Chengdu - PANDAS!
Trip Start
Jan 05, 2009
1
7
12
Trip End
Jan 26, 2009
Chengdu,
Sichuan,
China
Monday, January 12, 2009
our way to the airport for our flight to Chengdu. The flight was only about 50
minutes, and it was the biggest and nicest plane we have been on so far in the
trip. When we arrived in Chengdu, we got off the plane on the tarmac, instead
of pulling up to a gate. A bus came and picked us up to shuttle us to baggage
claim. The bus totally cramped, as everyone of us on the plane were shoved in
one tiny busy, but to make it ever better, we hit a car. No kidding, our bus
collided with a car. This created a huge mosh pit in the center of the bus, and
one of the girls on my trip was pushed up against the glass and got a pretty
nasty scrape on her hand, and a bump on her head. Our arrival in Chengdu
started out with a bang to say the least. Funny story anyways, but its really
just a representation of the HORRIBLE driving in China. After being picked up
from the airport, Shelley, our CITS tour guide in Chengdu took us to a local
restaurant for lunch. Chengdu in only about 60 miles away from the site of the
Earthquake from last May. Out tour guide said hat the earthquake had an affect
on the city, as family and friends have become of greater value than making
money. Chengdu is much warmer, even today, and there is no pollution problem,
as industry is much less common here. At lunch, we all ate in individual rooms,
which was different, but as always, we enjoyed the foot, the company and the
experience of being in China together. After lunch we headed out of the city to
go to the Giant Panda Breeding Center, which was so exciting for EVERYONE on
the trip. When we first arrived we saw the adult pandas. The adult pandas were
so cute! Pandas only retain about 20% of the nutrients from their diet, and so
they try to eat a lot and move less once they become adult pandas. After seeing
the adult pandas we saw the sub-adult pandas, which were much more playful.
They were so cute, and were just a little bit smaller than the adults. We then
went to the nursery and saw cubs being trained. They ran around, barely picking
up their back legs. Honestly, pandas are the cutest animals, there is no
exaggeration. After we saw the cubs, a few of us decided to hold a Panda. It
cost 1000 Yuan, which was about 150 USD. About 5 of us spent the money, and it
was so great. They put the panda in your lap and put honey on its paw so it
would be still. It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done in
my life. After that we went to see the Red Pandas. Red Pandas look like a cross
between a fox, a raccoon, and a cat. They are adorable, one of my favorite
animals now I think. Its hard to believe they are in the same family as the
Giant Pandas. After the Giant Panda Breeding Center we are heading out to
dinner in Chengdu. Pleasee enjoy the pictures. It was such an exciting day for
me
Love,
Anna
