We woke excited for this day! Cherie really wanted to spend some time with the Panda's of China, so after some research we booked well in advance a day as a Volunteer Panda Zookeeper.   And what a day it was!   One of the most memoriable days we've had, just the four of us spent the day in back of house, with a guide.

We had to arrive early, as Panda's are more active in the morning, they sleep alot and mostly after about 11am.

Our guide Ruth took us to Panda House 2, we had to put covers on our shoes, then Cherie cut up all the apples for the day, it's a treat for the Panda's before they are released out into the open area.  

Then .................amazing so, we saw our first Panda, and then our second Ke Bo who is 19 and last the six juveniles - 18 months old huddled all together, they were all lined up at the fence for feeding.   We all took it in turns feeding them, 1/4 apples, on a short stick. Their eye sight is not the best, so you put the apple infront of nose and they lift the head up for the apple, really gently, I was surprised I thought they'd be a bit rough.

The only one - "Meatball" was a bit of a bully, pushing the others over, but it only came across as fun "tit for tat" kids stuff.

After the apples - we released them into the enclosures, you should have seen the tourists waiting for them, it was funny, we stood behind on a ramp and everyone was taking photos of them, ooing and arring, we felt like the bears being googled at, as we were the only ones at the back with Ruth.

Then it was back to the office area, where we suited up and went back to their sleeping quarters, with our brooms, mops, poo lifter and hoses.    Yep, we did it all, bamboo does not smell so was all ok.

10am the Panda cakes arrived, can't remember what they were made of, but they do have vitamins in them.   We got to try them, as all ediable ingredients, a bit of jam would have been nice!

Panda's only allowed one cake each, so they are cut in half, we visited Panada's in their encloses using a big stick to feed them.

After lunch at the Panda Cafe, we were guided around the park, to see more Panda's including some 1 year old's, you could watch them for hours, as they are so playful, they roll out of the trees, roll over each other - the whole time you just feel like having a roll with them, or at least a cuddle.

Panda's are a bit fussy when it's mating time, so at the zoo they help with artifical insemination, when nothing seems to be happening - Panda's can have a fake pregnancy too.

When they have the baby (one or two), the mother either knows how to look after it or some don't, so that is where the zoo plays a big part.   The ones you see in the photo's are babies that needed attention, the keeper has to rub it's belly to help with learning to poo, as the mother normally does that by licking regularly.    I was surprised when I heard it takes 3 months for them to be able to start walking.

We saw 8 babies - 2 months old in the sun, a keeper overlooking, they move about a bit, wiggle, wiggle, one little one, moved away from the group and rolled down the hill, they are so roley poley nothing really worries them.

Other areas that were included was a film on how they do look after the Panda's, and the baby process.    We also saw the Red Panda, quite lively after a feed.

We left with Panda eyes...........please can we stay!

We'd recommend this day to anyone, it was extra special.

That afternoon Dad and I ventured to the Jinli Old Street, the architecture - Qing Dynasty style. The street was lively, restaurants, music, local craft stalls, and street food, which was interesting for us to just see what the locals Take Away Food is. The evening comes alive on dark, as the streets are lit with traditional red lanterns.
 
We bought some Jasmine Tea, in hope that we can get it home, well - the left over!