Greetings from somewhere over Asia-
We just left China and are headed for India. We had a problem with baggage at the airport in Chengdu resulting in us departing about an hour late. That means we will not be able to go to the Taj Mahal tonight. Our expedition leader is hoping to work out details so we can go in the morning. It would be a major disappointment not to see the Taj. This is the first hiccup we have had on our trip.
There were two highlights to the trip in China since we last blogged. Yesterday, for lunch, we went to a local restaurant that specializes in dumplings, what we call dim sum. We had 13 different dumplings, all of them delicious. It was again served on a large lazy susan. We were particularly taken with the walnut dumplings. Much to our chagrin, we discovered after serving our daughter-in-law, Heather, chop suey the first three times she and Jeff came to our house that she doesn’t like Chinese food. We couldn’t help but wonder if she might like dumplings. Heather – there may be a dumpling dinner in your future. While in China we ate nothing that even remotely resembled chop suey. It was wonderful.
The second highlight was this morning when we visited the National Panda Research and Breeding Station. There are 69 giant pandas at the research station including the eight five month old cubs we saw. It was an incredible experience. We have seen pandas in zoos but this was nothing like that. We were able to see the pandas up close and they were very active. We’ve posted a 30 second video of pandas playing on a slide. Hopefully you can click on the image and watch the video. Obviously, as you can tell from the picture, the other highlight was having our picture taken with a panda. It is a real panda, weighing about 100 pounds. A keeper was constantly putting honey on the panda’s paws to keep it distracted from what was going on. We had to make a fairly substantial cash donation to the Panda Research Center in order to have our picture taken with the panda, but as the MasterCard commercial says, a picture taken holding a panda is priceless. An aside to our grand children – yes, the panda was terrible cuddly.
Our first impression of China was not particularly positive, but as we look back on our time in China we conclude that it was an experience we will not soon forget and one that we would not have missed. (Editorial comment: Tim seems to have conveniently forgotten our stop at a brocade factory this morning – quite amazing to see the hand weaving and to have a chance to shop. We got to the airport about an hour before the group that went to Tibet –the 13 of us really enjoyed our time with the cabin crew and the extremely good service that 11 crew can give to 13 passengers!)
Tim and Lynda
We just left China and are headed for India. We had a problem with baggage at the airport in Chengdu resulting in us departing about an hour late. That means we will not be able to go to the Taj Mahal tonight. Our expedition leader is hoping to work out details so we can go in the morning. It would be a major disappointment not to see the Taj. This is the first hiccup we have had on our trip.
There were two highlights to the trip in China since we last blogged. Yesterday, for lunch, we went to a local restaurant that specializes in dumplings, what we call dim sum. We had 13 different dumplings, all of them delicious. It was again served on a large lazy susan. We were particularly taken with the walnut dumplings. Much to our chagrin, we discovered after serving our daughter-in-law, Heather, chop suey the first three times she and Jeff came to our house that she doesn’t like Chinese food. We couldn’t help but wonder if she might like dumplings. Heather – there may be a dumpling dinner in your future. While in China we ate nothing that even remotely resembled chop suey. It was wonderful.
The second highlight was this morning when we visited the National Panda Research and Breeding Station. There are 69 giant pandas at the research station including the eight five month old cubs we saw. It was an incredible experience. We have seen pandas in zoos but this was nothing like that. We were able to see the pandas up close and they were very active. We’ve posted a 30 second video of pandas playing on a slide. Hopefully you can click on the image and watch the video. Obviously, as you can tell from the picture, the other highlight was having our picture taken with a panda. It is a real panda, weighing about 100 pounds. A keeper was constantly putting honey on the panda’s paws to keep it distracted from what was going on. We had to make a fairly substantial cash donation to the Panda Research Center in order to have our picture taken with the panda, but as the MasterCard commercial says, a picture taken holding a panda is priceless. An aside to our grand children – yes, the panda was terrible cuddly.
Our first impression of China was not particularly positive, but as we look back on our time in China we conclude that it was an experience we will not soon forget and one that we would not have missed. (Editorial comment: Tim seems to have conveniently forgotten our stop at a brocade factory this morning – quite amazing to see the hand weaving and to have a chance to shop. We got to the airport about an hour before the group that went to Tibet –the 13 of us really enjoyed our time with the cabin crew and the extremely good service that 11 crew can give to 13 passengers!)
Tim and Lynda
Posts
7 comments:
Wow. What an amazing opportunity! And I'm so impressed with the technological skills you're showing! A video? Shot and posted without assistance? You may be ready for a DVR before you get back! :)
Love you -
Jilayne
Bah, don't pay attention to your over-zealous ego-stroking daughter. Congratulations on the video, now we will prepare your technological education by attempting to train you on how to program that damn blinky [12:00] clock on your ....... Ah Hah!! you thought I was about to say VCR!! Psssshh That's so LAST millennia. See, that proves my point. I was going to say DVD player. Relax Jil. Baby steps!
Ok, all kidding aside, those pandas are so cute I wanna cut one up and wear it as a hat! (TROPIC THUNDER ROCKS)
Ok, all kidding aside....for real this time! Cuddly pandas on a slide? It doesn't get any cuter than that!
Wow! What an experience you are having. Never thought I'd see a real live panda on your lap. Thanks so much for letting us join you via the blog!
Joni
I think this has been the highlight of your trip - for me! What an amazing thing to cuddle a live Panda bear. Micah and Noah are going to love the picture and the video. Thanks for keeping up this blog - it is WAY better than mine! I am very impressed! Love you guys!
Awww, I love the bears. I agree, that has to be one of the most unique experiences of the entire trip. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing with us. Buckners
The look on your face of pure joy and awe is priceless Lynda and MasterCard should use you in their commercial. How heavy was the Panda anyway? Tim, did you get to have the Panda on your lap as well?
Fantastic pictures and journalism on both your parts, thank you for sharing your adventure of a life time with us.
I check your blog before I even make my coffee!
Much love and continued safe travels.
Bev
Oh, a dumpling dinner, HMMM. Okay we can give it a try:) Cole loved the video of the Pandas and wanted me to keep playing it. When I showed him the picture of you holding the Panda he said "Whoa, why are Grandma and Grandpa wearing gloves?"
In the picute of Tim getting ready to eat Cole's only concern was why Grandpa was all red:)
Glad your having a great time. I better go water those plants before you get home! Just Kidding:) PS Wind Chill is expected to be -25 tomorrow!!!BRR
Love,
Heather
Post a Comment