Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Day 17 - 3 Gorges

Just like yesterday, we had to meet at 6.30am at the cruise cafeteria. As usual, late ones pay the fine. After the ship docked, we’re off to our first site visit to 觀音阁, then to 白帝城.

And at 白帝城, we had to climb up a huge flight of stairs; there were even sedan chair (轎仔) services that cost a bomb.

The suspended coffin funeral is a special burial custom spread around in the ancient nations of south China, where by the coffin is placed on the sheer cliff where only few people could reach. These coffins are mostly found across the Three Gorges since the Shang Zhou period.

Yan Ting and Tee Li were too bored that they started counting the number of steps along the way back. It was about 325 steps, if there weren’t any mistakes in counting. I’m starting to worry about the Wudang trip already. Haha!

We then went back on board and continued along the chang jiang river, and passed The Three Gorges about 10.30am or so. We were all waiting at the deck to catch a glimpse and snap some photos before we missed it. Amazing .

After the three gorges, we headed back to our rooms and waited for the announcement for us to gather and then transferred to another smaller ship to Shen Nong Xi to see the boat trackers. We sat on sampans and along the way, the trip guide lady explained to us about the history of the boat trackers.

I was amazed by the boat trackers as their age ranged between 16 to 80 years old. The young ones don’t get to study in a proper school thus helped out with their parents. Along the way, I saw houses and was told that there’re people living there. I was quite shocked actually, ‘cause there isn’t any television, computer, supermarket, shopping centres, or even a coffee shop. I don’t think I can actually live there for long.

here's a video of what the boat trackers do FOR LIFE! they have all my respect:

yea, and for this picture below, look carefully right in the middle! its the legendary suspended coffin! i went "WHOA!" when the boat sailed pass. really couldn't believe my eyes!

We had our dinner back on the cruise, and then stayed in our rooms for the next announcement to gather at the deck when we’re about to reach the dam. There are 5 damns in total, and these dams prevent one side of the high waters to enter the other side. So, in every dam the boat passes through, it usually takes about 30mins or so to let the water out to level with the next dam before the next gate opens. I find it rather interesting especially when the water level decreases momentously.

1st gate opening:

closing:

water level starts dropping drastically to prepare for the second gate:

second gate opening:

passing the second gate:

And guess what, it takes at least 5 hours to pass all 5 dams and it was already pass 12am when we arrived at the first gate. We only managed to wait till the second one and then, we all went to bed. As we were all too tired already.

Reflection:

After visiting and looking at the lives of the boat trackers, and comparing ours in Singapore, I felt a little ashamed that we have so much more than these people in almost every aspect yet we still complain that things aren’t good enough. While their lives in those mountains are so simple yet they still work hard for every single thing without complaining ‘cause they know nothing is going to change.

: dressed at 6:55 PM | 0 Comments