Off to the Zoo

This morning we went to the zoo in Guangzhou. It is the second largest zoo in China (the first being in Beijing). Our timing happened to be perfect because it was fairly dry for the few hours we were there and then as we were leaving it started to POUR. If you have ever been to a tropical location near the equator you know exactly what I mean. (It makes hard rain in Washington look like a light shower.) Usually we get one dump of rain a day, around 4:00. It dumps for about 30 minutes and then the blue skies are back. Today it rained all day. Apparently a typhoon was hitting somewhere further up the coast and we were getting the outer reaches of rain it brought to land.



Zeke was Born in the Year of
the Tiger . . . And he is a tiger!

The zoo was an interesting place. The habitats were very small (and some aren't habitats at all, just cages hooked to old 1950's looking bunkers) which isn't great for the animals but puts them a lot closer for pictures! Zeke was fairly interested in the larger animals but we often saw him people watching instead. :) I have attached a few pictures Randy was able to take of the animals as well as some of Zeke.




Can You Find the
Monkey?

Grandpa Giraffe
Eating Lunch

Watching the Birds



Watching the Bears with Papa

 

 

Our afternoon was low key . . . a Skype conversation with family and then watching Zeke learn how to kick the beach ball. This was especially entertaining because he was having a VERY hard time running in a straight line after the ball. (The children in orphanages don't run around and play much. They are often put in one spot and that is where they stay so their gross motor skills can be a bit behind.) He basically looks like he is drunk . . . bouncing off/pushing off the things around him. Funny stuff! He had us in stitches and of course he was laughing the entire time too. ;) Later in the evening he and Randy were doing the same thing with a small soft soccer ball we brought with us. I have to say, his kicking skills are right on target . . . he doesn't miss the ball with his little feet. Possibly a future soccer player in the making . . . We will see what suits him best as he gets older. It is fun watching him experience new things!

 

 

RRZ