Day 1 - Hong Kong to Nanning

Best thing about the Hong Kong airport? Luggage carts! All over the place, including at the arrivals area, the departure area and the gate areas. All free and it makes it so easy to handle your bags. I rolled mine right up to the doors of the airport hotel last night.

I spent a few hours at the airport on Sunday, waiting to leave for Nanning. By the time I got to my gate I was one of only two Western faces. The flight was quick and the plane was bigger than the puddle jumper I took from Columbus to Chicago.

Nanning airport was a shock. I didn't see airport personnel, just military. I found my guide and we took a minivan ride for 45 minutes to the hotel.

My next shock was what greeted me in my room. An empty crib. I think I stared at it all night.

Technology and motherhood do not mix

Technically, it's Thursday, March 1 and BB and I are hours away from beginning our trip home.

But, due to technology issues and the difficulties of doing this excursion alone, I haven't been able to post during our trip. I have been keeping a travel log and taking pictures and videos.

My solution is to post-trip post. You'll get the experience and all the stories, just a little after the fact.

Buckle your seat belts, is was a bumpy ride.

M

Made it to Hong Kong!

15 hours on a plane. Not one of my better experiences (shudder), but I'm here. Flight to Nanning this afternoon.

Time to explore!

M

A little night music . . .

Me, myself, and everything but the kitchen sink are ready to go!

I leave in the morning.  As evidenced by this post, I don't think I'll get any sleep before takeoff.  That might be a good thing; if I'm really tired by the time my flight leaves Chicago I might be able to sleep on the way to Hong Kong!

A little overview of my trip.  I'm flying through Chicago to Hong Kong first.  China is 13 hours ahead of home and it is a 15 hour flight, so I will get in late Saturday, HK time.  Spending the night there, then catching a quickie flight to Nanning.  

Monday is the big day!  Some time around 2AM Columbus time I will meet BB.  She is mine in the eyes of China at that point.  We will spend the rest of the week in Nanning, while China processes their documentation.  Then on to Guangzhou, where we spend another week doing the US paperwork.  On Friday BB will receive her US visa and we begin the long trip home.  Again, first an overnight in Hong Kong, then a long flight to Chicago (where BB becomes an official US citizen!) and a final hop home. 

I share all this with the a few caveats:

• Please keep our travel plans out of Facebook.  I will be posting to the blog only; the rest of the social media universe doesn't need to know.  

• I will be trying to post pictures and information while I'm gone, but there is always a good chance I won't be able to connect.  I promise to do what I can.  

Wish me (and BB) luck!

m

Ready, set, almost GO

The countdown has started!

Even better news arrived today - an update on BB! No new pictures but a more recent height, weight, and development information.

My girl is still small, under 19 pounds, but that's okay with me. All the easier to hold her and cuddle her in her carrier. It looks like the clothes I'm bringing will fit too.

Time to start that packing!

M