Sunday, June 22, 2008

We awoke and readied ourselves for the day. We went downstairs for the breakfast buffet and I tried to close the joint but only succeeded in getting full. Before the buffet, we were able to speak with the kids back home -- man do we miss them. They are so important to us and to be without them is the toughest part of this trip. We know that it is worth the sacrifice but head knowledge doesn't make heart knowledge any better or easier. With perfect timing we finished the buffet, ran upstairs to grab the backpack, and then went to the White Swan to meet Rebecca, our Lifeline guide for the day.

Today was a day of heat and humidity -- the sun came out and warmed us while we made our way through the botanical gardens. Afterwards, we went to the supermarket for some snacks and then it was time for a visit to a local Chinese restaurant. Rebecca promised us a unique experience and it was indeed. It was the best meal we have had here! We had mushrooms, green vegetables, string potatoes, a beef dish, and something they call Chinese pizza. It was all very tasty. There was one interesting thing -- Rebecca asked if we liked sweet potatoes and after receiving words in the affirmative, she ordered them. The potatoes are normal except they have a sugar-like substance on them that hardens into a crystalline shell once you place them in water. It is rather clever and they really are "sweet potatoes."

Following the lunch that left us all stuffed, we went back to the room for Shepherd to nap and watched some really bad movies on STAR movie channel. Anyway, we saved ourselves and departed the room to drop off some laundry, shop for baby bottles, and were able to discover and buy a "chop" for Shepherd. It is rubber stamp with his English and Chinese name that he can use to sign things in the future. We bought them for all of our kids in the past and it was necessary for Shepherd to have his own.

After a couple hours out of the room it was time for us to return to the room to finish up and prepare for bedtime. Stefanie made some instant congee (that we got from the Carrefour supermarket) for Shepherd and after downing that he had his bath and then it was lights out. Good night all!