Pura Vida

We packed up, left our bags at the hotel, spent the afternoon in the Wild Animal Park, went back to the hotel for our bags, and then boarded a night train to Xi'an.  Shanghai Wild Animal Park was awesome.  The entrance Posing with pandas ...and with elephants ...and like a flamingo ...and on the sappy "love" sculpture. Aaaahhh, sweet Jacko-poopy. "Spiey Chicken Hamburger" (hint: not a hamburger) Feeding alpacas ...and getting chased by them.  Tessa's dream come true.  Jack juggling a water bottle Watching a panda Yum, cartilage!  Another bucket list item checked off the list!  After taking a taxi to train station we had to find the ticket office. It was across the road. We never saw the only sign in English, the big, orange one in the background. I'm actually just noticed that for the first time, right now. We fou...

After travelling and five full days in China, we were beat. We dropped our plans for the day, went to Disneytown for a bit, watched movies at the hotel, and just rested. 

The kids were most excited about Disneyland so Jodi acquiesced and we went for two days instead of one. It was busier the second day but the weather was also better. We were also able to go on most of the rides we'd missed the day before. The ropes course and river rafting rides were both big hits.  In front of the ropes course. There are three separate tracks you can take over gorges and across obstacles. Super fun.  After the river rafting ride. Jacko and Sadie were hit the hardest.  Mickey pizzas Boats from Tangled, just hanging out for a bit. So tired...

Shanghai Disneyland!  A bit smaller than Disneyland California, even when excluding California Adventure but less walking.  A few rides were the exact same: Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, Soarin', Dumbo, Peter Pan.  Some rides were similar but updated, and amazing, like Pirates of the Caribbean.  Some rides were unique: Tron, Dwarves Mine Train, The Crystal Grotto, even a really fun ropes course There was also more greenery in the park, it felt like walking through a big garden. Overall, really fun.  Our tickets!  The castle is pretty amazing, especially when compared to Disneyland California We went to one show, Captain Jack Sparrow's stunt show. It was fun but 100% in Mandarin. At one point, the pirates came out and talked with Jacko. We smiled and stared. Then one of the pirate asked him in broken English, "Are you a pirate!" Jack said he was so they told him to say, "Yo ho!" He did and they made upward motions with t...