Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Having a bugger of a time ordering our food the way we want it on this train. We thought we had the Mandarin words for "spicy" & "extra spicy" down - even the name of the Sichuan numbing spice we had in Chengdu - but can't seem to communicate well enough to get a sufficiently spicy meal. What we do get is various meats swimming in oil, heavily accented with MSG. Edible, but not excellent. The trains themselves have been fine - though quite a range of comfort. Our first from Beijing to Xi'an was one of the nicest we'd ever been on. Getting tickets on Chinese trains can be quite difficult as spaces are sold out days before departure - and we're never much for planning ahead these days. So - our bunks are typically whatever we can find, often within inches of the ceiling on the impressively high third level. The train from Xi'an to Chengdu was still nice, but we opted for beds in the "soft-sleeper" wagon at a price of about $45US each.

We experienced a Sichuan HotPot - plenty spicy - though a very unique affect that literally numbs the mouth & lips as you eat it. It's like a buffet in that you can eat as much as you like - though most of the things they're offering are quite unfamiliar to Western stomachs. After selecting a plate full of items, you return to your table and plop everything into the boiling vat of chili oil and spices. After a few minutes you can fish out the recognizable parts and wash them down with some sweetened soy milk with dark tapioca pearls milling in the bottom of the cup. This drink was perhaps my favorite part of the meal.

Spent a morning at the Panda Conversation Base near Chengdu. They claim they have more pandas than anywhere else or something. Mostly a large zoo like place - but the bears looked happy... unless they just always look like that. Lots of bamboo.