3 days in Panyu, Guangzhou

Took the hydrofoil to Panyu two days ago. It took one and a half hours. Duncan got sea-sick. The shuttle bus took about an hour to get to our hotel.

We arrived just in time to have a quick dinner, and we rushed to the Guangzhou Chime-Long International Circus (长隆国际马戏团). We entered the arena just as the show was starting. There were plenty of bright lights, loud music; there were trapeze and other stunt performers, bears which rode unicycles. What I liked the most were the clowns who jumped off diving boards.

The next morning, after breakfast, we went to the nearby Guangzhou Xiangjiang Safari Park (广州香江野生动物园）. We took a trolley-bus ride through the inner park compound, and came into close contact with many types of animals. In the outer compound, we fed some parrots and some giraffes. We attended a show in the white tiger compound, with performing elephants, monkeys, and birds.

Insects were busy while we slept last night. Despite Mummy's precautions, Duncan and I woke up in the morning to find ourselves covered in mosquito bites:-( We headed for the CrocPark this morning after breakfast. There, we saw a host of reptiles: snakes, crocodiles, turtles, and we saw a show starring sea lions. I got to shake the star's hand!

a hug from the star of the show

In the afternoon, we went back to the hotel for our bags, then took the boat back to Hong Kong. Everyone except Papa was sick.

School outing

Papa took me on a school trip. We went to the Nam Lin Gardens in Diamond Hill in the morning. It is a newly opened park built as a classic Chinese Garden, with a golden pagoda in the centre of the park. There was a water-wheel too.

After lunch, we went to the Wetland Park. They built "new town" on part of the land, so there are many tall ugly buildings behind it. In the park, we saw Pui-pui, the crocodile, and some small insects and fish. I was intrigued by one fish which crawled around and burrowed in the mud.

I loved the soft toy lizard at the Wetland Park visitors' centre, and wanted Papa to buy it for me. He did. :-)

Candy medicine

SGG took me to Dr Bean’s for a routine check-up for my kindergarten application. Dr Bean was worried about my runny nose and gave me lots of medicine including a new “candy” medicine, for my allergies, which I have to take at the same time every day.

Papa, SGG and I went to a school meeting today. After the meeting, Auntie Esther and Uncle Calvin invited us to the American Club in Tai Tam. We played in the playroom and swam but I wouldn’t wear my goggles and didn’t like water in the eyes. It started to rain quite hard so we got out and changed. We were late getting to the restaurant so had to wait 45 minutes for a table. I ate fruit and coloured jelly.

Storm

I started off this month with offers of 2 play dates: one with Austin & Mason and another with Yuan Yuan. I chose to see Yuan Yuan. Papa thinks I’m getting to clingy in the mornings and started taking a firmer approach with me (something about a Super Nanny, whatever that is).

Storm warning, so no school today. I spat out my food at lunch, and was sent to bed without eating. Later, I went to see Maya in her room. I like her toys especially her mobile which plays different tunes. I turned it on and told SGG, “I need to go to a concert, I do Bach” which amused her.

Maya

I have a new playmate. Last week, Grandma and Papa told me that Big’s baba was coming and I knew that “Auntie Lucy was cutting baby out of Gugu Big’s tummy”. Baba was born at 5.46pm weighing 6lbs 14.7ozs. SGG took me to meet her after school on Wednesday, I held little Maya and she gave me two lovely books – Peter Rabbit and Baby Honu – and five little cars with a road board.

Aunty Lucy and Maya

Big and Baba came home today. I gave her a typical Theodore/'pretty girl with long-hair Megan' welcome by showering her with my toy cars and engines. Maya gave me Bertie. I think its going to be fun having a little cousin especially if she keeps quiet and gives me presents all the time :-)