Go the underdog and one giant bhudda.

You save the things you love, and you love the things you understand

When the sun shines on you in China, life is almost perfect. Take the endemic Giant panda as an example, almost hunted to extinction before it captured the adoring attention of the world, thus changing it's fortune for ever. From all the available information, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a seriously world class facility, where previously captive animals live in a well maintained and humane environment, and with any luck, get down to the business of saving the species. Of course, this being China, money talks, and their facility and probably survival is predicated on every bus load of han, korean, and Japanese tourists and the wealth it creates. Sure, some of the treatment in lieu of capturing a ooh and aah from a gushing tourist is midly questionable, and yes, count me as one of them, but compared to others, the Panda's have it made. And what makes me really happy after seeing these big fur balls of fun, is the underdog of underdogs, the forgotten red pandas who are riding the coat tails of their richer cousins to survival.




The province of Sichuan, home of the Sichuan beef you'll pick up at your local Chinese takeaway, has some seriously good and spicy grub. Their famous hotpot, a steamboat with a potent mix of chilli (and lots of it), soy, water and a variety of sauces to cook a variety of meats and vegetables is outstanding.

Chendgu, like any major city in China is seriously polluted, but like all Chinese cities visited thus far, the serenity and peace of a temple, garden, former palace are generally only a short distance away. Strolling the grounds of the Wuhou temple, infact a serious of temples mixed with gardens, ponds, and monuments is welcome escape from the noise, concrete, and neon of the bustling city that is Chengdu. It is almost otherworldly as you pass from one bueatiful scene to the next and the only noises are from the rustling of the leaves, birds, and the movement of water through ponds and moats.

It what is a centuries old pastime, we sat for an afternoon drinking tea and playing cards in the grounds of the Wuhou temple with the local denziens discussing business and gossiping over a bowl of nuts or a game of cards or majong.

Visiting leshan one our way back from Emei Shan, we checked out the impressive Leshan Giant Buddha, the the worlds largest at a lofty 71 metres. The ensuing journey home was memorable for its varied and timely transportation, taking 8 hours from emei shan to home, via a cable car, 5 busses, and two taxi's.