Our Life as Chinese Tourists
Trip Start
Apr 02, 2006
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9
10
Trip End
May 02, 2006
Chongqing,
China
Thursday, April 20, 2006
"The most relaxing part of the trip", "very relaxing" these were the quotes we had heard for a few weeks now making us very excited for the boat. Well, after an 8 hour trip on a local bus, with many other Chinese tourists, we arrived in Chongqing where we took a city bus to our boat. The city bus is exactly what you'd expect - bench seats and Scott had to close the door by kicking it at each stop and the bus must have been 50 years old and rusty. We got to the docks where all the boats were lined up anxious that ours might be the nice cruise ship down below.... but no, it's the boat right next to it! DOH! We crossed the metal planks and passed thru 3 other Chinese tourist boats to arrive at ours. Our guide was very excited that we were in 1st class.... and so were we! Scott and I had our own room with a bathroom and a balcony, thank goodness
3GDam-Biggest Dam
. The boat wasn't exactly clean and our beds were about half the size of a twin! But, luckily we had our own bathroom and we think we were the only rooms that got "hot" water 45 minutes after the boat was running. We headed out to the 1st class deck - the only good viewing area on the boat reserved for 1st class only - for our briefing on our three days on the boat. As we sat out there the boat fired up the engines and we were all got a soot shower from the coal! Once we were moving we headed out to the balconies for a much needed wine party. It was the first time we'd had any wine in China and it was the perfect remedy for the night. The next day was great as we were cruising down the river most of the day. Thus we sat with the door open to have some fresh air and read and relaxed. A much needed break! As we pulled into dock for the night we realized our view had changed to looking directly into the cabins of another Chinese Tourist boat 5 feet away. They dock boat upon boat when we stop, and we were somewhere in the middle.
The next morning we left the boat to go on a smaller boat thru one of the Gorges. As we took the "shortcut" to get off the boat we were rushed downstairs to the bottom where we waited in line to get herded off the boat over a wood plank about 12 inches wide with people pushing and shoving you across
3GDam-Dam Us
. As we waited for this experience the scene was amazing: a chicken tied to a rope on the floor with the floor covered in old food and the mystery liquid that is so prevalent. To our right side was the steam room with pipes and men sweating who run the engines. And in the very crowded row there are men & women spitting and smoking! A beautiful place to wait. We held our breath and got across with no scars. The views of the Yangze River and the Gorges were beautiful! It was very interesting as they had markers showing the water level now and after 2009 when the Dam is complete. We could see the multiple towns and homes that will be underwater after 2009. A final note about the Chinese Tourist Boat. While we were in first class with our own space, we were the only Westerners on the boat. The rest were Chinese tourists on vacation and their accommodation varied from 2nd class to 4th class. Second class were cabins the size of ours with 4 bunks, 3rd class had 8 bunks and 4th class was a dorm with 16-20 beds. None of them had their own bathroom, shower or deck. And, since the boat was oversold, they allowed additional tourists to stay where ever they could find room with a sleeping bag - they were in the kareoke lounge and public rooms on the boat. They even had to padlock the 1st class lounge at night so people would not sleep in there! Definitely not up to safety code. The experience was eye opening and gave us some perspective as they were so happy and excited on their 'vacation'.
The Boat Trip turned out to be a mix of adventure and relaxation. Never a dull moment in China!
Once off the boat we took a bus ride to visit the cause of the flooding of the Gorges in 2009 - the Dam. It was amazing as it was an absolutely massive concrete structure. The project is estimated to cost $75Billion USD - the largest project China has undertaken since the Great Wall.
