Beijing: Elephants

 We ended with the elephants. They were behind both glass and wood pilings. I assume this is because an elephant stampede that injures children would be bad for business!

Beijing: Don't you monkey with the monkey!

Near the panda enclosure was a cage with a monkey in it, and as I was walking up , I noticed there were smears on the inside of the glass. Apparently a lady in the crowd with me did notice, so she stood with her back to the glass so she could be photographed. The monkey noticed her and began to move towards her. I saw him picking up speed and kept shooting. I missed the impact with the glass because there were people in the way, but the sound was impressive. Equally as impressive was the ladies scream. It was primal and instinctual and it was almost as if she could feel the teeth sinking into her.... and then everyone laughed as they realized what had happened.

Goes to show: you should never turn your back to a monkey!

Beijing: Zoo and Pandas

This day was supposed to be a rest day (because the Great Wall trip was tomorrow) but I decided last minute I wanted to go to the Beijing Zoo because it was only a short distance from the apartment and a short subway ride away.

The panda area was the first one that I came to near the gate. Here's the thing: you pay to enter the zoo, and then you pay again to enter the panda area. That was kinda okay I guess, but then the first Panda inside was kinda motionless and sitting with his back to the glass, which I totally understand. If people stared at me through the wall of my home all day, I might need some "alone time".

The 2nd Panda was a little too into herself. Again, she didn't ask us to be watching.

I was a little disappointed until I got to the last panda. He rocked! He gave me all kinds of pictures and had personality. I loved that dude!

A very subtle outfit

Note: I am pretty sure that this is not a panda.

This looks more like a panda.

Again, these are not pandas.

Panda.