Adventures in Chengdu

After a few days in Beijing, we have moved on to Chengdu where we will spend most of our time in China. We are staying here with our friends Alan and Rachel (see more info on their blog
here). Actually, the main reason we came to China is to visit them, but they have filled our time with all kinds of bonus adventures, which you will see forthwith.

We have done so much, that I'll never have the energy to document it all, and it would be intolerably long for you, our reader. So, let's get some highlights.

Here are Alan and Rachel Allmen--dear friends formerly living in Chicago, but lately teaching at the International School in Chengdu. They have looked after our every need and have planned a myriad of outings and experiences for us to enjoy. In this picture they are joined by some of China's famous giant pandas. The Chengdu area is home to a Giant Panda research base and breeding center, so there are more pandas in this area than [I believe] anywhere in the world. And they are just as cute in real life as in pictures.

From what we can tell, this is the main panda activity: eating bamboo. Since it's mostly provided for them here, they can just lay back and munch.

This panda is giving a blood sample. He (she?) somehow has learned to stick his arm out and grab the ring while a handler feeds him apple slices.

If you are willing to pay enough, you can have your picture taken with a panda, but here the handlers had to get one down out of a tree.

Here are a couple more panda pictures, just because they're so adorable.


[End of Panda Pictures]


This is Emei shan - a mountain area a few hours from Chengdu. It's mostly famous for having many Buddhist temples, but the scenery is amazing too. And there is another attraction.

Monkeys! A few areas of the mountain are crawling with Tibetan Macaques. They look so cute, but watch out! They'll rob you blind and maybe pull your hair too. We both emerged unscathed, since we were fairly warned in the beginning. Also there is a small army of Chinese standing by to beat off miscreants with sticks and slingshots (the monkeys, not the tourists).

Look closely and you'll see a little baby monkey in this picture.

Well, it's late here, so we'll post this and turn in. If you are lucky, we'll cover some of our other adventures soon.
Good night.