Follow The Bouncing Ball

Hi all! We are counting the hours until we depart for China to bring home Aidan. We’ve been remiss in blog updates as of late, but those that are in the know realize we have been a little bit busy lately… I will post that story after we get back from China.

So here we are on the cusp of our grand adventure! You can see by the below itinerary that we have quite a challenging trip. Please stay tuned for periodic updates and pictures. Remember to save as a favorite http://welcomeaidan.blogspot.com/.

August 7, 2008
Depart BWI 12:42pm on Northwest Airlines (NWA) flight 1977
Arrive Detroit Wayne County Airport 2:17pm
Depart Detroit Wayne County Airport 3:40pm on Northwest flight 0011
Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport 5:35pm (August 8)
Depart Tokyo Narita Airport 7:15pm on Northwest flight 0027 (August 8)
Arrive Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 11:00pm (August 8)
Staying at the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:White_Swan_Waterfall.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou

August 9, 2008, Guangzhou
9:30am orientation with Holt staff
Group lunch
Walking tour of Shamian Island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamian_Island
Tour the Chen Clan Classical Academy (a school of classical learning established in 1895, now a working museum devoted to the collection and care of handicrafts from various regions of China)

August 10, 2008 (Gotcha Day)
Depart Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 10:55am to Kunming
Arrive Kunming 1:10pm
Afternoon - go to the Kunming Civilian Affairs office to meet Aidan. He will be with us for good from that point.
Staying at Kunming Grand Park Hotel http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Grand_Park_Hotel_Kunming.htm

August 11, 2008, Kunming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunming
Adoption registration and notarization at the Civilian Affairs office
Apply for Aidan’s passport
Group dinner at local restaurant

August 12, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Shopping for baby stuff. Local sightseeing. Bonding with Aidan. Catching our breath.
Optional visit to Yunnan Nationality Village http://www.chinahighlights.com/kunming/attraction/yunnan-ethnic-village.htm

August 13, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Local sightseeing. More bonding.

August 14, 2008, Kunming
Lay day. Visit Kunming orphanage where Aidan was based. Although, he was with a foster family.

August 15, 2008
Travel back to Guangzhou. Flight departs 6:35pm.
Arrive Guangzhou 8:20pm.
Back to White Swan Hotel.

August 16, 2008, Guangzhou
Paperwork. Lay day. More bonding. Laundry?

August 17, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.

August 18, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.
Visa appointment.

August 19, 2008, Guangzhou
Optional activities/sightseeing to be determined.
Oath taking ceremony.
Receive Aidan’s visa for travel to U.S.

August 20, 2008 (Finally!!!)
Depart Guangzhou Baiyan Airport 8:20am on Northwest flight 0028
Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport 2:05pm
Depart Tokyo Narita Airport 4:15pm on Northwest flight 0012
Arrive Detroit Wayne County Airport 3:00pm
Depart Detroit Wayne County Airport 5:29pm on Northwest flight 1144
Arrive BWI 7:10pm (come one, come all, to greet us!)