The trip to China has officially been worth our time in Chengdu.

This entry is all about Chengdu’s Giant Buddha and Giant baby panda.

It's big

The Chinese love their Buddha. The 2 hour bus ride to go and see the world’s largest Buddha was not something that would have been traditionally on our ‘to do’ list, but alas, it was included in the tour fee, so I have bragging rights that I have seen the world’s largest Buddha. Over 100 people could stand on each of his feet. It was raining and we had to climb down these ancient stairs which of course made me a bit nervous. I almost lost my shit a few times with the people elbowing their way in front of me. Have we mentioned that we are finding the Chinese people rude and pushy? Steep, slick stairs, swarms of people, rain–not elements conducive to shoving your way in front.

Kitty and the Germ

A narrow path down

Flat footed

The next day was our once in a life time experience at the Giant Panda Sanctuary. When a zoo gets a panda or two on loan (China doesn’t see their pandas–only lease them) the pandas are a huge attraction. I can’t get over the amount of pandas that we saw in one day. I have pictures with 7 pandas in the shot. I have pictures of pandas eating, sleeping, climbing trees, sitting in trees and walking around. They are stunning, beautiful creatures that I couldn’t have loved more deeply.

It's the center of Panda World

Giant Panda

Hey, what's up?

OK, back to eating bamboo

Excited

Furry and big paws

Sleepy

Lunch time

At the sanctuary , there was the opportunity to pay a fee to hold a baby giant panda. Marc and I decided that we needed to do it (it wasn’t much of a decision process–we knew we would do it right from the start). It was worth every last cent. How much is the greatest moment of your life worth?

I'm ready

Watch out, here he comes

In to the special room we went. We were both given blue plastic hospital scrubs, plastic gloves and booties. I went first. I sat down on this lovely bench and out came the baby. They put him on my lap and gave him an apple. It was beyond amazing. I couldn’t stop proclaiming my love to him. I was hugging him, loving him up. He was just delicious. My heart was singing with pure joy. Marc has a video.

A Welsh lady on our tour wanted to know if this experience made me broody (which I asked what broody meant–wanting children). I told her that it made me want a panda, not a baby. I really do want one. Marc told me that leases start at 1 million USD. I would love one, but know China won’t let me have one. I would feed him apples all day long and love it with the bottom of my heart.

In love

Grin

Are you hungry?

Absolute happiness

Pure Joy

I am still floating, basking in the love of my baby giant panda.

You really want to take him home

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