Pandamonium
(Maya) Today was my 11th birthday. It began with a 2-hour mystery drive from Chengdu, China. In fact, everyone else has known what we were going to do for the last three months! This whole week they were giving me hints but I didn’t realize it at the time. Whenever we went shopping someone would say, “Oh Maya look at this cute panda purse” or something. I had no idea. As we were entering a gate to this mysterious place I saw a sign that said, “Giant Panda Reserve.” I was going to be a panda keeper for the day!
We drove into the panda reserve and saw the cutest pandas ever. We wandered around the reserve looking at all the pandas. There were about 20 pandas at this reserve, many who had been rescued. Each panda had their own section with an outside play area and an indoor cage. When we were looking at them there were either sleeping or eating. Pandas spend half their day eating and sleeping. They were all outside keeping cool in the shade.
Once we saw all the pandas, we went to lunch and had some birthday cake. Then we got to work, we dressed in blue baggy jumpsuits. The name of the panda that we fed was a male called Pan Pan. Pandas eat 90% bamboo and 10% other food. Pan Pan went in his feeding cage with his legs in front of him and his hands around the cage bars ready for him to be fed. We fed him little sticks of bamboo and panda pancakes. We first had to get big sticks of bamboo and break it on the ground.
Once Pan Pan was full we went into Princess’s cage and got to clean it. I was in charge of the hose and Halle, Zara, and Jolie had the mops and brooms. We cleaned all the dirt, poop, and pee out of the cage – that was my favorite part of my birthday. Once the cage was squeaky clean we got to have a break. We went to a little museum to learn more about pandas until it was time for Pan Pan to be fed again – he gets fed four times a day.
Last but not least we got to take pictures with the panda. We had to wear disinfected suits to keep the pandas from getting sick. The 18 month-old panda came out of his habitat a sat on a bench. We sat next to him and took pictures while he was busy eating bamboo. We got to touch his 3-inch thick fur. He had little pieces of bamboo scattered all over him and he was kind of wet. That was an awesome birthday.
(Click on the PHOTOS section to see more panda pictures.)
Oh, and one more thing. Our guide Yoyo has a 3 year old daughter, Ling. She sent me this birthday video – you have to watch it. Soo000 cute.
Belated Birthday greetings Maya !! Hailey Walter sent me the link so I could see you and the Panda’s !!
My parents lived in Washington DC many yrs ago when China gave the Washington zoo 2 of their Panda’s . I saw them shortly after there arrival and I loved them right away. One was called Ling Ling but forget the other. Continue to enjoy your very special yr.
We are in Flordia enjoying the alligators . Love Haileys Grandmother Mimi
Happy Birthday Meatball!! The Parkers miss you!!!
Hi Maya,
What an amazing way to celebrate your birthday!! Love the picture of you hanging out with panda. Soooo cute!!
Auntie Susan
Great job, Maya. It sounded like a lot of fun (except for the part about cleaning out the cage) Happy 11th Birthday. Tony Ford
Happy Birthday Maya! You must have had a wonderful day! The panda is soooo cute!!!
(Ling’s song is great too) 🙂
This is a wonderful birthday Maya , I see how you enjoy and became famous hahaha
(song in chines) i wish you the best.
Happy Birthday, Maya!
A day to remember, for sure!
Btw, pandas have been my favorite animal since I was very little:)
And I had Sinjon translate the beautiful birthday serenade from your little friend. He takes Chinese in High School…his favorite class:))
Dear PandaMayaNium,
A birthday to remember, wasn’t it? I loved the birthday serenade from the cute little Chinese friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the description of your day. While Zara can take care of her bunny at home, you may consider having a Panda as your pet. Oops. I meant to say Poops.
Maya,
I miss you so much I wish you were here so we could celebration, but taking care of pandas is probably way better !!!
Rocco is crazy for pandas! He’s going to love your pictures and post! Happy 11th, Maya! Sp glad that you had fun!
Hugs to all.
Anita
What a special birthday!! I really loved Ling’s song…how cool. Such an amazing day.
Happy happy birthday!!
xo
the Rinaldi’s
Happy Happy Birthday Maya! Now that is a birthday you will always remember!
Love Aunty Francine
What a wonderful birthday surprise, Maya. In the pictures, the panda on the bench looks as if he was enjoying all of you just as much as you were enjoying him! Did you get the recipe for Panda pancakes? Maybe your Dad will make them for you some Saturday morning once you come home! Your cake looked beautiful. I am glad that your special day was so awesome. Love, Grandma
Happy Birthday Maya! What a phenomenal birthday!! Happy #11.
We miss you! The Theberges
Happy birthday, Maya!!! What a wonderful surprise and how cool!! Hope you are having a blast! Miss you <3
Happy Birthday Maya from all of us in room 10!
I just added a short video of Maya’s Happy Birthday song in Chinese. Forgot to post it – oops! Hope all is well at Hamden Meadows. Thanks for the birthday wishes.