Chongqing Port

Chongqing was the city where we disembarked at the end of our Yangtze River cruise on May 1 (Labor Day). This is one of many pictures taken while waiting for a van driver to become available. The thick haze was a combination of early morning humidity and typical Chinese city smog. Those two sitting on the steps were just staring into the distance; I don't know if they were laborers waiting for the odd job offer (like unloading cargo) or Chongqing residents simply resting by the river, surveying the horizon.

[click on the image for full-size, to see the two figures in greater detail]

Shennong Stream

An excursion into a tributary of the Yangtze River, with tour guides and boat rowers who are people of the Tujia minority. The boat rowers are also known as 'trackers' and in older days pulled boats while naked through shallow waters. We glided in small sampans through the waters, surrounded by huge cliffs on either side and remnants of their houses and land that are being overtaken for the Three Gorges Dam project. 

Photo of the Day: Sunset on the Yangtze

For our week-long May Holiday vacation, my study abroad group started with a four-day cruise on the Yangtze River. We set sail from Wuhan and sailed upriver to Chongqing, stopping along the way at various cities affected by the Three Gorges Dam, as well as visiting the dam project itself. Funny thing was, the cruise was marketed towards Germans- so the majority of the passengers were German or Dutch, and all announcements were made first in German, then English.

The gorges, which are also depicted on the back of the 10 rmb bill, were incredible. Sailing through them while sitting on the top deck, with the sun on our faces and wind in our hair, was indescribably relaxing. Being surrounded by such tranquility in nature led to much introspection and (greatly needed) clarity within all of us.

Of my entire year in China, cruising the Yangtze was my absolute favorite experience. (National Holiday in Ningxia being the second and the Harbin Ice Festival, third.)

Photo of the Day: Ghost City of Fengdu

An overview of the city of Fengdu from the top of one of the hills; the city is on the Yangtze River and is part of the ongoing Three Gorges Dam project. It is believed that all souls come here first after death, before moving on to 'other' places (wherever they may be)

Photo of the Day: Boats Adrift

On the Yangtze River, where tourist cruise ships would dock ('cruise' in this sense means like the big white boat in the background, not Royal Carribean style!)

Photo of the Day: Wild Puppies