Still on a panda high–we boarded a small cruise ship, full of Germs (they are the traveling salesman of the world) to cruise the Yangtze River and see the three gorges. The cruise would have been a lot more interesting if we would have been here three years ago. The Chinese government has displaced 1.5 million people and flooded the Yangtze River. In lieu of tiny river passages–big enough for a single boat and intimate views of coastlines covered with small farms and fishing boats, the government flooded the area and re-settled all of the people. It is now much wider and there is the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. There is also the world’s largest ship lock which was very cool. The reason for the flood was to increase hydropower and ship traffic. The sense from the Chinese is that it is both a good thing and a bad thing. Very Ying and Yang. We, of course, found it a bit sad but had a really great time on the ship.

Chongqing at Night

Our Cruise Ship

Arriving at Locks

Leaving the Locks

Hydro Plant and Locks

It’s All Downhill From Here

Bridge Construction

Yangtze River

River Impressions

River Impressions

River Impressions

My Guest for Quite a While

Two Singles Make a Double

Must Be Nice Going That Way

One of our ports of call was the ghost city. The Chinese are very superstitious. We hiked up and then completed a few challenges like balancing on a brass egg–with one foot for three seconds. There were bridges you crossed and depending on your status determined how many steps you take. To be reunited with your great love (alas, my wolf wasn’t there, but my other great love was–thankfully) you went across the bridge in 9 steps, hand in hand–women on the right, men on the left.

Kitty and The Germ

Fengdu Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City

Fengdu Ghost City

Balance Test in Style

One night on the ship there was a show. It started out with traditional Chinese dancing. The hostess sang and for the westerners–it was a lot to endure. I was tempted to ask for a turn. She sang a Chinese song and then tried Whitney Houston’s version of I will always love you. Obviously, she doesn’t watch American Idol and didn’t know not to touch any powerhouse diva songs. Whiney OWNS that song. This girl didn’t even borrow it. Then there was this man–a big guy who wrapped cables around his chest and bust them open with some huffing and puffing. there was blood on his chest after. Then he did something with his eyelid, a string and a bucket. The westerners couldn’t watch. The Chinese thought it was the greatest trick ever.

Evening Event

“Whitney Houston”

Beautiful Pose

That Good

Off the Eye Lid

Yes, He Did That

We were happy to find a bottle of Absolute vodka. At this stage of the game, we viewed this bottle as the fanciest, most high-end bottle you could have ever found. Everyone else was drinking Chinese hooch that costs $2 and for fear of going blind and not being that desperate or broke for a drink in my entire life, we splashed out and got the good stuff.

Captain’s Night

Local Food

Local Food

Much to our shock and dismay, China doesn’t have limes. Not the entire mainland. I tried to explain what I was looking for and the answer I got was–yes we have lime, limestone. Lemons–yes. Oranges–yes. Limes to make a delicious drink–not in mainland China. We still schlepping around this half-full bottle…

On The Night Train

On The Night Train

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