Panda family trees

Today at Adelaide Zoo, I found it difficult to tear myself away from where the giant pandas were living. It was a special experience to see at least one of the pandas (Wang Wang) while the other panda (Funi) was hiding in her little cave, only poking her head out now and again.

At first it was difficult to find the two famous Pandas, Wang Wang and Funi, amongst their bamboo forest and little caves ... but then we spotted a huge panda head in the far side of the enclosure.

Wang Wang was out. He was playing it cool and nonchalant at first but then he put on a good show for the visitors. Funi was having a behind-the-scenes kind of day while Wang Wang entertained us all. Apparently Funi was experiencing symptoms of a pregnancy but it was a phantom pregnancy.



I'm not sure if Wang Wang was aware of Funi's plight but it wasn't affecting his appetite, especially when the fresh bamboo arrived.

Because this is a family history blog, here are Wang Wang and Funi's family trees. It seems that some of their not-too-distant ancestors were "wild". I bet many of us could say the same.

I'll have one genealogy cruise with no seasickness thanks

To all cruisers who are preparing to board the Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise from 4-11 February 2014 ... here's a question for you:

How many seasickness stories have you heard in the last 24 hours?

After telling people that I'm sailing off on a cruise tomorrow, I can't believe the amount of horror-seasickness stories I've heard. Although I haven't been seasick before, the stories I heard sent me racing off to the nearest chemist at lunch time today to stock up on these ....

Usually I get annoyed with myself if I don't use something that I take in my suitcase on a holiday ... but I'm not looking at these seasickness tablets with that type of attitude. Let's hope that these packs of tablets are not needed.

Bon voyage to all the genies joining the cruise from Australia and elsewhere.

To all the genies who aren't able to join us on this cruise, don't worry, I'll be collecting loads of interviews and fun stuff to share with you on the March and April episodes of Genies Down Under.