Christmas day at the White Swan

The day has finally arrived. This afternoon at around 4pm (7pm Australian time) I’ll finally get to meet Camille and take her home. Although I slept well, I’ve awoken early and am sitting down in a quiet corner of the lobby with my laptop. The excitement and anticipation I feel is almost too much to bear.

Last night Jo and I spent a quiet night in the hotel room. I updated my blog, ironed my clothes for the big day and generally fluffed around (as Tim would describe it). Jo watched an in-house movie. We both quietly enjoyed a Bombay Sapphire and tonic water.

Some of the others went on a cruise of the Pearl River which in other circumstances I may have done as well. It certainly was a way of keeping busy and occupied before such a big event. Jo and I didn’t go, as we felt that a calm night in our hotel room was the best thing for us to do.

Just think my next post will be about this big day with Camille !!!!!!

Happy Christmas from the China sisters
Missing all of you and wish you all could be here
Love and Kisses
Vicki (and Jo)

XXXXXX
PS I’ve attached photos of our wonderful Christmas banquet at the White Swan and although I didn’t really feel that hungry, I just had to force myself to enjoy those gorgeous little pastries!

Our first day in Guangzhou: Yue Xiu Park

Today we went sight seeing in Guangzhou with our guides Chrystal and Sylvia. We went to Yue Xiu Park where people were entertaining themselves in a variety of ways: karaoke, teaching themselves to dance, kicking little shuttlecocks, tai chi, catching for tiny fish in a pond, paddleboats and there was even a small choir practising.

Travelling to China

Travelling to China

Reminder to self. Never catch a midnight flight, because what seemed a good idea (sleeping on the flight) was of course impossible. The plane was delayed for 1½ hours, in Melbourne which meant we arrived in Hong Kong at 7am exhausted.

But what a place Hong Kong is! I hadn’t paid much attention to people’s travels to Hong Kong. Not quite exotic enough for my taste. So I was quite taken aback. The hills surrounding the city and the bay. The pencil thin skyscrapers clustered in groups wherever you looked. The sheer energy of the place. Busy shops and stylish people. And this was just at 9 am in the morning. Tim, Camille and I will be back. I’m sure of that.

Leaving Hong Kong by train means crossing the border into China. So that meant going through customs, quarantine and immigration at the train stations. Again.

The train was clean and modern and the trip to Guangzhou took about 2 hours. Tall apartments and factories lined the route. So many people crammed into this part of the world. From time to time there were banana plantations and small market gardens, part of the old China. I hadn’t expected the vegetation to be so lush.

Due to our delayed flight we missed the 9:15 train to Guangzhou. Our guide in Guangzhou was supposed to be picking us up. We had a number but we couldn’t connect. Finally someone told us that we were missing the country and area code, so we were able to contact Crystal to meet us on the following train. Lucky we did. It was the equivalent of 4:00pm Melbourne time. We were tired and hungry. But we had finally arrived…….. The White Swan here we come.

The mystery of the 25 kg suitcase

The Mystery of the 25kg Suitcase
Fond memories came to mind of my backpacking days, as I lugged my 25 kg suitcase through airports, immigration, train stations and then more immigration and customs, on our journey from Melbourne to Guangzhou. Now suitcases had wheels. Easy…… Or so I thought until I reached that steep flight of stairs when we took a wrong turn in our search for Hung Po Train Station, Hong Kong.

So what was in this 25 kg suitcase? I had a list which I’d dutifully followed. Everything for little Camille: nappies, clothes, formula, bottles, lotions, potions. You name it we seemed to have it. And of course it would be warmish in Guanzhou and freezing in Shangahi. So I needed clothes for two seasons for two people. And stylish ones at that. Then there was all the modern technology with the necessary adaptors: laptops, videos, cameras, mobiles. Throw in a few books to read and a bag of toiletries and there you have it. The 25 kg suitcase. Bloody heavy.

A letter to Camille

Dear Camille,

Last night Mummy and Daddy went out for a dinner to celebrate the fact that you would soon be our little girl. We went to a Chinese restaurant (of course!) and drank French champagne to celebrate such a special event. The steamed oysters with ginger were absolutely delicious. The man at the table next to us taught us how to say cheers in Cantonese (Yum Seng) and Mandarin (Kan Pai)

This will be the last opportunity Mummy and Daddy will have to celebrate, before Mummy flies to Guangzhou to finally meet you and bring you home. We are both very excited and have been working hard to finish the house before you arrive. You have a beautiful bedroom upstairs with many toys and books, and you can see all the city lights from your bedroom at night.

As I write this you are probably being tucked into bed for the night. Sleep well. There are now only 8 sleeps before I will see you for the first time

Love, hugs and a big kiss good night from your new Mummy

Our travel itinerary

Itinerary: Vicki Therese Goodman and Joanne Louise Goodman

Dec. 23 Arrive in Guangzhou via T828 at 11:10 and stay at the White Swan Hotel
Dec. 24 Yue Xiu Park, shopping for baby
Dec.25 The day I am given the my precious little Camille
Dec.26 Registration and notary
Dec.27 Get adoptive registration certificate, apply for passport
Dec.28 Fly to Zhanjiang from Guangzhou via CZ3323(0950/1050), do sightseeing in the city area, stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Dec.29 Visit the Suixi orphanage, Sui Xi SWI
Dec.30 Hu Guang Cave, Long Hai Tian Beach
Dec.31 Fly to Guangzhou from Zhanjiang via CZ3328(1540/1635), visit the long corridor and enjoy sea scenery, back to the White Swan Hotel
Jan.1 Visit Six Bayan Trees Temple, Liu Hua Park
Jan.2 Free day
Jan.3 Get passport
Jan.4 Fly to Shanghai from Guangzhou via CZ3537(1100/1255), stay at the Bund Hotel
Jan.5 Medical check and visa application
Jan.6 Visit Yu Garden and Ancient Town
Jan. 7 Visit the Bund area and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Jan. 8 Visit Shanghai Museum
Jan. 9 Free day
Jan.10 Get visa
Jan.11 Leave Shanghai via QF 130 at 20:20
January 12 Arrive Sydney 10:10 (clear customs)
Leave Sydney QF 431 at 12.00
Arrive Melbourne 13:30

WE’RE HOME!!!!

Time Zones and telephoning
Despite its size China only occupies only one time zone!
Time in Guangzhou is 3 hours earlier than in Melbourne (during summer)
8am in Guangzhou, 11am in Melbourne
6 pm in Guangzhou, 9pm in Melbourne

Hotels and telephone numbers
1. White Swan Hotel
http://www.white-swan-hotel.com/
Shamian Island, Guangzhou, China
Phone: 0011 86 20 8188 6968

2. Crowne Plaza Hotel Zhanjiang
31 Le Shan Da Dao
Phone: 0011 86 75 9318 8888

3. Bund Hotel Shanghai
http://www.bundhotelshanghai.com/
525 Guangdong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Phone: 0011 86 21 6352 2000

Getting organised

We're finally getting organised. Camille's bedroom.

A baby shower!!!

Being somewhat of a latecomer to motherhood, you can imagine my surprise when my wonderful workmates said that they wanted to organise a baby shower for me. Yes the first baby shower I would ever attend would be my own!

This very special event took place at Neelam’s. Not having even a clue about what actually should happen at such events, I was instructed that presents were to be placed in a corner to be opened later. And after a few champagnes and a delicious afternoon tea, we all assembled in the lounge for the opening of the gifts.

Such thought and love went into these gifts! Books, toys, clothes, practical bits and pieces for a new Mum, gift vouchers and even a Camellia. Each opening was followed by oohs and aahs from a most appreciative audience.

It was overwhelming, one of those very special experiences in life. I am very touched and feel truly blessed to be surrounded by the love of such wonderful friends. Thank you.

Introducing the two Sachas

Pictures of my carepack

The carepack

The carepack

What do you send to a little girl so far away? Someone suggested an A4 size photo of myself which sounded like a good idea. A blond haired, blue eyed Mum might be a little scary otherwise.

Little Sacha the tiger was just too cute not to include. Others in the know told me that soft toys were not given to the children for hygiene reasons. But I decided to take a punt and send it anyway. I’ll take along another Sacha to China. The two Sacha’s can meet on that special day in Guangzhou.

Apparently Camille loves balls. I included a funny little ball which defies description. It has internal mirrors, bells and a happy face inside.

A camera was included, with Camille’s picture and name to avoid any potential confusion with cameras. Hopefully I’ll get some shots of the orphanage. I also included many questions about Camille. The carers are very busy, so I felt rather guilty sending them but I just couldn’t resist asking about her first 15 months at Suixi.

There was also a gift for her carer (Bodyshop soap and mango lip balm) and clothes for other children in the orphanage.

I put together a small book with the following pictures
1. Mum with a lady bird soft toy
2. Mum with her famous chocolate pavlova
3. Mum & Jo looking rather French
4. Mum looking French again at her work desk
5. Tim & Vicki looking forward to many trips to China
6. Camille’s new bedroom
7. Sacha the tiger

Letters in the carepack
Juneling the overseas student coordinator at my school was kind enough to translate letters to the director of the orphanage and to the carers. This is what I asked her to write to them

To the director.
Dear Mr. Han,

All the babies that are coming from Suixi to Australia look very healthy. Thank you for taking such good care of them. Please accept these gifts of clothes for the other children in your orphanage. I hope one day that I am able to meet you personally to say thank you for looking after Hua Chan. I will love and cherish her forever.

Yours Sincerely, Vicki Goodman

To the carer of Hua Chan

Thank you for taking care of Hua Chan. She looks like such a beautiful healthy baby. I know you will miss her very much and will be very sad. I will love and cherish her forever. Please accept this small gift of lip balm and soap as a token of my appreciation.

Yours Sincerely Vicki Goodman

On Sacha
Please allow Hua Chan to play with this little tiger.
It is made of wool and can easily be washed.

Choosing a name

Camille

I had narrowed the names down to 3 choices. Mietta, Amelia, and Camille. I loved them all. So what made me finally decide? Maybe it was when Chris Georgiou unexpectedly gave me a CD by a French singer Camille. I thought to myself, that's a pretty name. Perhaps it was when I finally saw those beautiful little photos. And the more I thought the more the name Camille seemed just right ..........................

1. A French name and of course I love all things French
2. Camellias are native to China
3. Tea leaves come from a type of camellia plant. Chinese tea. I do love tea......
4. Nicknames such as Mimi and Milli are very cute and there's no doubt that Tim will find a nickname.
5. According to the notes on Camille she 'did coquet with her nurse'. Rather French but then she was found outside a theatre. (Later on I also realised that no less than 2 operas will be connected to her name. Verdi's La Traviata is based on the Lady of the Camellias by Dumas and Puccini's La Boheme has Mimi).

Yes there was logic and reason......... (that scientific/legal side of me). But perhaps most of all it was just looking at those photos of such a beautiful serene little girl. Camille seemed just right.

SUI Hua Chan

Camille's Chinese Sui Hua Chan name needs some explanation.

Sui All the children in the Suixi orphanage have this surname.

Hua All the children found in a particular year are called this name. I need to check what it means exactly.

Chan This is the name given to her. I think it means lovely lady, but I need to check

The first photos

The first photos

After the euphoria of knowing that little Sui Hua Chan was to be my little girl came the wait for the photo. I busied myself during Cup day. There was no punting this year. I can't even remember who won.

Wednesday morning I carried my mobile to class, just in case. Still no call. So I checked my email. I couldn't believe what I saw. Everyone else had their photos. How could it be? They lived in the country. I was here in the city!

I was beside myself. I rang Lina. Did she know what was going on? In the backyard I sobbed to Tim 'I just can't wait any longer!' I was desperate, inconsolable.

But then Lina called back. She hadn't checked her mail. The package had sat all day in the letterbox. A million apologies. She was coming immediately....

Tim beat a hasty retreat. As a persona non grata he had no choice. Finally a knock on the door. Lina! She pulled the photos out in the hallway, even before I'd greeted her. 'She's gorgeous. A beautiful baby.' And she was. Chubby, serene and totally beautiful. After such a long, long wait. Finally Camille was on her way.