End of the Week and part of an amazing weekend

11th June 2009 - 5:33pm
 
Today started off as a bit of a rush as the alarm didn't go off, so we had a 5 minute scramble from waking up to breakfast time but we made it so it's fine.
 
The routine was as yesterday - starting off cleaning out the cages and enclosures before feeding them a bit.
 
Dima and Sue had paid to play with the pandas so we wnt and watched. They had to wear blue overalls and spent 5 minutes stroking and playing with them.
 
Where they were staying to do this was half an hous walk away so by the time we got back to the enclosures our keepers had gone which meant a further 15 minute walk to lunch - we're going to be very fit by the end of the holiday.
 
After lunch we had to carry some bamboo up the hill, a lot of hard work. We then fed the pandas as normal. Amy and I had to feed the female whilst 5 keepers were checking to see if she was bleeding from menstration yet, poor panda has all these people oggling over her.
 
We finished earlier than normal so I braved the shower. It's a tiny drizzle so you have to wedge yourself right into the corner - bearing in mind the shower is right over the loo so you have to be careful not to fall in. But amazing to feel clean.
 
Plan for tonight is an early dinner and card games as it's Dima's last night.
 
12th June 2009 - 11:17pm
 
Today started off better than yesterday in the fact the alarm actually worked so not much of a rush to get ready.
 
Today was the normal (well normal considering we've been here 3 days) of breakfast, then walking to the research centre, cleaning out enclosures of bamboo and poo.
 
We then had an hours break so Amy and I walked to the office so that she could check her emails. On the way back we passed a small snake slithering across our path.
 
We fed the male some apple today, hard to know where to place your fingers so that they don't accidentally get removed as they bite it.
 
Again another hour and a half break before a further feed where we all played cards. Main game seems to be cheat - although here we call it "bullshit" just for more fun. I didn't seem to do too well today, mainly as I was the only person to willing to challenge people and shout it.
 
Having come back for lunch Elaine, Amy and I went to the Tibetan teahouse next door to where we are staying. The sign in English outside is hilarous and makes no sense (like most of their English signs) - I'll have to write it down soon.
 
Clearly no white people ever entered this place by the way we were stared and laughed at - we were clearly the butt of many jokes but in a nice way. As we were sitting there half of the tiles slid off the roof and smashed to add further excitement.
 
The guy who worked there was hilarious and kept wanting us to down boiling tea that tasted of Tixylix - mmm yummy not! He then sat nexrt to me and started gestering towards me, first little and tall type motions and then scissor type motions - not a clue what that meant!
 
After the afternon feeds the real fun kicked off, we walked to the other side of the park (30 minutes away!) to have our group photos with the pandas. We all had to put on the blue plastic overalls, over our boots as well, plus gloves before being marched in and having the photos. It was also the first chance I had to touch one, even if with gloves. Amazing to be so close to one without bars being in the way.
 
Dima left straight after to go home as he was only here for one week. So much has happened, it seems weird to think only a week tomorrow since I left home.
 
Tonight has been fantastic and a real laugh - plus another shower. More banter with card games and bullshit plus general gossip. Looks like tomorrow we might be off to see a giant buddha and buddhist mountain, fingers crossed!
 
15th June 2009 - 12:49am
 
Well as you can see from the time it's been a long day. We decided to have a lie in as we didn't have to work with the pandas today, so breakfast was at 9am which were noodles, first time we've had them since arriving in China.
 
As there are now only 2 boys we had to move rooms which is fine - although the shower just drips out when I tested it.
 
The plan was then to go to the Giant Buddha in Leshan. This meant getting the bus down to Ya'an then a 3 hour coach. According to the coach it was 36C outside and felt even warmer inside.
 
We arrived fine and got a taxi to the place where the Buddha is. At one point we saw tonnes of steep steps so Elaine and I said we'd run up them. Elaine got half way and I got all the way to the top before walking down. Only once I'd got to the bottomg did I find out the way to the Giant Buddha was at the top of these steps.
 
The walk to the Buddha was a permanent up in really hot and humid weather, although it was amazing. 4 of us had decided to stay over whilst the others headed back.
 
We walked to the bottom of the Buddha as the others caught their bus, it also involved an agonising walk to the top again, including being late for the park closing and having a securtiy guy help us find out way to the exit.
 
On leaving this random guy offered us a lift to Emei, which is where the mountain is and we wanted to go, conveniently he also knew a hotel.
 
The hotel is nice, twin room and sharing with Tasha - 6 pounds a night each! A proper warm shower and western loo!! - with paper!
 
After an amazing shower we were lead the way to a hot spa from a natural well. So the 4 of us bought new swim wear - me in speedo boxer things and went in.
 
Minus a scary changing room of peeping eyes at a white body this place was amazing. Boiling pools of natural water, outside, open til midnight - sheer bliss!
 
Early start tomorrow for mountain - 7am!
 
15th June 2009 - 9:33am
 
Haven't yet had time to write up yesterday as we got in too late and so much happened. But absolutely amazing weekend! Loved the exploring. Mad being in a country where you can't speak the language and people stare at you as if you're a celebrity but still briliant.
 
Also thanks for people who have been emailing, great to get them. Sorry I haven't had a chance til now to reply to them. Sorry if you've left blog comments too as I can't read them til I get back. Hope all's well back home.

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