February 21-23, 2001 - Travel Day

And so the adventure for little sister begins.  We arrived at DIA about 3:30 pm.  Our plane was scheduled to leave at 5:50 we finally took off at 7:30 pm.  We got into LA about 9:00 (all the luggage arrived!)  We went to the international terminal, checked in and had bite to eat.  The overseas flight left promptly at midnight!  Although, the seats were not bad China Southern airlines is better, it was nice because we got the bulkhead seats.  We landed in Taiwan about 6:30 am, then boarded the last plane at 8:30 and arrived in Hong Kong at 10:00 on Friday the 23rd.  The whole trip was long but Mackenzie was great.  She charmed everyone on each of the plane rides.  

Mom, Mackenzie, and Dad having ice cream at the airport.  We rode the trains and ran all over the airport, things Mackenzie looks forward to.

Mackenzie playing at DIA.

Mackenzie sleeping in the bed (attached to the wall) on our overseas flight.  I can't believe how much my baby has grown.  When we came back from China in 1999 we made her a bed on the drop down trays.  Now her feet dangle from the little crib the airline gave us.

We lucked out, the flight had Toy Story 2.  Here is Mackenzie enjoying a bottle and watching her favorite movie.

Mackenzie charmed everyone on the plane.

Here is dad and Mackenzie.  This is the last part of the journey.  We are in the Taipei, Taiwan airport waiting for the flight to Hong Kong.  

Mackenzie has done wonderful.  She travels very well.  I hope we are so lucky on the return flight!

It was foggy in Taiwan, you can barely see the plane behind Mackenzie.

Mackenzie's little friend in Taiwan.  I don't know what her name is but the dum-dum suckers we brought with us are a big icebreaker!  This little girl thought they were pretty good.

This flight was just long enough to have lunch.  So far the trip has gone smoothly.  No glitches, I'm glad otherwise I'd be a nervous wreck.

The airlines really cater to kids.  The minute we boarded the plane the stewardess brought toys for Mackenzie.  Then they brought her food first, which consisted of a chicken patty, little hot dogs, macaroni, fruit, juice, and roll. 

The headphones were a big hit.

We checked into the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Kowloon and took a short nap (4 hours) before we ventured out.  We had a wonderful, wonderful dinner in the hotel, German menu, Yummy.

Wow, Hong Kong is a Mecca of many cultures.  After dinner we went for a walk, HK is like New Orleans, lots of people, lights and shopping.  The store owners follow you around trying to get you to shop at their stores.

Look Rhonda bamboo scaffolding!  I don't remember the stores in Nanning or Guangzhou but Rhonda I think you'd love this place.  I'm searching for something I think you'd like.  Of course after seeing what you bought, I'm not sure what's left.

Mackenzie riding daddy's shoulders.  The streets are narrow and full of tourists.

Two guys I thought you'd like to see.  Actually they stepped in front of the camera, the guy with the blue sweater said cheese!

Well enough for today, it is time for bed.  Mackenzie is fast asleep, so is daddy.  We will move to the Shangri-La hotel tomorrow.  Then maybe walk and shop some more.  The rest of our travel group 255 should arrive by late evening. 

Saturday, February 24, 2001, Rest Day - Arrival Day

We had a somewhat restless night.  Mackenzie's bioclock is taking a bit longer to adjust.  We didn't do much today except move over to the Shangri-La Hotel, take a nap, and have dinner at the Hard Rock.  I got your tee-shirts Carrie.  The Hard Rock was not as decorated as most.  We met a couple who was leaving tomorrow.  Their little girl was adorable and at ten months she appeared six.  They did not have a good time, the baby had pneumonia and was treated with about four antibiotics.  They were so happy to be leaving for home in the morning, I can relate.  By the end of the day our entire travel group 255 will be in Hong Kong.  We will take pictures of their tired by happy faces.

Mackenzie had fun taking a bath in the fountain at the Shangri-La.  I would have given her some pennies to toss into the water but I didn't see any in the bottom, so I wasn't sure we could do that!  Oh Well.

This is Randy and Laura Guay from New Hampshire.  We had coffee with them and talked about out flights to Hong Kong.  Laura is a travel agent and was on a tour when she got the "you're leaving" phone call! They had to disembark the ship and fly back home to make preparations to leave.  They came with only carry-on baggage, they must be seasoned travelers, unlike me they didn't bring toilet paper! 

When we arrived at the Shangri-La hotel we saw a day after the wedding ceremony.  The women were beautiful!  They were escorted out of the hotel by their husbands and a women holding an umbrella over the brides head.

This is picture of the hotel at night.  It is on the banks of a waterway.  I need to take a picture during the day because this one doesn't do the hotel justice.

Mackenzie had a good time running along the bridge over the street, until daddy popped her balloon!

Finally the arrival of the rest of travel group 255.

This is Kim and Susan Rasmussen from Littleton, CO.  Susan made pork buns and gave them to Joshua after our travel conference, Mackenzie loved them.

This is the Stepleton Family also from Colorado.  They brought their first daughter, she is a doll.

The Pinto Family, Paul and Robyn from Georgia.

Elizabeth Stieg (holding the paper) from Michigan and her sister-in-law.  Elizabeth is also a second timer in China.

By order of elimination this must be George Schell, Martha Lovejoy and her mother.  I did not get to meet them personally before they went to their room, but I will tomorrow.  Mother Lovejoy was to excited to not come to China to met her granddaughter first hand!  

Randy is enjoying a cigar and drink while we wait for the rest of our travel group to arrive.  Dan and Laura were talking electronics, Randy I talked about golf in Ireland, much more interesting than electronics, in my opinion!