More Exciting Adventures

The last couple of days have been filled with lots of sightseeing and shopping.

Yesterday, we went to the Pearl Market. The pearls were very beautiful, and much more reasonably priced than at home. The chinese are very proud of their fresh water pearls that come in all sizes and colours. The market is in a shopping complex with lots of other vendors selling everything from silk scarves to knock-off shoes and purses. It was great fun bartering for "deals".

In the afternoon we went to a tea ceremony, where we learned a great deal about chinese tea etiquette. Even the boys enjoyed sampling several varieties. Later that evening, we went to an acrobat show. It was really interesting and fun! The boys especially enjoyed seeing 11 girls riding one bicycle!

Today, we visited the Forbidden City, built in the 1400s. It was truly remarkable to see ancient architecture that is so well preserved. The city is very large, with 9,9991/2 rooms (of course we only saw a sampling). While there, you can just imagine the emperor reigning from his elaborate throne. This afternoon, it was back to the pearl market for more souvenir shopping.

This evening, we had a good-bye party with the other ten families in our group. It has been wonderful getting to know these amazing families and their new additions. We will really miss them! The party was complete with a magician clown and birthday cake for a sweet little six year-old boy.

Grace had a great time at the party, running around in her "squeaky" shoes and red velvet dress. We must say, she looked adorable! She was "talking" to our two chinese guides today, and they relayed to us what she was saying, which was really neat. Overall, she seems to be saying less in chinese. She answers to "Grace", "Fei Fei" and "Baby". Grace is happy most of the time, but can be a real bear when she's tired or having her diaper changed.

We can't believe that the finish line of our amazing race is almost here! We are looking forward to seeing you all when we get home.

Quiet Day

Today, Grace had a medical at the Visa Office here in Beijing. She was the only babe from our group who had to have a medical due to the paperwork route we chose to take. One of the families in our group offered to keep the boys at the hotel while we were gone, which was so sweet of them. They had a great time at the hotel ... they would have found the medical long and boring.

It was nice to just be Murray, Diane & Grace for the morning. Grace didn't like being stripped, measured and weighed, but overall it went well. We met several families from the Vancouver area and their little ones. One of the families is adopting identical twin girls!

As yesterday was long and exhausting, we decided to take the day off from sightseeing. Instead we spend several hours shopping at a local market. We didn't come home with much, but the bartering experience was fun. (We're pretty sure we were well ripped off!) We spent the evening watching a movie and having some family time. We're really going to miss spending so much time together!

Grace continues to be the life of the party, and the light of our lives!

The Great Wall!

Today we visited the Great Wall north of Beijing. It was truly amazing. Our legs are sore from the steep climbs and ascents! Pictures do not do it justice. Grace rode in a carrier on Murray's back and slept most of the time. It was a long day as we also visited a jade factory, cloissine factory and rode by the Olympic venues.

We finished the day with a bath for Grace. Up until now, Grace has hated her baths. But tonight, Benjamin jumped in and coaxed her into loving the experience (Thanks Ben!)

We're all exhausted and ready for bed!