Nanning Day 5: Thanksgiving

Day five started out with a tour of Green Mountain, a 200 meter mountain and the highest point in Nanning. The whole mountain is landscaped and beautiful, full of tropical plants and water features. Usually tough hikers, we chose to bus part way up the mountain. Liena was full of energy and running at top speed. Containing her in a shuttle until we were somewhere she could run safely was really helpful.

At the top of the mountain is a tower. The original was built 400 years ago and was named the Dragon and Elephant Tower and was meant to harness the power of the land and water. Apparently dragons are most powerful in the water and elephants on land, so with that name they had their bases covered! It was destroyed once by lightening and then rebuilt. During WWII the Chinese government destroyed it for fear that it would be a target for Japan and put the city at risk. It was built again fifty years ago. Even though it is very tall, it can only be climbed to the ninth floor, but the view from there is still beautiful! 

Following our mountain visit, we went to lunch with our guide. We asked him to choose a place as our attempts to fins food have been a bit hit or miss! He took us to a rice bowl restaurant called Pokefun. It was in a super fancy mall, and this is where we had Thanksgiving lunch. Afterward he left to complete some paperwork tasks for the he next steps in our adoption. The afternoon was spent doing homework and playing with our kids in and around the hotel. 

Liena has continued to be happy, energetic, and always ready for a good time! Aria and Calin have been enjoying pushing her stroller, opening her endless snacks, and playing. It has been so fun watching them develop relationships!

Green Mountain

She climbs everything!

So handsome!!

Our kids loved feeding the koi, but honestly they were pretty disturbing. The sounds they made as they swarmed for food, the way they pushed each other to the surface, and chomped was just too much! I should have recorded them.

Ever patient and fun Tamsin! 

Dragon and elephant tower.

Its just so pretty here!

Thanksgiving dinner. I wouldn't have had it any other way this year.

It should be called Ridiculously Delish.

We ended the evening at the bridge falls near our hotel.

This girl has taken on her role as big sister (again) with such grace and joy. It's been amazing to watch her love and patience with little sister who wants to do everything she is doing and constantly be in her space.