I was up early today, and after a shower, I went for tea in the Yangtze Club and watched Dr Hu and a few passengers go through their Tai Chi routine. At about 7:30 am, I went for breakfast and met the rest of the other VIP passengers before we all went our separate ways for the day.
After a few days of walking around on different trips, I have decided to stay on board today. I will be missing out on a trip to see a relocated village that was flooded when the dam was built, but I will be able to spend some quiet time on board the ship. This afternoon will be hectic as after lunch, I will be battling against others in a high-stakes Mah-jong game.
Morning on board ship.
After breakfast, I returned to my room to pack for our departure tomorrow. I still have a few items of washing to come back, but I can pack them this evening. After packing, I took my laptop to the Yangtze Club, where I met Ewen. We sat and relaxed, logged into the internet and checked what had been happening in the world whilst we had been away. I signed up for the Mah-jong lesson and chatted with Ewen and Selina over a Black Russian cocktail before lunch. Lunch was served at about 12:30 pm, and I had a cocktail to keep my beer company while I had lunch.
Afternoon on board the ship.
After another fantastic lunch, I prepared for my Mah-jong lesson this afternoon. As anyone knows, the only way to play Mah-jong is with a clear head. Tracy dragged me to the Yangtze Club bar, where we sampled a few Bloody Marys. They were on sale, and it would have been rude not to. I soon discovered that Tracy was not playing Mah-jong but doing her best to cloud my brain before I played with Mel, April and Pat.
Tracy left me to watch a film, and I joined Mel, Pat and April for our Mah-jong lesson. I soon realised that Tracy had got me tipsy and that Mel was a Mah-jong Bandit. Mel won both games we played, and April and I hardly got a look in as Mel and Pat, with our tutor's help, seemed to be playing without us. Next time I play, I will take my own tiles to ensure I get a go. The tiles we were using had Chinese numbering on them, and it was tough even to work out what numbers and figures represented. I did enjoy the game, but when learning the game, I believe it would be easier to use tiles that I know what the figures and numbers are and without a doubt, it would have been easier if Tracy hadn't plied me with alcohol so that Mel could beat me (She would have beat me anyway and I won't be playing poker with her any time soon). After the Mah-jong, I chatted with Selina at the bar and had a cocktail before dinner.
Captains´ Farewell Banquet.
The strangely named 'Captains´ Farewell Banquet' consisted of the dinner we had ordered at lunch with a surprise cream cake for afters and a complimentary glass of champagne. The Captain was far too busy to attend the Captain's Farewell, and Amanda, the ship's river guide, stood in for him. She thanked us all for cruising with them and told us she wished to see us all again.
After the banquet, we gathered in the Yangtze Club bar and watched the Victoria Culture Show. After this, many of the Chinese guests dressed up. They dressed up in costumes and had their photos taken as the Emperor and Empress of China. Having no desire to play dress-up, we chatted about the trip over a few more beers and cocktails. Tracy had asked me to get her a cocktail, which I did. I sat with Ewen and Mike, and as Tracy had not returned, I drank her Bloody Mary as well. Shortly after I had drunk her cocktail, Tracy returned with Mel, April and Pat, who had all been on deck finishing off their spare wine. After a short time, it was just Tracy and I keeping Selina company at the bar.
At 10:00 pm, the bar closed, and we both went downstairs to settle our bar bill for the trip. When we returned to the bar to collect our belongings, we were asked if we wanted another cocktail. Oh well, it was the last night. We could pay for this one in the morning.