A Low Priced Ride

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, theLeggi altro
Finally at the Hotel

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 butLeggi altro
Up Before the Sun

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 outLeggi altro
Good Morning!

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 soLeggi altro
An Early Start

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 expectingLeggi altro
We're Early

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 soLeggi altro
Ready for a Work

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 ableLeggi altro
In the Gift Shop

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 shirtLeggi altro
Rain Gear

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 ILeggi altro
Our First Panda Pen

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 thatLeggi altro
Working with Pandas

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 beLeggi altro
Working Hard

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 weLeggi altro
Cleaning Up

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,Leggi altro
Sleepyhead

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.
Feeding Time

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.
Our New Buddy

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 theseLeggi altro
My Turn

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 thingsLeggi altro
Time for Lunch

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, andLeggi altro
Dig In!

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 onLeggi altro
Going Bananas

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 exposedLeggi altro
Ready for Lunch

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 canLeggi altro
Wandering Around

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 toLeggi altro
Fancy Bear

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 yourLeggi altro
Strike a Pose!

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 wereLeggi altro
Pandas are Everywhere

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 thatLeggi altro