Well, we're back. Our Blog is from a site sponsored by Google. Unfortunately, China has blocked Google over a disagreement. Something to do with freedom so we've been off line for several days. Here's a synopsis of our experiences.
We land in Chengdu mid-day on 2/2. This a very modern city with 12 million residents, mostly all living in high rise apartments. Roads are great. City is very clean. This is considered a mid-size city in China. We go directly to the Panda Breeding and Research center. This is a vast park dedicated to Giant and Red Pandas. 10% of the Pandas in the world are here. This week is Chinese New Year so everyone is off work, out of school and visiting with us. We were fortunate to visit when the Pandas were active. We saw many Giant Pandas eating, wandering around and of course sleeping which they do a lot of of. We also saw a number of first year newborns. Another section was full of Red Pandas. They are much smaller and somewhat resemble large raccoons. They are very active and playful' running all over thee place. Frankly I think they are much cuter but not as well promoted.. When were done there we head back on the bus to the hotel and check in. We're pretty tired so we just relax and have room service. This is a beautiful hotel. Right on a river with nice views. Unfortunately it's quite "foggy" because we're in a valley. We thinks it actually is smog!
2/3. Up very early ( I seem to say that a lot) and head to the airport for our commercial flight to Lhasa. No international flights fly in or out of there. The flight over the mountains is spectacular. Upon arrival we head to our hotel which is the nicest so far. After lunch we tour the city and visit the Jokhang Temple. This is a beautiful place with many Buddas. The colors are striking both inside and out. Here we get a good appreciation for the Tibetan people's devotion to the different Buddas. There are many pilgrims here praying both outside and inside. We climb to the top and are treated to beautiful views. Unlike Changdu, it is crystal clear here. We're at 12000 ft and we definitely feel it. From the top we can also see all the Chinese military watching from the various roof tops. We are strongly advised not to take their or any policemen's pictures. We head back to the hotel and of course eat dinner. I tried Yack filets and ribs. Not so much thank you. Then off to bed.
2/4. After breakfast we same off to visit the Poralepu Monastery. Many others go to the Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lama's. We chose the alternative because it is more intimate and not quite as taxing. We are rewarded with a wonderful experience interacting with monks and visiting a beautiful Temple built into the side of a mountain..later we walked though the great square across from the Potala Palace . We meet many Chinese tourists who want their picture taken with us. We realize we are quite a novelty. That became even more apparent later in the day. Back to the hotel to freshen up and eat of course. Next we are off to visit another monastery and then a nunnery. The latter was most enjoyable. It was located right in the middle of town were we got to walk through many side streets loaded with local markets and craft shops galore. These were very narrow streets and filled with locals. The people are very friendly, yelling out hello and waiving to us. Many want their picture taken with us. At the nunnery we arrive just in time for the afternoon chanting. We enter and walk among the nuns as they are chanting their prayer. It's quite a treat. Then we visit a room where nuns are gathered around weaving wicks for the butter candles. They are gabbing and laughing together. As we were leaving Sue and anther woman lagged a bit behind. As they started to leave one of the nuns said, "where are you from" in perfect English. They answered and they she proceeded to ask how long they were staying and did they like her country. Finally she asked if they would come back. This was a huge surprise and treat for Sue. She's in her element on this trip because her favorite people are strangers and she's having a field day. After the nunnery it back to the hotel.
The expedition guide shows that tonight we were to be treated to a Tibetan Weeding Ceremony. Everyone had been wondering about it and they kept telling us there would be a surprise couple getting married. We all figured it would be some local people. At breakfast that morning, Sue and I were asked to be the bride and groom. We said yes of course and were then sworn to secrecy. At 5:30 pm we had a brief rehearsal and then during the cocktail. Hour we disappeared and got dressed in local attire by the young ladies who were also the entertainment after dinner. They loved getting us ready and we don't know what they were saying about us but the sure laughed a lot and couldn't wait to have their pictures taken with us. Once everyone was seated in the ballroom the emcee gave a brief introduction about what was to take place, the music started, the doors opened and in we walked. Our fellow travelers were quite surprised to see up and cheered and applauded for the lovely couple. We processed up to the altar/stage and the ceremony began. We made three vows, bowing a special way each time and taking a sip of white wine. Then Sue's "uncle" came up and did a little song and speech. We have no idea what he said. Then we exchanged gifts. Sue gave me a scarf and I gave her a Yack! We finished by sharing a small piece of barley cake. The crazy bride put the whole piece in her mouth so that the groom had to take his bite from her lips. We don't recommend the wine or the barley cake. At that the ceremony was over, the bride and groom kissed and processed back out to a standing ovation. We know how to make an enter acne and an exit!
After dinner off to bed because as you know, we're up early tomorrow. We really loved Tibet and the people. It it wasn't for the altitude and the difficulty of getting visas we would love to come back. Some of our fellow exporters were a bit unnerved by the military and police presence. They are very prevalent and those are the ones you can see. The politics is very convoluted but it has been that way for years. No time here to discuss but we got a feel for both the Chinese and Tibetan sides.
We land in Chengdu mid-day on 2/2. This a very modern city with 12 million residents, mostly all living in high rise apartments. Roads are great. City is very clean. This is considered a mid-size city in China. We go directly to the Panda Breeding and Research center. This is a vast park dedicated to Giant and Red Pandas. 10% of the Pandas in the world are here. This week is Chinese New Year so everyone is off work, out of school and visiting with us. We were fortunate to visit when the Pandas were active. We saw many Giant Pandas eating, wandering around and of course sleeping which they do a lot of of. We also saw a number of first year newborns. Another section was full of Red Pandas. They are much smaller and somewhat resemble large raccoons. They are very active and playful' running all over thee place. Frankly I think they are much cuter but not as well promoted.. When were done there we head back on the bus to the hotel and check in. We're pretty tired so we just relax and have room service. This is a beautiful hotel. Right on a river with nice views. Unfortunately it's quite "foggy" because we're in a valley. We thinks it actually is smog!
2/3. Up very early ( I seem to say that a lot) and head to the airport for our commercial flight to Lhasa. No international flights fly in or out of there. The flight over the mountains is spectacular. Upon arrival we head to our hotel which is the nicest so far. After lunch we tour the city and visit the Jokhang Temple. This is a beautiful place with many Buddas. The colors are striking both inside and out. Here we get a good appreciation for the Tibetan people's devotion to the different Buddas. There are many pilgrims here praying both outside and inside. We climb to the top and are treated to beautiful views. Unlike Changdu, it is crystal clear here. We're at 12000 ft and we definitely feel it. From the top we can also see all the Chinese military watching from the various roof tops. We are strongly advised not to take their or any policemen's pictures. We head back to the hotel and of course eat dinner. I tried Yack filets and ribs. Not so much thank you. Then off to bed.
2/4. After breakfast we same off to visit the Poralepu Monastery. Many others go to the Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lama's. We chose the alternative because it is more intimate and not quite as taxing. We are rewarded with a wonderful experience interacting with monks and visiting a beautiful Temple built into the side of a mountain..later we walked though the great square across from the Potala Palace . We meet many Chinese tourists who want their picture taken with us. We realize we are quite a novelty. That became even more apparent later in the day. Back to the hotel to freshen up and eat of course. Next we are off to visit another monastery and then a nunnery. The latter was most enjoyable. It was located right in the middle of town were we got to walk through many side streets loaded with local markets and craft shops galore. These were very narrow streets and filled with locals. The people are very friendly, yelling out hello and waiving to us. Many want their picture taken with us. At the nunnery we arrive just in time for the afternoon chanting. We enter and walk among the nuns as they are chanting their prayer. It's quite a treat. Then we visit a room where nuns are gathered around weaving wicks for the butter candles. They are gabbing and laughing together. As we were leaving Sue and anther woman lagged a bit behind. As they started to leave one of the nuns said, "where are you from" in perfect English. They answered and they she proceeded to ask how long they were staying and did they like her country. Finally she asked if they would come back. This was a huge surprise and treat for Sue. She's in her element on this trip because her favorite people are strangers and she's having a field day. After the nunnery it back to the hotel.
The expedition guide shows that tonight we were to be treated to a Tibetan Weeding Ceremony. Everyone had been wondering about it and they kept telling us there would be a surprise couple getting married. We all figured it would be some local people. At breakfast that morning, Sue and I were asked to be the bride and groom. We said yes of course and were then sworn to secrecy. At 5:30 pm we had a brief rehearsal and then during the cocktail. Hour we disappeared and got dressed in local attire by the young ladies who were also the entertainment after dinner. They loved getting us ready and we don't know what they were saying about us but the sure laughed a lot and couldn't wait to have their pictures taken with us. Once everyone was seated in the ballroom the emcee gave a brief introduction about what was to take place, the music started, the doors opened and in we walked. Our fellow travelers were quite surprised to see up and cheered and applauded for the lovely couple. We processed up to the altar/stage and the ceremony began. We made three vows, bowing a special way each time and taking a sip of white wine. Then Sue's "uncle" came up and did a little song and speech. We have no idea what he said. Then we exchanged gifts. Sue gave me a scarf and I gave her a Yack! We finished by sharing a small piece of barley cake. The crazy bride put the whole piece in her mouth so that the groom had to take his bite from her lips. We don't recommend the wine or the barley cake. At that the ceremony was over, the bride and groom kissed and processed back out to a standing ovation. We know how to make an enter acne and an exit!
After dinner off to bed because as you know, we're up early tomorrow. We really loved Tibet and the people. It it wasn't for the altitude and the difficulty of getting visas we would love to come back. Some of our fellow exporters were a bit unnerved by the military and police presence. They are very prevalent and those are the ones you can see. The politics is very convoluted but it has been that way for years. No time here to discuss but we got a feel for both the Chinese and Tibetan sides.
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