July 21 - Three Gorges Dam

July 21:  The Xiling Gorge / Three Gorges Dam

I Get A New Shirt!

This morning we woke up to see we were approaching the iconic Three Gorges, the most scenic three days of our cruise.....and to be honest, one of the main reasons we came on this cruise (rather than simply visit China for the landmarks). But before we talk about our day, how about the photo sequence at the left? Remember earlier Kim and I posed before dinner in front of the tailor's shop and I remarked this would become important later? Well, here's the story. One of the more prominent tailors in China is now retired and runs a shop on board the Viking Emerald. He handcrafts shirts, jackets, dresses, etc. from Chinese silk to custom fit you if you choose to purchase. I knew months ago this would be my "birthday present" from Kim (the big day is August 1st!) and so on the first full day of the cruise we made an appointment and I was measured. I had lots of options, but decided on a short-sleeve, light weight shirt. It was finished late last night and today......it is mine! I love the color and the design, which is difficult to see in the small photo and still not so clear in the enlarged photo, so I blew up a panel. I am V-E-R-Y happy with my shirt and will always be reminded of our days in China when I wear it in the many years to come. 

The morning was a misty one as I walked out on the veranda and shot the photo of the bridge. The rest of the first part of our day was filled with sailing through the Xiling Gorge, the first and longest of the Three Gorges. It was explained to us yesterday, as a prelude to today that the Three Gorges Dam was built primarily to control the flooding which has plagued this region of China. Obviously the side effect was the tremendous power it provides to China, but they get much more of their energy from other alternative sources today we're told. And third third benefit of the dam, with the resulting higher level of water, is that it allows ocean going barges to sail all the way into the interior of China, thus improving commerce and the economy! 

The afternoon excursion to the dam was interesting, and not very long. But that was good :) First, because it was nearly 100 degrees in the sunshine; and secondly, about 2/3 through the excursion when we were on top the dam a huge thunderstorm was sweeping down the valley. This cooled everything off and our group got back to the bus just before it began pouring......but by the time the bus was back at the ship, just 15 minutes away it was sunnay again! The dam is massive and for our ship to go through the five stage locks will take over 3 1/2 hours this evening. It was very interesting to see, but any longer there and I think it would have been overdone.