Adoption Testimonials - Isabelle's Mommy
Hi Susan!
I promised I would follow up on the Brumbaugh/Fritz Trip to China for our Daughters! It's been 3 1/2 months since we've been back, and mother hood has changed my life for the better, but leaves me less time for some things...like this!
We had a wonderful trip...I want to give you a brief (although I'd LOVE to go on and on..) overview of things from a "customers" point of view.
Overall--I commend Susan Parr Travel for doing a great job! I tell this to everyone who asks about the trip.
Our accomodations were Great! We loved the Peace Hotel in Beijing. ..And the White Swan-goes without saying-superb! The Marco Polo in Hong Kong was nice too, being attached to the GIGANTIC Mall was fun.
Travel arrangements were very good..the only things that "came up" were the uncertainty of tickets for train to Hong Kong from Guangzhou..it all worked out, but it was confusing when the guide called us to explain things and she spoke poor english. So it was frustrating! Also the plan for us to take the train to Hong Kong from Guangzhou was supposed to be easier than flying, but I've got to tell you that the train station was hard to navigate (steps, escalators), the guide (the girl who called about tx and spoke poor english) wasn't alot of help, and customs was confusing too. (they wanted us to write our daughter;s info in Chinese). By the time we got on the train, we were exhausted. BUT all in all-travel was very good!
The guides were good--We liked our guide in Hong Kong who took us from the train to the Hotel. She spoke PERFECT English and seemed to be experienced with adoptive families and our needs. BUT WE LOVED Eric in Beijing. He was funny, informed, talented (he played guitar for us by request. My husband is a musician and they got to talking..and the rest is history), smart, and overall, he just "paved the way" for us to have a good time. If you can, please pass our thanks and compliments on to the person you deal with from his agency. (he's in a couple of the pic's I'm sending)
One thing about the Beijing travel, which I believe was not Eric's fault, is the "side trips" to "factories". I had heard about this "tourist trap" stuff, but felt a little awkward, as I didnt' know WE were going to get that in our trip. We were uncomfortable with the HIGH PRESSURE sales pitches (and heck, I'm a TV Ad Sales Rep). The people in these places push you and follow you out the door if you don't buy. It just felt a little icky and each time Eric told us we were going to another "factory", we just kind of agreed sheepishly, not knowing a nice way to get out of it. We went to a Silk Factory, Jade Factory, Pearl Factory and Tea Factory (he asked if we wanted to see an actual Tea Ceremony and we said sure! It was a 10 minute demonstration of brewing some tea, then the sales pitches began). Overall, I think if I had been better informed or prepared for this, it wouldn't have been so bad..but it just felt icky. Now, we all just laugh about it, because the haggling got kind of hilarious in retrospect!
We had a wonderful time, loved the whole experience, and again, thank you and your team for helping make our trip great!
Sincerely,
Barbara A. B.
Isabelle's Mommy!