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Limited access to wifi, that's why the posts are a little late.
There is a lot of debate whether or not to cruise the 3 Gorges since the damn was erected 1992 and completed in 2009. The damn increased the water level approximately 135m, and flooded farm lands, cities and temples.
We took a Chinese cruise traveling to the 3 Gorges. On this ship, 2nd class has 2 bunk beds (4 beds) and a combination squat toilet & shower (second time I miss the comforts of my own home). The cruise would have been a lot more interesting if the tour was in English, but since it was entirely in Mandarin, Rafael had to provide us with the translation. I think this cruise is overrated, the views are beautiful and two days is more than enough time to spend on the Yangze River.
Did I mention China is extremely hot in August? Especially when you travel from one furnace city (Chongqing) to another (Wuhan). The tour started at 7am, with a visit to the opening of the 3 Gorges, it included a 1000 step incline to the top of a hill. At the top of the hill, you can hold up the back of a 10 RMB, and compare it to the view you are seeing.
The sun was blazing this morning and I broke down and purchased a sun hat similar to the ones the Korean Ladies wear on the LPGA. That's right golfing mates, you'll be seeing this new chapeau on the links when I return, ;p!
We returned to the cruise boat with breakfast purchased from street vendors. As long as the food is hot, your digestive system should be fine. Stay away from the cold prepared foods, thats how Kim and I got sick. Warm steamed buns and fresh peaches were on the menu!
The cruise boat travelled for another 2 hours until we reached the small gorges of the Daning River. We transferred to a ferry that brought us to Longmen Gorge, Bawu Gorge & Dicui Gorge which eventually leads you to Madura River. At this river, we transferred into a "peapod" that took us up & downstream. We didn't see any monkeys that live along the cliffs. Farmers use to sell medicine to tourists, but since the river was flooded, they sell key chains that cost 10 RMB as a form of income.
Tomorrow we exit the cruise ship and head to Wuhan. We are going to spend the night there before traveling to Guilin.
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