.....and with that
simple line from one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs, day 3 of our
time in Guilin was set in motion! Today was Li River Cruise day and the group
was up early and ready to go!
After an earlier than normal breakfast in the hotel
restaurant (which has its perks!) we were headed for the lobby to meet Bob to
begin the day!
A short van ride found us at the local port where the river
cruises depart from. As we expected, there was a mass of humanity and we were
soon scurrying like slow rats in a tidal pool trying to get the 6 of us to the
boat and into position before all the good spaces were taken. On board and all
settled, we prepared ourselves for what we had seen on Discovery and been told
about by our friends who live in the area would be a wonderful cruise. For those of you who have not been
lucky enough to experience this cruise we will give you a little more detail.
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is a must for visitors due to the scenic beauty
of the surrounding region. Gorgeous mountain peaks give you surprises at each
bend of the subtle river. You will see water buffalo patrolling the fields,
peasants reaping rice paddies, local families, school children and fisherman floating by on bamboo rafts and the reality of life for those who live on and work the river.
After the 5-hour cruise we disembarked in Yangshuo, the town where our son
Aiden was born. The town is very small located some 90 kilometers south of
Guilin City, Leaving the Shuidongmen Dock near the Green Lotus Peak we walked
the gauntlet of souvenir peddlers and shops of the famous West Street that is
lined with western cafes, restaurants and hotels and is a wonderful place for
people who want to explore Chinese life,
Our real mission in Yangshuo held a much more meaning than a
cheap souvenir or a lunchtime meal. We were there to locate the spot where
Aiden was found and started his journey to our family.
Our driver met us just off of West Street and in his time
waiting for our arrival had already found the location of Aiden's finding spot based on the information we had in our
referral paperwork. Soon Bob and our family were strolling the back streets in
the local neighborhood and after some searching found the exact doorway where
Aiden was found. We were even lucky enough to meet a local woman who remembers
hearing stories from the former inhabitants of this building about the little
boy who was found there. From all we could gather this building in its former
state contained rental units where people would live short term while working in the
local fields or merchants. The building has now been renovated to be included
in a nearby hotel, but the numbering of the buildings former life and the gate
that protects the doorway is still there and brought a flood of emotion that is
difficult to explain. We know that one day we will need to talk to our kids
about these places and these events, but for now we take solace in the fact
that our kids are safe, healthy and living proof that there is good in the
World.
After leaving Yangshuo for the van ride back to Guilin, it
was eerily quiet as the kids fell asleep after a long day on the boat and Ann
Marie and I solemnly contemplated the events that have befallen us these past
two days, both in Guilin and Yangshuo. We have been both moved and torn apart inside,
but feel that it was absolutely necessary for us to take these journeys.
Once back at the hotel, Bob told us that Declan’s
documentation had arrived and needed to be proofed before we leave for
Guangzhou. So Ann Marie and Bob did that while I whiskey away to get some
treats for the kids in the local bakery. Cookies of Chocolate Chip and
Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye were a
welcome snack after such a long trip!
Exhausted, we returned to the room around 6:30 and declared
that we would just eat in tonight to attempt to recover. So off I went into the night for a quick
dinner of pizza from a local chain called “Pizza Papa”! An excellent selection of Margarita and
Pepperoni pizzas was procured and devoured and soon afterwards baths and
bedtime brought a once lively room to complete silence.
Tomorrow morning we are going to sleep in somewhat and the
meet our most dearest of friends for lunch before departing for the airport and
our flight to Guangzhou. We have enjoyed our time here and will miss everyone
greatly, but just as General MacArthur declared in the Philippines before his departure, “We shall return!”
So till then……
Because of the specialness of today, just as yesterday I again will end with
only this.....
"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." Michael J. Fox
Thank you for coming into our lives Aiden YangYang Kennedy!
 |
| Our "Little Man"! |
 |
| Savannah was having lots of fun |
 |
| The rock formations were incredible |
 |
| Sometimes even the trip photographer gets in the blog! |
 |
| These guys are river peddlers selling fruits and souvenirs |
 |
| Even with the haze, the scenery was incredible |
 |
| 5 hours on any ride takes its toll on kids. Good planning Mom! |
 |
| There were plenty of boats on the river today |
 |
| Lunch was in Bob's words, "American Chinese"! |
 |
| A splendid waterfall on the rivers edge |
 |
| Fruit cart on West Street |
 |
| Bob speaks with the woman who remembered hearing the stories in the neighborhood |
A short van ride found us at the local port where the river
cruises depart from. As we expected, there was a mass of humanity and we were
soon scurrying like slow rats in a tidal pool trying to get the 6 of us to the
boat and into position before all the good spaces were taken. On board and all
settled, we prepared ourselves for what we had seen on Discovery and been told
about by our friends who live in the area would be a wonderful cruise. For those of you who have not been
lucky enough to experience this cruise we will give you a little more detail.
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is a must for visitors due to the scenic beauty
of the surrounding region. Gorgeous mountain peaks give you surprises at each
bend of the subtle river. You will see water buffalo patrolling the fields,
peasants reaping rice paddies, local families, school children and fisherman floating by on bamboo rafts and the reality of life for those who live on and work the river.
After the 5-hour cruise we disembarked in Yangshuo, the town where our son
Aiden was born. The town is very small located some 90 kilometers south of
Guilin City, Leaving the Shuidongmen Dock near the Green Lotus Peak we walked
the gauntlet of souvenir peddlers and shops of the famous West Street that is
lined with western cafes, restaurants and hotels and is a wonderful place for
people who want to explore Chinese life,
Our driver met us just off of West Street and in his time
waiting for our arrival had already found the location of Aiden's finding spot based on the information we had in our
referral paperwork. Soon Bob and our family were strolling the back streets in
the local neighborhood and after some searching found the exact doorway where
Aiden was found. We were even lucky enough to meet a local woman who remembers
hearing stories from the former inhabitants of this building about the little
boy who was found there. From all we could gather this building in its former
state contained rental units where people would live short term while working in the
local fields or merchants. The building has now been renovated to be included
in a nearby hotel, but the numbering of the buildings former life and the gate
that protects the doorway is still there and brought a flood of emotion that is
difficult to explain. We know that one day we will need to talk to our kids
about these places and these events, but for now we take solace in the fact
that our kids are safe, healthy and living proof that there is good in the
World.
Once back at the hotel, Bob told us that Declan’s
documentation had arrived and needed to be proofed before we leave for
Guangzhou. So Ann Marie and Bob did that while I whiskey away to get some
treats for the kids in the local bakery. Cookies of Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye were a
welcome snack after such a long trip!
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