Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu via JAL and Korean First Class
Oct 30, 2017, 6:34 am
#63
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Oct 30, 2017, 7:33 am
#64
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Oct 30, 2017, 10:08 am
#65
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https://twitter.com/BeijingAir?ref_s...Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Great report - as always expected here
^
Oct 30, 2017, 1:55 pm
#67
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My keeper made me pick up a big blob of panda poo. We also swept, racked, and bundled bamboo; cleaned enclosures to remove all panda waste products; and prepared food and fed the pandas. We got to keep our gloves but had to return our uniforms that we wore over our clothes for four days. There was an option to purchase a uniform but I did not look nearly as attractive in mine as some people.
The small group that I went with to volunteer is travelling again in 2018. Let me know if you want the details. We had eight people and our guide/interpreter. All meals, hotels, activities, and transportation (flights from Beijing to Chengdu and private van to and around Ya'an). Our first panda encounter was included. I paid extra for five minutes with one cub and then five minutes for a feeding session. No one else did the feeding, so I had five pandas all to myself.
The small group that I went with to volunteer is travelling again in 2018. Let me know if you want the details. We had eight people and our guide/interpreter. All meals, hotels, activities, and transportation (flights from Beijing to Chengdu and private van to and around Ya'an). Our first panda encounter was included. I paid extra for five minutes with one cub and then five minutes for a feeding session. No one else did the feeding, so I had five pandas all to myself.
Nov 3, 2017, 2:14 pm
#68
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Nov 3, 2017, 9:56 pm
#69
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Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
We had such a wonderful experience at the Four Seasons on our last visit three years ago that we decided to return again. Traffic from the airport was reasonably light today and we were at the hotel in 45 minutes.
Up to our suites on the 21st floor.
Our suite 2122.
OK, that's a pretty extreme precaution.
After we unpacked, we headed up to The Executive Lounge on the 26th floor. The lounge is a wonderful oasis with great staff and multiple food offerings throughout the day.
The lounge has an outdoor terrace with great views of the city.
We relaxed the rest of the afternoon and then head to Cai Yi, the hotel's signature Chinese restaurant.
Where the food was amazing.
After dinner, the view from the Executive Lounge terrace.
For many more pics of Four Seasons Hotel Beijing and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com and Four Seasons Hotel Beijing.
We had such a wonderful experience at the Four Seasons on our last visit three years ago that we decided to return again. Traffic from the airport was reasonably light today and we were at the hotel in 45 minutes.
Up to our suites on the 21st floor.
Our suite 2122.
OK, that's a pretty extreme precaution.
After we unpacked, we headed up to The Executive Lounge on the 26th floor. The lounge is a wonderful oasis with great staff and multiple food offerings throughout the day.
The lounge has an outdoor terrace with great views of the city.
We relaxed the rest of the afternoon and then head to Cai Yi, the hotel's signature Chinese restaurant.
Where the food was amazing.
After dinner, the view from the Executive Lounge terrace.
For many more pics of Four Seasons Hotel Beijing and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com and Four Seasons Hotel Beijing.
Last edited by SFO777; Nov 4, 2017 at 8:36 am
Nov 3, 2017, 9:57 pm
#70
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Our first morning brought remarkably good visibilty for Beijing. Apparently, we have the upcoming Party Congress to thank as the government most likely shut down the heavy polluters for a few weeks. LOL.
I headed upstairs for breakfast before our 1st day of touring.
This morning, we're off to Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, with our guide Michael.
Lots of folks from the countryside in town this weekend. Apparently westerners are a novelty as we were stopped numerous times for photos.
A couple hours later, we exited the Forbidden City and walked to our rendezvous point with our wonderful driver, Mr. Ma, no relation to Jack.
For many more pics of The Forbidden City and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com and The Forbidden City.
I headed upstairs for breakfast before our 1st day of touring.
This morning, we're off to Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, with our guide Michael.
Lots of folks from the countryside in town this weekend. Apparently westerners are a novelty as we were stopped numerous times for photos.
A couple hours later, we exited the Forbidden City and walked to our rendezvous point with our wonderful driver, Mr. Ma, no relation to Jack.
For many more pics of The Forbidden City and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com and The Forbidden City.
Last edited by SFO777; Nov 7, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Nov 3, 2017, 10:44 pm
#71
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I actually did like the taste but the translation to English still leaves something to be desired, IMO. 
Thanks very much Askartus. Wow, bummer for the last 4 people to miss out when the panda decided to move around. I'm hoping they got a refund.
LOL. Well I guess that at some point it was something original.
Thanks vh_bu98 and for the info on the credit card. I typically don't carry a lot of cash but was warned in advance so I had enough cash just in case. We did have a problem at some places that (supposedly) had issues with foreign credit cards.
Thank you very much aquamarinesteph. The pandas were the highlight of the trip. Working on editing pics tonight and some of them are just priceless.
Hope you enjoy. Thanks nequine.
Certainly not the most luxurious but IMO, it beats waiting in line to enter Korea, going thru customs, taking a shuttle to and from and re-entering the airport. Strange regional First product indeed with the exact same seat and configuration as Business Class.
Thanks FlightNurse. Hope you air quality is OK when you arrive.
Thank you Madone59.
Thanks so much Hoyaheel. Much appreciated.
Wow, what an amazing experience. And five pandas all to yourself. And those pics incredible. Thanks FlyForFun for posting the pics and the details of the volunteer tour.
I agree. Thanks fly747fly.
Sorry for interrupting this (interesting, as usual) trip report with my 2 cents and pictures, but since we went to Chengdu 4 weeks ago, I have to add a few words, if somebody thinks about going to Dujiangyan: A picture is not guaranteed. Our Panda decided after a while, that he doesn´t like sitting anymore. So for the last 4 people of our group the event ended without sitting next to a panda.
Once I will pay some naive guy 100 € if he goes on a market in Italy and sells it as "original Parmesan" Correction, they had me wear a green polo for volunteering with a blue see through gown for the photo opportunity. The jumpsuit would definitely have been better.
Taking care of pandas are expensive. I got lucky that my credit card went through because they kept saying that they had issues with foreign cards and I didn't have enough cash to cover everything. I'm not use to carrying much cash on me even when traveling abroad. I did think it was funny that they called it a donation. And apparently only foreigners are allowed to volunteer and participate in the photo op.
Taking care of pandas are expensive. I got lucky that my credit card went through because they kept saying that they had issues with foreign cards and I didn't have enough cash to cover everything. I'm not use to carrying much cash on me even when traveling abroad. I did think it was funny that they called it a donation. And apparently only foreigners are allowed to volunteer and participate in the photo op.
Hope you enjoy. Thanks nequine.
I've followed the US State Dept air quality twitter feed for years now
https://twitter.com/BeijingAir?ref_s...Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Great report - as always expected here^
https://twitter.com/BeijingAir?ref_s...Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Great report - as always expected here
^My keeper made me pick up a big blob of panda poo. We also swept, racked, and bundled bamboo; cleaned enclosures to remove all panda waste products; and prepared food and fed the pandas. We got to keep our gloves but had to return our uniforms that we wore over our clothes for four days. There was an option to purchase a uniform but I did not look nearly as attractive in mine as some people.
The small group that I went with to volunteer is travelling again in 2018. Let me know if you want the details. We had eight people and our guide/interpreter. All meals, hotels, activities, and transportation (flights from Beijing to Chengdu and private van to and around Ya'an). Our first panda encounter was included. I paid extra for five minutes with one cub and then five minutes for a feeding session. No one else did the feeding, so I had five pandas all to myself.
The small group that I went with to volunteer is travelling again in 2018. Let me know if you want the details. We had eight people and our guide/interpreter. All meals, hotels, activities, and transportation (flights from Beijing to Chengdu and private van to and around Ya'an). Our first panda encounter was included. I paid extra for five minutes with one cub and then five minutes for a feeding session. No one else did the feeding, so I had five pandas all to myself.
I agree. Thanks fly747fly.
Nov 4, 2017, 8:26 am
#72
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I read the website version so commenting ahead. The place you had lunch in Xi’an, after the Great Mosque, looks like Defacheng. Was it on the between the Drum and Bell Towers, on the upper level of the exterior shopping area ?
Great TR, I think we might have been in Xi’an at the same time, I was there mid October, staying at the Sofitel, and did nearly exactly the same things as you, including the Hot Pot.
Great TR, I think we might have been in Xi’an at the same time, I was there mid October, staying at the Sofitel, and did nearly exactly the same things as you, including the Hot Pot.
Nov 5, 2017, 1:55 pm
#75
Join Date: May 2015
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Really enjoyed this report with some great pictures.
Just curious though, can you use the satellite NRT JAL First class lounge even if flight departs from the main terminal and If so, how long does it take to get there?
Any replies would be appreciated and apologies if this has already been answered!
Just curious though, can you use the satellite NRT JAL First class lounge even if flight departs from the main terminal and If so, how long does it take to get there?
Any replies would be appreciated and apologies if this has already been answered!