by Lufthansa Flyer | May 15, 2013 | Uncategorized |
One of the ‘must do’s ‘ that my wife had on her list when we were in Hong Kong was to visit the Pandas that are in the Ocean Park Amusement Center. It was the first time that either one of us had ever seen Pandas ‘live’ and it was worth every minute that we spent looking at them. In fact, we spent well over an hour appreciating the beauty of these animals. However we could not help but feel saddened at the fact of just how rare and endangered these beautiful animals are. Fortunately there are a few select zoos and parks that are doing everything that they can to help restore the Panda population. Ocean Park is one of these facilities, and from our time there, we could clearly see the passion that the Panda keepers have towards their furry guests.
The facility itself is a covered atrium that lets in plenty of daylight. The Pandas have a large area to roam and forage and is full of shelter, trees and brush. It even has a pond system stocked with Koi and Carp. My wife and I are both ‘animal lovers’ and definitely had a strong feeling about just how well the bears are cared for and looked after. Sometimes when you look at an animal long enough, you can tell whether or not they’re happy. And in this case we had no doubts.
The Pandas were a gift from China in 2007 to mark the 10th Anniversary of Britain’s handover of Hong Kong back to Chinese rule. The male named Le Le, and female named Ying Ying made their public debut on July 1, 2007.
In addition to these Panda’s the park is also home to a pair of Red Pandas that look nothing like what you would expect when you think of Panda Bears. In fact they are extremely small, and reminded me more of a fox or similar critter.
During our visit, Le Le was resting and was barely visible, however Ying Ying proved to be quite the entertainer and definitely knew how to perform for her visitors. Hopefully these photos relay just how content the Pandas are and how well they are cared for. With only one region in China remaining where Pandas exist in the wild, facilities like Ocean Park are critical if this species is going to be saved.
If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, I would recommend that a visit to Ocean Park be high on your list. In addition to the Pandas the park is full of a wonderful mix of rides, amusements and animal attractions such as an aviary and aquarium. Unfortunately we were pressed for time and focused most of our time on the Pandas. It will definitely be on our list to visit again when we return to Hong Kong!
When you first enter the exhibit, a sign introduces you the Pandas:
Le Le (the Male) decided it was time better spent to sleep instead of entertain his guests!
Ying Ying on the other hand was just waking up from her nap and would soon start to seek out lunch….
Once she discovered her Bamboo, she settled in against the glass and began enjoy lunch….
I was in the right place at the right time and was able to capture this video of Ying Ying munching away (the video is taken through a glass panel so you’ll see some minor reflection)…..
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U0Q_2Geh5U]
After a few minutes Ying Ying decided to relocate to a more comfortable position and continued with lunch….
Soon after, she went back to her favorite boulder to enjoy a post-lunch nap……
As I mentioned earlier, the Panda exhibit also had a few Red Panda that roamed in their own separate area apart from the Giant Pandas. The critters were a little bit more active and would chase each other around and stop only when their handler came to feed them.
Introducing you to the Red Pandas:
The critters knew that it was feeding time when their handler approached:
Mesmerized by a plastic stick….
Settling in after lunch…..
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 23, 2013 | Uncategorized |
Tomorrow starts our trip (as least my part of it) to Hong Kong, albeit getting there will be a little bit more creative for me than the convenience of sitting on a United 777 from Chicago to Hong Kong (which is what Mrs. LH Flyer is doing on the following day).
My day tomorrow starts way too early when I fly with United to Chicago then onward to Washington DC, at which point I’ll meet up with a Lufthansa A330 and head for Frankfurt, arriving at a mildly ridiculous 5:15a (I’ll be camped out in front of the Lounge Entrance for a while). From there, I’ll have a few hours to freshen up before meeting up with a friend from Lufthansa who has arranged access “behind the fence” for us which will bring us close up to both aircraft and airport alike. So I expect that I’ll have an entirely different ‘plane spotting’ perspective in Frankfurt than on previous visits.
After several hours of ‘avgeek’-style good times, I plan on meeting up with the great people from LH’s passenger social media group and spend time with them visiting a hidden gem tucked away in one of the basements in one of the Terminals.
After a break for dinner with a few friends, it’ll be off to FCT for the continuation of my travels at which point I’ll board a late night flight to Bangkok (sounds like a Rush song doesn’t it?). Once in Bangkok, it will be a quick 2 hour transit at which point I’ll board a Thai Airways 747 for the brief 3 1/2 hour flight to Hong Kong. As part of my flight on Thai, I took advantage of their meal pre-order service, but it wasn’t easy. I was amazed at the selections that are available — I stopped counting after scrolling through about 25 different meal options that can be pre-ordered. I hope I didn’t make a mistake by ordering the Chinese Roast Duck. Hopefully my Lufthansa Ducks won’t be aware of what’s going on around them during dinner.
If everything works out, Mrs. LH Flyer will only have to wait about 2 hours for me at Hong Kong Int’l, before we head off to our hotel. I may be taking the long way around to get to Hong Kong compared to her, but who do you think will have more fun?
Coming home will be a little bit easier as we’ll fly on Asiana from Hong Kong to Chicago via Seoul. We’ll have the opportunity to experience Asiana’s well regarded new First Class Suite cabin which I’m sure will be a great treat and a fitting way to close a great vacation.
It’s safe to say that I will have thousands of pictures and plenty of trip report material to share once we return in about 10 days.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 19, 2013 | Uncategorized |
We all remember the tragedy that struck our nation on September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked and crashed aircraft into the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and caused the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The day would change the course of our country forever.
Many charities evolved from this disaster dedicated to help the families who lost their loved ones on one of the darkest days in our history.
Of all these charities, one was born to help honor one of the heroes who gave his life in order to potentially spare hundreds of others. This hero, Captain Jason Dahl, was the captain aboard United’s Flight 93 when it crashed into the fields near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Capt. Dahl and his crew made the ultimate sacrifice on that day in order to prevent greater tragedy.
To honor his memory his fellow United pilots, friends and family created the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund to help raise funds in order to award academic scholarships to bright young students who are studying and preparing for a career in aviation. In my opinion, there’s no better way to honor a fallen pilot than to help others prepare for a career in a field that Capt. Dahl had so much passion for. In 2002 the Captain James Dahl Scholarship Fund was created and since then has raised and awarded thousands of dollars in Scholarships to approximately 33 deserving recipients.
To help raise funds for these scholarships, the Captain James Dahl Scholarship Fund regularly holds fund-raising events geared for the aviation community. Some of these events provide the opportunity for donors to win exciting “Experience” prizes that are donated by supporters of the Dahl Fund.
With that said, the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund, with the support of the FlyerTalk community has announced their first major fundraiser for this year that will award a lucky donor (and guest) a ride in a 1929 Stinson Tri-Motor, which happens to be the oldest operating/flight worthy aircraft in the USA. The fundraising efforts for this event will take place between April 19 and May 10. Those interested can purchase entries into the drawing for this great prize, with all proceeds going to the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund for their Scholarship program (see below for entry information and link). The winner will board the Stinson Tri-Motor on June 1 at an airfield just south of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Stinson Tri-Motor
A similar fund raiser was held last year and raised approximately $8500. The lucky winner and a guest received a ride in the same Stinson Tri-Motor that will be used this year. To get a feel for what that experience was like, you can read the winner’s “trip report” here.
To participate in their fund raiser and for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a ride in a wonderful classic aircraft, please visit the ‘FlyerTalk Cares!’ thread located on Flyertalk.com. You’ll find all the information that you’ll need in order to make a donation and to enter for your chance to win.
Thank you in advance for supporting such a great cause!
