Happy 11th Birthday, Harley!

Hello again everyone! We hope this post finds you all well and healthy!

August 14th 2008, was one of the most amazing days any of us have ever had. Because of this, the following post reads like a sort of novella... enjoy!

So, let's start at the beginning and ask the question that is probably on a lot of peoples minds. Q: "Just how do you celebrate an 11 year old American boys birthday in China?" Well, you take him to see his all time favorite animal, the Giant Panda!


We headed out at 7am and took a 45 minute ride to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center, located here in Chengdu. This is the epicenter for Panda breeding and habitat restoration/preservation. We watched Harley's face light up as we bought our tickets and approached the front gate. The weather was drizzly and misty, but lovely among a setting of outreaching bamboo that lined all of the paths inside. We were all set for a day with the Pandas, and had our snacks and water in tow.

As we wound our way through forests of green and mist, we came upon the first enclosure. There, a giant Panda! He's walking out from the mist towards a large wooden structure. "Do you see him, Harley?" "YES! Oh my gosh!" The Panda makes his way slowly towards the wooden structure, climbs upon it, and lays down. It is so quiet and peaceful... so still. Lovely!



The next enclosure brings us to another Panda, walking in the background of the forrest thicket. He decides to keep his distance, which makes any chance of a photo unsuccessful.

The third enclosure, "There, in the distance..." a Panda is laying down on top of another wooden structure, watching us. He makes no moves, just watching. "SNAP" Another photo... wonderful!


The fourth enclosure bends around, with bamboo on one side of us and the enclosure on the other. As we reach the center we look up to see that we are within 15 feet of 5 giant Pandas! They are huddled individually, though in a group, and resting like the others. One yawns and rolls over. We are captivated!

Our next building is the nursery where these magnificant creatures are lovingly cared for and reared and where photo taking is strictly prohibited. Everyone who has come to see the babies is very respectful and quiet, which make the moment even more awe inspiring. We walk up to a large pane of glass, lined with incubators on the opposite side. A 4 day-old baby girl lay sleeping, she could fit in the palm of your hand. No black markings yet... all white... so beautiful and tiny! Down to the left is another incubator, with a nurse and a 2 month old baby. The black markings begin to appear now, and she is cleaning his little backside... so helpless. When they are old enough (about 6 to 8 months of age) they will be placed with other "baby" pandas from time to time, and allowed to begin the bonding process. At one and a half to five years of age, they are conisdered sub-adult, and are able to live full time among each other, without constant care from their human providers, (except for food, of course) and their most active years will be from ages two to three. It is during this tme that they begin to eat bamboo, learn to explore and play, and establish life long bonds with other non-related pandas. They will also become sexually mature during the end of their fifth year.

Now, so far Harley is thinking that this is already the best Birthday on record, but Dad & I have one more thing planned. As we leave the fourth enclosure, and our most awesome moments with the babies, we "wander" around the compound and hint at a goal of exploration. When we come upon a building, medium size and understated. We walk inside and find 30 or so other people, peering into an open window. Pandas in cages?? This seems odd to Harley, but they look happy, young and munching on bamboo. He looks at us, puzzeled as to why these particular bears are in cages, until a woman takes his hand and leads him into a room. He is suited up, gloves on, and asked to wait outside. He does, and his curiosity begins to grow into visible anticipation at the thought he hesitates to entertain. "NO! No way, this could not be happening!" The woman takes his hand again and leads him to a large, burel wood bench where she asks him to sit down. After following her instructions, they bring out a 2 year old giant panda and place it on Harley's lap. "Surprise, Happy Birthday Harley!" we wisper.

I am in tears, Dad is in the background filming, and little Harley is... well... stunned, awa struck, amazed, silent. His face says it all, I have never seen him more content or peaceful. The panda turns his head and gets a taste of Harleys hand, exploring, just like a toddler would do. The keeper gives the panda a piece of bamboo, then two, then three, and he nibbles at it while taking a glance back at the boy who arms he lay in. Harley and his panda have bonded, instantly and forever. To say that he will never forget his encounter would be, I believe, a gross understatement. He has been forever changed by it, and Dad and I will enjoy his retelling of it, multiple times, over and over, with every ounce of love and affection that we have.


Harley's big day was ended with our tradition of a Sushi dinner at a place just across the street from where we live. We were joined by Tony, (our driver and good family friend) and Victoria (who works with Harley) and we all had a lovely time. After dinner we came back to the house for chocolate cake, candles, and tea. Tony gave Harley a basketball and Victoria gave him a spoon and fork set made of silver, which he likes and appreciated very much.

Truly, this was a day to remember... ALWAYS!