China

A 14-day adventure by Destination Unknown Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

China Destination Unknown
A Low Priced Ride
September 24, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
A very long trip is nearly over and we'll finally be able to relax at our hotel. The ride from the airport wasn't too bad and, while we were afraid that the taxi driver was going to overcharge us, the cost was a lot less than we had expected to pay. The hired car, which never showed up, was charging us a bit over $40 but, with this taxi, we only ended up paying $8. What a nice surprise!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Finally at the Hotel
September 24, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
After such a long time traveling, we've finally arrived at our hotel! I must say, I'm very impressed by how this place looks. In the States, Holiday Inn hotel's are considered to be just average but in other countries the Holiday Inn's are very upscale luxury hotels. I wish that the ones in America would upgrade themselves to the standards found in their locations overseas. Now that we're here, we're going straight to bed. We've got a big day ahead to of us tomorrow and we're being picked up very early. At least we hope so.. Goodnight!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Up Before the Sun
September 25, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
I'm not used to the time difference here in China yet so, despite being so tired, I found myself waking up before dawn. It's okay though. It allowed me to get a few nice shots of Chengdu looking out of our hotel window.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Good Morning!
September 25, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Kathy is up early too. I think it's a combination of being not used to the time difference here in China and also the excitement of going to see the pandas soon. The car will be picking us up soon so we'd better start getting ready. We don't want to be late!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
An Early Start
September 25, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We just got picked up by a Mr. Yang and he's talking us to the panda preserve to start our day as volunteer panda keepers. It's lightly raining now but we're hoping that it stops soon. I'm expecting that most of our panda experience will be outside so, with any luck, it will be clearing up soon.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
We're Early
September 25, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
We've just arrived at the Dujiangyan Panda Research Center and they're not open yet. I'd rather be early than late but, at the moment, there's not really much for us to see or do. We're getting so excited thinking about seeing, and working with, the pandas very soon. I'm sure that this is going to be a great day!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Ready for a Work
September 25, 2018 in China
We're now inside the Dujiangyan Panda Base and are ready to start working as volunteer keepers. There was some mix-up when we first arrived on what we actually paid for with our tour but it was able to be straightened out fairly quickly. A big part of the problem was being able to communicate effectively. Nobody here seems to speak English or even Cantonese, the Chinese dialect that Kathy knows.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
In the Gift Shop
September 25, 2018 in China
We're both suited up and ready to start our volunteer program. I'm surprised that our uniform is just a t-shirt. I was expecting to be wearing something like a mechanics jumpsuit. Wearing just a shirt is a lot easier, I suppose.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Rain Gear
September 25, 2018 in China
It's drizzling out a bit so we were given rain coats to wear. My coat is a bit too small and very uncomfortable but I guess that it's better than nothing. I hope that it stops raining soon so that I can take this ugly coat off.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Our First Panda Pen
September 25, 2018 in China
This was the first panda pen that we had to work in. After this big guy was finished eating, and wandered away, our group went inside the enclosure and started to pick up all that leftover bamboo that is sitting next to the panda. We took everything outside the pen, piled it up, and then the real panda base employees weighed it. I'm thinking that's how they are able to determine how much food the pandas are actually eating.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Working with Pandas
September 25, 2018 in China
After we got all of the bamboo out of the pen, we had to go back in and gather up all the panda poop. We were given a shovel and pan to do this. Thankfully, there was not very much that needed to be picked up. It wasn't as bad as we had expected. It was just like picking up after our dog, Gizmo, only the panda pieces were a lot bigger.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Working Hard
September 25, 2018 in China
This panda was waiting outside while we were going to clean out his indoor pen. A door was closed so that the panda couldn't come in as we were cleaning. I would have liked it if he did come in so we could get a closer look at him.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Cleaning Up
September 25, 2018 in China
Our next step was to clean out the panda's indoor area. I guess that the pandas go inside this area when its raining, snowing, or if it's cold. I was assigned the task of hosing down the whole floor, the walls and the windows. As I was doing this, Kathy and the others in our group had to sweep everything up. By the time we were finished, everything was so clean!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Sleepyhead
September 25, 2018 in China
The giant panda is the rarest member of the bear family and one of the most endangered animals in the world. I'm so happy that we were able to get so close to them.
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Feeding Time
September 25, 2018 in China
At last, it was time for what we had been looking forward to the most. We're going to hand feed a panda! Kathy looks absolutely thrilled to be so close to a panda.
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Our New Buddy
September 25, 2018 in China
I'm still feeling amazed that we're able to get so up close and personal with a panda! He's, or could this possibly be a female, a bit bigger than I expected him, or her, to be. I really love these sort of encounters with animals. It was expensive to come here but, right now, it's more than worth it!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
My Turn
September 25, 2018 in China
I was so happy when my turn to feed the panda. It was amazing to be so close to, and interacting with, these extremely rare animals. I feel like we're so lucky to have the opportunity to do things like this.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Time for Lunch
September 25, 2018 in China
After feeding the panda it was time for us to eat. We headed back to the main building where we were this morning and went to their cafeteria. I wasn't expecting much that I would be able to eat, and I was right. It's a good thing that I'm not very hungry.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Dig In!
September 25, 2018 in China
The food that they served us was very authentic, and local, Chinese food. There was lots of food, served buffet style, but very little that I would be able to eat. Even Kathy, who was raised on Chinese food and will try almost anything, was hard pressed to find things that she was willing to eat. She did come away from the buffet line with more on her tray than I took.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Going Bananas
September 25, 2018 in China
This was all I could find to eat. My lunch consisted of nothing but bananas and I was kind of nervous to eat them. They were served sliced, as seen in the photo, and I was afraid that the exposed parts of the bananas might be bad for us to eat. We haven't been here long enough to know what is good or bad to eat. I know that the water is not safe for us to drink and maybe these bananas were cleaned in some of that contaminated water. I just don't want to start this trip off by getting sick! Bananas and bottled water was all I was willing, or able, to eat. Is it just me or do these trays seem like they would fit right in at a prison?Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Ready for Lunch
September 25, 2018 in China
Despite the limited selection of foods I'm having for lunch, I'm still very happy and excited to be here in Dujiangyan taking care of the pandas. As the food is an all you can eat style buffet, I can eat as many bananas as I want!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Wandering Around
September 25, 2018 in China
We finished our lunch early, since we didn't eat very much and decided to go outside and wander around for a bit. We still had some time until we were supposed to report back for work and we wanted to see as much of this place as possible.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Fancy Bear
September 25, 2018 in China
Kathy liked this panda figure the most because of it's fancy splashes of color. Even it's fingernails look like they have been painted with nail polish. The bright pink color certainly grabs your attention!Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Strike a Pose!
September 25, 2018 in China
This panda looks like he's got his nails painted too. I'm glad that it stopped raining but these bears are still all wet. Kathy and I were having fun taking pictures with these pandas but we were noticing that other people were starting to gather around to take pictures here also. I guess that everyone else is finished with the lunch. Rather than stay, and deal with the other people, we decided to walk around and see what else is around here.Read more
0 likes
China Destination Unknown
Pandas are Everywhere
September 25, 2018 in China
This is the next grouping of panda figures that we came across. They were a bit too high up for us to pose with but they still look nice. I like how there are pandas everywhere we look. I think that we're ready to see some real ones again!Read more
0 likes