Chengdu - Day 5 + 6 (Jan 21st& 22nd)

Arriving in Chengdu was a joy. It was everything that we wanted Beijing to be. It was cleaner, less polluted (no nosebleeds - but still fairly bad). There was lots and lots of colour, which Beijing surprisingly lacked. Beijing was really grey and dull and souless. Chengdu looked alive wih people and activity - but not overcrowed and stressed.

We arrived late, so checked in to the hostel and went over the road for food. Claires face was a picture when we rocked up at this tiny back street restaurant. It was a hot pot restaurant which had a well in every table full of bubbling oil. Then they brought you fish (Claire almost vomitted) veg, dumplings and things, and you boiled up your own soup. It was amazing. Claire actually ate it too - and enjoyed it by all accounts. However she has since asked that we dont do it again for a while.

We then went back to the loft bar to do internet stuff and drink wine. Went to bed early (which was a rigmarole in itself - so cold we had to sleep in all our clothes) ready for the panda tour at 7am.

Woke up at 6.30 to shower - I went first, stupidly, and showered in minus degree temperatures in freezing cold water. Claire went next, and took the time to shout from the shower and annouce that it was so hot in there that she's had to add cold water. I am never showerig first again.

Then to the pandas. Met 2 American guys and 2 Australian women on our tour which was nice. As its not really tourist season here, we havent met many other people, so was nice to have a chat and hear about other peoples travels. Made me feel slightly innadequate when they were all bantering about there mountain trekking and teaching and tour exploring, and we were like "Erm, we've been skiing...." Im sure we'll sound more worldly in a few weeks.

Have to admit I was pretty mesmorised by the pandas. They are such incredible animals. I was a lot more well behaved than I thought too - been building this up for a while now and half expected to be running round like a 6 year old on a sugar high. Maybe I was tired. And still annoyed about the shower.

I managed to have no money on me (spent all cash on wine night before) , probably a good thing as would have gone mad in the souvenir shop otherwise. Claire did however give me 40rmb for a t -shirt (bright pink large child t-shirt, oddly no adult sizes, hum), which made me happy. Thanks Casey. I love you and my panda t-shirt equally.

We returned, ate THE BEST Hawaiin pizza I have ever had in my life, has some hot chocloate and ginger milk tea, then went for a nap (again, fully clothed), before getting picked up for the Chinese Opera.

Ah. The Chinese Opera. Where no one sings. There is fire breathing, and shadow puppets and comedy, really cool. You have a never ending supply of Jasmin tea too - which was well needed as it was FREEZING in the theatre (the tour guide had blatantly lied to Claire when she asked if it would be cold in there).

And now, about to go to bed as catching a train to Chongquin at 8am, which is where we will set off for our Yangtsze river cruise on Thursday.

Chengdu. Done.

xxx