China Yangtze River Cruise

China tour is always what my friends and I dreamt of. Before finally setting off, we surfed online for China travel agencies, to see if there is one that can help us. And we booked the service from Top China Trip after careful comparison. Following their arrangement, we chose the Yangtze River Cruise Package Tour.
With the guide’s help, we docked in Badong, China at some point during the night so that's where we took off from today. We went thru the Wu Gorge, had breakfast, and then docked at some city where we hopped on a ferry that would take us thru smaller gorge (called the "Lesser Gorges" or "Little Three Gorges"). Beautiful scenery. We always think it so lucky for us to visit China. We then hop onto an even smaller boat to fit into the last and smallest gorge. During this boat trip, one of the guys on the boat demonstrates how we should wear their hat and "cape" thing and most of us give it a shot and have our picture taken (and tip him).

Along the way on the river (for both the ferry and the smaller boat), there are interesting little tid bits of life. One is that there are quite a few "casket caves". These are aptly named- they have caskets in them so that the departed have nice views still. Some of the caskets are gone, due to vandalism or flooding (some are quite close to the river). Also, at one point on the small boat there was someone up in their hillside home (aka- a hut/tent thing) playing some whistle instrument for us little boats that drove by. No way to tip this person, they were just doing it to add to our enjoyment. Very nice. We start heading back to the MS Fortune and myself, David, Ellen, Anna and Jenny play some cards (a game that Ellen and Anna taught us- fun, I'll teach ya!) Back on the MS Fortune, we pass thru a few more gorges and set our sites on destination Fengdu. One of the gorges was the inspiration for the background landscape on the 10 Yuan (RMB) so of course I had to have another picture taken with me holding a 10 (couldn't let the 20 Yuan picture feel special.)

That night, after dinner, myself, Anna and Jenny play some Mahjong. The boat has a room set up specifically for this and we have plenty of help to get us thru the game. Another passenger on the trip, Chinese lady, doesn't speak ANY English, sits down ands joins us and shows us how (reminds me) how to play with just her actions. She is so sweet and nice. Sue has one of the masseuse ladies standing behind her and helping her out and Jenny has some male passenger helping her with her hand. I was on my own and lost. I blame it on not having a team of 2, but it could be 'cause I'm not good at the game. The jury is still out on that one.

After a few hands of Mahjong we have to wrap it up because tonight is the talent show. David is brave enough to get up and sings "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands" in Mandarin. Must have said it right because the other passengers applauded enthusiastically. Then, Anna and Ellen participated in Musical Chairs and later in the final dance (which was the Chinese Bunny Hop). In between all that, the crew had little dance numbers that were interesting to watch. After the show, everyone heads back to their room but not before we snag a couple of shots of the group with Coco. Our China tour ends.

Here I have suggestions for those friends who want to travel China, the travel agency is very important. With no familiar persons in there, we can only rely on the travel agents and the guide, the service they arrange for us. I should say, Top China Trip, with her years of professional private travel experience and considerate attitudes towards the customers, has done an excellent job!