Enjoyed breakfast on board and certainly fuelled up becuase there was a promise of steps as in, FLIGHTS of steps
It was a Ilittle surprise to wake to a still moving boat. The weather was so closed in, it was hard to see anything beyond the balcony rail. It was raining and visibility was non existent. @Jenny's voice was piped into our room to acknowledge that we would be late arriving because we were travelling at a snail's pace along the river.
I used the time to pack. Yep, it's all coming to an end and we needed to have the checkin bags organised for the porters to collect tonight.
Before we even start the run down, need to acknowledge that the photos do not do justice to today's adventures. Scale and perspective finesse is needed to show digitally what was indelibly etched into our memory bank. Perhaps if I had counted the steps we tramped today or retained more of the measurements it would add the detail - but let's just sum up by saying, both trips were well worth the effort.
Congrats to @Cheryl for conquering her nervousness over the heights we were to travel and to @Carolyn for bouncing back from the cable car quick descent.
Our local guide today was @Sammi and it was definitely a challenge for her to manage a larger group when we had to travel in the confines of the cave. But, have to say, she didn't exactly win any brownie points for "leading" the group- @Cheryl, @Denise and @Von were part of the larger contingent from our group who were detached and left behind. Thank goodness they were resourceful enough to join a Chinese speaking tour leader. There were many twists and turns in the caves, with little to no directional signage, which meant they could have been lost in the bowels of the Jade Snow Caves for a very long time.
Hmm, was not our best experience with a local guide today but the granduer of nature made up for any shortfall.
What did we get up to today?
Congrats to @Cheryl for conquering her nervousness over the heights we were to travel and to @Carolyn for bouncing back from the cable car quick descent.
Our local guide today was @Sammi and it was definitely a challenge for her to manage a larger group when we had to travel in the confines of the cave. But, have to say, she didn't exactly win any brownie points for "leading" the group- @Cheryl, @Denise and @Von were part of the larger contingent from our group who were detached and left behind. Thank goodness they were resourceful enough to join a Chinese speaking tour leader. There were many twists and turns in the caves, with little to no directional signage, which meant they could have been lost in the bowels of the Jade Snow Caves for a very long time.
Hmm, was not our best experience with a local guide today but the granduer of nature made up for any shortfall.
What did we get up to today?
Snow Jade Caves
It was a great drive through the mountains to reach our destination. An hour of climbing and twisting and turning accompanied by lots of beeping of horns. The man made features of bridges, highrise, railway lines and factories all combine on any trip in this area to announce proudly "we can do anything."
Karaoke, curves and mountain views
The first part of the excursion was a walk up a steady incline and under a tunnel of 🐒 . Specific instructions not to feed them were given but they were attracted to the site because the locals tie pumpkins to the trees - so there was quite a lot of jumping, swinging and eating as we made our way to the entrance.
The first part of the excursion was a walk up a steady incline and under a tunnel of 🐒 . Specific instructions not to feed them were given but they were attracted to the site because the locals tie pumpkins to the trees - so there was quite a lot of jumping, swinging and eating as we made our way to the entrance.
Snow Jade Cave did present as a series of stunning underground limestone caves. They are known for their dazzling white karst formations and the cave extends up into the mountain through more than 1,000 meters of pathway (and steps) accessible to visitors.
Its name comes from the pure white color of its stalactites and stalagmites, which resemble jade and snow under the artificial lighting that dots the cave.
Yes, it was hard yakka. And yes, it was all a little rushed but there were dozens of spectacular natural sculptures that looked like stone waterfalls, pillars, curtains, and even shapes resembling animals and human figures. Really only were close enough to@ Sammi to hear her mention "the dumpling" so that's the only one we are sure we identified correctly.
Little did we know that somewhere in a line of 40 speleologists 'strung out like brown's cows,' @Von @Cheryl and @Denise were betwixt and between stairways and entrances and had to tag onto another group. They were clueless in terms of what they were seeing, but the Chinese group looked after them to guide them along the correct pathway.
Had scored some sort of treat
The return to the bus was via the monkey tunnel. Someone had inadvertently dropped food in cellophane packing and the larger of the monkeys was sitting on the railing munching away. As any scrap fell to the ground, a little monkey sitting underneath was scooping up the crumbs. Of course all and sundry stopped to take photos.
The return to the bus was via the monkey tunnel. Someone had inadvertently dropped food in cellophane packing and the larger of the monkeys was sitting on the railing munching away. As any scrap fell to the ground, a little monkey sitting underneath was scooping up the crumbs. Of course all and sundry stopped to take photos.
It was at this precise moment that @Julie declared "I think I've lost my phone" and unzipped one of the openings on her backpack and slid her hand in to check for the phone. Every pair of monkey eyes was now focussed on @Julie. Predictably, as she withdrew her hand .... out fell a tissue and a muesli bar. Quick as flash that little monkey on the ground charged at the food and with gleeful squeaks, was off. So fast, so aggressive ... definitely reinforced the mantra of 'Don't feed the monkeys."
Made us quicken our steps a little. Back on the bus we relaxed in the air con, unaware that the other three were still trying to make their way to the exit.
Mt Wuling Great Rift Valley
Another opportunity to travel the mountain roads with the bus crawling along the edge of the road with very little other than a fence decorated with tyres as protection from the edge.
I don't think there was anyone in our group who had heard of this place - but we should have. It was spectacular. To reach the heart of the track, it was necessary to navigate lots of steps, ride 1600 metres down the face of a cliff in a four person cable car (well never forget how FAST that car moved for loading) and take an electric buggy ride before strolling the 3 km suspended walkway. The final "extraction" was via a gondola ride which was at a jaw dropping 42°.
The Mt. Wuling Great Rift Valley, spans nearly 30 square kilometers and features dramatic karst formations, deep fissures, towering cliffs, narrow gorges and underground rivers. At various elevations it is shrouded in a mist, rich green vegetation clings to the cliff faces amd you are perched high above the valley floor. In one section we passed through a 1,500-meter-long fissure flanked by cliffs up to 300 meters high which @Sammi referred to as "the most beautiful scar on earth."
I guess we should expect it now - we did attract the attention of a group of Chinese teens who wanted conversation amd photos. Obliged with both and when I mentioned I was a teacher and somehow made the segue to Mei Mei (Taylor Seift) I was elevated to rock star status and shared lots of giggles had love 🫶.
Group shots AND solos .. always fun
As well as being spectacular,this spot was just good for the soul! Now that I am reading the background information, realise we could have spent our entire 10 days in China right here. So much to see and do and lauded for its excellent air quality and high concentration of negative oxygen ions. It is billed as a natural oxygen bar. If it has "bar" in the title, i'm sure we would fit in.
As well as being spectacular,this spot was just good for the soul! Now that I am reading the background information, realise we could have spent our entire 10 days in China right here. So much to see and do and lauded for its excellent air quality and high concentration of negative oxygen ions. It is billed as a natural oxygen bar. If it has "bar" in the title, i'm sure we would fit in.
Captain's banquet and evening tasks
Definitely glad to be back on board at the end of this day. The ship had relocated further along the river. Meant we didn't have to retrace our steps back the three hours we had already travelled - just needed a short 1 hour drive to meet up again with the ship.
Arrived a little later than we planned and it was a mad dash through the shower to try and report on time .Okay, I was late - I opted to wash my hair and then finish packing. Cut it a bit fine - had only left myself 20 minutes for dinner and drinks - but between @Tina and @Fab5 my favourites were lined up.
And YES, on return from the excursions, @Denise was welcomed by a large brown box standing outside the cabin door. Ripped it open to find her new suitcase! It had been ordered by @Jenny from the comfort of the dining room and delivered, on time, as promised.
Wow! Delivered as promised.
Certainly made her packing choices easier, and with space to burn, we were able to add any extras we may have had to the new case.
Not quite sure what the "Captain's Banquet" was all about although there were a few speciality dishes on the menu including toads, thinly sliced pig tongue and ear and slices of intestine. These were not hits with the Western guests and the plates were left untouched. We didn't see the Captain, but the night time activity was a top notch documentary on the history of the building of the dam.
@Julie couldn't tear herself away but the rest of us had to get back onto packing duties. Needed to finalise our account and have checked-in baggage out by 10 pm. No worries for @Jules - still has the smallest bag by far!
Nailed all that organisation, easy peasy ... with enough time to enjoy the balcony one last time.
We met all deadlines and couldn't find the energy or the enthusiasm to join the VIPS on Deck 6 for a night time dance party.
@Denise has retired the sash and tiara and passed that baton on to @Von - the baby of the group, which is a promise that there will be an adventure next year. Think we have locked in a possible date and destination. Can't wait.
PS For today's activity we were travelling with people from other tours that we hadn't met before. And for some reason we were surrounded by a host of cough-ers- so much so that @Carolyn put on her designer silk face mask (thanks @John) for bus travel. @Von and I found ourselves shrinking lower in our seats trying to avoid the channelled spray of potential germs!!! Not sure how effective either strategy is, but guess we will know in a few days .
And these "strangers" had us raising our eyebrows and giving thanks that we were in the "other group" on a daily basis - as mentioned, many members were sick, they had no idea (or cared less) about bus etiquette, moaned and groaned when lost speleologists returned 1 minute past departure time and had a "star karaoke" singer who literally split our ear drums. Unanimous vote that we much prefer our easy going, fun loving, caring and tuneful regulars!
Straight from the itinerary
This morning, after breakfast, you can choose to experience an optional adventurous shore excursion to Fengdu Xueyu Dong (not included) or the scenic
Wulingshan Mountain range (not included). The day finishes with a Captain’s Farewell Banquet dinner
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