salmon2jalan

Hello from China-30th Oct.'06

Well here we are almost at the tail end of our drive through China.
We are in Chongqing now. We have had some wonderful trips in small boats through the Gorges.
Saw the villages that are going under. The waters are filling fast in the Gorge. One small Gorge we went through, we were supposed to get off our boat and trek to a village for a home cooked lunch. We had to abandon as the water had gone up too high for us to trek!
I have a better understanding now of how much this Dam means to the people in China. There has been so much criticism on the building of this Dam, but one has to underestand the history of China and the force of powerful Yangtze and her destruction on her people. She is "Our Mother River" is what we have heard over and over again by the people.
We have visited the "relocation new towns" and have seen the people living and enjoying their modern amenites. The young people especially, protray hope and optimism for their future. We have stayed in three of these new towns. even had my hair cut and styled in one of the beauty shops. It was a joy to try to interact with them.

Everywhere we went people had smiles and were eager to find out where we were from. John being the only caucasian was in great demand for photo taking with them. In a few years time I suppose one may chance to see a framed photo proudly hanging on their walls. Certainly our group of Malaysian Chinese seem to think so.

Unpleasant incidence, were twice, when we were held to ransom for supposedly running over their dog or hitting their cart. Payment was always the forgiving factor.

Convoy- well Ninja convoy Master's car a Honda CRV went down with two pistons blown. New car only done 50000km. That had to be left behind for repairs.
Today Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is down. She had been doing so well but the terrible pot holes and sudden off road has taken it's toll on her. We have to wait and see if she can go on tomorrow.
The roads around the Gorge is really bad. there is much repairs going on but it is still so very bad.
As of today we have covered approx.10,000km. We are still all good friends!
Tomorrow we head towards Kumming. Hopefully we will have free internet in the hotel.

posted by Ann Salmon @ 10:16 pm