In Guangzhou at the White Swan

Greetings! Late last night, we all arrived in Gaungahou. The flight was fast, smooth and Merrill and Rachael were good as can be. Here in Guangzhou, I can see my blog again and I can also update it myself. So I thought I could give Karen a break. Plus I have no spell checker here and I thought everyone would get a laugh out of my typos and spelling mistakes.

Guangahou is very different from Nanning. Its much larger and the area where we are is a small island developed by the British during their initial contact with China, so the buildings here are very old and distinctively Western, mostly British Colonial / 2nd Empire style.

The White Swan is grand. Large, spacious and elegantly decorated. Service is excellent. The center of the building is a large open atrium with a limestone waterfall and fish pond, surrounded by restaurants. I will send more picture of this place as I take them. we just finished breakfast and I came down to the business office where I actually have my own office to work on a computer to send you this message.

Merrill is doing great and she has the uncanny ability to be active, awake and happy that instantaneously switch off and fall asleep no matter what she is in the middle of. Kristin and I are doing well and Rachael is coming along nicely. The trip hasn't seemed to affect her and she enjoys the new sights and sounds of the hotel. Today, we get her medical exam and we start some basic paperwork. I need to head out to get ready for today, but I have so much more to tell you. I will try and get a little time in over the next couple of days to tell you.

Hope everyone is well and we can't wait to get back and have you all meet Rachael. She is SO cute and just a real joy. Merrill is being a perfect big sister and she will enjoy telling you all about our trip.

Take care and talk to you all soon.

73