January 28th - Travel Day Home (or maybe not)....story to be completed once we know for sure - update: we made it!

We woke up cautiously optimistic that we'd make it home.

It was not the prettiest day in Hong Kong for our short ride to the terminal.

 Here's a shot of the hotel from the terminal.

Everyone was wide awake and ready to go on the short bus ride.  

Arriving at the terminal, we met a nice American who helped guide us to the checkin counter at ANA.  This airport is HUGE so we really appreciated his help as we continued to drag all our luggage to be checked in for the flight.

Made it through security just in time for Drew to have his bottle, with hot water provided by McDonald's. 

 Here's the little guy.  Not amused.  Waiting for the hot water for feeding to begin.  His shirt perfectly suits him.

Waiting for the tram in this massive airport.

Here we are waiting to board the ANA flight.  Their service was spectacular.

Drew was stretching his legs before the almost 5 hour flight.  When he was close to the glass, he was a bit timid to make sure he wouldn't fall.    

 On the ANA flight.  Derek was so brave.  He had both kids while I sat behind providing whatever was needed (food, drink, toys, etc).  Based on the flight fiasco previously mentioned, we were happy to be seated near each other.

Here we are navigating the Tokyo airport.  We had to clear security again before we could head to our gate.  Since the flight from Hong Kong was a little delayed, the layover in Tokyo wasn't too bad.

 Enough time to grab some food and let the little one run around before the 12.5 hour flight home.

One of MANY bottles on the United flight.  Drew fell asleep in our arms but immediately woke up when I tried to place him on the seat (we had an extra seat).  For over 5 hours, Derek and I took turns holding him and walking him around so he wouldn't cry and disturb the rest of the cabin.  He finally gave up to allow us to sleep a couple of hours.  

We arrived Newark!  I had Drew's passport and the special brown envelope from the Guangzhou consulate to give the customs officer.  We were escorted to a different room where we waited to be cleared.  Drew was officially a citizen!  We then grabbed our luggage and met Tiffany and Regan curbside! (Regan took the train home from college so she could meet him in person.)  Brett couldn't come to the airport because he had a basketball game that evening and was back at school prepping for the game.  

During the ride home, he wasn't a happy camper.  Screamed much of the way.  Not happy because ? tired, wanted another bottle, or didn't like the rear-facing car seat.  Made a big impression on Tiffany and Regan. 

Once he was home, the happy guy returned.  Here he is sitting with Regan when we arrived home.

And when Brett got home after the game.... 

It's hard getting 4 people (including little people) to look at the camera and smile at the same time.  Please note Crosby photo-bomb in the lower right corner.

And now the real fun begins....

January 27th - What was supposed to have been an easy day but wasn't...Shamian Island, Visas, Group photo, and heading to Hong Kong

Today was supposed to be an easy day.  We had a free morning so we thought we'd head over to Shamain Island to visit our favorite gift shop that supports an orphanage and to see the renovated White Swan Hotel.  We were going to have the kids nap in the afternoon while Derek and I repacked everything for the flight tonight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.  At 4:30 we were to meet the families and our guides to pick up our childs' visas and take a group photo.  We were to be picked up by car and taken to the airport at 6:30 for our 10:15pm DragonAir flight to Hong Kong.  Our hotel was at the airport so all we needed was to locate the shuttle to get to the hotel for a short evening before our direct flight home on the 28th.  That was the way it was supposed to be....

The morning started fine, grabbing breakfast at our favorite buffet.  (Man, are we tired of buffets but they are so easy with the little ones.)

I took a photo in the room of something that I will not miss....

A lot of time was spent washing bottles in boiled water and rinsing with bottle water.  Am also tired of brushing my teeth with bottled water and miss running my toothbrush under the water.  

I also took a (bad) photo of something that gave me a fond memory. 

Outside our hotel window, we could see down into the courtyard.  This is where we spent some time on our trip with Elise while waiting to depart the hotel.  I have pictures of this place in Elise's blog. 

And about this time is when the wheels fell off.  Derek was thinking ahead.  Our direct flight from Hong Kong to Newark was delayed again (originally from 6 hours delay to 9 hours).  For those who've been to the Hong Kong airport, it's a very nice place to spend time - i think one of the nicest airports in the world.  It is so large, open, and clean.  It has amazing shops including many high end retailers like Tiffany, Rolex, etc.  However, we wanted to GET HOME...so Derek did the logical thing and contacted United to see if they could get us home any sooner.  Unbeknownst to us, our United "friend" Julio did some things against policy to try to help us get on a connecting flight to Tokyo (essentially the way we came to China) - he broke up our reservation.  After 1 hr 20 minutes with dear Julio, we were told all was taken care of and to check in about 4 hours to see if the partner airline, ANA, would accept these changes.  It was to result in us flying from Guangzho to Hong Kong on Wednesday evening.  Fly out Thursday morning from Hong to Tokyo, have a couple hour layover in Tokyo, and ultimately our flight from Tokyo to Newark.  

We headed out to Shamain Island to walk around and grab lunch as originally planned.

Shamain Island was originally the place that most US adoptive parents spent their time, taking a group photo of their children on the infamous red couch in the White Swan Hotel.  When we adopted Elise in 2012, we learned that the White Swan was shut down, the adoption related offices were moved off the island, and many businesses supported by adoptive families were shuttered.  All that was left was some "touristy" gift shops, but families were encouraged to visit, so we did.  

It is a really beautiful place.  The grounds are landscaped very nicely and the cobblestone roads are well-maintained.  

They have many beautiful sculptures throughout the grounds.  In fact, I was able to locate the Subway shop for lunch this day because I recognized some "people" sculptures that Brett climbed on last time.

We were able to explore the partially opened and renovated White Swan hotel.  It was very nice.

It had an amazing waterfall inside along with other interesting pieces of art including this jade boat sculpture.

While waiting for the taxi at the hotel so we could return to our Marriott Hotel, I snapped a few pictures including the nod to the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration.

We made it back (luckily) to the hotel via our "Mario Andretti Chinese relative" taxi driver.  

It was even more thrilling with no car seats for the kids.

We put the kids down for nap so we could pack.  Derek followed up with United to confirm our new flight information.  We also had questions if Drew needed a visa to fly to Tokyo since he was a Chinese citizen.  This is when we learned the bad news - dear Julio, by splitting our reservation, removed us from the Guangzhou flight.  There were no flight options out of Guangzhou on Wednesday to get us to our flight on Thursday!  As helpful as Debbie was to relay this information and try to help us, a premature disconnection occurred.  He called back to another agent who also tried to help, but again was prematurely disconnected.  He called back again to Karla - to whom he asked to call him back if the line was dropped (as it was previously spending at least 2 hours with previous agents).  She was rude and told him she couldn't make outbound calls but luckily transferred him to an agent who could.  So Ruthie was our next best friend.  She couldn't get us out of Guangzhou via air but did get us on the ANA flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo and United flight from Tokyo to Newark. 

And now the real fun began.  We had to track down our guides to tell them about our travel changes and to implore them to help us get to Hong Kong, either via car or train (like we did with Elise).  Luckily this coincided with the family meeting at 4:30 to get the visas.  John, our amazing guide from last time, was very helpful.  He recommended taking the train - the only issue was which one - the 6:20 pm or 8:20 pm.  Of course, we preferred the 6:20 so we weren't waiting for 2 hours in a cold dirty train station with no food options.  We also confirmed that Drew could fly to Tokyo.  

I was very distracted and really didn't have time to tell the other families a proper goodbye.  We needed to get the visa, have the group photo taken, and head immediately to the train station.  

The group photo of the Holt families adopting this trip.  We spent a lot of time with 2 great families because our children were from Nanning (one family from Oregon and one from South Carolina).  

Raymond, our travel guide finally secured a van to the train station.  Unfortunately, he didn't move at the pace I preferred.  We finally entered the rush hour traffic.  The longer we spent in the car, the worse chance we had to to make the train - for instance he informed us that they stop selling train tickets 30 minutes before departure.  In short, Raymond came through for us.  He ran to purchase tickets.  Derek and I hauled the 8 bags plus stroller (and 2 kids) through train security, inspection, and finally customs.  Some very kind Americans helped us during this craziness as we wrestled with our luggage.  We made the train with about 3 minutes before departure.  It was stressful, sweating, and exhausting. 

Here's the luggage we hauled...minus the silver bag and floral bag on the bottom row.  Derek handled 4 bags while I had 3 plus the stroller.  Luckily Elise was cooperative and walked herself.   I was teased about how many bags we brought (by other families) however I prefer to be over-prepared vs the alternative.  In fact, I gave much of the medication (OTCs) to other families as well as sippy cups and food.  

The train was as nice as we remembered.  We only wished they had some Western food options.  Since they didn't we had snacks from our "food" suitcase.  Again, thankful we had it.  

It was about a 2 hour ride to Hong Kong.  

Elise enjoying her movies, something she doesn't normally get to do.

Drew did pretty good.  Here he's enjoying his bottle.

Towards the end, the little guy wanted out (like us too) so Derek had the pleasure of walking him around, including showing him a mirror in the back of the car we were riding in.

Once we left the train, we had the mad rush (with all our stuff) to clear Hong Kong customs.  Elise and Drew were stopped to have their temperature taken.  They were a little freaked out.  

We then headed to the taxi stand.  We had 2 issues - 1) Elise decided she had to go to the potty (yet didn't on our 2 hour trip with the potty fully available) and 2) we didn't have any Hong Kong currency to pay the driver.  After being harassed by multiple drivers who wanted to drive us, we waited to find out who the lucky guy was to drive us to the Marriott, near the airport.  Unfortunately for us, all the taxis were tiny and our driver didn't speak English.  Derek was very creative in loading our luggage, including the bungee cord holding the truck closed so our luggage and stroller didn't fall out during the 40 minute ride to the hotel.  The driver called someone so Derek could tell him where to take us.  Unfortunately "airport" wasn't a universal term, English or not.  

We made it to the hotel, passing over many beautiful and long bridges.  Since the driver wouldn't take US currency, Derek ran inside to exchange money to pay the driver.

We made it to the room while we waited for our late dinner.  Derek dialed United to confirm our seat assignments for our 2 flights the next day.  He spoke to Pam, the 6th agent he talked with so far.  She informed us that Derek and Drew were confirmed on the ANA flight to Tokyo but Elise and I were wait-listed.  She said there wasn't anything she could do and was quite rude.  Derek asked for her manager so he was transferred to Ms. Griffith.  After 1 hr 30 minutes, she came through for us.  She had to get a manager from ANA on the phone to make it happen, but she did.  All told, Derek spent about 5 hours with 7 different agents....6 of them trying to resolve the initial issue that our dear friend Julio did.  These repeated issues left me with little confidence about our subsequent flights.  Again, the only reason why Derek phoned United in Hong Kong was to make sure our seat assignments allowed our family to sit together.  It would have been an unpleasant experience to show up the next day to learn that Elise & I wouldn't make it out.  When we get home, there will be a long letter to United Customer Service to share our displeasure with this and to request reimbursement for the associated expenses. 

January 26th - Visa appointment day & River Cruise

We made it to Tuesday!  Only 2 more days til we are HOME!!!!!!

Luckily our visa appointment at the consulate was a little later so we didn't have to depart until 8:40 am.  We had time to grab breakfast but the little guy didn't seem so keen on pancakes as he has in the past.

They had very strict rules regarding what you could bring in.  We were told everything had to be placed in a ziploc bag.  They never said how many so I brought 3:  1 for food (and bottle), 1 for toys, and 1 for diaper change plus passports.  The process was conducted in a new building, different from 2012.  They did not permit phones nor photos so we don't have any of this experience.

It consisted of a 3 part process:  intake, oath, and interview.  All went smoothly for us.  They gave a disclaimer that they could not guarantee the visas would be ready tomorrow....but typically they are.  We are planning to meet our Holt guide at 4:30 for it so we can leave tomorrow evening for Hong Kong.  Unfortunately one of the families in our group encountered an unfortunate paperwork issue.  This resulted in us staying a very long time at the consulate.  Even though I was teased about my 3 bags, they came in very handy for this long delay.

After lunch we relaxed (for kids' naps) while I attended the parent meeting.

We geared up for the River boat cruise this evening.  Here's a cute shot of Drew snuggling with Derek.  He still prefers him to me.  As Derek says, "what's there not to like?"

To very simply capture our feelings on this evening, I'll just say that it would be a wonderful trip during the summer.  We experienced it in cold and rainy conditions.  One thing that sold us on the trip was the ability for Papa John's to deliver pizza directly to the boat so we could eat it on the cruise.  If it wasn't ice cold, it would have been delicious.  Anyway, here are some shots that would be better if it was the summer....

Elise with the delicious cold pizza and the boat in the background (before the experience).

Eating the yummy pizza on the boat.  So happy our little guy likes western food!

Cruising under the largest suspension bridge in Asia.

For the most part, we stayed indoors in the unheated boat to try to maintain some sense of warm.  Elise enjoying the pretty lights of the buildings as we pass them.  Some were very elaborate and beautiful.

 We spent the time taking photos indoors....here's an action shot of Drew from the front....

 and from the back.  He walks like Frankenstein but he gets it done.

More pictures.  Elise was a very good sport.  She was willing to pose.  She's wearing Drew's panda hat.  

Derek was less happy but said he would do it to make me happy.

and here's what the majority of the pictures I take look like but don't post.  

Raymond, our guide, said we MUST go outside to see the highlight of the trip:  The television tower.  It was pretty cool especially as it changed colors.

 Here's a bad picture (but typical of our view the entire time)...but needed to try to capture another highlight.  The tallest building in the city was 147 stories.  They call it the father (tall, dark unlit bldg in picture).  Next to it (on left, colorfully lit) is the "mother" building.  The tv tower is tall and skinny and consider the beautiful daughter.

Happy picture when we were finally off and headed to the warm bus.  Lit bridge in the background.

As usual, he was pretty good.  We had to give him a bottle on the way back.  He didn't finish it before we arrived back at the hotel....so here is what it looks like to carry the little one (all bundled) with the death grip on the bottle.

and death grip up close...