October 17, 2011 - Chengdu - Pandas!

Another day, another highlight!  Ping picked up as promised at 8 am and we were off to see the Pandas!  We practically ran up the hill to get to the first place were we could see the 1 year old cubs.  Wow, to our delight they were up and they were playing with each other.  We shot away.  Then we we're able to pass past the new borns, who were born in summer. They we're laying in a pile keeping warm and looking up at us!  Then it was in to the two year old cubs.  There were 4 who were eating and playing in a tree.  Jackpot!!  Click, click, click!

After we had our fill we move to the next location and saw more black a d white Panda.  Then it was on to the lesser Panda who is actually a raccoon.  The word Panda means bamboo eater and these little guys eat bamboo.

We both filled out 32 G cards and were very happy about it!!!

Then it was off to see a Buddhist Monastery.  We learned about their religion and heard the monks chant before lunch.

Our first really tasty lunch was had in Chengdu!  We went to a local place with Ping and ordered dishes off the menu.  Yummy!!  Poor John is getting pretty good with those sticks!

The afternoon was in an "old" part of town...read giant tourist trap. We quickly decided to have tea instead.  When we got to the tea house local people were playing Mahjong. We asked Ping if we could play.  She quickly agreed and began to teach us Chengdu rules!  That was FUN says Cheri who won at least half the games!  We learned to count in Chinese.  Ping put the characters in order and we took  a picture.

Then it was off to catch the 194 km/HR train to Chongqing!  The ride was beautiful even though it was darkening and a bit foggy.  We arrived at the station, the biggest train station in Chongqing to be met by our guide, Mike.  We would only be with him for a short while, but he really packed in the information.  We told him we needed to catch some dinner on shore before boarding the ship, so he quickly suggested a hot pot...the local specialty.  We agreed and he and his driver zipped us off to their local favorite.  The food was delicious if a bit rushed as we needed to be on board by 8:30.

Chongqing is famous for its Hot pot.   there is a burner built into the table.  The chef brings all kinds of food and begins to place it in a two part pot.  One part has a very spicy pepper broth and the other part is water with many vegetables and spices.  Then each diner has a little bowl where oil, soy, garlic and ginger are placed.  When each type of food is cooked, the chef puts it in your bowl so you can douse it in the sauce.  Then you eat!  Delicious!  We had beef, pork, noodles, mushrooms, bean curd, crab, and the list goes on!

We stopped on the way to the ship to pick up supplies, mainly water for us.  Others were buying booze and snacks.  We decided we didn't need snacks with the amount of food they were likely to serve on board!


Enjoy!
Cheri & John