Guangzhou - Day 12 - More shots, the Orient Express...and shopping!

I'm a bit behind on the blogging...we've been busy and little Miss has been giving us a run for our money the last couple of days...

So yesterday was a good day for the most part. Lia was up and ready to go to breakfast at 6:30 am, so we started a bit earlier than usual. The huge rainstorm the night before had cooled things off a little bit, so we decided to take a walk around the area, pick up our laundry, and do a little shopping. Many of the clothes I brought for Lia are not fitting...She's a little top heavy...LOL. Her head and shoulders are definitely 18 mos. size, but her tiny little waist and booty are more on a 12 mos. scale. I've been able to make most stuff work, but rather than have our laundry done (again!), we decided with clothes and shoes as cheap as they are here...to just get a her a few new things to wear over the next few days until we fly home. By a few things I mean seven pairs of shoes (including bigger sizes to grow into) and five outfits...but by cheap, I mean CHEAP. I don't think any of the shoes were over $5/pr and the outfits were anywear from $2-$8/each. We did buy her several pairs of "squeaky shoes", but I'm happy to report the squeaker easily pulls out, which will save our sanity, and keep the dogs from chewing them to bits!

Enjoying her morning snack

Showing off her new shoes and hat at the hotel

After shopping, lunch, and a nap, Miss Lia had to go back to the medical clinic for her final three shots. There was a momentary panic where they measured her temp and it was just a tiny bit high (meaning they wouldn't be able to administer the shots), but our awesome guide Grace seated us in the waiting area next to a window A/C unit and literally told us to blow on her and cool her off - while she explained to the nurse that we had walked a long way in the heat of the day and Lia was probably just overheated...so they came back a tried it again a few minutes later - and it worked!  I've never been so happy to get a "yes" to shots - but we need them in order to leave the country... This time they did one in each arm, and one in a thigh. Again she wailed, but I was quick to pull out the Gerber Yogurt Melts and let her have at 'em...it seemed to do the trick.

Contemplating what she'll get into next...

We stopped by Starbuck's on the way home from the clinic for a couple of iced teas (and a mango-passion fruit blended frapp for Lia). She LOVED that!

For dinner we decided to try the French place we had heard about. It's at the other end of Shaiman Island, so it's a good 15 min. walk, but it's worth it. It's call "The Orient Express" and part of it is in an actual train car.

Photo taken by our waiter

More please...

What do you mean, "all gone"???

The place is gorgeous - very trendy. Steve and I both thought that if the same exact place were in LA, it would be a place where the Hollywood stars would hang out. But just like every other restaurant here, they were very welcoming to adoptive families with small children (although we were quick to have the remove the extra wine glasses from the table!)  It ended up being probably one of the best meals we've had since we've been in China. I highly recommend it for families travelling soon! One more shot to close out the day:

Asleep with her friend Kai-Lan