Thankfully, traffic was not bad and we got to the airport right around 11:30AM. We also had a van big enough for our family AND the suitcases today. That was a praise!
It seems each airport's security procedures are a little different. This one required us to enter the airport in large groups. Each group would enter a waiting area while then swabbed everyone's bags for explosives. Praise God no one was handling dynaminte that morning and we were able to move our 5 children, 1 tour guide, 2 strollers, and 2 luggage carts full of bags into the airport.
Once in the airport, our guide helped us get checked into the airline. Another big praise that all of our suitcases were under the 20 kg (44 lbs.) limit. Good packing Deanna! Once we were checked in and had our tickets, we said farewell to our guide Elvin and headed for the security checkpoint.
Security in China is always fun. Today was especially enjoyable. It started with two older citizens who apparently were running late for their plane. They decided to try and cut right in front of us while the security officer was reviewing our 7 passports. When the officer was taking too long, they tried bypassing the officer entirely and proceeding right to the security scan. Needless to say, that was a bit of fiasco.
When it came time for the security scan, the officer decided we needed to take out every water bottle, even if it was empty, and put in in a tray. That threw us off a little bit. Meanwhile, all the kids decided to go through the metal detector ahead of Mom and Dad. They sat nicely after they went through ... for all of 30 seconds. Matt went through next with Maelee in his arms and the metal detector went off. He then got to stand on the box and get the royal frisking. We haven't had one of those yet in China, and it was bound to happen sometime. In the midst of all of that, Claire decided it would be helpful to take Matt's wallet and phone along with all of the passports off the belt and throw them in a heap on the 2 chairs. Matt couldn't get off the box because he was getting frisked and Deanna was still trying to make it through the metal detector after putting both strollers through. Long story short, it was a royal circus. Big praise that none of the children or our belongings got lost.
The plane ride itself was rather uneventful which was nice. We flew a little less than 2 hours from Guangzhou to Shanghai. We were served tiny cups of soda, a chocolate muffin, a bread roll, and a bag of peanuts. Matt gathered all of the peanut bags and Nathan didn't freak out. On the plane Micah's water bottle spilled all over his book bag and drenched his school work folder. I can see the excuse now "Sorry teacher, I don't have my schoolwork because my water bottle spilled on it while I was flying in an airplane in China." Sorry Mrs. Bousky!
When we landed, we met our non-English speaking driver. He then drove us 45 minutes to our hotel. It is a very nice Marriott Courtyard and only a 10 minute ride to Disney. Once we arrived, we couldn't resist any longer and clued Micah into his big birthday surprise. "We're going to Disneyland on your birthday tomorrow!" we exclaimed. Micah was over the roof excited at the news as were the other kids.
Tonight we took the bus over to Disneytown (their version of Downtown Disney), and ate at Cheesecake Factory. They had American menus that were identical to the ones back home. Even the food tasted like back home. It was soooooo goood! Note to self, share plates at this restaurant because the entrees are huge! After dinner, we walked around and scoped out a few stores. Everyone was back to the hotel and in bed by 9:30PM.
Tomorrow we go to Disneyland Shanghai and then on Saturday we fly home!
Blessings for today:
- Safe and punctual travel
- Feeding the homeless
- Playground at our hotel
Beautiful Maelee!
Saying goodbye to our guide, Elvin
Flight 5: Guangzhou to Shanghai
Cheesecake Factory...yum!
Safe Travels tomorrow when you fly home!
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