goosmurf:
When we got into Chengdu airport it was nice to see that taxis are regulated. It's funny how "regulation" often has negative connotations but when you see how industries you're used to, like taxis, operate in unregulated markets you realise the benefits.
goosmurf:
We'd booked our hotel online with We'd booked the Holiday Inn Chengdu via Ctrip but the hotel had no record of our booking. I doubted Ctrip would have staff available at 9pm but they did, and worked it out with the 3rd party travel agency. Genuine amaze.
goosmurf:
No fun allowed
goosmurf:
We came to Chengdu mainly to see the giant panda and with no particular plans for the other two days we opted to hug the river around the city centre.
goosmurf:
We failed to realise two things - the city centre is a roughly 4km square. And a lot of the section we walked was mostly uninteresting concrete. :) Interesting in its own right, as we were expecting that any "waterfront" would be prime real estate.
goosmurf:
There were a lot of Govt department buildings along the section we walked.
goosmurf:
Really cool to see separated bike lanes. For bicycles and motorbikes.
goosmurf:
Apartments along the Jinjiang River
goosmurf:
Looking south-west towards the Anshun Bridge
goosmurf:
Parallel processing
goosmurf:
Anyone know what's in that meatball looking thing he's hooking up?
goosmurf:
The roads in Chengdu are wiiiiiiiiiide. Traffic is generally MUCH more mellow than Shanghai or Beijing. If Shanghai or Guangzhou honking is a 10/10 then Chengdu would be about a 3/10.
goosmurf:
Jimmie mixing it up with the locals. Quite a change from his timid first steps in Shanghai. :) Although he does appear to be riding on grandma's coat-tails...
goosmurf:
Pi
goosmurf:
Funky trees
goosmurf:
Eiffel Tower
goosmurf:
Chengdu was really hot and dry. Fortunately there were many WOWO stores. WOWO and us would be best friends for the next 3 days. It was fun to see how the convenience store chains changed from city to city. China is very regional in almost every way.
goosmurf:
Cool & Refreshing Cucumber flavor was just what we needed. Surprisingly cucumbery, and as refreshing as a potato chip can get.
goosmurf:
It was so hot I drank 4 of these suckers in one day...
goosmurf:
Not sure if security guard or just random guy reading the paper on his portable stool
goosmurf:
Perfect! We want to be pedestrians across the street!
goosmurf:
Very My Little Pony
goosmurf:
We went to visit Tianfu Square. Underneath it is a shopping centre of some sort. And this wacky sculpture.
goosmurf:
I couldn't find any history of Tianfu Square. It's big and has a large statue of Mao.
goosmurf:
Chairman Mao in front of the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum
goosmurf:
Sichuan Provincial Library, Chengdu
goosmurf:
Classic Great Taste of Italian Red Meat Flavor
goosmurf:
Fermented Soy Bean Prawn Flavor -- not a Classic Great Taste
goosmurf:
I wouldn't be surprised if someone mistook this aisle for candy or cordial
goosmurf:
Smurfette and laundry detergent. *triggering intensifies*
