mostly pictures

Here is just another collection of pictures and brief comments. Everyone loves pictures!

Snakes anyone?

Maybe a nice eel for you?

Snakes and eels-- just some of the fresh items for sale in the lobby area of the Cantonese restaurant in which we ate the other night. Also featured were various kinds of fish, sand worms, water beetles, and frogs-- all live, of course. I don't think they served any of this, but if they did, it was delicious!

This morning and early afternoon we visited a museum and the botanical gardens in Guangzhou. The gardens were beautiful, but the humidity makes it hard to enjoy activities outdoors. My daughter was not feeling very photogenic, and who can blame her-- it was close to lunch and nap time, and very hot and sticky.

Outside the museum

Botanical gardens

This guy didn't mind the heat

Not very happy at the botanical gardens. Xiao Xiao often often looks like a scruffy rag-a-muffin with hair in her eyes in these photos. Please know that I attempt to keep it out of her eyes, but she often pulls the barrettes out. She'll need a hair trim shortly after we get home, I think!

Next are just a few shots around Shamian Island. It is a unique and picturesque place, but many photo opportunities escaped, due to a toddler in tow!

View of the Pearl River from the White Swan Hotel

Guangzhou at night from the roof (pool) of the Victory Hotel

Many couples come to Shamain to have wedding photos taken. It is a pretty big business here, and groups of couples, like this one, walking around the island are a common site. Keep in mind, that I am usually dripping with sweat in just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt-- Imagine what it is like to be gussied up like this in Guangzhou heat!

One of the many courtyard gardens on Shamian Island. It's a nice place, but can I go home now?

Lunch in our room. To those of you reading this blog who are yet to travel, I can offer this advice. We packed lots of granola bars, instant oatmeal, etc. With my 3 year old, it worked wonderful to load up on breakfast at the hotel buffet, then just a light, quick lunch of instant oatmeal, granola bars (or Oreos, depending on how stressful the schedule was!). We then went out for a nice dinner in the evening. This saved us a lot of time, hassle, and money. It helped me get Xiao Xiao fed quickly and in the bed for a nap efficiently. Going out to lunch and dinner every day would have been a lot more stressful, and this girl needs her nap! She usually enjoyed our "picnics" on the floor!