Hircherts come to China!

As we neared the Summer holiday (and the end of the adoption process), we were blessed to have Rebecca's brother (and family) join us in China (and complete their adoption of a little girl too!).  Truly an awesome experience and it was a joy to share it with them.

The trip was basically split into 3 parts:  Suzhou touring, Beijing, then Guangzhou.  It was more complicated than that, as traveling in China usually is, but close enough!

The iconic shot of the old town canal.

Always fun to see what first time visitors have in their camera.  This is a shot of the loaded down cart.

We took a boat to Tiger Hill and on the way saw some underwear hanging out to dry.

At Tiger Hill, I though Bill would appreciate the low budget landscaping.

There they are, no new cousin yet (although I guess for them, Lilly is).

Inside Tiger Hill you can often find some respite from the hustle and bustle of Suzhou.

Apparently there were some stow-aways...

Uh, OK then.

Duh.

Lilly was one happy girl to be able to spend quality time with her cousin.  This was a VERY common sight.

As was this.

Obviously this is the tea, but we apparently missed the melting clouds.

Riley:  "Dad, will you lift me up into the tree and take my picture?"

Me:  "Sure!"

That's more like it.  He was charging people by the end of the trip.  And yes, someone paid.

We got caught in the rain and apparently decided to split up...

Part 2 - On to Beijing!

Don't we look photo shopped into this picture of the Forbidden City?

There was all are in front of a male foo dog (he has a ball).

Amazing how much went into this.  Every time I go, I think "so this is why communism happens".

That's more like it, get some people in there!

Female foo dog (playing with a puppy).  Not the golden color and the ears down.  We are now entering the private quarters of the Emperor, so you hear nothing...

Afterwards, we headed out for a tour of local historic residences.

Tea ceremony.

So the acrobat show feats of strength were amazing.  Yes, he hopped down and then back up on one hand.  Back up too!!!

Uh, ouch!

Yes, he is supporting himself totally on the other dudes neck...

Getting to see how Beijing duck is carved.

Rowan found a way to insert himself into the stroller.

Carriage ride thru the neighborhoods.

The Hirchert kids at a cloisonne factory.

Seeing how it is done.  I say we count this for homeschool!

This was the whole group that was with us for the Beijing trip.  Great people!

Apparently Maddox has been talking to Reid.

This was cool.  Rebecca and Bill putting a lock for Lilly and May on the same link.

Jade factory on the way back, the boat was over a cool million as I recall.

Riley getting attacked in the Olympic village.  Not cool, foreigner!

Part 3 - Guangzhou or Bust!!!  In between, Bill and Jane picked up our new addition: May Song!  While in Guangzhou, we had ample time to tour the city in between visa appointments.

There was a cool island (Shamian) that was an old French / English concession in the 19th century.  Here I am totally pulling off the hat.

A couple of "cheese faces".

Is that a Chihuly?

Not sure if this is some warding spell or an instruction...

The island was actually quite pretty, although a bit too humid for my taste.  Maybe I will submit a complaint.

At lunch.  Apparently this was a photo shoot of some sort of hypodermic needle brandishing Manga heroine.  Pretty sure it was a dude.

Next day, Ocean World.  If you know me, you know how much I love parks in China that keep animals.  This zoo did not disappoint...

Here we are in the beautiful butterfly exhibit.  Trying to get a shot of the butterfly, actually one of the the two we saw.

There it is, good thing I brought the super zoom!

Oh here they are!  Yes, this was an exhibit of dead butterflies lying on the ground.

This was obviously the highlight.

OK, so this wasn't bad either.  Reid and his cousin hanging out with one of the kids in the group.  Good times.

 Zero pity for the heels...

True Crikets, not those copy ones you see being sold on the side of the road.

Turtles are good luck, so let's throw money at them.

Feeding the red pandas.

Dude, really???  It's not that hot.

The king of the concrete jungle.  Dave's temperature rising...

Now this is just gross.  Why can't you just let him run around in split pants, pooping and peeing on the sidewalk?  No one wants to see this!

Across from our hotel was a very famous statue, "Five Rams".  We decided that it was a must see, so we headed out for a trek.

This was cool, ladies with swords kicking booty.

Dude, the swords are over there.  Never mind.

Still searching (and sweating)...

There was one last hill to climb, here are the only survivors.  Oh yeah, totally worth it.

So cool to finalize things with Lilly and get to share the experience with family!  The consulate work was really easy and a non-event, so there is not much on that.  One last visual I will leave you with, which I am putting it in here so that I remember it for his wedding.  Twice, yes twice, I volunteered to take Maddox to the bathroom only to find he had to go #2.  And they were squat potties, so I held his hands.  Now that's a good uncle.  Oh, final thing, if you ever find yourself holding the hands of a boy while he is going #2 in a squat potty, make sure he pees first.  Either that, or don't wear flip-flops!!!