Happy to be in Guangzhou. - Macau and China.

      Parks and Cathedrals. The following day was our final full day in Guangzhou. We had breakfast in the lounge, where Peter opted for his usual plain omelette, while I enjoyed the wonton noodle soup, which was quite tasty. After breakfast, we headed down to the lobby, where I spotted a vintage motorcycle alongside various classic cars. The cars were outside, but the motorcycle was situated indoors.

      We took a DiDi to Yuexiu Park, the largest park in Guangzhou, which features seven hills and three lakes. I was eager to see the sculpture of the five rams, a symbol of Guangzhou. Soon after entering the park, I noticed a sign indicating that the sculpture required climbing many stairs to access, so I left Peter by a lake and began my ascent. However, I must have misunderstood the sign, as I ended up returning down and then climbing another hill to properly reach the statue, which was much farther than where I started. Nonetheless, I eventually made it.

      There’s a legend linked to the five rams statue. Centuries ago, Guangzhou faced a devastating famine, leaving the population on the brink of starvation. Just when hope seemed lost, five immortals arrived in the city riding on five rams, each carrying sheaves of rice in its mouth. The immortals blessed the city, and the five sheaves of rice miraculously provided enough food for everyone. When they departed, the five rams transformed into stone and have remained in Yuexiu Park ever since.

      On my walk to the statue, I noticed many mascots for the Greater Bay Area Games, which I had seen before in Hong Kong and Macau. I also spotted a water tower atop another hill, but decided against climbing it so I could return to Peter. While heading back, I passed several historical graves, one belonging to an emperor and another to a general.

      Ultimately, I returned to where Peter was, and he had made good progress along the lake's edge. I then took him around to explore other parts of the lakeside, where there were various boat rental options. This park is quite expansive, and you can hire a driver to take you around in animal-shaped buggies.

      I discovered a sheltered arena at the base of another hill nearby, which was adorned with a wall illustrating numerous historical scenes and lined with identical statues. As I ascended the hill, I encountered many other statues, some representing figures from Chinese mythology, including a hero archer who shot down several suns. I didn't reach the top since the park offers countless trails, making it easy to spend hours exploring.

      At one point, we came across a small waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation, accompanied by an elegant staircase. We also found a colorful horse model, possibly representing The Year of the Horse. I noticed a marker indicating that Guangzhou has a sister city relationship with Los Angeles.

      Though it had been pouring earlier when we arrived at the park, the rain subsided, and the heat intensified. We picked up some ice cream and enjoyed it while sitting by the water. There was still a lot of the park left to explore, but we remained in the flatter areas where I could easily push Peter along.

      We found a nice spot by a lovely lake and took several photos of each other and some selfies. I appreciated some of the signs around the park, like "Behave civilized, no crossing" and "Dear, don't trample me," as well as the decorated electrical boxes, particularly one featuring a squirrel.

      During our walk, we encountered several friendly cats. Eventually, we decided to take another DiDi to Guangzhou Cathedral. The traffic was heavy, resulting in a lengthy journey. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as it's called, is an exquisite granite structure, but unfortunately, it was closed, so we couldn’t go inside. There were numerous cafes and shops nearby.

      Feeling somewhat fatigued, we took another DiDi back to our hotel, where I even had my own TV screen to watch during the ride. We also considered visiting the Canton Tower and strolling along the waterfront, but given the heat and sweat, we postponed that for the following day. However, on that day, it poured heavily with thunder and lightning, leading us to skip those plans entirely. No matter, it gives us an excuse to return.

      Back at the hotel, we relaxed for a bit until it was time for dinner in the lounge. The nighttime view was clearer than earlier, suggesting the rain had paused. After dinner, I went for a quick swim. Peter opted not to join, but I wanted to make the most of my expensive swim cap.

      The next day, it was pouring rain again. We had breakfast, packed, and then relaxed in our room before heading to the Mar Tea Ni Lobby Bar for our complimentary welcome drink. I enjoyed the teddy bear pianist at the grand piano in the bar.

      Finally, we checked out and took a DiDi to our

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