Guangzhou Zoo

For those of you who know Kiah, know that she is a big panda lover. She always has been. She collects pandas (she was only allowed to bring two with her to China and she has already bought another one here) and so it was necessary for her to see a real, life panda while in China. So today, even though it was hot and humid, we went to the Guangzhou Zoo! 

Kiah and her "pandas."

Unfortunately it was so hot that the pandas were not outside but trying to stay cool. Kiah didn't appear to be too disappointed, she was just so excited to see them!

There he (or she) is! She is taking it all in...

They are so adorable.

Apparently we had to come all the way to China to see raccoon's. Back home, we find them going through our garbage! We thought it was hilarious how excited the Chinese were to see raccoon's and deer but I guess around here it's not too common.

Trying to cool off with ice cream and Popsicles! They didn't help too much but they sure were yummy.

Fish...

And more fish.

Asian elephant!

Lesser or red panda! It looks kind of like a cross between a fox and a raccoon.

Love this girly and her love of pandas.

We are hot and tired, but we made it!

Once we arrived back in Zhongshan we took naps and spent the evening holding babies. Sorry, I haven't gone through those pictures yet!

Sunday Snapshot: Shamian Island

Yesterday I finally made it to an area that I have been wanting to go since I moved to China almost 2 years ago. Shamian Island. This is an area where any US family adopting from China would stay at the famous (in the Chinese adoption world at least) White Swan Hotel. The main reason families would stay at this hotel was first of all because it was really nice and a luxury in China and second, because it was right next to the US Consulate where the adoptive child would receive their visa to enter to US. 

The US Consulate has moved and no longer located here and the White Swan is being renovated and so families no longer stay in this area for the Guangzhou portion of their trip. However, I have still been wanting to go. I have heard about this area for years from my parents and the adoptive online community. It's about time I made it there!

It is so beautiful and peaceful. I'll definitely be going back sometime. 

We ate lunch at "Lucy's" which is a western restaurant near the White Swan. I've read a lot about this restaurant from adoptive families and it didn't disappoint! After 2 weeks of Chinese food, I think Thad was ready for a double cheeseburger. 

The dirty beautiful Pearl River.

The Pear River.

It was just a tad smoggy yesterday (notice the sarcasm)... typical Guangzhou or China for that matter.

I'm going to miss this boy when he leaves me on Wednesday. It's been so fun having him here!

Of course I had to get a picture next to the Pear River. Surprisingly, I wasn't even wearing pearls!

The White Swan Hotel. Still has a ways to go before it'll open again.

I just love the buildings.

Figured out that this where Kiah had her "medical physical" before she could enter the US. I put it it in quotations because in order to check her hearing, they shook a rattle to see if she would turn her head. Yes, very thorough.

His serious face. Maybe he's tired of me taking his picture? He'll thank me one day when he has them to look back on.



Probably the coolest Starbucks I've seen. Definitely planning on coming back and hanging out here for an afternoon.

Oh I'm so glad I was finally able to make it to Shamian Island. It was even more special that I got to experience it with Thaddeus!

Ni Hao Ya'll