Yesterday, April 25, we had the full day to explore. We took a taxi to Shamian Island, which seems to be the famous "adoption island". Most adopting families stay at the White Swan hotel, located on the island during their required stay in Guangzhou. Because of the trade show that is in full swing, our group was not able to stay at this amazing hotel as all of the rooms were already full. Instead, we are across the river at the Riverside Hotel. Anyway, it is obvious that the White Swan is known as the adoption hotel because of all of the surrounding shops tailoring their wares to adoptive parents. It is a beautiful island with many fun and interesting buildings, trees, stores, and parks.

There are very interesting sculptures all around the island. This one is my favorite. I didn't do a very good job of getting the dog into the picture. Most of the sculptures are just as random as this one--another favorite is a little boy and a little girl punching each other...????

This is inside the White Swan hotel. It is amazing! After we had toured the island for a while we decided to go to a shop that had been recommended to us. We had a card for the shop which is supposed to help the taxi driver find the location, but our driver didn't know the streets so drove us in the right direction and then dropped us off. I was very impressed at Ryan's ability to read the Chinese street signs and after 15-20 minutes of walking, we actually found the store that we were looking for. The next couple of pictures were taken during our walk.


Today, we went with our group to a shopping street for the morning, back for a quick nap and then off to the Island again for dinner. Before we ate, we stopped into the White Swan for the traditional "red sofa" picture taking. I guess that it is tradition for the children and families to have their pictures taken on the red sofa at the White Swan so here we are!

This is our Samuel and his friend Samuel. They were from the same orphanage so we call them brothers.

Nine out of ten of the newly adopted babies.

Samuel was having fun pounding on the cushions.

This is our entire travel group. We are blessed to have a great group.

Ryan is currently outside playing basketball with the kids playing under the hotel (pictured in the last post) He and 2 other adoptive dads played last night and they were able to get a couple more guys roped into playing tonight. It would be fun to be there to watch them, but the days have been so full that Samuel is only catching naps here and there so is very tired. Tomorrow morning our China reps go to the consulates to deliver all of our paperwork... we are getting closer! It still seems like it is forever before we are able to come home. We are SO ready! We really miss our kids in MI. Counting down the days until May 1!!!!!!!

Anna, Elijah, and Rachel, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!