Breakfast was relatively simple, with buns, porridge and side dishes. They served a red bean fried bread dish, which was absolutely delish! After breakfast, we gathered our valuables and went for our first location; Guan Yin temple. When the ship docked at the port, we walked to the bus terminal which brought us to the enormous site!! It is located on two mountains, which is connected by just a bridge. Once we reached the temple, the locals told us to enter a room which a high priest blessed us and told us to make 3 wishes. After the 3 wishes, he started choosing people to enter a back room, while the rest just went out from the entrance where we entered from, and were told to offer joss sticks. I overheard that those that are told to offer joss sticks have accumulated a lot of sins. Hence, the monk was trying to alleviate our sins, but it depends on the each individual. I was one of the many that was told to offer joss sticks. =/
We were only allowed 1 hour and 30 minutes for the whole excursion, as the ship leaves at 9 10am sharp. So, we were told to quicken our steps. On the other side of the mountains, there were many many steps leading to the place where we were going to visit. I was told that there were over 300 steps to climb!! Because of the fact that there are too many steps to climb, and some of the tourist are elderly, the locals decided to create an business idea, where the men will carry the client up on the steps using bamboo chairs and stilts holding the chair. After we left the place, we bought many snacks which will be used either in playing a very disgusting game (mixing all the food together, and the loser has to eat it) or condiments for bread.
After playing the very disgusting game, we stayed on the top deck and looked at the 3gorges which can also be found on the RMB10 bill. There is a very cool way of dying here in the past. As this place was once a famous battle field, there will definitely be bloodshed. For the high ranking officers that have lost their life in the war, will be buried in a coffin, high up the mountains, it is believed that by doing so the spirit has a higher chance of going to heaven =) After viewing the 3 gorges, we still have 3 hours before our next trip to visit the Changjiang River. So we rushed to the guys' room and ate the apples that we bought, while watching Euro trip =)
Immediately after the movie ended the announcement for the Changjiang boat ride starts. We were to first take a boat ride for 1hour 30 minutes before reaching the exact boat that a lot of tourist will squeeze into a ‘sampan’ like boat and have men row the boat for 2 hours to visit the scenic site of the Shennongxi stream. When the ‘sampan’ started to move, by the huge efforts made by the men, the person provided by the boat ride started to explain about the history of the stream. When I looked at the middle – aged men row the boat that was when I totally understand that money is not easy to make. =( The boat is a very long and narrow ‘sampan’ that sinks to half of its height when it is full capacity. There were about 20 people in one boat, with only 4 rowers and 1 navigator. The entire boat ride takes about 2 hours covering over 60km. Now people, imagine 4 men, all almost reaching the age of 50 with 1 of them being 74 years old; rowing a boat seated by about 25 people (including themselves) for over 60km for 2 hours. That is a very tough job that only makes the minimal of wages only able to provide their family with the basic necessities. There is also a possibility that the rower is the only member of the family with a stable income, and he may have to provide for a large family. =(
After the boat ride, we returned back to our ship by an hour cruise ride. When we reached back to our room, we put down all our belongings and went for dinner. Our plan was to look at the dishes for dinner and decide if we should eat what they provided or eat our instant noodles, as we brought too much food and they need to be cleared by today! To our dismay, the food looks appetising; so we ate their dinner (we still need to clear the food!!!). =( So now, I have eaten my dinner and started to do a blog draft in Microsoft word and I shall upload it tomorrow when I return back to my dorm. =)
Reflection
This cruise trip has really broadened my view of the world outside of my comfort zone. Back in Singapore, where the loving conditions and quality of life is higher, we usually take it for granted where we will get what we want from our doting parents. Many Singaporean may never have experienced the hardship that is faced daily by these men. Life is so tough here, that an elderly man cannot even retire to enjoy his old age. He still has to work by rowing boats that are exceptionally heavy for long hours. I think that he would rather spend time playing chess or playing with his grandchildren, rather than row a heavy boat that is full of tourist to just earn ends meet. By coming for this OIP trip and cruise, I now understand the pains that our parents have to take to provide us with not only the basic needs but also our materialistic wants. =(
Loves, Charmaine
P.S I really really miss you guys now =( About 24 more days to go guys!!! Madeline, I want to go shopping once I return k!!?? Rachel, I still haven’t found your phone’s casing but don’t worry, I will make sure I return with all the colours in the rainbow casing for you!!! LEE SHI HAO!!! DO NOT EVEN THINK OF SLEEPING ON MY BED!!! OTHERWISE, YOU ARE TOAST WHEN I COME BACK!!! =)
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