Rachel XiaoMei made her first trip to the zoo today. We visited the Guangzhou Zoo in downtown. It's a walk in the past for zoo-keeping (think Dallas circa 1970), but the girls really liked the animals. We started our day early by talking to our boys and Nana via Skype. That's been great. Each day we Skype home to see and talk to our boys. Hi Simon! Hi Noah! We posted some pictures of the animals for you!
After our daily breakfast downstairs, we were off to the zoo. Elizabeth was seriously wanting to see the elephants, because elephants start with "e" just like "E"lizabeth. :o) Of course, the main attraction to be seen were the Pandas. We toured for about 2-hours seeing everything from a dog to a panda. Yes, a dog. Or rather, dogs. Won't go into those details. Thankfully, Elizabeth thought the puppies were cute. Rachel was really into seeing every animal. She seemed fascinated and content the entire stroll.
At last near the end our our journey, we found the elephants but not a one was out. However, as Elizabeth passed one of their doorways, it's like they decided to come pay her a visit. A large Asian elephant with long tusks came out and put on quite a show. We've never been so close to an elephant before.
The lone panda of the park was thankfully interested in staying out in his cage for us to take a few pictures. He usually hides we hear. So, we have a snapshot of our first and only panda.
Returning from the zoo, aka HOT SAUNA, we changed our hotel room. We've been on an upper floor that hasn't been renovated like the rest of the hotel. We stuck it out, but could endure no longer. China is still very much a smoking country, so we moved down to a less smokey floor. Our room is bright and chipper now. We like it! Although, we're still "serenaded" by the aviary of peacocks outside our window. Our suites are located across from a primary school with a bird aviary on top. Just so you know, peacocks are nocturnally LOUD. We've learned to sleep through them mostly, although sometimes they sound like the baby crying.
To break in our new room, James, Amy, and their wee one, Marossi, are joining us for Papa John's pizza in our room tonight. Pizza party! Tomorrow we're off to have Rachel's medical examination performed. After that a tour of a local park. Monday we're going to visit Rachel's orphanage. It's a very neat story we'll write about later this weekend. We're excited. Lots of love!
2 comments:
Don't want to rain on your parade, but one of the elephants in the Dallas zoo died this week. They are thinking that they will move the other one to another zoo since elephants are social animals. Maybe, you'd better go back and see those elephants one more time.....
Ron
okay, this makes me want to adopt too! rachel is such a cutie and elizabeth looks like she is being a great big sister. sounds like you are enjoying the country and culture too. what a great experience for elizabeth (surely she'll remember a little!). take care.
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