Hi Everyone

Today we were up and out of the hostel early to go to see some pandas at a nature reserve. The reserve was almost 1 1/2 hours away but we travelled there in style. There was only the two of us and a Czech couple from another hostel, so we were driven in a very nice car by a very good driver (must be the only good driver in China). Definately beat the old minibuses we've been used to. There are 12 pandas at the reserve - most have been taken there because of injury or illness. In 20 years only 2 pandas have ever been born there. Apparently pandas don't like hot weather so they took a bit of persuading to come out, but two of them did eventually! Got some great pictures. There were lots of other animals at the reserve - some we'd never seen before, but the pandas stole the show. We even got to feed them and stroke them (sort of).

Our last day in Xian was spent wandering round the city, and doing a bit of souvenier shopping.

Also, the dumpling party went very well. We had an old Chinese woman 'supervising'. Imagine Gordon Ramsey but ten times worse. She didn't look too impressed with our efforts, but we had fun, and they tasted good.

Next stop Shanghai........

Love From

Joanne and Emma xx