Tourists at last

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Left Xiahe in snow - the truck was covered in icicles but fortunately it wasn't cold enough to freeze the diesel. We had a slow trip through some mountain passes and camped by some prayer flags at 3378 metres. Next morning the tents were covered in a blanket of snow. Hoping this is the end of the cold weather as we have now descended to Chengdu. The road wound down through a river gorge with amazing scenery, and what I would describe as typical Chinese towns and villages. There were a number of very long tunnels (Futang Tunnel 5347 metres long). Now settled into a hotel in Chengdu in the heart of the tourist area, and near the Chinese Opera.



And now for the tourist activities:

First the Pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Centre - there in time to see them have breakfast - how cute are they. We saw some mature ones, yearlings and some 4 months old - and even caught a glimpse of the brown panda (looked more like a raccoon with a striped tail).

And then in the evening we went to the Chinese Opera and had the chance to have make-up and put on the proper costumes - fantastic experience. And the show was a mix of singing, music, puppetry, comedy (lost on us), acrobatics and mask changing. Wow.



Off towards Dali tomorrow - only 3 more bush camps to go :-)

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Comments

[Tara]

Sounds like your having an amazing time. Really loving the new make up. Suits you !!!!! I said to mum the other day when you were feeling a bit down, that she would have been really miserable at some points. Think she likes her comforts too much and would have been fed up with alot of the basic camping stuff. I think you are doing really well and seem to be having such an exciting time. Keep enjoying yourself x