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In this issue...
Habitat for Humanity in China
Guangxi Spotlight
FCC Arizona chapter
"Off Path" in Longsheng
"Ultimate" Spring Break Tour: China
 Does your family want to join?  There is space for 2-3 families; it departs March 29th and is led by our own Louie Yi---tour guide extraordinaire. Click:
 "Ultimate Spring Break" for the itinerary.
 
  This flexible trip offers two accommodation levels to meet different budgets. Inquire with Louie Yi at [email protected]
 
    Lunar New Year  Festivities! 
Representatives from Lotus Travel will be red lanternsvisiting these locations soon.  We would love to see you and say hello!  
 
Seattle: 2/21
Columbus, OH:  2/21
Houston, TX: 2/27
NY Travel Fair: 3/1/3 
 
Would you like a Lotus representative to conduct an educational workshop for your chapter? Click  two workshops for details. 
 

Volunteer with Habitat   for Humanity

       HFH Logo
& tour with Lotus!
  It's the  best of two great  teams joining up.  Depart July 10th and be part of a summer trip that  makes a lasting contribution!  
  
 Click: 
 Habitat Tour for an overview. This trip has a week of touring followed by a week of volunteering.  Click
to review details. Contact Iris at [email protected] with any questions.   
Panda Highlight
 Panda Corner
 
Click Tai Shan to read about this panda's return trip to China. 
Moving Mountains
 
Moving Mountains logo
  Moving Mountains China provides scholarships to female honor students who have been accepted into the best high schools in their counties.
 
  The challenge these girls face is with having an average family
income of $266 a year, the $338 tuition is completely out of reach.
 
Moving Mountains China matches the students with their sponsors and allows them to exchange letters twice a year. Click  Moving Mountains to learn more about this non-profit started by an adoptive mom.
 
Follow up Links
 

                                                         February 2010
 "Xin Nan Kuai Le" ! 
 
  Chinese New Year is quickly approaching and our family is making plans to travel and visit our extended family in GuangxiWe will be on a road trip to visit my mother and uncle in Guilin, Louie's family in Liuzhou and my auntie in Nanning.  We are so looking forward to it. 
 
  lea and corn winter  
 I trust this meaningful holiday will be a  significant one for your family.  If you have a moment to drop us a line and share how you celebrate at your house, we would love to hear about it.  I'll share some photos from our holiday in the next issue.   Please send us any of yours as we love to see the children growing up.
 
During 2010 we will begin to send out Happy Anniversary of Adoption cards to each Lotus family. We count it a privilege to have played a small part in helping your family unite with your child. We like to honor your family with an adoption anniversary card:)! So, look for that in your inbox.  If your email address has changed since you travelled, please feel free to send us an update. 
 
From everyone at Lotus Travel:  "Xin Nan Kuai Le"
 
Lea Xu 
Vice-President, Sales and Marketing
Lotus Travel
HFH Bridge Memorial teamHabitat for Humanity: China

Sichuan China:  A few DO make a difference 
 
If you were touched by the stories of impact of the Sichuan earthquake, you'll want to read this story of rebuilding in the area being done by Habitat for Humanity.  This team of 14 volunteers recently not  only carried bricks, but helped rebuild lives impacted by the 2008 earthquake which shook a nation and touched  us all. Click  Sichuan Rebuild  to read the full story.
Guangxi province map Guangxi
A "Pearl" near the South Sea
 
Each newsletter we like to highlight one region to bring out some of the rich treasures within the different areas of China. Guangxi has more than one location that makes it a popular destination for Chinese tourists and foreign travelers.  Click  Guangxi to read more and see peek at some of the beautiful treasures of this region. 
Returning: "Uncle Louie's" Summer Tour
 
Departs June 29, 2010   family with pandas
 
  Last year Louie had such a great time leading the summer tour, he has decided to do it again and add in a favorite pastime -- cooking! So this year it's Uncle Louie's  Cuisine tour!  It's great for anyone who who wants to learn a bit about Chinese cuisine, or just eat it:)! 
 
   This tour will include sites in: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshou  and Guangzhou. Click Cuisine tour for detailed itinerary. In addition to leading the group on a culinary tour, Louie says he will also share some of his own special cooking tips.  This tour usually fills to capacity early, so if you're interested, email [email protected] today.
 
 FCC Arizona   Spotlight
FCC AZ header
 In our ongoing effort to highlight different chapters around the country and find out how ideas from chapters around the country, changing demographics, and what are the most successful aspects of various programs, we continue our FCC highlight series. 
 
Click FCC Arizona to read about the most popular activities as well as changes this chapter faces and get acquainted with some great families and traditions in the process. 
 Going " Off Path"  asian
Longsheng, Guangxi
 
Many of our clients ask us about going a bit "off path" or getting into exploring "authentic" China.  Of course, China is similar to America in regard to the huge variety of different authentic American experiences. In this newsletter we like to showcase some spots that most tourists don't typically explore.
  One such trip is a recent outing of Louie, our President and Expedition Specialist that he took with two guy friends to a spot with beautiful rice paddies, high mountains and a traditional minority culture.  Click Longsheng hike for full article written by Louie that describes his "off path" experience in the rice fields and guesthouse stops in the Longshen area of Guangxi.
 
 

Value Added Service Promise

   Tell us your desired itinerary and we promise that Lotus Travel will have
the  best value for that itinerary.  Check with us first or last.  Our value added service promise stands. Lotus will provide more services for the same or better price. 
     Click here to send your desired itinerary destinations or priced itinerary from any competitor.  
Our commitment is that our itinerary will have the best value among homeland tour companies.   (This does not apply to tour companies subsidized by the Chinese government.)