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We arrived in Yi Chang and Sophia and a new driver met us at the airport and took us to the Victoria Anna, the ship we'll be cruising the Yangtze on for the next 4 nights. We were assigned our room, 507, on the top level and upgraded to VIP status. For dinner, we ate with Paul and Judy and had pepper beef, wonton soup, fish fillets, and fried rice. The ship is very nice - there's a small gym downstairs, a nice bar and lounge on the 5th floor, and restaurant and sun deck on the top.
Since our room wouldn't cool, we moved next door to 509 around 11:30 p.m. Then it was off to bed to get ready for an early day tomorrow.
Breakfast on the ship is served between 7:00 and 8:00; fruit, cereal, rolls and bread, as well as egg, bacon, sausage, and vegetables and a few Chinese dishes. Marion, the cruise director introduced the staff and we had a safety drill. An optional tour was offered to see the Three Gorge Tribe but we chose to stay onboard. In the afternoon, we drove to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. The dam is located at the village of San Dou Ping, and is now a major transportation hub connecting the eastern and western parts of China. There are 5 locks for the ships to go through there, which takes about 3-4 hours.
The dam changed the water level in the river from 75 meters to 175 meters, covering 13 cities, 140 towns, and 1350 villages. 1.2 million people were displaced and relocated. The project was plagued by corruption, spiraling costs, environmental impacts, human rights violations, and resettlement issues. Most of the people were moved to high-rise apartments/condos along the river or to the cities.
Back on the ship was a happy hour for the VIPs onboard with drinks and appetizers. Afterwards was the Captain's welcome cocktail with champagne and more appetizers followed by dinner.
It was early to bed for me!
Since our room wouldn't cool, we moved next door to 509 around 11:30 p.m. Then it was off to bed to get ready for an early day tomorrow.
Breakfast on the ship is served between 7:00 and 8:00; fruit, cereal, rolls and bread, as well as egg, bacon, sausage, and vegetables and a few Chinese dishes. Marion, the cruise director introduced the staff and we had a safety drill. An optional tour was offered to see the Three Gorge Tribe but we chose to stay onboard. In the afternoon, we drove to the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. The dam is located at the village of San Dou Ping, and is now a major transportation hub connecting the eastern and western parts of China. There are 5 locks for the ships to go through there, which takes about 3-4 hours.
The dam changed the water level in the river from 75 meters to 175 meters, covering 13 cities, 140 towns, and 1350 villages. 1.2 million people were displaced and relocated. The project was plagued by corruption, spiraling costs, environmental impacts, human rights violations, and resettlement issues. Most of the people were moved to high-rise apartments/condos along the river or to the cities.
Back on the ship was a happy hour for the VIPs onboard with drinks and appetizers. Afterwards was the Captain's welcome cocktail with champagne and more appetizers followed by dinner.
It was early to bed for me!
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