28 ShiBaoZhai Temple

Another Day another temple, but on saying they all have some special feature and I don't think I would not visit one if it was on offer...  Why did I say that?, well most of the Contiki kids decided to sit this one out..  Think they might have had a big night before, but on saying that this trip has been pretty full on for us...  So off we went....  We docked in walking distance to the Temple and of course it was wet...  But what may have put a spring in us girls step was that there markets in-between...

Following our guide we walked through the streets making a mental note of which stalls we wanted to return to.

This was part of a series of Gates that led us to the Pagoda.  This street was lined on either side with shops and stalls.

We had to cross a suspension bridge that did have a bit of a wobble to it as more and more pedestrians walked over.  The 12 storey bright red painted pagoda is built onto the side of the cliff face and looked quite impressive.

Probably should have made the climb to the top with the others, but those stalls were calling our name and that money was burning a hole our pockets.

So we three girls took our obligatory photos that helped ease our conscious and started heading back. Promising our guide we knew which way to go and promising to be back before all on board time we made our way back.

With our best bartering boots on we shopped our way back, buying  kimono's, kites and probably lots of other useless trinkets.  I think we just got caught up in the thrill of the shop  and the challenge of the best price .

28 The signs of White Emperor City

Whilst making our way back down toward the exit and through the lovely gardens, we could not help but smile at the warning signs along the way

27 White Emporer City

Travelling further along the Yangtze while we had our lunch, we were treated to more scenic cruising on our way  to this afternoons tour at the White Emperor City.

More beautiful scenes along the Yangtze

Looks like the remnants of another ancient walk that has not been restored

Weather was not as kind to us this afternoon, so it was another tour in drizzle.

Legend has it that an official saw vapour in the shape of a dragon rise out of one of the wells.. Taking this as a sign from the gods, he declared himself the White Emperor and this to be his city...  Well you can interpret anything to be anything you want, I guess!!

White Emperor City's claim to fame is it's spectacular view of the Kui Gate of Qutang Gorge.  So beautiful it is the scene that you can find on the 10 RMB note.

City sits on a small island and you walk across a covered bridge to get there.

Photo opportunities where ever you look

Memories of Elephanta Island in Mumbai, those who didn't want the long walk up the stairs could be carried up in one of these chairs, but for a price.

 Temples and halls are always filled with beautifully coloured scenes depicting important moments in time.

Love the detail, along with the expressions on their faces

Up close to one of these hanging coffins.  They are usually made out of a single log and some even shaped like a boat.  Obviously like three coins in a fountain, it must be good luck to offer the dead money!

Now here is the picture you had to queue up for ... the 10 RMB note and the scene that it represents

The evening was upon us and you just had to take a picture, so pretty all lit up.

Just near where we docked were a floating stage and seating.  On this stage performances are held.  Whilst here they were rehearsing and setting up the stage.  Once ready it will be floated downstream to where ever the concert will be performed.

26 Lesser Three Gorges

It was advertised in the daily newsletter that there would be some scenic cruising this morning at around 6.45am.  Remember this is winter, so the days high was suppose to be 13 deg C.   I braved it along with a few others, Australian I am sure.








Sailing through the Wu Gorge was quite dramatic, the steep mountains rose out of the river as far as the eye could see.  just like sailing through a Nordic Fjord, a New Zealand sound or an Alaskan passage.

With a backdrop of misty skies threatening rain, striking were the red bridges that spanned across one side of the river to the other. 

I will insert a couple of photos that not only show the gorge but the Ships decks.... this was the only time I ventured out as it was just too cold.

Out on the back deck, didn't look that inviting, looks like the water is straight out of the Yangtze

Glass panels that let light down into the Atrium.  That room that those people are coming out of is another room for VIP Diners.  

This mornings excursion was to the Lesser of three Gorges...

"It is very obvious that the river water of Daning River is emerald green compared to the light green of the Yangtze River. Mist–wreathed mountains along Daning River are covered with lush green flourishing vegetation, much of which is one of the specialties of Wushan County, called Cloud and Mist Tea. This kind of tea is required to be planted on cliffs in a cloudy and misty environment. There are often troops of monkeys appearing at the river bank and on the trees of the mountains.

Besides the natural beauty, there are many historical sites along the Lesser Three Gorges, among which the most notable ones are the Hanging Coffins and a plank road built along the cliff."

This a very apt description of where we visited today. After a very scenic sail in, our ship docked in Wushan, where we were transported and transferred in to ferry's that took us into the Daning River. 

This is the boat we were transferred to.  We were only allowed on the lower level.  You pay extra for each level up.

small village along the way

This photo is to give you some perspective.  That small orange boat is a bit bigger than a pilot boat

A drizzly morning soon turned into beautiful sunshine, first time for this trip.  The blue skies were a beautiful back drop to the towering mountains that sprung out of the water.. The colours of the autumn leaves sparkled in the sunlight.  It was lovely to be outside to feel the warmth...

This "Ancient Style Walk" went for miles hugging the mountainside.

In order for us to explore even further into the lesser gorges we were transferred into smaller wooden boats.

Once underway our hosts gave us a commentary how the locals used to live, which included a few theatrics. As we glided through the clear emerald waters we could hear singing from small boats strategically moored or people hidden away on ledges on the mountain.  

Bit of a showman this one!

Everyone had a turn

Here was a little deja vu

Here is one for my cruising buddies

If you look just at the front of the cave, you will see a very weathered box.... this is what is known as a "hanging coffin" well this one is not hanging but along the Yangtze there were coffins tucked away in crevices or crudely attached to the side of a cliff face. No one really knows why but some say that it made it easier for the souls to make their way to heaven.

Here is a close up

We returned to ferry, which in turn returned us to the Yangtze Gold 6, in time for lunch and the sail to our next excursion.