March 7, 2019- A day “off”

March 8, 2019- Leave Kunming and travel to Guangzhou

Today was the first day we had no set appointments or obligations.  We all slept in a little bit and then met Susan in the lobby about 9:30 am after breakfast.  T

Our Wonderful Guide, Susan

he only thing planned today was a visit to the Kunming Ethnic Village.  The Yunnan province has 26 ethnic minorities.  This outdoor part/museum has buildings, displays, and people dressed to represent each of them all in one place.  The park was elaborately landscaped and the costumes and buildings were just as impressive.  We were able to visit different representations of life within these groups, see examples of their homes, how they dressed, and how they lived their lives.  It was educational, fun, and relaxing.  We strolled the park throughout the morning, taking pictures and just enjoying the beautiful day.  Rhonda, Abigail, and Bin got to try on outfits and shoes and came back with some fun souvenirs as well.  

On the way back to the hotel we treated Abigail to McDonald’s. She has been so wonderful with Bin since he’s been with us.  She has been attentive to his every need and goes out of her way to look after him and make sure he is happy and well fed every minute of the day.  Travelling will test anyone’s patience, and a family of four thrown together in close quarters in a new place while trying to get to know each other and navigate the ins and outs of a place we know little about is enough to push you over the edge if you’re not careful.  We have been so proud of her patience and maturity throughout the trip.  Her only request has been to get a Big Mac for dinner or lunch, so we granted her wish today.  I’m not going to lie though- it was a nice treat to eat some familiar junk food again for the parents as well.  We got Bin a hamburger; we don’t think he’s ever had one before.  He ate about a third of it before deciding it wasn’t for him.  Later in the day we all walked to Wal-Mart and strolled through the aisles letting him point out the snacks and ramen cup of noodles flavors that he liked the best.  We stocked up on those so he would always have something to eat that he liked while we were travelling.  He also picked out a box of Oreos as well.  He likes those a lot, and that runs in the family.  

Our Wal-Mart never had this!

Friday we packed up our bags and said goodbye to Kunming as we boarded the plane for the next city.  Susan met us in the hotel lobby and gave me Bin’s newly minted Chinese passport.  She got us checked in at the airport and saw us through security before saying goodbye.  She was a great guide and we will miss both her and Mr. G, our driver while we were in Kunming.  We have them each a small gift when we parted ways and Susan gave Rhonda some pretty embroidered coasters.  The rest of the day was spent on the plane and travelling to Guangzhou for the next round of appointments and paperwork.  Our next guide, Simon, met us at the airport in Guangzhou and put us in a van to the Garden Hotel.  He had to meet some other families coming in later that night and so he stayed behind at the airport while we headed to the hotel.  Dinner was hamburgers and spaghetti in the hotel restaurant before we all crashed out for the night. 

Garden Hotel lobby

View from our room