Lions, Tigers and Panda Bears

This morning our guide took us and another family to the Safari Park. The park was built in 1997 and is a privately-owned park. It was incredible! The park is large and beautifully landscaped.The animals have large open areas that imitate their natural habitat. At each exhibit, Margo would begin to fuss and it was obvious that she was afraid. She and I had to stay back a bit. Mike was able to move in close and take some great pictures. About halfway through we took a 40 minute train ride through the “free-roaming” area. Some of the animals were free-roaming and some were enclosed. We saw lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, wolves, gazelles and more. There was a guide who would talk about what we were seeing. Whatever she was saying must have been hilarious because the passengers laughed the entire ride! After we completed our ride, Margo was more fascinated by the animals and would laugh at them! The park is home to 10 giant panda’s! Six of them are transplants from the area that was devastated by the large earthquake. The panda’s are very well cared for! The have their own health room where the vitamins are mixed and medications are kept; the cake room where vegetable and grain cakes are baked; and the delivery room complete with an ultrasound machine! There was a large mural that talked about panda’s in the winter season. We had to snap the picture of a panda with Dong Dong underneath. Dong means winter and Dong Dong was the nickname Margo’s nanny gave her as she came to the orphanage in the winter! Margo was a real trooper. Even though we were in the heat for 5 hours, she did not fuss or cry!

This evening, we went out for one last group dinner with the other Faith families. Our guide took us to another Chinese restaurant. We were seated in a large private dining room and served another feast. Margo sat quietly in her chair and enjoyed watching everyone. She has begun to hold her own food and feed herself! This is a big feat for her as she was spoon fed in the orphanage! Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment and our last full day in China.