Is it just me or has the clock slowed down? The 10 1/2 week wait between referral and travel seemed to speed by for the first 6 weeks but suddenly it seems like someone has put the brakes on time. Each day seems to be moving in s-l-o-w motion. The good thing is that in that time I'm accomplishing a lot and each night when my head hits the pillow more items have been crossed off my 'to do' list. Oh yah....and more added too! :o)One of the things I'm enjoying doing to prepare for our trip is to check out the hotels that we'll be staying at. They both look beautiful and top notch!
In Changsha, Hunan province, we'll be staying at the Dolton Hotel. It is 52 stories tall and I've heard from many who have strayed there and all have raved about it! It will be the first temporary 'home' that Hannah and I share together so I know that it will be a very special place.
The hotel we're staying at in Beijing, at the beginning and end of our trip, is the Holiday Inn Central Plaza. It's also a beautiful hotel and is rated 3/2,715 hotels in Beijing on Trip Advisor. That works!! I'm sure most hotels in Beijing are in great shape after the 2008 Olympics.Both hotels include free Internet in the room so hopefully with the help of M3 it won't be too difficult to keep things updated here.
Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement you are sharing with me as I prepare to travel to meet Hannah. 3 weeks from tomorrow she will be in my arms! Ahhhhhh!!!!! CANNOT WAIT!!
Sounds like you are getting things in order..
ReplyDeleteWe still need to see Hannah's room..
Hugs..
have a FAST week..
I stayed at the Dalton in Changsha when I went to get Emma and it is very nice...we really liked it a lot!
ReplyDeletei was pointing you out to my kids today across the crowded church: "there's the lady who's getting the new baby." we always read your blog updates together :) funny, since you and i never really talk in person... but i'm so excited for you to meet your daughter!
ReplyDeleteI think most every hotel chosen by the adoption agency/their travel agency is top notch. 1. They've probably stayed there themselves, so they recommend it, and 2. western money goes a lot further in China than it does here in the US or Canada. What would buy you a few nights at a 3 star hotel here, might get you a 5+ star hotel there. We don't notice the money differences because it is what we would expect to pay in an OK hotel here...but we surely notice the elegance differences for the buck!
ReplyDeleteBut still no hair conditioner....hehe
You will love the Dolton! It's fabulous and has a great playroom. Also has a great breakfast buffet.
ReplyDeleteOh it all looks wonderful! You will enjoy the surroundings no doubt, although we all know your focus will be elsewhere!!!
ReplyDeleteHaving a plush hotel should make those first few days easier though when you are getting to know each other.
I am so excited for you.
xxxx
Catherine the holiday inn Beijing has a wonderful market right next door i spent lots of money buying wall hangings and other treasures when I was there in 2007. Everyone knows this market. Hope you get a chance to check it out.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Shauna
Hang on Hannah, Mommy's almost there! Fingers crossed that these next weeks FLY BY for you :)
ReplyDeleteWe also stayed at the Dolton. There is/was an an open area in front of the hotel; in the morning people would come and dance and exercise there. It was very cool to watch.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the elevators being very slow and the business people didn't give a hoot about giving people with babies any consideration. Be prepared to get NASCAR when the elevator doors open and watch your back side. Men like to snuggle up, if you know what I mean. But this was back in 2002 - things may have changed.
We stayed there 2 1/2 years ago. Upgrade to a sweet, it isn't much more then a regular room.... highly recomend it. Good breakfast buffet. Good and cheap room service. Have a safe trip and take lots of pictures.
ReplyDeleteColette
It's almost here. You will soon be with your little Hannah! Yah. I can hardly wait and I hope things continue to go well for you.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see pictures of the two of you. :)
i can't remember which holiday inn we were at in Beijing, but from the outside it didn't seem like much- but WOW to the inside. it was a very nice hotel. did you do the virtual tour on this site? it looks really nice :O)
ReplyDeletethe whole experience is just so surreal... i'm just sitting here excited for you and counting down the days.
Hey, we stayed at the Dolton too! The restaurant staff is fabulous....especially Flora who took such a liking to our kids. Mark was 4 when we went and every night for dinner he ate spaghetti noodles with ketchup *yuck* She always knew that was what he wanted. I wonder if she is still there? The breakfast buffet is really good. Bring some Tupperware to fill with fruit for later in the day. I can't believe how close you are to going now :)
ReplyDeleteNice hotels!! Anywhere you stay will be special as you will be with your daughter!
ReplyDeleteKeep smilin!
Oh, how I remember the torture of the wait between referral and travel. It seemed to go on forever. Get ready mama! After those 3 weeks pass the time really starts to FLY!
ReplyDeleteMe too, me too, another one whose first days with our daughter were spent at the Dolton. I have such fond memories of that hotel, the staff were so kind to us and the foyer is very snazzy!
ReplyDeleteSo glad the time is going by; we can't wait to see you in China! (keep getting prepared, we left 30 days after our referral day and didn't feel "ready"). You seem ready to go now!
ReplyDeleteAlyzabeth's Mommy