More Montigue moments of impulsivity

DAY 7 AND 8 - 

Giant pandas are the pride of Sichuan so we took off to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the lazy lovelies. Most of the enormous teddy-like bears were bush tuckered, snoozing among the trees as they're meant to be most active earlier in the mornings. I had a desperate need to see the National Treasures of China and the sweetie hearts were no disappointment; I couldn't stop smiling :) 

I NOW OFFICIALLY BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - Panda mobile shuttles took us on a joyride round the pretty grounds, enabling us to get our bearings of this peaceful, natural setting. My first up close encounter with these black and white, solitary mammals had me mesmerised as one cub hung upside down being hilarious. I appreciated the large enclosures and that visitors obeyed the signs to not startle the adorable animals as they hate noise. 

Beholding these beauties and their playful antics from only feet away brought so many such joy. They chilled in their trees thinking they're the cutest and they are! None seemed remotely phased by all the cameras poised in their direction; not exactly known for being party animals but every slight movement made me want to speak less and stare more. One sneezed like the excellent viral Youtube vid which was one of the most delightful sounds I've ever heard with my own ears. Although the larger pandas are in isolated confinement as it is in their nature to prefer seclusion.. I couldn't help but wonder if really they longed for company. Bless their tender hearts!

IT'S HARD TO BE AWESOME 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR - As we were there in late April, it was smack dab mid Mating and Courtship season which is March to May. Johannah explained that the older male and females are encouraged to reproduce during this period but there's not much romance involved! We weren't lucky enough to see any newborns or the veterinary hospital as there was too much else to see. I couldn't snap any good 'uns with me in frame as the princes/princesses would always turn away at opportune moments.. Plus, I'd had enough of my yucky, hideous face spoiling my holiday piccies!! 

While feasting on their fave grub, the old bamboo our pretties posed for the 'paps'! This plant must be delicious to their taste as they devour between 20 and 40lbs a day, spending 12 of 24 hours eating! One particular panda gave us a spectacular show of releasing his bowels (to phrase it politely) ..no details of that nastiness is necessary! While we didn't have a brief glimpse of any KUNG FU moves, we were treated to butt scratching against branches, after climbing up and down a tree. 

THE FLUFFY FACES OF MY NEW-FOUND FRIENDS ARE BURNED INTO MY BRAIN - I hate to be the one to tell those of you who don't already know this -- only approx 1800 Giant Panda are left in the wild. My sadness cannot be contained.. but I'm somewhat comforted in the knowledge that it's the mission of this research facility and breeding ground to release all their captive pandas once the panda population has reached a desirable level. It was unBEARable to leave all of the gentle, placid beings behind, taking only memories and panda cuddly toys back home. 

Johannah and her crazy husband, Jamie are goofy together but they're fun company and well-matched. It's been so brilliant to catch up with my brother and get to know the woman who has his heart. That those two congenial people found each other in this wild world, gives me hope that I might someday also. Amy and I **galloped with gay abandon to the rose garden to be among clusters of varying pink and red hue blooms. Sweet scents perfumed the air; the symmetrically, perennial garden flowers were so beautiful, you could just ***die! I couldn't keep my eyes off the crystal clear water of swan lake but that's due to being terror-stricken by swans. 
**metaphorically ***gross exaggeration

WHEN YOU WANT TO MARRY YOUR MEAL - I find my mind is often thinking of food so it was freakish that I hadn't given my tummy a thought sooner. It was nearly 4pm when we reached The Bookworm Restaurant to have our late lunch, having lost track of the time. Aptly named for its library of books and cozy vibe that I have now become the number one fan of this eatery.. in a creepy way! Most of the family agreed this was the tastiest meal we'd eaten in China; I began with hand cut rosemary chunky chips which were manna from heaven. I shared round this immensely generous portion as the other plates were still being prepared in the kitchen and we were all so peckish!! My spicy chicken breakfast burrito with eggs, peppers, sour cream, salsa, guac and salad was that hăochī (meaning: delicious in Mandarin) ..I'm getting fat just typing about it!! 

We showed up 20 minutes late to the soiree in honour of J and J which was partly because of traffic and as it took us a while to find the location of the social. Most attendees hadn't been able to come to the big day so they'd thoughtfully put on a marvellous spread at the swanky Fraser Suites. The terrace was hired especially and all were very welcoming and kind :) The hospitality of Jamie and Johannah's friends was something I shan't forget; they'd gone to so much trouble to jubilate their marriage. Cream frosted, raspberry chocolate cake was cut by the newlyweds, smooshed in each others faces and then gobbled down heartily. It was a lovely gathering and the view overlooking the balcony was anything but ordinary; the city was afire with mystical lights of the night. 

VINTAGE CHINA - The following day, was a summery 25 degrees and the whole family went to visit Huanglongxi, an ancient town known as Yellow Dragon Stream in English (for the valley resembles a golden mythological creature). A popular, tourist attraction with a history spanning over 1700 years which is extolled for its organic delights. So pretty is the setting, that the backdrop has been used in many Chinese film and TV productions including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which was filmed nearby. Johannah crowned us with fresh flower (as do all sightseers), rainbow headdresses; purchased for the equivalent of only 20 British pence, so it didn't matter that they'd only last the day. Sidenote: We looked cool as heck! We made Dad and Jamie wear them too to make them 'prettier' men! 

We've now also established Johannah's assertive credentials; just when I thought I couldn't like her more she sent sellers packing with a firm 'no need!' as we didn't want selfie sticks or a massage. Through the Western Town Gate of the preserved town and the 100 year old Dragon Door reflecting 'true life of the common people in West Sichuan', we were world's apart from England. Johannah bartered for us at one of the stalls at the West Sichuan Dwelling Culture Street, in times past - 'a prosperous countryside fair'. Her trick is to walk away until they call her back with a better offer. What a handy woman to have around; she's been invaluable to us during our stay especially when it came to us picking out new trinkets and jewellery. 

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THIS BYGONE STOMPING GROUND? It's a necessity to sojourn to this rustically restored riverside village. With red-ribboned wishing trees, sacred pagodas, Qing era architecture, quaint cobbled streets and surging waterfalls; it looks like something out of an enchanted fable. Souvenir shops aside, it's obvious why Huanglongxi has earned regard as the 'Hollywood of China'. This site is a relaxing getaway to meander along the the rippling Huanglong river which flows right through the centre of this port.  

Not only is it a picturesque spot at Yellow Dragon but the scent of spicy noodles intoxicates the air. Out of our natural habitat, the bananas Brits did as the locals do and had fun toppling from rock to rock as the stepping stones/turtles/frogs wobbled underfoot!! We're crushing this family adventuring :) I was oddly afraid of one vendor who was selling live mice and tiny terrapins, on the grounds of him striking me as a shady sort. I've seen some hideous things in life but the entire carcass of a cow being butchered and carved out in plain view, knocked me sick! 

NOODLING - In an authentic food place, we entered into the convention of consuming the never ending noodle. Quite literally it was one stupendous strand of noodle spiralled to fill our bowl! I chanced the fiery version and loveeeeeeed slurping it down. There's simply no way one can partake elegantly, so the surprise party in your mouth soon converts to drool city!! The gong we passed called out to Amy and I; we couldn't not bang it and yes we probably looked like uncultured buffoons!! 

At a traditional teahouse, we drank hot water and laughed merrily together as we were continually pestered for a back rub or to have our ears cleaned out with instruments of torture. The locals act like we're celebrities here as a tour group hounded us for photo after photo, telling us we were cute/beautiful/handsome; Joe was particularly attractive to the ladies! You'd think we were unicorns or something the way we were treated as legendary beings. We moved away from the madness and left Johannah to take a nap with Julie so we could explore more, passing a group playing a feisty game of Mahjong. Joe assisted his Mumma across the course of boulders as we zeroed in on the mythical monster at the end of the stream and no, it wasn't Nessie!

HOT POT IS AS HOT AS THE DEVIL'S HEAD - Sichuan wowed us with its regional, culinary genius of hot pot at Flower Vine Restaurant. We put our trust in Johannah for all ingredient choices as we didn't have a clue what was what! All manner of meat, root vegetables and yes even flower petals were ladled into the bubbling pit before us - the mild and piquant sides divided. I foolishly braved the spice which upon my first spoonful wasn't half bad then *whoooshh*..I'm talking a habañero deadly kick to the lip!! Choking on the peppercorns, famed in Chengdu dishes for the numbing sensation was not the most comfortable I have ever been but I womaned up and went back in for further helpings all the same. The girls were in love with our zesty lemon, mason jar drinks. Afterwards, us delinquents enjoyed the sexy mood lighting of Tai Koo Li as the city centre came alive at night.