It was 39 degrees Celsius back out on the highway.

After driving a couple of hours in the thick of it, we decided to abandon our plan to free camp somewhere tonight. Instead, diving back down to sea level in search of a van park where we can run our air conditioning.

We were lucky to snag a spot. It’s Saturday afternoon and every other park we called in the area was fully booked out.

After settling in and powering up the air-conditioning, I glance out the window to see the Panda Man. He is just sorta standing there in the infernal heat. Watching me. Waiting.

I quickly snap a photo, then call Kelly over. Look! It’s Panda Man!

But Panda Man was gone.