Sorry for the lack of phone cam pix you guys!!! We haven’t been able to get our pix to post since the layover at the Bangkok airport. Between the smog and the high buildings we only get pockets of reception now. Hopefully we can get some we have saved on the phone to go through eventually.
Yesterday was UNREAL…so unexpected!!! Our guide Mickal picked us up at 8:30 am for our day of touring Chengdu. As we got into the car we mentioned to him something we bumped into on the internet the night before by accident while researching the temples of the city. It was the Moon Bear rescue facility. We had just learned very little about the Moonbear farming while in Thailand (harvesting their bile for medicine…very inhumane) and when we saw there was a rescue operation her in Chengdu we were crossing our fingers we could get in.
They are only open 2 Saturdays per month and by appointment only. Mickal…bless his heart got us in without an appt. The only condition was we had to tour the Moon bears with a large group of children with onlyl Chinese spoken. NO PROBLEM!!!!
The guide was a wonderful and caring man named “Rainbow” who spoke English VERY well and gave us plenty of commentary as well as Mickal interpreting along the trails. They are doing incredible work at this place you guys!!!! These bears suffer ontold years in a metal harness in a cage bearly large enough to hold them….de clawed…de fanged…they are frightened to death and reaching out for help.
http://animalsasia.com is the site to tell you more about it. We were deeply moved as was Mickal who knew of the plight of the Moonbears but had never had the opportunity to visit the facility. They were very generous in giving me stacks of Save the Moonbear bumper /window stickers so you can bet my customers will be getting these in their pretty packages when you purchase jewelry!!!! This organization needs to get the word out bigtime!!! We took a lot of pix to show you later of the happy healthy bears that are now at the facility following their operations to remove their catheters and gall bladders which have been severly damaged from the bile harvesting.
On a more upbeat note…we toured the Wen Shu temple which was stunning and arrived in time to watch a chanting ceremony by the Buddhist believers. Haunting and beautiful to hear the chant over and over within the temple walls as they filed slowly by.
Ohhhhhhhhh gotta run!!!! Mickal is here..later!
Oh, I’m so glad you got to see the Moonbears! I saw Olivia Newton-John on a show one time talking about them. It’s amazing how they can rehabilitate these bears after they have been so abused. Looking forward to pictures. Have a wonderful day, I know you will!!! Lots of love!
You guys are having such an amazing time. This has definitely been an experience of a lifetime. Ken & I have loved traveling with you. The two of you do such a great job making “all of us at home” feel like we are sharing in your adventures & in the emotions of your discoveries. Try to bring some warm weather back with you. We have another storm warning for tomorrow!
Love to both of you,
Connie
Hi Cathy and Connie and Ken!!!! We are so happy you are coming by to look and Cathy…the Moonbears were incredible!!!!! Today was panda day and we have a TON to tell…more in next blog post.
Connie…we are at about 50 degrees and very hazy and damp. A real cold streak following Thailand. Diana is cringing whien she read “storm warning”. OMG..you guys have really had a crazy winter!! Kisses to all the Chowlings girls!!!
Hi Cathy & Connie & Ken,
You won’t beleive the amazing day we had at the Panda Base—2 personal guides, 1 personal camera man (I guess we made the news), and a personal man with a video camera. Sandra got 2 CD’s of pictures and a video tape of what we did from 8AM until 4:30PM. They provided us with a genuine Chinese lunch. We met the heads of the Panda Base-had ‘tea’ with them and did countless other things—more info to come later. I am signing off now, but Sandra will be posting more. We are having problems sending the cell phone pictures from Chengdu. Maybe will work tomorrow when we get back to Bangkok. Then the next morning off to the States. Oh My Aching Back!!!! Leave Wednesday AM and arrive in Des Moines Wednesday PM after flying for nearly 24 hours!
Hugs
Diana
Morning Girls!
I have really loved following your adventures. Can’t wait to see the pictures. And talk to you about everything you have done.
Hope you get home Wednesday night as planned. Another storm coming today. 6-8 inches of more snow. Foggy now, then they say mix, rain, and then the freezing rain and heavy snow. Think I’d just stay in Bangkok for a couple months. Or stop in Portland and stay there for a couple months. No way would I come back to Iowa or the Midwest!
Safe travels.
Claudia
LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER FUN FILLED DAY!! WILL BE GLAD TO SEE ALL OF THE PICTURES. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GET 6- 8 MORE INCHES OS SNOW TODAY YUK!!!!!!! EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT. SEE YA WEDNESDAY IF YOURSURE YOU WANT TO COME BACK TO THIS TERRIBLE STUFF
Jim
Wow I am so happy you are helping to inform people of these issues. I have never heard of it until now. I will definitly be going to the website for more information. I despise how inhumane some humans are and for such ridiculous reasons. I wish is would all stop…it is so so unfair. Thank you for sharing this information. I will do what I can to be pro active in helping. So happy your trip went so great and can’t wait to see all your pics.
Thank you again
Pandas Unlimited-siglor8988
Laura Sigmon