Grand View Mall & Peal River Cruise

This morning Heidi started off pretty good at breakfast. Something set her off partway through so Trent took her back to our room so everyone else could eat without listening to her scream.

It’s hard to figure out if she’s actually upset or just a very stubborn almost 2 year old. 

We got to FaceTime with the girls so that made us happy. It’s about this time of the trip that starts feeling really long and we are very ready to go home. 

To pass the time today we took the subway to the Grand View Mall which at one time was the largest mall in Asia. Taking the subway was an adventure I would have skipped if, John, our guide hadn’t been with us. 

It didn’t seem to take all that long but it was pretty crowded and this wasn’t even rush hour. 

Outside the mall: the building in the background is currently the tallest building in China. I forget what it’s called but I believe it’s just offices. 

Outside the mall. 

The hanging bones was pretty neat. There is an entire aquarium inside. We didn’t go to it because it was expensive to get in and Heidi didn’t care. 

So many Chinese flags. 

It was pretty stunning to see.

Tons of flavors of gelati. We got pineapple but I think red potato was the most fascinating flavor. 

Heidi preferred her milk. We found a bench to sit at and fed her the bottle in the mall. She did great!

Most of the shops were disappointing because it felt like being in a huge mall in the US. However, feeding koi from a baby bottle is definitely something I haven’t seen at home. 

I felt like my daughters at home would have loved these creepy, life-like animal purses. For some reason even the smallest ones were $100 US dollars. 

That’s a “nope” for me.

I have no idea what animal this is from... pelican? 

These were supposed to lure you into this hot pot restaurant. Also a “nope” from me. 

Instead we ate a little lunch at a coffee shop that served pizza... also, everyone in China wears plastic gloves to eat pizza. It’s kind of genius. 

Chips that were like hard fries. Surprisingly tasty. But then again, I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like. 

Trent was confident he could navigate us back through the subway on our own. I didn’t doubt him but felt that a taxi would be easier. Walking to the subway station we passed a taxi, hailed it, and got back to the hotel. It was very simple. The subway cost 4 yuan per person (so about $1 US dollar for Trent and I to go) and the taxi was 36 Yuan, so about $5 US dollars. 

Heidi was really playful and cheerful when we got back to the hotel. 

Clapping!

Laughing. 

Standing. 

Getting kisses. 

She was being so sweet. I started to feel really dizzy and unwell. I thought probably I didn’t drink enough water. So I drank a bottle of water then lay down. Next thing I know Trent is waking me up saying it is 5 pm! 

We were going on the Pearl River Cruise like we did last trip. Last time we loved it and had high hopes for the cruise. 

Hazy night for it 

It was very beautiful. 

The moon will be at its fullest on Friday and all over China people will celebrate mid-Autumn festival and eat moon cakes. 

I think maybe I was trying to recapture the joys from Ruth’s adoption and recreate them with Heidi. 

It doesn’t really work that way...

Heidi woke from her nap just after 5 pm in a foul mood. We were meeting at 6 to leave for the cruise so thought she would be fine. She really wasn’t. She cried for most of the cruise. It was doubly frustrating because we had a different guide who kept trying to help but it wasn’t helpful. 

They served this meal on the cruise that we didn’t touch. It didn’t look appealing. 

Then right near the end of the cruise Heidi decided she was happy. She laughed, smiled and giggled for much of the rest of the time. 

When we got back to the hotel she was very happy. We fed her (we had tried multiple times on and before the cruise and she freaked out) and she played with toys! Having her express interest in toys is so exciting for us! She was trying so hard to walk. She only got one step in but seems to be standing more steadily for longer periods of time. 

We get Heidi’s passport and visa tomorrow afternoon which is the last thing we need before we go home! Not looking forward to the flying part, but an unfortunate necessity of the trip. 

Thank you all for thinking of us. China has been good to us but we’re homesick for our children, our yard, sunsets, grass, and all the things we love best.