China & Yangtze River August 15 - 30, 2007

"Jack's Group"

Come along with us on the Viking River Cruises "China's Cultural Delights", 15 nights, including 9 days on the Yantze River with the Van Mell family. Hosted by Mary Kay Van Mell [Stuart, FL], with Rick & Sandy Van Mell [Mountain View, CA], Robert & Kristen Van Mell with daughters Sabina (10) & Natalie (8) [Chicago,IL], and Derrick & Susan Van Mell with Trina (17) and Clayton ("Clay" - 15) [Monona, WI]. Susan and Kristen are also sisters.

For the statistically curious, we sailed on the Viking Century Sun, 416' long, 56' wide, drawing 8.5' of water, and her maiden cruise was in February 2006. She carries up to 306 passengers in 153 cabins, plus a crew of 165 (mostly between the ages of 18 & 30). There were 251 passengers aboard, divided up into eight groups ranging from 23 to 35, each with a group escort that met the group in Beijing, traveled along to Xian, then to Chongjing where we boarded the ship, and finally stayed with us until we departed Shanghai for the airport. "Jack" Xiong was our group's escort - thus the picture above of "Jack's Group".

The Three Gorges Dam is 6,556' long at the town of Sandouping, Hubei Province with a spillway elevation of 606' (180 meters), with a normal pool level of 573' (175) and a lowered "flood control" level of 475' (145 meters). The table below provides links to various sections of the trip. Click thumbnails to get larger versions. On the larger versions, the navigation arrows span about 100 pictures. You can use the "back" arrow to return to the thumbnails, or press the "Home" button to return to the main table.

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Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square Martyr's Monument	Explorers	typical haze	Peoples' Congress	Chairman Mao ...
leads the people	Mao Memorial Hall (under renovation)	Guarded, though closed	2nd sculpture	For those that died for the cause
National Museum ...	has Olympic clock	Pilgrims approach ...	Chairman Mao	Yea!
Our Hero	Lots of people

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Forbidden City

Jack leads us ...	Into Forbidden City	(the story)	past guards ...	lightning protection ...	into Forbidden City ...
with the crowd ...	inner sanctum ...	inner wall.	Gates still work	Restoration
Impressive buildings ...	roofs & ...	great detail.	5 bridges	Massive scale ...
swallows people	Hangin' in there	Gate leads ...	outside wall	Fine woodwork
Drawing of 1748 ...	Emperor's Review ...	from main gate ...	through ranks ...	of many kinds ...
including elephants ...	and reviewing stand.	Jack counts noses	fire fighting water pots	up close
Infinite detail	Qing weapons ...	looked light ...	but fashionable!	Warrior Derrick
Imperial family?	Just impressive	1700s Backgammon	Lacquer brush holder	Spirits protect emperor
Empress' living quarters ...	Empress????	throne	Earth & sky ...	Dynamic duo
guard ...	lions	Future Empresses!	Sundial	The Crystal
Want to apply?	Last gate.

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Summer Palace

Summer Palace	Our ride over	yes, smog & clouds	Island bridge	Prepare to meet ...
Emperor & family!	Marble Boat	Main palace	these lions ...	again.
Entrance gate	Pavillion to dock ..	more tourists coming.	Our Stars!

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Peking Opera Demonstration

Painting on ...

incredible faces ...

great transformation ...

a hit with admirers ...

and audience.

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Great Wall

Approaching hazy wall	Ba Da Ling pit-stop	Jack's group ...	enroute to ...	lots of climbing ...PICT9545
Susan smiles, ...	then clicks.	Great view ...	looking back to Badaling	A reminder
Good vantage point ...	but more to go ...	down & up ...	almost there ...	long way back down.

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Jade Factory Showroom

Sellers ...	waiting for ...	shoppers!!!	Jade anyone?	Expensive elephants
Still looking	Your ship come in?	Work room &	detailed demo	Want it shipped?
T&S bargain (still too expensive)	Trumpeter	Mary Kay is tempted	Break the bank!	Enough already.

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Sacred Way to Ming Tombs

The Sacred Way ...	of the Ming Tombs	Jack leads ...	outbound ...	great guardians
Yes, Sir!	Sage	Warrior	Getaway steed	Yum ...
You don't say	Down boy	Travelers	the long view	Entrance gate

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Bejing Scenes

Beijing traffic ...	construction everywhere.	Olympic "Birds Nest"	quite a sight ...	ready next year ...
but looks good.	Water Cube	Soccer stadium	The new ...	& the old ...
add air conditioning	Our hotel ...	Nice place ...	to relax!	Busy outside
Haze has lightened	Reception for ...	our Stars?	Nope, it's a wedding ...	in style ...
they're here ...	and happy.

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Beijing Hutong Tour

Our gang gets ...	ready for pedicab ...	ride through ...	one of Bejing's ...	Hutong areas.
Under way ...	Inner garden ...	welcoming home ...	Old folks home	Robert's Nirvana
Lotus child

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Tang Dynasty Show

Tang Dynasty Show ...

engages ...

delights ...

and dazzles.

Encore!

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Xian Terra Cotta Army

Terra Cotta Warriors ...	are covered by ...	museum buildings	Enter	Tomb left, warriors right
The story	vast army ...	ready to defend ...	ready to fight ...	at 2400 years old ...
the numbers ...	describe ...	a vast jigsaw puzzle	Restored to glory ...	to defend ...
with weapons ...	Individualls made	Row on Row	Prepared	to confront all ...
who would come ...	ride on	How it wwas ...	made.	Note the scale
Chariot driver	"The infirmary"	Missing parts	Lend a hand?	Almost ready to ride
Fallen soldier	Ready to drive	No two alike	pieces lie ...	where they fell
Are you a ....

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Ship Boarding & Departure

We arrive at ...	our ship ...	Century Sun ...	in Chongqing ...	boarding barges.
Welcome refreshment	Main lobby	The library has ...	books & games ...	cigar room ...
observation deck ...	with bar & ...	stage.	Our cabin is ...	well stocked
Morning Tai Chi	Last provisions	Morning departure ...	in haze ...	old & new apartments ...
show great ...	contrast.	We're ready!	to cast off	Lots of tour boats
New bridge ...	stretches out	Fish for dinner?	smoggy bridge ...	but nice.
Building ...	new ships.	Typical channel mark	Riverside ...	housing.

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Fengdu Snow Jade Cave

Relocated ...	Fengdu	Amusement park	Our dock ...	closing in ...
heaving line ashore ...	making fast ...	stern coming in ...	made fast.	Long hike up ...
to buses ...	rough spots.	Great rock faces ...	with many caves ...	for exploring ...
even a waterfall.	Hotel going up.	It's a hike to ...	Snow Jade Cave	The Story
No sweat, says Barry	Linda guides	Even the simple ...	has beauty ...	and promise ...
from delicate ...	to glacial.	Looking overhead ...	fingers point ...	in profusion.
Natalie snaps ...PICT9808	great "icicles" ...	and domes ...	and cascades ...	(with flash)
Majestic ...	scale ...	everywhere.	Bridge to busses	Farewell Fengdu
Riverside road ...	has many bridges.

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River Travel & Qutang Gorge

Game time ...	and reading.	Captain's welcome ...	and entertainment ...	great goodies ...
are enjoyed ...	by Susan & Sandy ...	Derrick & Kristen ...	and Mary Kay.	Misty sunset
Dinner time	We're early	Happy girls ...	and Rick!	Jack, Elizabeth & Wolfgang
Deborah & Susie	Jimmeny cricket's ...	morning appearance ...	bye.	Entering Qutang Gorge
is stunning	Nature's sculpture	Ancinet writing	Towering knobs ...	morning light ...
shear clifs ...	narrow passage ...	ahead.	GReat rock folds ...	plunge down ...
like a jaw.

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Lesser Three Gorges

Boats for Lesser 3 Gorges tour	Grace leads us ...	under bye-bye bridge	Water rising to 175	The other boat ...
follows us ...	into Lesser 3 Gorges	Last year water was 10M higher	Stunning clifs ...	but fractured.
Just a matter of time.	Replacement for ...	Bye-bye bridge	Terraces & ...	caves ...
everywhere, right ...	to the water.	Dirt hauled uphill.	This is a Lesser Gorge?	Great caves ...
and sediments.	Lush vegetation ...	and slopes.	Swimming hole	Hanging coffin ...
on ledge.	Final waterline ...	bye-bye house!	Diane, Barry & Paul	Susie's in style
Lunch stop has ...	good eats ...	chow line ...	and table holders.	Cynthia's ready
You don't say!	Deborah & Susie	2nd hanging ...	coffin.	Sabina's on watch
Kristen, Trina & Derrick	the Crowd	Picture time	Stiff neck ...	looking up.
Almost back aboard.

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Good Eats, Service, Games & Shows

Observation Deck bar	Great service from ...	Irene & Teressa	Musicians relax	(They like these seats.)
Happy gang	Piggy-back travel	Elaine & the boys ...	served us ...	good eats ...
every day ...	in (too much) quantity.	Tastes great too!	Good company	Set for tea ceremony
Cup rolling	Dick entertains ...	we all enjoy ...	almost.	It's mahjong time
Jack teaches ...	all play ...	Mahjong!	Evonne ...	tidies our cabin.

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Three Gorges Dam

2330 hours, 3 Gorges Dam	long, rainy wait	Into 1st lock	Tight fit	Closing in astern
More coming in	Gates close	down 60' - opening	Next day is ...	rainy dam tour
Upbound traffic	dounbound traffic	Masive volume	Power grid	Future "elevator"
Gate cranes	Pictures of pictures aerial photo	left end ...	right side	Model shows ...
overall layout	Lock # 1	Lock # 2 of 5	Lock construction	Power plant
Port buildings ...	great style ...	and detail.	Only Junks ...	we saw.

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Gezhouba Dam Passage

Picture of lower Gezhouba Dam	Approaching lower dam	Cynthia's reading	Cardboard barge	Entering lock
Upper side of powerhouse ...	lower side	Tight squeeze ...	raining too	We're in ...
more to come ...	Bamboo pole push	These folks were walking ...	across the river ...	it's a LONG walk.
The Party + peasants,workers, soldiers & intelligensia	Next boat slides ...	really close ...	alongside ...	tucked in.
One last addition.	Lock gates are ...	closing.	Water at about 66 meters ...	now down 20' ...
40' down ...	Happy Paul watches ...	at the bottom ...	total 60' drop.	Gates start to open ...
daylight ...	big stuff ...	casting off.

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Veggie Carving

Veggie carving time	Sabina joins in	many hands ...	go to work ...	the masters ...
produce beauties ...	others do too ...	nice Sabina!	Happy campers.

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Viking Jingzhou School

Jingzhou ...	tower & ...	great bridge	Going ashore ...	In one room - 2nd floor.
over floats ...	Diane & Barry	Light traffic	typical shopping	rice field
School visit ...	entrance with ...	welcoming band	go guys ...	and gals.
Great reception and ...	smiles.	Teacher introduces ...	nervous students, but ...	great performance that ...
draws smiles	Yea!	Colors	Audience participation	Next act ...
lets fly!	Class time ...	is Barry ready?	Teacher is ...	he's got a cricket
Sandy's got a friend.	Curious ...	you don't say	Clay peeks	Smile!
OK	"We know."	Playing fast	Can you do it?	Map time.
Non-student ...	doesn't like ...	pesky tourists.	Nor do they.	Great produce

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Ship's Bridge Tour

Lots of coal

Bridge tour ...

radar ...

charts ...

code flags ...

GPS.

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Yueyang Tower & Tea Garden

This is " Smile" ...	our Yueyang guide.	she's very bright ...	and refreshing.	1/3 scale models of ...
other towers ...	this one in brass.	Great ...	detail.	Tea Garden walk
Entertainment	Dancing needle tea	Dick & Paul .. contemplate.	Guard tower with a ...	detailed top.
Main tower entrance ...	looking toward tower	Yueyang Tower ...	sidekick ...	meet with great ...
roof detail with ...	fine work	Water jug	Offering urn	Tourist addition

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Wuhan Hubei Museum & Bells

Wuhan stretches ...	it's 8 million ...	people over a ...	long ...	long ...
long ...	waterfront.	"Ship" apartments	Great, varied ...	period architecture.
Wuhan museum ..	is mostly from one tomb	Hi Natalie.	Entrance graphics	The Story
Marquis Yi	Province map	Tomb site ...	timbers off.	2400 year old bells ...
from above	These were tuned ...	bells that could play ...	two notes each.	Chimes ...
cleaned up	Drum holder	Bronze story	Incredible stuff.

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Hubei Bells movie clip

Replica bells in concert hall

Here are two movie clips of the replica bells from 230 BC being played at the Wuhan Museum.
These files are in QuickTime and are 9 and 6 megabytes, so they may take a while to load.

Movie # 1
Movie # 2

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Mt. Jiuhua Buddhist Temples

Going to ...	Jiuhua Mountain ...	very wet going	Misty hills ...	surround ...
Main temple.	Tram to upper temples ...	with a bypass.	Upper temple ...	almost in clouds
Great plantings ...	bamboo grove.	Local guide ...	local natives.	The Story ...
and map.	Incense for sale	Entrance gate ...	Dragon Temple	Protection ...
spirits	Nice paint job	offering station	side guardians ...	other side ...
main Buddha	Fish bell	Guard	This fellow ...	is really ...
long.	12 angry ...	men ...	including sleepy	Buddha rehab
Fresh paint	Great proportions	Sacrafices?	Paying respects ...	with incense.
Protector ...	and friend	Another of the 50+ ...	active temples ...	with spirits ...
and monks.	One of ...	three Buddhas	Brass bell	Offering rack
Welcome?	Now which way?	Everybody's damp.	Mushrooms for sale.

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Captain's Farewell Dinner

Serving for ...	Captain's Farewell dinner	Music provided	Full house	Elaine in finery ...
Happy girls	Cautious girls	Paul & Joey	Dick & Barbara	Diane & Barry
Bob + ...	Margo & Cynthia	The Gang ...	with Sabina & Natalie.	Great fabric ...
plus hard work ...	make beautiful clothes.	"Whatever," says Trina	Thank You (Xiexie)

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Nanjing Old City Wall

Old Nanjing Wall ...	and map.	600 year old bricks	Behind the wall	It's a climb ...
but not wet yet ...	many steps & ...	long walk.

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Suzhou Fisherman's Garden

On to Suzhou	Great guide	Lunch stop with great embroidery	Old city moat	Market stalls lead to ...
Fisherman's garden.	Sedan chair	Guardian	The story ...	the layout.
Welcome	Reception room	Incredible stonework ...	detail.	Ladies reception
Modern convenience	Water, Rock, Plant & Building	Tea House	Lotus	Coy koi
Rock garden ...	has smiles	Alcove	Shutter bug	Pensive
Mr. Big	Quiet Pool	Clay's happy	Main house	800 year old bridge 900 year old tree
Back yard	visiting frauleins	You don't say.

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Silk Thread & Embroidery

This says it all	We get the story ...	baby silk worms ...	grow up ...	eating mulberry ...
getting fat ...	and making cacoons	Sorting ...	thread making from ...	8 at once.
Still tiny thread	Automated weaving	Removing pupas	Stretching layers ...	we try too.
Nice job	All silk ...	yes, silk ...	yep, still silk ...	ditto.

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Shanghai Museum

Approaching Shanghai	Great builidngs ...	and traffic.	Shanghai museum	Casting technique
1300 BC wine vessel	Goblets	Pitcher	Wine urn	With a handle
Food bowls	Gift pot ...	dedication inside	Almost modern	Water bowl
Mighty tail handle	Tuned bells ...	up close	Handy critter	Stelae +/- 2000 BC
detail	Fine detail ...	and color too.	Explorers Kristen, Sabina, Natalie, Susan & Trina	Homeward bound ...
Shanghai airport.

The End