http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Tu-Sekine/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Tu Sekine en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:22:45 +0000 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:22:45 +0000 Or Waiting for Paperwork Buying More of China's TreasuresIn case any of you are wondering why we are languishing in Nanjing rather than moving on to the next step in Guangzhou we are waiting for the Chinese end of the paperwork to be completed. While we have the certificate attesting to Luke's adoption there apparently are a lot more documents that need to be created andor prepared. So we wa http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Jiangsu/Nanjing/blog-262589.html Or CSI NanjingHi all. Sorry for the lateness of this post but wersquore getting pooped. Pam and Becky are the bloggers this time. We apologize for the lack of pictures but then as you will see that is the whole point of this post I think the gods were mildly displeased that we decided not to visit Changzhou on Wednesday. Changzhou is the city where Lucas was found in a fourth floor m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Jiangsu/Nanjing/blog-262987.html Or None of this writing stuff here are some picturesWhile Becky is in the shower crumpling and bubbling see our post March 29 on signage I am posting a few pictures for all of you who want to see pictures of your new grandchildnephewson or brother of a friend. I just hope Becky's hair will not be too dryBecky and Pam have decided that unfortunately they are not eligible to use the condit http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Jiangsu/Nanjing/blog-262146.html Or Lest suddenness happensOn our last day in Beijing we were supposed to visit the Summer Palace and the Pandas. To our credit we realize exhaustion when we see it and we decided to indulge ourselves with a few extra hours of rest. So we cancelled the Summer Palace in favor of the pandas ostensibly for Ianrsquos benefit but who can resist the furry little guysFor anyone who has endured t http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Forbidden-City/blog-261921.html Or We think there is a pattern here but canrsquot quite put our finger on it or if you would like a more classical theme On Shopping. After the Great Wall we went on our scheduled tour of the governmentowned cloisonn factory and lunch. Becky Pam and I had already begun to suspect that there was some kind of arrangement between the tour company and the government. Our first bit of evi http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Great-Wall-of-China/blog-261802.html Dear allI know I owe you all blogs for the last few daysthey are in the works. But we wanted to let you know that as of this morning Nanjing time we have been united with Luke. We will return to the adoption office tomorrow to make things official we have 24 hour custody right now. After two years of waiting we have finally met the fourth member of our little family. Hooray http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Jiangsu/Nanjing/blog-261489.html Or Sleeping is for the weak we're climbing the Great Wall of China Just a note about the sleeping Ian is not doing it at the right time. Yesterdayrsquos 3 p.m. nap and 7 p.m. bedtime led to a 336 a.m. wakeup call for mom and a 400 am trip to the lobby for dominoes and hot chocolate for Ian and dad. We decided Auntie Pam should join the fun and Ian started delivering coffee packets http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Jiangsu/Nanjing/blog-261119.html Or The delicate balance between giving in to exhaustion and sightseeing some more.During our few days in the Capital of the North that be Beijing bei indicating north. Like the US China had different cities as its capital at points in its history. The two most important ones are the Capital of the North and Nanjing the Capital of the South. I will let you figure out yourself what nan m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Temple-of-Heaven/blog-260731.html Or Without doubt things are big hereToday we sightsaw. Our ambitious schedule included Tian'Anmen Square in the morning then the Forbidden City then the City Planning Museum then the Temple of Heaven. Lunch at the Wahaha restaurant and a Peking Duck err Beijing Duck dinner. We killed the visit to the freshwater pearl factory . If you think that sounds ambitious you should try it w http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Forbidden-City/blog-260280.html Or Before you can begin you must abuse your body by staying in something like the fetal position for 14 hours and eat really bad food.Hi everyoneFinally arrived in China. All I can tell you about the flight is that it was 14 hours long and definitely something to be avoided. When we checked in at Dulles Airport in DC the airline offered us upgrades to Business Class for 640 a person and to http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Forbidden-City/blog-260235.html