Guess where we are?
Going to get a few things out there straight away ....
the day was so full, we didn't have time to do some extras, so @Leila pushed them forward into tomorrow's free time:
we rotated to the front of the bus so we could hear:
never say "Bombadier to Pilot" to the #Fab5 - it's the new catchcry for squattie accuracy: and
@Von forgot to include undies in her bag the over nighter! 🫣🤭
But what a day. Life is truly grand when you forget about your sore feet because your cheeks are hurting from grinning ear to ear and your tummy is swinging from so much belly laughing.
We are travelling with a larger group - two buses under the guidance of @Leila and @Molly. Means when we pull up or go anywhere there are 76 of us in the same space at the same time. Having said that, everything we have visited is so big and already teeming with people, we are just a spit in the ocean. The big plus is that we get to meet even more people and share in their stories and fun. Because we are always laughing and enjoying the moment, it does seem to attract others to come and meet us and hear our stories. Our circle of contact is definitely widening.
What did we do today
Panda Research Centre
@Denise and @Cheryl were definitely in the groove and dressed in black and white for the occasion but many other giest for the Panda Reseach Centre had gone all out. Some of the locals were dressed head to toe in panda everything.
Amazing complex - lots to exploreThis is a world-renowned conservation center and it is dedicated to the protection and breeding of giant pandas. The success of the programme has seen the Pandas move from the endangered list to vulnerable. The goal has been to increase the numbers and then release the Pandas into the wild.
This was real
Looked like he was watching TV
There were pavilions amd theatres as part of this massive complex but we didn't have time to absorb all if that information in our single visit. We were overloaded with panda facts - all the detail was fantastic starting with the fact that they were very Picky creatures - Picky with their diet, their mate and their children. The one piece of info that sticks out - that has nothing to do with panda breeding or health - was that there is a "toll" associated with any Panda held outside of China. The going rate is $1 million USD per year. And, once a panda bred in captivity, outside of China, reaches 5 years of age it must be returned to China. An impressive little earn.
We had lots of info from @Leila and this meant we could focuss on catching a look at the Pandas. They were feeding, walking and just flat out resting but caused a stir with everyone. To take in the four pavilions and the Star Nursery we trekked for 5 kms on a day that required hats, sun screen, loads of water and thock soles on your shoes to beat the heat. But it was worth every step.
The adult pandas were huge and so calm, smooth and slow in their movement. The juveniles were more nimble and perhaps cuddly and the babies were so tiny. Your experience very much depended on the exact moment you strolled through - sort if a lucky dip adventure. We were lucky - got lots of great views.
We had fun with Fu Fu who obligingly sat in the perfect spot for our photo shoot and were there at the right time for Mat Mat to be called in out of the heat by his handler (@Von named him because he was sprawled face down on the concrete.)
The whole area was so relaxing - you wandered along wide paved areas to reach each pavillion and it was all surrounded by lush bamboo forests, lakes and pristinely maintained gardens.
The pandas, the walk, the company... it all just combined - we were on a euphoric high by the time it was all over.
Time out for lunch break
The lunch offered was another spun of the wheel banquet or you could opt to do your own thing. We were still full from breakfast and after the heat of our walk we were more interested in drinks and ice cream than a big meal. Found ourselves in a couple of little Lawson corner stores and found an assortment of bits and pieces . @Cheryl was keen for a coffee but the only outlet was a very ue where tlyou had to have a particular type of card to tap amd pay (might have been AliPay.) Needless to say we dodnt have the AliPay solution between us. No barrier for @Cheryl though, somehow her "maiden I- have-no-coffee, in distress call" was heard by one of the couples she had been chatting with from the other bus - and they spotted her a brew!
Heading back to the bus we stumbled upon a local market and added some valuable items to our collective purchases. @Denise and @Cheryl now have matching "sister hats" and I am the proud owner of a very noisy little drum.
As we re assembled on the bus I couldn't help doing a little demo of the drum, accompanied by my attempt at a hip swaying cultural dance - or maybe even something that sort of resembled a belly dance. It was met with raucous applause. I resumed my seat and thought I heard a call of "More, more, more" from the back and willing jumped up and gave the encore performance. Again, raucous applause. But our new Iranian ladies - now they can really shale everything! Their encouragement from the back nearly lifted the roof
Visiting the Silk Factory
There's always some special "factory" visit ina TripADeal itinerary. Usually more than one. Ours was scheduled as a Jade Factory visit but it was changed to the Silk Factory. "Usually" you propensity to purchase is massaged with a drink or two or some,special food item. This was the exception to the rule. Looked like the men would have to settle in for a "dry argument" on this one. Mind you, it was quick and I threshing as the role of Silk in Chinese culture was explored. We moved into smaller demonstrations for the 'big sell' amd there were many purchases made of the light weight, super warm, fire resistant, fire retardant, anti bacterial, stain resistant long thred doona. Admitting that it was a purchase we made 14 years ago on our last visit and it was a decision we have never regretted.
@Cheryl and @Denise scored well with their doona additions and I was over the moon with my two clip on head bands.
To mark the occasion, as each member entered the bus with a purchase, we acknowledged with an Apple Store type round of applause. And what's a celebration without a bit of drum accompaniment and some spontaneous Persian dancing. Oh, and don't forget that fizzing pop of a beer can opening. The bus was rocking.
Getting further west
Time to settle into the seats and head a few hours west. Needed to allow a good three hours to get from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Leshan. The highways were massive. Again, no holdups as we continued west. The high rise of the city soon gave way ymto the patchwork of the countryside where it seemed as if every inch of land was being used. Gorges, rivers, mountains all were green with either a man made crop or a forest.
The overriding impression of orderliness prevails - wirh infrastructure of transporf, communication, and power both modern and massive .
One toilet stop was built into the itinerary and you would cringe at the thought of two bus loads landing.
Everything is scaled. The toilet offered 49 squats and 1 Western toilet. The reality was that the group was in and done in 5 minutes and there was actually time to queue for coffee or an ice cream rather than the loo.
Back on board and full steam ahead. Not without @Carolyn's grand entrance. Because the bus group is now into clapping and cheering she received an absolutely thunderous round of applause just for walking down the centre aisle. Playing up to the crowd she did an immediate uturn ... exited the bus and re -entered to receive an even great round of 👏 applause. We begged her to go again but she didn't want to over play her hand.
Dinner and show
Hotel checkin again, an absolute breeze. Numbers called 5 and 6 and keys collected - it was off to find the room. Only negative I can spot for the accommodation is that this hotel only has ONE lift. Took a while, but we got our turn and another beautiful room. Spacious, clean with a view of the rolling hills and mountains that encircle Leshan.
No time to admire the view - it was in and out of the shower, a quick change of clothes and it was straight back downstairs to dinner and you hafmd to co-ordonate turns in that single lift.
Dinner was a banquet. A Lazy Susan was the centre piece and as we took our seats the food began to arrive. Bowl after bowl, soups, rice, a whole fish, vegetables, meat dishes and tofu. It all made an appearance in various degrees of spicey. The only challenge was the size of the plates and bowls - all extremely small which meant we were constantly spinning that lucky food wheel to get a little more of something. Happy to wash it all down with a local beer.
Needed to take a short walk to the theatre. What a show. Only sporadic English translation appeared on the screen but we had @Brenda and @Katherine in the seats in front of us who could give us the essentials. But it didn't really matter. The show was such a spectacle there was plenty to entertain you and we seemed to be laughing and clapping and cheering at all the right places. It was more by good luck rather than by design that we didn't find ourselves bidding in the auction for the calligraphy piece that was the opening of the show. Dance, kung fu, acrobatics, balancing, comedy routine and the incredible face changing ... all the expected favourites were represented.
Unanimous in our enthusiasm for what we experienced and well worth the walk in the dark and even the failed attempts at scaling ramps.
Another top day - all seamlessly handled by @Leila - who is still smiling and unruffled. Can't believe that we have been so busy. Actually I can!
PS Tthere has to be a toilet story. Did you know that the toilet paper here is THICKER in ply - its made from bamboo. Really, we should be adjusting the number of slices needed for the fold to accommodate this .... think that will happen from now on. Because at 10.30 at night, a clogged toilet is not something you want to call in the troops for. Ever resourceful, I thought I might add a jug of water to the bowl to get things moving. A modicum of success was noted on the followup flush.
Maybe, two jugs of water would do the trick.
For future reference, I wouldn't advise it. When I hit the flush button this time, the tide was rising. It was a whole new take on "silent but deadly." It seemed to be happening in slow motion ... the water and associated additions kept rising. I was grabbing the bath mat, hand towels and bath towels ... oh dear. Seriously, it lapped the top of the bowl and then, thankfully all wooshed away in one foul swoop. So much relief in that bathroom.
Straight from the itinerary
This morning you’ll visit the famous Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base of Chengdu which has been created to imitate the natural habitat of giant pandas
so that they have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also beloved by
people the world over. These animals are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces so in total there are fewer than 2,000 with more than 70% within
the territory of Sichuan Province. Late in the morning, you’ll visit a jade factory, then travel to nearby Leshan where you will take a cruise to view the UNESCO
World Heritage Leshan Giant Buddha. The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-metre tall stone statue that was built between 713 and 803 and depicts Maitreya. It is
carved out of a cliff face of Cretaceous red bed sandstone that lies at the confluence of the Min River and Dadu River, in the southern part of Sichuan Province.
Afterwards, you’ll drive onwards to Emeishan City which is located in the shadow of Mount Emei (Emeishan) and is the highest of the country’s four sacred
Buddhist mountains at 3099 metres. On arrival, check into your hotel for an evening at leisure or join an optional tour to watch the famous Emei Kung Fu Show.
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