look out! I was able to buy a really nice strand of pearls that we plan to save and give to Lu on her wedding day. I may have to wear them a few times before hand - they are beautiful!

Me wearing a $15,000 USD pearl necklace. Goes beautifully with my sweatshirt and  backpack!
 Needless to say I didn't buy this one!

Our CCAI Rep Jocelyn - she was so much fun!

This is a busy shopping street we visited after the pearl market. This was at about 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon  while everyone was still at work. Can you imagine what it would be like on the weekends or in the evenings?!

Friday we skipped the group tour and headed back to Shaiman Island. It's not really an island per say, but a bit of land surrounded by the Pearl River. It used to be the adoption mecca of Guangzhou - most adopting families would stay at the White Swan Hotel, but it is closed for renovation while we are here. There are also several shops that cater to families, and that's where we spent most of our day. Throughout the trip we have been on several tours, but the one thing we haven't been able to do much of is shop. So we dedicated this whole day to collecting a number of souvenirs from the trip! There are still a few things I wish I would have gotten, but maybe we'll see them at some point before we leave.

Lucy's is the name of the restaurant we ate at on Shaiman Island. I love, love, love Asian food but I do have to say that after a couple weeks of it I was ready for some good 'ol American fare. Lucy's is a western style restaurant and we were able to get a taste of home.

Jaden and I had hamburgers - heavenly!

This was a momentous occasion! In China they don't set the tables with napkins. Ever.  So when we got to Lucy's and they set the table with napkins we were thrilled and had to get a picture! They were only cocktail napkins, but we'll take what we can get!

Lucy at Lucy's.

Saturday was travel day. We decided to take the train back to Guangzhou, which was fun! Unfortunately that's the day I was so sick, so we don't have many pictures. You take your luggage with you on the train - poor Bryan looked like a sherpa with 2 heavy carry-ons and pulling 2 rolling duffles! Jade got one big suitcase and manuvered it like a champ and I had Lu on the front and a backpack on the back while pulling a suitcase with one hand and my plastic bag in the other just in case my stomach revolted! It was super hot and humid, we were pretty miserable until we got on the train! But the ride was gorgeous through the southern countryside.

Jaden, Bryan and Lucy's first train ride!

Today is Sunday, our last full day. Our plan is to head to Hong Kong Disney for the day! We've kept it as a surprise for Jaden - he thinks we are going shopping. Can't wait to see his face when we pull up! I am so very proud of my sweet boy - he has been amazing on this whole trip! He's so helpful and so sweet with Lu. There aren't any kids his age and no other boys, but he didn't complain - he's made some great friends in our adult travelmates and enjoyed spending time with them as much as we have. They have all given him so many compliments on how respectful and patient and social he's been. When we come into a stressful moment like when Lu is screaming because her tummy hurts and she has a blow out diaper and Bryan and I are working on changing her we find Jaden to the side praying. We are so proud of the young man he's become! He's been such a trooper tagging along and being patient through meetings and appointments that we wanted to dedicate this last day of the trip completely to our sweet Jaden!

Here are some bonus pictures of Guangzhou:

This is a common sight at many restaurants! This restaurant employee  will get whatever the restaurant guest chooses from the aquariums for their meal. There are all types of fish, eels, shellfish and then there were also snakes, turtles and frogs available! Talk about fresh!

Sweet Lu!

Yummy breakfast buffet!

These items were also on the breakfast buffet! Michelle - that is miso soup. On every breakfast buffet at all 3 hotels there was salad, fried rice, lo mein, noodle bowls and for some strange reason baked beans.
When in Rome... we tried it all!

This is for Kathy Frank - they even had kim chee. I am sad to say I didn't try it.

There were 7-Eleven's everywhere! They had things like meatballs, boiled eggs, etc. There are also several Starbucks, McDonald's, Papa Johns, KFC and Pizza Huts.

Lu eating with chopsticks! Oh wait, no, that's Lu EATING chopsticks. Very different.

The twins were not crazy about riding double in a single stroller!

This picture cracks me up! That is little Sarah next to Lucy. Not. Happy. At. All!

The four Hills together at last. The end of a journey of a lifetime, the beginning of a new life together.