Pandas in Chengdu

Today was the much-anticipated trip to the Panda Park.
Or Panda Ark, as the sign said.

As an aside, I have had to only post the pictures I take with my iPhone to the blog because I can't get a decent enough connection to post the huge files that my good camera produces.  Sorry for the blurryish pics.

On the way to the park, another tour bus pulled up beside ours at a light.  Everyone on the bus was wearing a panda hat.  Do you think they were going to the Panda Ark?  I started waving at them and they waved back.

The restroom facilities were decent, although only the squatty potties.  There was one western toilet with a long line.  Thank goodness it was barrier free because I'm not sure what one would do with one that had a barrier.  heh.  It was a single stall and when one unfortunate soul attempted to evacuate it, SIX tiny, old women rushed in.  SIX.  I heard someone yelling 'one' in Chinese and eventually five of them dejectedly filed back out to wait their turn.

Enough with the bathroom stories.

Pandas.
They are ridiculously cute.
You can hold one if you want.  For $300 US dollars.
So we didn't.
Obviously.

They are pretty much the same.  Except one has a cute jacket.  That's all.

Adorable babies.  (Don't worry, Katie, I have good pictures of them on my good camera)

Asking to take pictures with random American strangers is still a thing here.  I always oblige and now I have started taking pictures of them too.  haha

Our new friends from the tour bus checking their phones to see if their photos with American strangers were flattering enough to post to social media.

Selfie-sticks are also still wildly popular and you need to walk carefully to avoid being poked in the eye by them.

My mom wasn't sure she wanted to walk the entire panda park but was kindly encouraged by other members of our group with the enticement of "there is a gift shop at the top of the hill."  hahahahaha

This guy was so cute!  He rolled around and put on a brief show for us.  Pandas barely move because there is not much nutrition in bamboo.  What little there is must be reserved for moving around--hence they rarely do so.  They are second to koalas for lack of movement.

"I've used up all my energy for today."

We found many 4-leaf clovers in the forest.  "Very lucky."

Group photo!  So many beautiful girls.

Then we went to eat some typical spicy Sichuan food - although I think they went easy on us because most of it was not spicy.

This was posted on the three steps leading out to a patio.  Something got lost in the translation....

We were then taken to a popular local shopping area where we had the choice to shop or get a massage.  Aahhhhhh....  The girls went shopping and mom and I (along with 5 others) went for the massage.  They put us all in one large room and went to work.  It was amazing, as they always are in China.  No wimpy back rubs.  They get in there and work every tight muscle.  All for only $25 per hour.  

Heavenly.

The girls purchased pendants with their Chinese names written on a grain of rice and put inside the pendant.  Really cool keepsake!

Tonight we are going to a Chinese opera after dinner.  It is probably the only thing we are doing on this trip that I am not looking forward to.  If you wonder why, google Chinese opera.  You will be shivering from the awful tonal sounds.