Three Gorge Dam

The group spent this morning visiting the massive Three Gorge Dam site. Located at Sandouping, 38km upstream from the existing Gezhou Dam, the Three Gorges Dam will have a hydroelectric production capacity equivalent to 18 nuclear power plants when it is completed by 2009. But most of it is completed now.. and we had an opportunity to view it in all its glory. I wish we had of visited this site before doing our tour along the Yangzi because I would of understood the purpose and enormity of the Yangzi Project a lot better before hopping aboard our cruise ship along the Yangzi.

3 Gorge Model 1

After visiting this massive project, the group travelled for a few hours by bus back to Yichang's airport for our 1 hour flight Yichang to Shanghai. But we only had a couple of hours at Shanghai's International Airport, before hopping on board yet another bus for our 5 hour journey to Hangzhou.

3 Gorge Model 2

We finally arrived at our International Hotel in Hangzhou where most of the group members caught up on our western food of Maccas! Hangzhou is a fairly attractive town but not the friendliest. It has most of the conveniences of the western world, but once again, nothing is in English and very few people speak a word of English. I did, however, manage to post a package back to Australia.

One hint to prospective travellers RTW... PACK LIGHT. You don't appreciate how much this counts until you hit the road. I would put it out to anyone to have the smallest possible bag of less than 12kg. This is especially the case in China, on tour, where we are carrying our bags everywhere, and have to put the bag on and off our bags many times in one day. I'm managing ok with my bag, but I admire Judy's small roller suitcase which has worked wonders.

Ari and Me at Shanghai's Airport

Bird's Eye View of Ship Lock

Dam Wall

Me on Dam Wall

Shanghai's Sunset at the Airport

Ship Cabin

Ship Lock

Tour Guides Performing Show for Boat Guests