guangzhou

Did I already mention we're fans of Guangzhou? 

Wow.  

It was nice to be in a more 'typical' Chinese city like Fuzhou.  I'm glad we experienced that, but it wasn't very, well, pretty.  And don't even get me started about Panda World.  

Guangzhou is very pleasing to the eye.  Especially where we are.  I find it no coincidence that families who come to China to adopt are put up in the nicest hotels and locales in each city they travel to.  We are perceived as (and frankly are) some of the wealthiest folks on the planet.  Not just Americans, but Westerners in general.  And, well, we can really boost their economy if we'll stay in their hotels, eat in their restaurants, shop in their shops and visit their tourist attractions. 

Which is a small 'price to pay' considering the gift we're leaving with.  :)

We were thrilled to find a Starbucks just around the corner from our hotel.  Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the English tea at our hotels.  yum-yum.

James' first taste of a true American tradition, a-hem, Starbucks.  And pretty soon, he'll be placing his order from the backseat like his sibs...'Vanilla milk, please!'  

Okay.  

Karen and I stumbled upon a diamond in the rough.  As we were leaving Fuzhou, we saw something in our hotel elevator about a spa with foot massage.  We both quipped that we should've pounced all over that during our three days of, well, waiting.  And waiting some more.  We had the perfect down time opportunity!  

So we wised up upon our arrival to Guangzhou and immediately asked Aron if there was a spa in this hotel (the Victory).  Although there is not, she recommended a place right on the Island -- maybe one or two blocks away.  

best.twenty.bucks.i've.ever.spent.

This experience left us pretty much speechless.  A 70-minute foot, calf, back, neck, shoulders and arms massage.  The only quarters they didn't massage were the rear ones.  And that's just fine by me.   

For only 14 USD.  

It felt like highway robbery to us.  

Needless to say, our sweet massage therapists got a good tip.  I think she thought we weren't doing our math right.  We were absolutely in heaven.  They served us warm tea and with naval orange slices.

Karen and I are dead serious joked that we may go every day while we're here.  Well, actually, she offered as only the Travel Companion of the Year could to stay with James (and Payton) while he naps today so JD and I can go together.  JD will love it!  Especially the calf massage.  Get ready, Honey!

I would do anything for the sight of blue sky once while we're here in Guangzhou.  It's so beautiful here even with grey skies, so I can only imagine what it must be like on a sunny, beautiful day!  

We're headed to the Yun Tai Garden today. 

Hope your weekend's been lovely.