Armed with these facts, we watched the Red Pandas for a while (they move fast when they want to), and came across another area where anyone could have their photo taken holding a Red Panda for a small fee. This was completely fantastic! Got in line until it was my turn to get decked out in a surgical gown and gloves. Only one person at a time got a few minutes to hold a Red Panda in their lap while Red Panda busily munched away on apples.

Wondering how many apple slices a Red Panda could eat, it was ex-Marine's turn, and the keeper took a fresh Red Panda, waiting eagerly for his turn. This was worth every penny. They are a lot heavier than you'd think and so c...u...t...e!

From the absolute high of the Pandas to the low of Chengdu Airport. Chengdu Airport became my idea of Chinese purgatory. We sat for six hours because our Szechuan Airlines flight to Shanghai was delayed (what else is new) and announcements were incessantly made over the P.A. system in ear-splitting decibels. First the announcement in Chinese, followed by an announcement in English, followed by an announcement that Flight #...is boarding at gate..., followed by all passengers should be on board. Over and over again, driving me close to insanity. When our Szechuan Airlines plane finally materialized and passengers boarded, big consolation. The flight attendants served ICE CREAM CONES! Can you believe it? Ice cream cones while sitting and waiting for take-off? Who cared! We were finally on the way to Shanghai...