Chen Family Temple and shopping

Livi and Daddy in the pool

Gate at the Chen Family Temple

Livi in the room

Daddy with Olivia by the waterfall

Today was another full day in Guanzhou. After breakfast this morning we did a little shopping in the shops around the hotel. From 11 to 12 we had to be in the room because our guide was taking our paperwork to the consulate. She called around 11:20 to say that everything was in order and our paperwork was good. Yeah! That means today around 2:30 we will be going to the US Consulate for our appointment there. We should then get Livi's US Visa and leave tomorrow morning for home.

We have to leave the hotel at 5:30 AM for our flight to Hong Kong, but we will be in Charlotte by 7:00 PM on the 31st. We can't wait to get home.

Yesterday after our paperwork was OK'd we spent a little time in the pool. Well, Baba and Livi spent some time in the pool. Mama took pictures and sat on the side. The pool was great. As we expected, Olivia loved the pool after a few minutes of nervous trepidation. As we were leaving to go to lunch she kept pointing back at the pool and saying "I want, I want" in Chinese (We have learned this phrase well, as we hear it all the time). At least she knows what she wants.

After lunch at Lucy's again we set out with our Guide Amy for the Chen Family Temple. We took a nice tour of the temple in the 95 degree heat and then headed for the pearl market. The pearls were very inexpensive there and we picked up a string for Livi's 16th birthday. Then we were set loose in the "Open Market". It really wasn't what we were expecting at all. Amy told us that we could bargain here but nobody would negotiate on prices. And it wasn't very open, it looked more like a large mall with about 6 floors. Livi fell asleep at the pearl market and slept in her stroller all the way through dinner. She was very tired.

We ate dinner at another Chinese restaurant. One of the items they brought out to eat was snake. We declined, and said thanks very much. Neither of us found much to eat at that dinner, but tonight we might be going to Papa John's or Pizza Hut.

We just can't believe that we only have one more day here before we head home. It has been quite an experience. One we will never forget. I don't know if I will get a chance to post again so thank you all for following our journey here and we can't wait to see you when we get home.