Busy day and nice weather today! It was still a bit cool in the am and when we were out on a boat, but overall, a much better day then we've been having. Worked up a sweat while climbing up the "mountain" at Yuntai Garden.
We started the day at the Yuntai Garden which is a gorgeous botanical garden. We only explored about 1/2 of the gardens. Would love to go back for more!! The flowers and water features were amazing! The friendship garden had gifts from Guangzhou's sister cities from around the world. Los Angeles is the US sister city and present them with a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star.
Jack has an amazing knack for needing to go to the bathroom as soon as we start a tour (and about mid-way through as well) even after we've asked him several times if he needs to go before we start. But, while I was waiting for Jack and John to return from the first potty break, I got to watch a bride and groom get their pictures taken. I took a few shots of my own. Veronica explained that they generally get them taken about 2-3 months prior to their wedding so that they have them back to display at the wedding. The bride also usually has 2 bridal gowns - a traditional red one and a white one. They are generally rented or on loan from the photography studio. The groom's family is also responsible for paying for the wedding.
We finally figured out how to wear Jack out - climbing stairs!!! We decided to go to the mountain top look out. It was beautiful from the top, but our legs were like jello when we got back down!!
Angry Birds, Snoopy, Mario, and Kung Fu Panda - China's the only country where I've seen plastic cartoon character's in the middle of a beautiful botanical garden! It's a crazy site to see!
After lunch, we headed back to our room to use the potty and lighten our pack before going to the park. Jack did NOT want to go out and do more walking. We pretty much had to drag him out of the hotel. Mama was pretty set against sitting around all day in the hotel room - especially when the weather's so darn unpredictable. Jack's mood improved when he saw the boats and small lake. He convinced dad to let us go for a ride, and at only 50 RMB for 30 minutes, we gave in. I was a bit worried about the possibility of tipping or sinking, but it was a nice ride around the lake. The provided us with some very questionable floatation devices in the roof of the boat. LOTS of people taking pictures and pointing at us.
The walking continued after the boat rides but only because Jack wanted to ride on the amusement park rides. He wasn't very happy when we told him no. The only one he was big enough for was a log ride, and there was no way I was getting wet!! As we walked, he realized we had MORE stairs, and was not even a bit interested in walking them. Mama finally convinced him that he could have ice cream if he figured out how to get us to the 5 Rams statue. He RAN the rest of the way only stopping long enough for us to catch up at different spots along the path. Who knew ice cream could be such a motivator???
There's a Lamborghini dealer across the street from our hotel. John's been drooling pretty much every day that we drive by. We finally walked over there today and got some pictures. He was too chicken to go inside and take a closer look.
Jack's clearly getting more comfortable with us as the days go by. Super unhappy with us when we were trying to get him to do stuff that involved more walking today, and when we were getting ready to go to dinner, he got his Ipod taken away because he threw a fit. He wanted to watch TV instead. Later this evening, he went running naked through the hotel room. Went from not wanting to change in front of us and not wanting us to see his back to who cares what you see. I think he didn't want us to know about his back or was scared we might reject him, but he clearly isn't worried about that now! Progress!!!
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