September 19 Yangtze River

We are enjoying a couple of days soaking up information, river views and history in the areas around the Three Gorges dam on the magnificent Yangtze River. Near Yichang, we visited the Chinese version of a Canadian pioneer village. Groves of bamboo and walkways clinging to the sides of the gorge with the sounds of the river below as butterflies and dragon flies swooped past us as young people in period costume entertained us. I now understand the inspiration for the beautiful Chinese paintings with rocky cliffs and waterfalls and evergreen trees. A visit to the site of the dam left us in awe (and very hot and sweaty) of the magnitude as we mingled with many Chinese tourists as we admired the project.

September 17 All Aboard at Yichang

We left our luxury hotel with our group of 17 travellers and tour director David to fly to Yichang to embark on our cruise on the Yangtze River with an interesting stop at a silk factory on the way. Hard to resist the silk comforters or a hand knotted carpet so we had to make do with a silk scarf. Our room on the ship is fabulous with a balcony and full window wall. We are looking forward to all the sights that lie ahead.