** CHINESE EXPERIENCES **
** WANXIAN and CHONGQUIN **
This is the 27 July 2004 Edition of
this page. It will be transcribed from my diary-like entries!
16 September 2001 - Sunday
On 'looking out' of my port-hole overnight, it appeared that we were in a built-up port area!! At 6.20 to
6.25am, we raised the anchors and headed upstream through the fast-flowing YANGTZE!!
I started to get ready for the day from about 6.30am, before going into the 'open breakfast' arrangements
for a quick solo-feasting. I wandered back to my cabin by 7.30am.. Shortly after that, I made enquiries about
HOW to photograph the TERRACOTA WARRIORS and how to make 'safe water' purchases.
Whilst browsing around the various decks and viewing the scenery, I met Lucy (the Anglicised name of my
Chinese guide) and enquired about the boat's time-keeping. She estimated that we were at least 20minutes
late as we should have started by 8.45am! At 8.50am, the Tannoy announcement estimated that 9.15am
would see us starting - but predicted further messages THEN! As it happened, it was later than that!!
On collecting the 'boarding cards' (identifying the BOAT only) we went to the shore over a rickety-rackety
bailly-type-bridge connecting device! Our normal crew-members 'lined the path' as normal. I was to get 'Bus
Number 5' into town. The route and the town were very hilly and the town had a very crowded road system,
two thirds of which will be under water by 2009!!! That will displace nearly a million people. In the town, we
were to call on three places:-
(a) the MUSEUM
(b) a MARKET (here are two of the photos I took there!)
(c) a BALANCING & JUGGLING show (really all acrobats!!)
before we got on the bus to go down the hill again. It stopped permanently in a TRAFFIC JAM which was
really a pedestrian precinct in a 'Sunday Market' area. Today's WANXIAN bus had taken us approximately
only 5 miles and we were very late for lunch, getting back at 12.10pm instead of 11am!! We were then
'shepherded out' (well - 'forced out') at 12.50pm so that the next 'sitting' of passengers could take place!
After lunch, our own 'Jeannie Market' was on! There, I (cheekily) asked if the "Three Gorges Dam" book
had a discount in its 'sale'. Fortunately, it did!! (Bought for 40Yuan instead of 50Yuan!) I signed the normal
'chit' for this!
Following a 'one-lap' walk around Deck3 in the heat, I returned to my air-conditionned cabin for a lay-down
from 2pm until 2.50pm. Then I went to the JADE room to learn about the Chinese Language (basic) and their
symbols (VERY basic).
After this was over, at least for me(!), whilst waiting for the start of the TRADITIONAL DANCING course
(by one woman/girl) they put their traditional fans into the hands of people in the front row. Naturally, some
newcomers wanted some and they "queried about what was going on". It was all a bit 'messy' - so I decided
that the only way to LEAVE was to hand my FAN to a lady complaining that it was TOO COLD (most
of us were sweltering!!) and disappear!
Now 4.02pm, I went for a relaxation in my cabin from 16.20hrs as it was TOO HOT outside. The air-conditionned
interior was so good! Then I went to the shop on Deck3 for 'mentos' (no discount) and 'pringles' (25% discount).
Meanwhile, the boat is continuing WESTWARDS for tomorrow's exit!! I layed on my bed until dinner-time as the
'final day' sheet arrived at 17.30hrs for tomorrow. I made plans.
I went to the 'evening meal' (which was, again, VERY GOOD) for 6pm-7pm and then went up to the SUNDECK
(Deck5) for the 'JEANNIE FAREWELL SHOW' (at 7.30pm) - but was back in my own cabin by 8.30pm..
There, I made preparations for tomorrow's matters ('Travel' and 'leaving the boat') - also packing and the MONZA
GP on TV in the cabin.
17 September 2001 - Monday
After having a good night's sleep, during which I woke up a few times, I realised that the whole of this trip has been in very CALM waters,
despite their speed.
Today, we get off the YANGTZE and travel southwards, exitting at CHONGKING - having completed the river's mileage
specified in the entry of 12 Sept (i.e. 841 miles!). Looking out of my porthole, I could see NOTHING - for the very first
time! It appears that we are in a very thick fog - and still moving!
The FOG HORN has been a feature of the last half hour.However, by 7.12am, I could see the river again, flowing left to
right as we progress to the left!
My first action - at around 8am - will be to "settle my account with hard cash" after which I'll collect a luggage tag also
from 'reception'. That was only a few yards from my cabin (2278) on deck2!
I joined a very long queue and chatted with an English guy (who'd, like me, visited Russia) behind me. My 'bill' came
to 130RMB, as predicted, and I left 20RMB for the 'crew tip' and also the 'crew evaluation sheet' was left in the appropriate box!
The 'case deadline', of 9am, was well exceeded, - and my own case was still outside my door. The corridors were
full of very large cases and miscellaneous furniture. The EXIT doors from Deck5 were jammed with cases too! In my cool
cabin, I watched the early stages of yesterday's MONZA GP (I'd already seen the 'end' yesterday!) from 9.40am.
The mist outside, is the HEAT evaporating the YANGTZE. An announcement about 10am was claiming that the 'fog'
was causing a delay (like we were now to arrive in Chongqing around about 1.30pm instead of noon! Brunch would now
be extended to 12.30hrs.
Having returned from a late (3-course-brunch) meal, I reckoned that it'd do for my midday meal!! Now 11.12am, my
case had gone by now, - and the doors at the aft end of Deck2 were now well-blocked!! So, too, was the fore-end of Deck2!!
"Who's the safety person around here", I thought. I retired to do some browsing of miscellaneous TV channels!
Whilst I was having my 'browse', a CHINESE member of staff came to check the room and its contents. We were both happy
with this!
The time having reached 12.34hrs (1 hour to ETA at Chongqing?) they announced an ETA change to 13.30hrs The ATA
at Chongqing was nearer 14.00hrs! A number of us thought that the "OLD TOWN of CIQIKOU must be 'off' " because we
are so late!!
Whilst we de-boated and caught our 'crumby coach', we headed into town (about 10 miles). I walked a bit, in the heat, and
took two photos. Then we headed off for the OLD TOWN (20miles in the coolness of the coach - where I stayed!)
The few of us remaining on the vehicle were amused by the antics of two micro-dogs playing like kittens!!
When Lucy returned, I queried the apparent IMPOSSIBILITY of making the AIRPORT in time, and then she said
that 'takeoff' is NOT now 17.05 - BUT 18.05. I guess the authority "makes it up as the go along". There were traffic
jams all the 20 miles to the airport.
Eventually we got there, even LATER, and although we were NOT in time, the FLIGHT has been altered!! The
queueing and CHONGQING (for XIAN - and anywhere!) was horrendous and confusing. Our changed flight
(even later than the retimed quotation) was still scheduled at an OLD time. Queues and personnel processing were
clearly done by AMATEURS at the game!!
Once on board, as well as enroute to the plane, the queues were very slow, due to hand-baggage, consisting of very
heavy BULKY pieces in many cases. Eventually, I got to my seat 16C - with Judy being across the aisle in 16D!!
Our Boeing737 journey to XIAN was just 460 miles.
Landing at XIAN gave the impression of landing on rubble from a building site. It was pouring with rain too!!
WORSE was yet to come!! The local guide praised how good the driver was with his 30years of 'experience'. I would
DEFINE his style and practices as "30 years of BAD HABITS (mixed with luck)".
Neither he nor our guide knew how to demist or clean windscreens (inside or out!). Perhaps they have NOT had RAIN
in CHINA for over 30 years!! The driver's visibility was almost ZERO (forwards and through the wing mirror!) - and the
general view of ALL passengers was that this was the WORST ever driven-experience!
Our mileage from the Airport was probably about 32 miles, and we all chatted together on arrival - having arrived
in a 'shattered' state with this coach-driving set of practices (it also included shouting FULL VOICE into his
MOBILE phone whilst driving-blind!!)
I, later, got my notes up-to-date before trying to mend my "wheelie trolley" on my own! It was not successful. I then
took my medication for the second day running. Now, being 22.40hrs, I thought "What about bed?!" My socks,
wet from the airport, are seriously 'dampening' the carpet.
To be continued in next chapter!!
EMail to:
Roy's Location.
Return to the Beijing Chapter
or return to Roy's home page for full list
of books etc either finished or under preparation.
or return to The CHINA index page
roy@olympus.u-net.com