Yesterday was great. Went into Ya' an. There is a beautiful bridge there that has this amazing building on it....now shops, mainly tea shops. It is so cool to be the minority over here! Everyone was staring at us...but all very friendly. I am loving the culture over here.

Today was amazing! As if I thought I couldn't top my trip....well I did. I have been going in earlier then the others every morning to be there for the morning cleaning procedures. Shane (camera man) has come up as well a couple of times to get some extra shots. Well, we were lucky that he came up today because when Luo Bo picked us up he told me that he had gone in with Funi yesterday and that she had behaved really well. Then he surprised me by saying that he was going to take me in with her as he was happy with the progress we had been making. I could not believe it!

So after the cleaning he went in with Funi and I was in right behind him. He was able to hug her and even try to pick he up (she weighs 90kgs), He was playing with her ears and paws. It just blew me away...she was absolutely content with us being there and him handling her in that way. He then said I could go and pat her. I sat near her and was able to pat her. She looked at me a few times and then just kept eating and leaning on Luo Bo. It was amazing. They can be so dangerous (as they are bears) but she was so relaxed ...it was great. So I didn't get any photos but it will be on the doco.

For those of you that are following my blog and interested in the whole experience and the transportation of the pandas...there is a film crew with us making a documentary. They have been with us the entire time and have been able to capture some amazing footage and experiences. It will be coming out early next year I think so keep an eye out!

Had dinner with the Giant Panda Keeper from Vienna Zoo tonight. She is now staying at our hotel. It was great chatting over dinner and hearing about her experiences. They received pandas in 2003 and Fulong is their first born. She will be a great contact for me in the future and we will be able to keep in contact about what is going on with our pandas.

Simone