The name of the supermarket that is within walking distance of Ibis Hotel and where I get my necessities (mainly water and water) is not EverJoy or NewJoy, but …
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I saw the signage while waiting for my dinner at a fast food place across from the supermarket.
Dinner? That’s the subject of another blog post soon.
You know it’s time to go home from vacation when you think about the food back home. Notice I didn’t write “miss”, but “think”. And I was prompted to think about a particular food item when I saw it in Ya’an this morning.
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Wow, “I love yoo” in China!
This selection looks rather pathetic, but there’s a reason for it.
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They’re made fresh on-site.
They got me thinking about ours back home. I’m flying home tomorrow night, and right after a shower and long nap after arrival, I expect I’ll be headed out to look for the Malaysian version.
I’m off to Chengdu later today to visit Animals Asia‘s moonbear sanctuary tomorrow morning. The sanctuary offers Open Day visits to the general public two Saturdays a month, and it so happens one of their March 2010 Open Days coincides with my current visit.
So, for a change, I’m not with my giant pandas this morning. Instead, I’m sitting in my room, reflecting on the difference in lodgings from previous years.
For my last two visits, I’d stayed at Xiao Xi Tian (Little Western Sky), located inside Bifengxia Panda Base. Ideal location except it’s little more than a backpackers’ inn, with really very basic amenities. But it was within walking distance of the various exhibits, and it was cheap, dirt cheap. But after two stays, I didn’t think I could stay there one more time. Fortunately, something came along that made it possible for me to stay somewhere else.
Air Asia now flies direct to Chengdu, which means I saved on the travelling time and also on the airfares. The basic fare is about 2/3rds what I paid to Guangzhou in previous years, plus it’s the only fare – no more connecting flights or extra fares to pay.
So with the money saved on flights, I opted for better lodgings this time. Annette recommended the Ibis Hotel in Ya’an City. When I arrived, I found out how central it is, within walking distance of shops, including what I thought was the EverJoy supermarket, but is really called NewJoy. It’s also about 15 minutes’ walk to the bus stop where I take the staff bus to and fro the Base everyday.
When I checked in, the reception staff asked if I wanted a room with a view. I did. She gave me a room on the top floor, facing Ya’an’s best known landmark.
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It’s the bridge that’s the landmark. What looks like a magnificent historic building on the bridge is actually a shopping centre, filled mostly with tea shops.
The room itself is a BIG step up from Xiao Xi Tian, especially the bathroom!
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But the room and attached bathroom are not the best features of the hotel. It’s the security that really impressed me, even tho I had to find out the hard way.
After checking in, I went to take the lift to my room. The lift door closed, I pressed the button for my floor … nothing happened. I pressed again. The button still did not light up. It was then I saw the little slot next to the bank of buttons.
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The lift buttons can only be activated by a room key, and therefore only by a registered guest of the hotel. Very secure.
There’s one more thing that made me glad I’m staying at the Ibis Hotel – its Spring Festival (as Chinese New Year is called in China) decorations on the hotel’s facade.
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Thanks to that American-born panda, Tai Shan.
After a month in quarantine since being returned from the United States to Bifengxia Panda Base in China, American-born giant panda Tai Shan came out of quarantine today and was moved to his new home on Leopard Mountain at the Base in a special “Tai Shan Moving House” event that attracted the local media in full force.
I was there, but not specifically to attend the event. I’m here for my annual volunteer trip which happens to coincide with Tai Shan’s big day. Here are some pictures from this special day.
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The weather forecast had said rain from 6 March (the day I arrived), but it only rained on the 3rd day. This morning, rain in Ya’an became snow when we got to Bifengxia Panda Base. Only for Tai Shan!
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Welcome banner and red carpet at the start of the path going up to Tai Shan’s new home
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Volunteers called up on stage to receive certificates of appreciation
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There were blank cards attached to the railings at his yard for volunteers to write messages to him. This was mine.
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Caught in the act!
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The volunteers each received a goody bag with a panda soft toy inside. Mine is US bound for a special foo-foo pet … I mean, baby.
And now some pictures of today’s star attraction, Tai Shan.
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His keeper and team really got into the spirit of the occasion and decked out a buggy for Tai’s personal transport up to his new home
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Within minutes of arrival, he was allowed outdoors. He came out, looked around and headed straight for the slope on the other side so that he disappeared for a while. But he was soon back up and facing the pandarazzi on the other side of the railings.
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After the excitement of the morning, he settled down quickly to his usual routine of eating bamboo! We went back after lunch and were rewarded with his left profile …
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… and his right profile
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Tai in his yard – an overall view to give an idea of the size of the yard.
