Adoption Trips

Late last week we got the cost for the hotels, in China flights, meals, guides etc. We sent off a money order for US cash to the agency on Monday via Canada Post. The agency got the money order on Tuesday. That was fast compared to 5 days to send our passports with the same service.

V put the order in for the 'mint' US cash required for the donation and the notary fees in China. She should have it Monday.

We got a note from the agency today that the last piece of official paperwork before we go has arrived from Beijing. It is called the notice of coming and gives us formal permission to travel for the purpose of completing the adoption.

All of passports etc should be couriered back to us on Monday.

We still have nothing packed but as V says we always pack last minute and since both of us took the 8th off we have plenty of time. Some of our mates have everything packed ready to go.

B is sulking every now and then. Cuddling on his mother like he was a baby again. We think he knows he is about to move up a notch on the tree so he is getting all of the cuddles he can while it lasts.

Tonight I bought him his very first Dr. Seuss book. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Man the rhymes will put you in a coma if you read that too long.

Only a little over two weeks until C gets to meet her forever parents. We can't wait.

Just in case no time to blog before next week

Happy Birthday Cassy!

Mom and Dad are flying in to Toronto on the 28th of Feb to stay with B and S while we go to China. It should be an exciting time as Nana and Grampy take over the house while we are away.

We received news that we have been approved to visit the orphanage in BeiHai. Not many get to do it but the excitement is some what muted as we are not allowed to take pictures or video while inside. We will have nothing to show Cassy when she is older except some exterior shots I suppose.

The travel group of 7 families going to BeiHai are buying the orphanage C$500 worth of new cribs or almost 40 cribs for the present and future kids of the orphanage. The cribs will be there before us so potentially our children will get first use.

Our itinerary follows:

Mar9 (Thurs): Leave Toronto 10am on AC031 to Beijing
Mar10 (Fri): arrive in Beijing on AC031/12:20.
Guide will meet us at the airport and transfer to ChangAn Days Inn Beijing.
Mar11(Sat): Free day
Mar12(Sun):Beijing to Nanning on Hunan Airlines HU7157 (13:05-16:20), transfer to Mingyuan XinDu Hotel Nanning.
Mar13(Mon):Go to the Civil Affairs to meet the baby and sign
the adoption agreement. Apply for Chinese passport.
Mar14(Tue):Complete notarization process & adoption registration.
Mar15(Wed):Visit Qing Xiu Shan Park.
Mar16(Thu):Visit BeiHai SWI.
Mar17(Fri): Pick up passport. Then Nanning to Beijing on Hunan Airlines
HU7158 (17:00-20:10). Transfer to ChangAn Days Inn.
Mar18(Sat): Prepare paperwork for Canadian Immigration
Mar19(Sun): Sightsee the Great Wall and have lunch.
Mar20(Mon):Medical for C & Go to the Canadian Embassy for visa appointment.
Mar21(Tue): Visit Tian An Men square and the Forbidden City. Afternoon shopping in the Silk Market
Mar22(Wed):Old Beijing Hutong tour. Pick up Record of Landing. Beijing Duck Dinner in the evening.
Mar23(Thu): Free
Mar24(Fri):depart Beijing for home on AC032/13:55 Arrive Mar24(Fri): 14:00 Toronto.

Hotel information:
1. ChangAn Days Inn, Beijing Tel: 010-67731234 Fax:010-67733456
2. Mingyuan Sindu, Nanning Tel:0771-2118988 Fax:0771-2830811