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Zachary's hideout. This tiny closet with a city view, broken dresser and an awesome ledge was Zach's place, where he worked on homework, drew maps of China, San Francisco and other places that only exist in the mind of a 6 year old. Basically, this was his safe place, which he used when he needed space from Renée and the confusions of our travel. Yes he had to bring homework as he was out of school for almost a month - he finished much of it.
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As planned and without issue, we received Renée's China passport. Our tour guides traveled to pick them up, which allowed us to finish packing. Though we paid for this service, it was awesome as we had never packed for 4 and the suitcases we had brought for "extra" space were packed to the brim. Let's just say that Eric the Engineer was designing optimal packing layouts, which was not limited to pockets of carry-on items like jackets. As usual for this trip, we were a good 30 minutes late. Fortunately, the tour guides are used to working with parents and buffered in additional time.
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Now we can travel with you!!! It was so cool to have 4 passports.
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One final romp on the rug in Chongqin. She was really analyzing this cup.
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We are now leaving for the airport. But first, a short ceremony. Eureka, the only Mandarin-speaking male, offered gifts we had gotten to the tour guides. He made a very nice and gracious speech for each. This gift was for Deborah, our Chongqing city guide.
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Next we had a gift for the bus driver. Eureka was great as the bus driver only spoke Mandarin.
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And finally for our guide Candy. But this gift was smaller, as Candy would be traveling with us.
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Renée had difficulty settling down for a nap. Poor child, she has moved so many times that we know she was uncertain. But though unsure, she traveled better than expected.
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In route to the airport, there were "national birds of China" everywhere.
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A new apartment building. The land north of Chongqing is different as there is a lot of open space with sky scraper apartments scattered here and there.
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Some of the Chinese of Chongqing still do not think highly of the Japanese due to the bombing that occurred during WWII, though the younger generation is more forgiving. Just before we arrived, a group from Chongqing went to Japan to request funds for war damages. With this background, it was interesting to see this Japanese auto maker in Chongqing and with their English logo. Originally, Tina wanted this photo taken for her father, as we had not yet found a Chinese license plate for him.
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Looking back towards Chongqing, an interesting sculpture a few miles from the airport.
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New apartments built right next to the new terminal at the Chongqing airport. If memory serves correctly, these are geared for business travelers.
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The brand new domestic terminal. International flights (including Hong Kong) still use the old domestic terminal.
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Inside the new terminal - very nicely architected. Most of the lighting came from the outside. For how immense Chongqing is, it seemed that this terminal was not of the same magnitude - but they had plenty of room for growth. Wonder if the train and bus still take most of the travelers in China.
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The adoptive parents "hang" (as best we can) while our guides get our tickets.
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Here is a view of where we landed in Chongqing on the 14th. Our plane taxied to the left of the right gate. Then we exited to a bus which practically performed a U-turn and dropped us off just to the left of the left gate. As another passenger said, we could walk from the plane to the building entrance in less time, as it took some time to load the bus. It looks like the old terminal will be replaced in the near future.
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Zachary loved walking with Prasiah, Eureka and Cindy's child. He walked her everywhere. Prasiah was the only baby which could walk on her own.
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We flew the China carrier China South airlines to take us to Guangzhou.
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First time for Renée on a plane. So, she is checking out the emergency policies. Eric had interrupted Zachary from imagination land.
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"Baba, don't worry about me. This flying stuff is easy! Peace!"
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This family of four is ready for the next adventure. Also is proof that Eric made the flight. Think Zachary is tired of having his picture taken?!?! naaaa!
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Renée succumbed to the calm vibrations of the plane. She slept for much of the flight. Zachary is checking out the tv program.
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| "Tina, turn around quick!" The camera fails to show "the look" which followed.
We made it to Guangzhou. Arrived to rain, clouds and darkness... still no sun. Here we are walking to get our luggage. Guangzhou's airport has a long taxi from the runway, seemed even longer than Colorado Springs.
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We have are luggage and are heading to the bus. Other than a nice look at the terminal, our guide is holding one of those toy fans (purple), which turn when you blow on it. Zachary loaned it to her so all in our group could easily see her - it put a smile on everyone's faces (especially Zachary's). This fan was given to Zachary in Hong Kong for the New Years celebration. Candy gave it back to Zachary when we reached the bus and it actually made it back safely to the States.
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| All aboard!!!
We are queuing up to get on the bus. The concrete shows where the rain has been. Fortunately, the rain took a break for us to load up.
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We made it to the White Swan hotel. Tired and intact. Per tradition, we take pictures of the hotel room before "occupying" it.
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The room is definitely much smaller than our apartment room in Chongqing. Tina ended up sleeping in the bed closest to Renée. Zachary and Eric shared the other bed. Zachary kept complaining that Eric got the bed too warm. Eric liked being attacked by a martial arts expert each night. We had ordered a roll-away bed for Zachary but felt that it would take up all remaining space in the room. The black console between the beds allowed us to control the lights and listen to a couple radio stations. Renée really liked it when lively music was played.
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Though small, it was a nice room.
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