With no major setbacks in our travel, the whole family made it safe to Chengdu. In typical PDXWildlife style, we wasted little time and headed to Gengda the following morning. Top picture is the view from our apartment- so beautiful.
The small SUV that the panda base sent to pick us up left little room for the girls in the backseat as they were forced to hold several pieces of luggage. I, on the other hand, was nice and comfy in the front seat with nothing to complain about. The two hour drive from Chengdu has drastically improved over the past few years from what used to be a boulder ridden drive but is now a paved highway.
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- Lots of smiling and cleaning
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- We seem to be missing a fridge and stovetop
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- Squatter toilets… I kinda like em.
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- One happy kid awake at 3:30 am from jet lag
Not remembering that a city used to be here from my last visit in 2013, there is now quite a bit of construction and activity. We arrived to our new apartment, which is in the shared housing for all of the base workers. As we still needed to meet with the base managers before they left for the weekend, we dropped our bags and got back in the car for the quick 5 minute drive.
As we brought our secret weapon- our daughter Dee, the meetings always go very smoothly. Plus, the managers have known her since we first brought her here at 10 months old. I think they appreciate getting to see how much she has grown in the past 7 years. After taking in a few pandas, securing office space, and meeting with the respective base managers, we headed back to the apartments to take care of a little housekeeping and to put our extremely jet-lagged monster to bed.
Meghan and I worked into the late evening organizing the apartment, cleaning, and preparing for the incoming interns. I can think of no better way to have spent our anniversary.
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Hi there! Meghan and I will be in Gengda until the 21st setting up reintroduction and weaning studies. After that we will head to Bifengxia with three new interns for our fall research projects. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our program, please send me an email or leave a comment below. My email is nate@pdxwildlife.com.
Hey–at least you got to spend your anniversary together! Guess there are only a few things to take care of like stoves and fridges, and you’ll be all set. In addition to the folks at the base getting to see how Dee has grown, you and Meg can also check in on some of the cubs to see them a year later–hope Meg has time for some pictures. Please say hi to Zhen Zhen and the twins and all the other pandas at Gengda–I can’t wait to visit them myself.
It’s been several years since I was here when it was quiet and almost no pandas were being housed at both Wolong locations. Things have certainly changed. We’ll have an update on our trip soon.
Cheers-
Happy Anniversary! Your little girl is sooo lucky! The view from your apartment is lovely! Best wishes for some productive family time in Gengda – these memories that you will make are priceless! Best wishes!
Sincerely, JoAnn Mann
Thank you JoAnn.
We’ve been busy fighting jet lag, but have managed to get up to Hetaoping to begin a trial run on the reintroduction study. Going well. I’ll send an update very soon.