boats used to thread through the small gorges with their high cliffs. This is a really fun experience! The small canoe
type boats are rowed and pulled by "trackers" through the narrow gorges. If there have not been rains lately, the
water is not deep enough in many places and so the trackers jump out of the boat, tie bamboo ropes around their
waists and shoulders and, straining along the banks of the stream, pull the boats. This is incredible hard and
strenuous labor.
one "pull" a day but don't get used each day. The days they do work, they make about $4. However, once the dam
floods the river, the water level will rise to a point where they are no longer needed and their village will be gone.
No one seems to know what will happen to them then as this is the only work and place they know.
it will begin to meet the needs of China. By the time it is completed in 2009, the work will have taken 17 years, but
the flooding of the river will take place in stages beginning in the Spring of 2003. It is impressive to see.
but we had already passed through the gorges and seen and visited the sights along the way--the magnificent
scenery, the tearing down and rebuilding of the cities, Fengdu, Shennong Stream and the dam. Once through the
dam, the landscape turns to expansive plains and industrial areas. It would be nice to have sun and bright skies, but
we were just thankful that the weather waited to change until after we had passed the gorges.
we had been about upgrading to a suite on board the ship. When
we arrived on board, we took one look at the very small state
rooms, with not enough space for two people to walk between
the beds, and decided to treat ourselves to the extravagance of a
suite. The suite was lovely and large and made a perfect place to
relax and enjoy just being on board. A beautiful flower
arrangement and a bowl of fruit added to its charm. Dawn
frequently joined us as the three of us made good traveling
companions.
staff is accommodating and outstanding in every way; meals
are buffet style but very good with many selections and
well-prepared. Because the focus of this cruise is the
landscape, there are just a few activities, but they are done
well and offer some variety in the evenings. We particularly
enjoyed the Chinese artisans on board and their
demonstrations of their ancient crafts--kite making, bottle
painting and dough sculpting.
about 9 AM. As we were flying to Shanghai in
the late afternoon, we did only a little sightseeing
in this city. The most interesting were the ancient
bells of Marquiss Shu which were played in a
small concert hall along with other traditional
instruments.
