July 12th

Before and after breakfast, all went well with Julia. She is really getting to be a pro with the schedule now.

After breakfast, we headed to the Chimelong Xiangjiang Safari Park. A few friends had recommended the park. I also noticed it is rated #1 out of 495 attractions for Guangzhou on tripadvisor.

Just as we had finished purchasing the tickets and excited to start our day at the park, a huge thunderstorm came up. We quickly hurried (as everyone else did too) and took cover under the hut where they take your tickets. Julia seemed a little scared but then was okay.

As we huddled for about 20 minutes in the hut, there was not much to do but stand in line. I think we were all starting to get slap happy. I was distanced from Jake and Grant a person and a stroller behind them. I noticed them watching someone and trying not to laugh. I started wondering who they were looking at. A few aisles across from them was this woman who was eating a full cucumber or zucchini type vegetable. She was aggressively chopping and chewing it with her teeth, mouth open and pieces of the vegetable falling out of her mouth. It was very strange, yet funny. Here is a goofy picture of Jake waiting in this line.

After the rain tapered off we got on the train and started our tour. It was really a site to be seen! Animals of every type, up close. Julia seemed to notice them all. She really looked them over.

After the train ride was over we started walking on a trail through many beautiful animal displays. The trail went on for a few hours with wall to wall people. As we approached the Panda House we felt like we had reached our goal. It was quite a site seeing all the pandas. I noticed these huge blocks of ice in the panda's cages. It was at that moment i dreamed of lying on top of the blocks of ice too, mainly because as the weather had cleared up, the park literally felt like a steam bath the rest of the day.

After the park we had lunch at an even larger mall that was across the street from the two malls connected to our hotel. I cannot explain how many people fill these malls. I know the population in China is huge but to witness it is quite the experience. It usually takes so much walking to get to a specific store, then you have to walk a long time to find your way out. Every restaurant is packed, all the time.

It was another busy day. Julia did great through all of it. She really has been adapting to everything well.