Party's Over

Now that we have mastered using chopsticks and the Chinese squat potty, some  of us departed for home.  Others went to Hong Kong.  We leave with our cherished memories of China and its people- especially our guide Johanna.

Shanghai

A sunny day in Shanghai as we enjoy the last leg of our trip.  Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the world's important ports.  Population 24 million and a global financial center.  Shanghai has the 3rd tallest building in the world.

In old Shanghai we strolled the narrow lanes  to the splendid Yuyuan Garden- dating to the Ming Dynasty-five acres contain delicate pavilions, winding paths and a Grand Rockery of caves and grottoes.

Then we went shopping in Old Town for silk scarves, pearls, and stopped by an embroidery workshop to witness the ancient craft.  We enjoyed a delicious dim sum lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch a walk on the famous Bund, the city's inviting promenade along the Huangpu River.  A delicious  buffet dinner at the Four Seasons hotel and a birthday celebration for Joan Alexander.  After dinner we were treated to an Acrobat Show.

Sweet and Sour Fish

Street Dancing in Old Shanghai

Tai Chi in the Park

Old Shanghai

On the Bund-Chinese posing

On the Bund with skyline

Posing with the Chinese

Posing like the Chinese

Happy Birthday Joan

Acrobat Show

School Visit

We woke up again today with gray skies and rain.  Temperature was a cool 50 degrees.  After a leisurely breakfast, we boarded our motorcoach and traveled for about an hour to visit a local school. Our group visited a first grade class of 65 with one teacher in a relatively small room.  The children performed for us and we were able to interact with them.  As you might expect, the students were very loud as they were excited to see us.  Also they were typical first graders in picking at one another and one little boy was seeing how far he could put a pencil up his nose.  Everyone in Tennessee should be very proud of the schools that our children attend.

Our delicious lunch today consisted of some Chinese delicacies-Pig ears,  Pig tails, chicken feet, lotus root and dried tofu. Yum,Yum!

Chinese First Grade

Chicken Feet

Pig Tails

The Little Emperor

Three Gorges Dam

We left our boat this morning in intermittent rain for a tour of the Dam. High 55 degrees

Opened in 2008, the Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest artificial generator of electric power from a renewable source. Costing $28 billion, it is the most expensive hydroelectric project in history.

We had an afternoon sail through the Xiling Gorge.  At nearly 50 miles long, the Xiling Gorge is the longest of the three gorges. Pearl presentation later. There are many shops onboard and are able to make custom made clothing.

Saturday Morning Tour

This morning we departed our boat for smaller boats to The Goddess Stream-the true highlight of the region, offering spectacular views that cannot be seen anywhere else in China.  We really enjoyed this cruise and the rain has stopped and the high is mid-fifties.  After lunch a scenic afternoon cruise. Tonight at 9:15 pm we will have a passage through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Locks.

The Goddess Stream

This is Me Dancing the night away

Cruising Along the Yangtze

Today we spent the morning cruising on the Yangtze River-the world's third longest river (15 miles longer than the Mississippi).  It was raining and in the afternoon some of us went to see the extraordinary Shibaozhai Pagoda-an exquisite example of ancient Chinese architecture in the form of the Precious Stone Fortress. Some of the hearty of the group climbed the 99 steps to the temple.  In the evening we had a very good Chinese dinner onboard.  The sweet and sour fish was our favorite.

We arose early to see spectacular scenery as we sailed through the Qutang Gorge. Enjoyed  a delicious buffet breakfast then we were treated to more scenic sailing through Wu Gorge.

Captain's Cocktail Party