I woke up early this morning. I took a shower and then went for a cup of tea at the Yangtze Club. I had a cup of black tea and watched a few people who had come to join the ship doctor for a session of Tai Chi.
Shennong Stream.
At 7:00 am, I went to the restaurant for breakfast. I was greeted by our waitress, who was smiling and welcoming and got me a cup of tea. I was joined at breakfast by the others who had upgraded to the VIP restaurant: Pat, Mike, Ewen, and Tracy. We all enjoyed a relaxed breakfast buffet and agreed this was the way to enjoy breakfast in a comfortable, quiet setting rather than fighting off the Chinese, who would fight each other for breakfast downstairs. I hope Mel, April and Branwen have formed a posy and managed to get something before it all disappears.
About the Shennong Stream.
The Shennong Stream is a captivating natural wonder in central China's Hubei Province. The stream originates from the southern slope of Shennongjia Mountain, known as Shennong Jia. The Shennong Stream winds through deep valleys for approximately 60 kilometres. Along its course, it takes in 17 smaller streams and features many high waterfalls.
Gorges along the Shennong Stream include Chengnong Gorge, known for its grandeur; Mianzhu Gorge, renowned for its danger, with a narrow riverbed and over 30 challenging shoals along its 2.5-mile route; Yingwu Gorge, celebrated for its elegance, with evergreen vegetation and a fountain of three colours and the Longchang Gorge which has ancient suspended wooden coffins and a plank road.
My visit to the Shennong Stream.
This morning, there was an included tour of the Shennong Stream. Our ship docked in Badong, and we disembarked to take a smaller boat for a trip up the Shennong Stream. As we travelled up the stream, our guide pointed out various things, including mountain peaks, pagodas and many small villages where people had settled after the dam was built, which flooded the gorges. We were told that at its deepest point during the wet season, the water can get to 185 metres deep. As we travelled through the valley, the reality of this development's significance and how many people were displaced became more evident. We hear both sides of the story about the flooding that took place. We are told that many older people did not want to leave their homes and were forced to. A younger generation also told stories that they were pleased to be moved. They had gained new modern homes twice the size of their old dwellings, and they only had to pay half the price. With the latest development also came new jobs.
As we travelled upstream, we were shown 'hanging coffins' precariously wedged high up the cliffs. It is said that they were put there to prevent grave robbers and that the higher up the cliff face they were, the more influential the person was to the village.
Video from the Shennong Stream.
We soon arrived at a small village where we were to take a small tour. After letting the Chinese leave the ship first, we made our way up several steep and long flights of stairs to the 'tourist village' at the top. We were given a voucher for a piece of Jade, which we can redeem and make jewellery from. I redeemed my token and was given a dull piece of Jade; when I asked to put it on a string, I was told that we couldn't keep this piece of Jade but could buy an already threaded piece. I search through the Jade and select a green piece which is said to bring you luck in love.
We were then shown to a room where a show was going on with locals in local dress performing dances and telling a story. Unfortunately, it had started before I entered, and I only saw a brief part.
When we were leaving, I saw what I thought was a marvel of Chinese invention. There is a stall outside with various foods for sale: duck, scorpion, rat and other delicacies I can't guess at. This is not what I thought was brilliant. I thought their device to keep flies off the food was clever. They had hung what can only be described as a child's hanging mobile, made up of string and coloured cards that spun in the light breeze, hanging just over the food. It was enough to keep off all the flies we typically saw settling on the food in markets.
We descended the stairs back down to the motor launch we arrived on and were soon underway back to the cruise ship for an early lunch. Some people are going on an optional trip this afternoon, but I will have acupuncture treatment for my tinnitus.
Photos from the Shenong Stream.
Acupuncture treatment.
After lunch, I discovered Branwen, Tracy, and Pat had also booked an acupuncture session. I have the first appointment and am soon lying face down on a bed. I chatted with Dr Hu and I'm told that tinnitus can be caused by the kidney not functioning correctly. I signed up for the works. I figured nothing in England has been any help to me in relieving my tinnitus, and it is a horrible illness that I will do anything to try and improve.
I first had acupuncture, which included needles in different places on my back and my ankles. I again get an electric current passed through them, which is very relaxing. Then comes the cupping, a deep penetrating massage that feels like he is trying to reposition my spine. This is uncomfortable but not painful and seems to release some pressure in my back. This is followed by a massage that stimulates the nerves. After all my treatment, I am given two months' worth of tablets to take, which will, I am told, help my kidney and this will, in turn, help my tinnitus.
The cost for the hour's treatment and two months of tablets was ¥1600. If this doesn't work, I had an excellent massage for the money. I will forever be grateful if it works and helps relieve my tinnitus. My tinnitus is very distressing, and whatever the outcome, I believe the gamble was worth taking. However, I hope that on my return to England, I don't get arrested going through customs, carrying lots of tablets that only have Chinese writing on the box.
Victoria Selina Cabaret.
Selina, my waitress, was in many of the displays and dancing tonight, and I did my best to encourage her by waving to her or sticking my tongue out at her at every opportunity I got. How she kept a straight face sometimes, I don't know. After one of her acts, she told me off for making her laugh and told me she would be grabbing me out of the audience to dance with her at the show's end.
Forewarned by the lovely Selina at what point I was expected to dance with her, I made myself scarce. The last part of the show had begun when I returned to my seat. As it finished, Selina approached me, and I was told off for running away so I couldn't dance with her. In hindsight, I should have danced with her. She was gorgeous.
After the show, I keep Selina company at the bar and then retire to my room for an early night. Today's walking and Chinese medical treatments had worn me out and I was ready for bed.