Today

Sorry it is late and my posts are a little out of order.  We got to have a nice skype visit with Ray and Doris, Mom n Alex, as well as Aunt Tammy, and now it is a bit late.

Today we slept in a bit, and then went down for the morning buffet.  After that we toured around on the island a bit, and came back for a swim.  Elsie really seems to like the water, she had great fun splashing, and warmed up to Anna some too.  I would kiss Anna and Elsie would imitate and do the same.

After pool, we met up with our tour group and took a bus to the Jade market and then the Pearl Market.  Both were OK, the jade market was way hot and Elsie strapped to my chest, slept and cooked both of us.  The pearl market was interesting, like a 5 story shopping mall with shops full of mostly the same things and everyone wanting you to buy theirs...

Interesting to see garbage bag size bags full of pearls though.  We saw a really neat stone shop with giant purple geodes that had been cut open with their edges polished.

Speaking of stone, upon return to our hotel, we walked through the lower lobby, which is lined with stone for sale, sculpted and natural.  There are giant cave formations set in beautiful carved wood bases for sale... priced at 125,000 rmb... at 6.75 rmb per dollar... that is alot of money, thankfully, hopefully it does not promote much "harvesting" of cave formations.  There are also giant polished sections of petrified wood... tree trunks 30" across by 5' tall completely polished, I can't imagine they sell much of that.  While I am on the subject though, the Chinese are really into their rock art, at the entrance to many temple and shrines there are giant imported rock formations, kept natural, for display.

After we returned from the market trip, we relaxed for a bit, and went out for Thai food.  Elsie sat on Anna's lap and ate for a while... until she barfed noodles in Anna's hands, and then promptly freaked out when I ran for tissues.  Still dinner was nice and we visited with a family on their second tour for adoption, their first girl, now five is just adorable and so well manored.  Their new one, is precious as well, with a little bity shrunken hand on her left hand, mom n dad stated, she is either an angel or a devil child.  Cute regardless!

Elsie and I took a nice bath, no tears at all, and then to bed.

Tomorrow is a free day, we may revisit some markets, and maybe hit the electronics market... yeah.

Of course another trip to the pool will be in order with our water baby.

It was great to call home tonight and are so looking forward to seeing everyone.

LOVE to all.

Korey and Anna