Panda Couture in China

The Summer Olympics in Beijing has come to a close, which also means the closing of another summer. Kids everywhere are heading back to school, and many adults may be wondering, “Did I slack on my summer fun and vacationing?” Well, guess what? Summer isn’t quite over yet, as there still is time to embark on one final trip or adventure.

In fact, China is a great place to visit this time of year, which is exactly where our company co-founders, Dan Engfer and Caroline Allison headed last September.

Getting There: Travel with FONZ. Yes, FONZ, Friends of the National Zoo! Caroline and Dan traveled with Lisa Stevens, National Zoo Curator of the Giant Pandas and Primates, who leads extraordinary learning adventures in China.

Cruising There: Cruise in China? Why not? Caroline and Dan floated the Yangzi through the spectacular Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges), enjoying the free drinks that went along with the dramatic scenery (right out of an Ang Lee film) and beautiful vistas. Off the boat they enjoyed local festivities and cuisine in the ancient village of Shibaozhai.

Play There: Caroline and Dan got to play with the pandas. How, you ask? Well, first they caught a flight from Beijing to Chengdu (in the Sichuan Province), then drove to the Wolong Panda Research Center, where they spent the good part of a day frolicking with the baby Pandas. They even got to meet with the famous giant male panda, Mei Sheng, who was born at the San Diego Zoo and then sent to China’s great panda preserve as part of a Panda exchange. Caroline and Dan couldn’t persuade the researchers into a panda adoption-although Caroline certainly tried.

Dan Engfer playing with a baby panda!

Shop There: Is that “Panda Couture” that Caroline is modeling on her arm? Yes it is. (Don’t worry, it’s faux fur.) Caroline, that panda style suits you perfectly-how can I get on board with this new fashion statement? Go to China of course! Another upside: Proceeds of “Panda Couture” go toward saving the loveable and huggable bears.

Caroline Allison modeling “Panda Couture”