Getting to the Homestretch

We had a busy Sunday morning going on a tour of a Buddhist Temple, Old Chen House and a shopping center for jewelery, jade and silk. The Temple was interesting but they were burning a lots of incense so I had trouble coughing there. There were lots of locals worshipping the Buddhas. They would give offerings of water and oranges on the alter. The Pagoda is over 1,450 years old and leans to the left. It was been rebuilt many times over the years. It is about 9 stories tall. There were many beautiful Banyan trees there.

Next we went to the Old Chen House. It was built in 1888-1894 for the Chen families. It was to warship their ancestors and an academy for their children. Chen is the most popular surname in the province. Once the school became open to the public the Chen family turned it over to the government in 1959 because it cost too must to keep up and they no longer needed it. It is a museum now. There were many Chinese children drawing there. They seem to not even notice us watching them. It was also interesting to see. Lots of art work.

Our next stop was an expensive government run jewelry, jade and silk store. It was very expensive there so we just window shopped. Lan Lan Sarah is learning that I can not buy her everything she wants! We are a work in progress! There were many interesting shops and stores near the store so Ive posted some pictures of those. There were lots of bins with strange items in them at the local market.

We spent the afternoon walking around the island, doing our visa paperwork and resting. Even though the air seems better here, I continue to cough and not feel too well. We had an early night and I am feeling a little better today. Our guide takes our paper work to the US Consulate tomorrow morning and then we go to the US Consulate tomorrow afternoon to take our oath. On Thursday afternoon our guide picks up our children's visa and we leave for Hong Kong on Thursday night. We spend the night in Hong Kong and leave Friday morning for the good old USA!!!!! I am counting down the days now and oh so happy to almost be done! Sarah Lan Lan is doing well most of the time but we still have our moments of pouting and some unhappiness but we are making progress - - - It is tough to hear no!

Today we may go to the pearl market but am still thinking about it. I am getting a little tired of the tours but they are something to do at least. It looks sunny and humid out today.