Visit to the Yun Tai Garden

Today we went to another park. This was a spectacular botanical garden. We did not see any dancing or music, but since is was Sunday there were many families with their children.

Shanna talks often about this Chinese cartoon character. I guess it is very popular. Something like She Yang Yang. Meaning Happy Goat. It has a theme song that can drive you crazy.

These trees were awesome.

This boy was so cute. He handed us his camera and wanted us to take pictures with Matthew. 

I think these are the boy's grandparents. They were very interested in us and wanted us to take their picture, too.

I am not sure who she is, but she wanted her picture taken, too.

This is a cute picture. These leaves look like they are painted with dark green stripes.

Matthew is taking pictures of each beautiful flower. They are all so lovely. These are all orchids.

These are all orchids. Mom, can you believe how lovely???

Here they are all growing on the wall.

Look at these cool leaves.

Some hills in the distance.

There was a whole display of totems, maybe replicas from the original people who first lived in the area. 

Wait, is this a native??

Cactus graffiti.

This is a very tiny butterfly. When it flies it shows its blue inside wings, then when it lands it can hardly be seen. It took Matthew many tries to photograph it because it was so fast.

These were huge climbing rocks with ancient drawings carved in the sides. 

Megan doing yoga on the rocks.

Pretty rose garden.

Matthew is always checking out the micro environment.

This was a beautiful area to sit, and many families were taking pictures here and all over the park.

Happy Girl.

View from across the lake.

Working Flower Clock.

Notice the doves with the olive branch.

More bi-colored leaves.

Dutch shoes or new beds?

Cindy M. and Michele B, I took the next three pictures for you. I thought you would appreciate them. These are either hands or eyes. 

And this is more doves with olive branches.

Dory & Nemo!!

These were so pretty. It's hard to see them but they were the brightest yellow and pink colors!

In the pool, later, the girls had a good time. It was very hot at the garden, but the pool is on the 4th floor outside and somewhat secluded from the sun. The water does not seem to heat up and the air is not hot, just comfortable.  There was no one else in the huge pool area, just us, so we had about 3 people waiting on us. The Chinese people are so attentive to our needs, they hover in the background and the minute someone has a hint of a question on their face, someone is right there to anticipate what they want and provide it. I could get used to that!!!

At first, Shanna was hesitant to even put her feet in the water, but she got brave enough to go to the fourth level and stand in the deepest part of the pool. After the pool we went into the locker room and I gave the girls showers. The locker room was Exquisite! The shower stalls each were marble and had a hand held gentle shower spray so that I could be in there too, without getting wet, and the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were in holders built into the wall. The towels were right there and thick cushy bathmats outside each stall. It was so lovely, words cannot express. This is an amazing hotel.

Now we are giggling in the room. We developed a camera that Shanna had (I had sent it to her in a care package) and Mary Alice put the photos into Shanna's album and Shanna wants me to look at them with her. She is saying many more words today, and using signs. She is also showing a little more stubborness and we even had to use time out, to which she responded well. That is all good, as it shows that she is beginning to be more comfortable to be herself with us.

Shanna's language is definitely delayed, even in Chinese, and our guide told us that she spoke with the orphanage again today and they said it often takes her several times to hear something before she can grasp its meaning. I  think she is learning everyday, and she will be fine, but she is overall more like a 5-6 year old than a 9. I am sure it is due to her early experiences and medical history. I know the staff at our elementary school will know just how to help us set up the best educational program for her. They have done wonders with Megan!! Look how far she has come in such a short time.

Have to go, she needs me! :)