Nature At Its Best

Today we encountered all kinds of nature. Our first stop was the zoo.

Guangzhou zoo is supposed to be the largest zoo in China. We saw a lot of animals that we've seen before, but a couple of new ones too.

This orangatan was the largest one I've ever seen. He was at least 500 lbs.

June was impressed too.

This Asian black bear was looking for someone to throw him food.

This is the closest I've been to a Bengal tiger.

We've seen the hippos before, but Gabby didn't remember, so we had to get a picture.

This miniature deer couldn't have weighed more than 5 lbs. We don't have a picture, but one looked like a chihuahua to Gabby. She was right.

This was the highlight of our trip to the zoo. Gabby and I and four other people from our group fed the monkies. They were incredibly gentle as they grabbed the food from your hand.

One of the zoo keepers motioned for Gabby to hold the food up high.

I took a turn at it too. It was amazing at how gently they landed. Both Gabby and I agree that their landing on our shoulders was much softer than a cat's landing.

We were also fortunate to see the giant panda, but our pictures were too blurry to post.

During our visit at the zoo, all of our families experienced a little extra nature in the form of rain. It rained cats and dogs. It felt really good until it stopped. Then the humidity kicked in. If we weren't already wet from the rain by then, we'd certainly be soaked from sweat...think more humid then Florida. We actually have a couple of Florida residents in our group who complained about the humidity if that tells you anything.

After the zoo, we went back to Shaiman Island for a little Dim Sum for lunch. It was very good and the first Chinese food that I actually have enjoyed during our stay. Many of our group who didn't go to the zoo met us on the island. We weren't the only group at the restaurant. In all there were probably 20 families with 20 babies, not all of whom were happy. It is certainly loud, but I think we're all used to it after more than 2 weeks together. In our 8 bus trips we haven't had a single trip without at least one screaming baby. After lunch we were going to stay to do some shopping, but a drenching rain curbed everyones shopping appetite.

Yesterday, I was sick with a fever and tummy trouble, so Gabby and John went to the local Mexican restaurant. Gabby really liked it, so we went back tonight. The food was good, very greasy, but flavorful. We had nachos con carne (beef) and quesadillas con pollo y queso (chicken and cheese).

It's amazing how nature pops up everywhere you look. Between getting the nachos and the quesadillas, I saw a medium sized rat scurry out of the kitchen and under one of the buffet tables. Gabby commented, "The only good places you can find to eat have rats." She's referring to a story that John told us about one of his favorite places for dumplings in Korea or Taiwan, I can't remember now, that had rat issues. Gabby also said, "That's okay, I'll still come back." That's just how it is when you can't find food that you like to eat. You take what you can get under whatever conditions.