Looking more gorgeous in the Lesser Gorge
Let's start with the important information. HAPPY BIRTHDAY @MAC! So glad you had the usual extended sibling support to celebrate you - looks like you had lots of attention.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Hemisphere we were celebrating you as well - trust that you loved your special birthday video from the Lesser Gorge.
We started our morning with an early morning wakeup call from @Jenny to join her on Deck 6 as we made our way through the first gorge. The river narrowed significantly here and the sheer cliffs of the gorge towered above. @Jenny told the stories/legends of all the shapes you could see in the rocky outcrops along the route. Had to use your imagination, but the dragon and the Great Wall always seemed to pop.
Plenty of takers on Deck 6
The gorge stretches for about 45 kilometers between the towns of Wushan and Guandukou, and is renowned for its deep valleys, towering cliffs, and mist-shrouded peaks.
According to @Jenny it is especially famous for thr dramatic Twelve Peaks of Wushan (note there is an 's' in this city's name) each with its own name and legend. The most celebrated is Goddess Peak said to resemble a graceful maiden watching over boatmen navigating the river.
We tried our best to make out the shapes she was describing - not always successfully. But there was definitely a repeated pattern of jagged cliffs, towering ridges, lush vegetation and mist as the green, perfectly calm ribbon of the Yangtze continued is snaking journey.
All of this was observed from the open area on Deck 6 and was the prelude to breakfast.
Breakfast under our belts we assembled once again for the roll call ready for the trip ashore.
What did we do today?
The Lesser Three Gorges and the Mini Gorge
This was a double up - first one section of a narrowed tributary in a sightseeing boat and then we changed into a smaller boat to traverse further into an even narrower gorge.
Breakfast under our belts we assembled once again for the roll call ready for the trip ashore.
What did we do today?
The Lesser Three Gorges and the Mini Gorge
This was a double up - first one section of a narrowed tributary in a sightseeing boat and then we changed into a smaller boat to traverse further into an even narrower gorge.
We joined a first boat to to travel along the Daning River, a tributary of the Yangtze which runs for 48 kilometres from Wushan County in Chongqing. The tour was led by an English speaking guide who literally seemed to have a story for every peak, rock and bend in the river. His stories were animated, lots of attempts at jokes and was the perfect mix of fact, legend, politics, history and culture. We passed under five spectacular bridges that spanned the gorge (wrap your mind around this - there are 10 000 bridges in Chongqing!!!), made out shapes in the landscape, glided past bus stops for water taxis and kept our eyes out for the giant salamander that once lived in the waters below.
Plenty of posing time
As we progressed further into the gorge and our heads were spinning with facts and figures, our guide introduced himself as George, an ex teacher and an author. He then introduced his book!!!!
As we progressed further into the gorge and our heads were spinning with facts and figures, our guide introduced himself as George, an ex teacher and an author. He then introduced his book!!!!
It was in the moment that I knew! @Mac and I had visited the gorge in 2014 and SURPRISE ..... that tour was also led by George ... and we had purchased his book, which he signed, all those years ago.
Thanks to the magic of technology, I was able to pull up the blog from 11 years ago and show George the picture we had taken and the words I had composed to capture our time with him.
He was moved to tears and so grateful, humbled and excited to make the connection. Lots of photos followed and George was thaking photos of the screen of my phone so he could have evidence that all of this was real.
Even better, birthday boy @Mac, located the original book on the bookshelves at home and sent through pictures!
It is quite possible that we made George's day or perhaps even his week! As the tour came to an end, he invited me back to his home for dinner and a chamce to meet his family, including his two grand daughters. I politely declined - after all, the Chona Goddess was moving on! He gifted me an autographed collection of postcards, complete with an inscription of a new blessing and an invitation, in perpetuity, to visit his home. His wish was that our @Katarina would one day visit the gorge and meet his grand daughters.
Needless to say, by now all and sundry were in tears.
Quite the moment really - how many sliding doors had to open and close in our lives to bring us both to this moment in time. Surreal.
Anyway, back to the gorge. We left some people behind as we embarked on stage 2 of the excursion and boarded an even smaller sightseeing boat to make the journey onto a narrower stretch, this time, on the Madu River. More commentary from a new guide here and our turning around point was as we observed the hanging coffins high above the water level.
There was a tea tasting promotion
Every inch of the journey was a mix of towering cliffs that plunged into the water and abundant lush vegetation. Of course, we had frequent reminders, that once, this was a shallow stream running at about 5 metres at maximum depth - but since the dam, the original villages and all their history, was far below our boat at about 70 metres in depth.
Life jackets off for the pose in the bow
As an aside, and continuing with the theme of all things needing to align ... wanted to mention that @Julie had an unexpected meeting today as well - only hers was with a toilet door. The river is mill pond still, but when another boat passes,there is the very slightest of wake wave that rocks the boat. At the very moment the small wave passed under our boat, @Julie was exiting the loo and was slightly pushed of balance. She had the choice of steadying herself by putting her foot in the bowl of the squattie or reaching for the door. No choice really. Unfortunately, as the boat rolled, her arm hit the side of the door and tore up a flap of skin. Quite impressive bleeding actually and I think that @Leila looked faint - perhaps at the prospect of the paperwork more than @Julie's injury.
@Julie brushed it aside as "nothing that a band aide won't fix."
A fascinating morning - and what a story that reconnection with George has been. We were delivered back to the China Goddess 2 right in time for lunch.
Over lunch, @Denise asked @Jenny if she could recommend anywhere in Wushan for purchasing an additional suitcase. @Dsnise might have just expanded her collection of "made in China" stuff beyond the capacity of her expanded suitcase. @Jenny immediately said there was no need to go ashore. She would find order one online and have it delivered at the next city tomorrow. After a quick search, with @Jenny asking what size and then what colour, @Denise had picked and paid for a new luggage addition. Seems too good to be true - can't wait until tomorrow to see of thos magic happens.
The Massage
@Cheryl had taken the initiative and organised appointments for us late last night and was lucky to secure two timeslots for the group. We were keen to give it a try because of @Mina's recommendation. @Von, @Denise and @Cheryl went first and took advantage of the Chinese Masage.
The Massage
@Cheryl had taken the initiative and organised appointments for us late last night and was lucky to secure two timeslots for the group. We were keen to give it a try because of @Mina's recommendation. @Von, @Denise and @Cheryl went first and took advantage of the Chinese Masage.
It was delivered with strength by their "technicians" and they emerged from the experience full of praise for the 55 minute treatment they had received. Their assessment was that it hit the spot perfectly and although there was a little "pain" associated with some tender spots, it was worth the gain for the princely sum of the equivalent of AUD $40.
We arrived to a little bit of noise and confusion as technicians were matched up with the new batch of clients. Because of their "head, neck and shoulder " choice @Carolyn and @Julie were ushered to a seated position and had their feet immersed in a tub of boiling hot water. Within 5 minutes, because of the intensity of the pressure pushing down through their neck and spine, they both quickly asked if they could revert to the whole body massage delivered in the prone position.
That's what I was "enduring." I have probably only had two massages in my life, so I am not an expert. But oh my, this hurt! It was 55 minutes in duration and cant say ot was "relaxing." More like a suffering .... The first 10 minutes was with a lady technician and then I was swapped to a gentleman. I did let out a few yelps of 😢 pain, especially on my lower back and calves and he did adjust the pressure. Eventually I was able to relax a little and balance the relief of untied knots in muscles with old bones that seemed to hurt .
I emerged, not quite as euphoric as the first three, but certainly a little more comfortable than @Carolyn and @Julie who were quick to point out that they hadn't experienced a happy anything .. let alone a happy ending.
Bizarrely, despite only being in the room for 45 minutes they were charged the full amount for two treatments! Further discussions pending over this bill shock!
Dinner and a show
Our lazy afternoon on board meant we had time to reassemble for cards. More magic from the shuffling machine, pre dinner drinks from the room stash and victory by ME is the best summary I have. A blow out for @Carolyn who was definitely not impressed with her chance to set a new low in our collective history of the game with a magnificent score of 287. There was a little disappointment that the 300 mark wasn't cracked. 😅🤣😂
Dinner was served and we tried to line up the drinks to take advantage of the time constrained inclusions. Looked impressive really.
Do want to mention that the meal choices often include something special ... like thinly sliced pig's ear, sliced intestine or fired pig's trotters. Not sure we have anyone in our group who tried these delicacies - and as these dishes always appear untouched, thinking the wider group is also avoiding. @Cherly spotted the hit of the night - a richly coated chicken strip - and kept the supply for the group topped up.
Tonight's show was a series of cultural performances- some drums, dance and the face changer. Somehow how pink suited man from the Monkey Mountain photos the day before, was invited on stage to sing (everyone does love a microphone here.) Not sure how we missed the opportunity, but all the birthday guests were celebrated with a crown, cake and candles .... if only we had known, our birthday girl could have been up there for the collective rendition of the birthday song.
Think I had lost focus by this stage - there were lots of acts
Rounded out the night on our balcony and were even rewarded with a glimpse of the orange orb of the moon through the refracted light of the mist.
Rounded out the night on our balcony and were even rewarded with a glimpse of the orange orb of the moon through the refracted light of the mist.
A few aches and pains in bodies weary from the cumulative days of walking and from the battle of the massage - but i am comfodent that sleep found everyone instantly tonight as heads hot the pillow.
Happy birthday again @Mac.
Straight from the itinerary
Join an optional morning side excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges (not included) before sailing through the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Wu Gorge is 45 kilometres long and is known for its deep serene scenes, while the 8-kilometre Qutang Gorge is full of zigzags, strange peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights.
Choose to take part in an additional optional shore excursion in the late afternoon (river conditions permitting) before enjoying a feast of local cuisine and
entertainment during dinner.
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