Saturday in China (Where is my Saturday Globe and Mail???)

Usually I write my posts on Word and then copy them to the blog but as I have to use a desktop computer on the ship I will attempt a direct comment. We are on the cruise on the Yangze river. There are about 160 passengers. We have the only children. Plus Nancy and I are somewhat younger than the average age. About a third the passengers are Chinese and the ship largely keeps the Westerners and the Chinese separate. Not sure why but it works I guess. I wonder what it is like for the few American born Chinese on board. Most people like the kids, who are generally well behaved but a few make their displeasure known. And so, of course, I try to ensure they are bothered as much as possible. Not really but it is tempting.

 

The cruise is beautiful and relaxing. The one drawback is it is not designed for kids and so we need to provide all activities. So our extra luggage did come in handy filled as it was with kites, bubbles, playdough, activity books, snacks, crafts etc. The 6 bottles of bubbles allow should free up some weight. Nancy had brought kites (kind of like coals to Newcastle, we know) and the kids flew them on the top deck. It was a windy day plus the movement of the ship made it a very successful activity. Sadly, Caleb's flew away, string, handle and all as we were winding things up.  He has since recovered from the tragic loss.  We bought beautiful kites here but I suspect they are more for decoration than flying.

 

Hagan Daz ice cream is available on the ship for about $7 a little cup. We are not indulging. Illy coffee is available for about $3.50 a cup. We are indulging. Just gotta to get those priorities right.  Today we all got off the boat and boarded a smaller ferry to go upstream to three smaller gorges. After awhile we got off that boat and onto a Saipan type boat and continued to a narrower spot. Much of the gorge has alreday been flooded and we can see marks where the water will finally reach to. Ancient caves and hanging coffin sites will disappear as much already has.  Again very beautiful but four hours on those boats seemed to the children to be a bit much.

 

Yesterday we took a shuttle bus 5 minutes to the site of a temple. We then opted for the chairlift up rather than the 600 stairs (Got to save my energy for the relay.). It was hot and dull up there so we headed down early and walked back to the ship- about a 20 minute walk. Except for Caleb who had a 20 minute carry. Poor Nancy. Caleb has a cold and decided her was simply "trop malade" to walk. He is actually very funny as he speaks English and French, often within the same sentence. The best part of the day was onthe road approaching the ship where the kids spotted a kid. Well, Nancy said it was not a kid, just a small goat. There were a couple of them in the field but this one had jumped the stone fence. We have photos but there is no way I can upload onthe ship. Internet is far too slow.

 

We are still trying to get to Chengdu. Will try and keep you posted.

 

Than gang in China.