Have arrived safely in Chengdu - got a lovely room in a fantastic place - I think we're gonna like it here. Off to the pandas tomorrow, and then to the Grand Buddha, probably the day after. We are now thinking about continuing our tour north and 'flying in the face' of the SARS. We cannot get a refund for our Shanghai tickets, and thus we're thinking it might be better to carry on the same route. Gonna have to stock up on those masks...

The Yangtze Cruise is very expensive but you are aboard for 2/3 nights so although it looks alot you get your accomodation - the choice we have now is whether to do the locals or the foreigners boat - so a boat full of Chinese (generally friendly but spit alot) or Japanese/German/Spanish et al....hmmmm what a choice. Off out to try some Sichuan food now which is about the spiciest in the world by all accounts...you're meant to drink peanut and walnut milk to help sooth - this could be a fun night, can't be a big one though - off to the pandas at 7.30 A.M. ARGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!