Sunday, March 8, 2009
9:03 AM

WEEK 1 DAY 3

Started the day with a cup of instant noodles for breakfast as we did not have much time in the morning as we woke up late and had to take a long journey thus it is a must to take our breakfast. Then while gathering at downstairs to wait for a bus, it was PHOTO TAKING TIME !!!

Me, Alicia, Baohui, Xiao Wah & Hui Xin

Hui xin & Alicia

Bao hui & Me

Then we headed off to Wu Chang for our cruise,

Along the way to Wu Chang in the bus

There was really some awesome scenery, nice patches of flowers growing, saw some buffaloes & chickens too Some other buildings when we were about to reach there. While looking out of the window, I ponder about how people who living this type of life and it kind of gives a heart aching feeling. As Baohui was saying that they are a decent and simple life without robbing or doing anything illegal. But as I learnt from geography, the poverty cycle goes on and on in this kind of villagers and it is difficult to escape from it. The thing is that “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”. And I thought to myself that I should be contented with what I have now; it is like not everybody can get to study etc. That I should cherish what I have, as some people who even wants it cannot get it. Such as studying.

A bridge

Alighted from the bus, then headed to the cruise we were going to be on for 3 days 2 nights

Some views of ships

The room, Hui Xin & Me are going to share on the cruise. It was a four stars cruise, with provided bedroom slippers and toothbrush and toothpaste. Something to add on is that the bedroom slippers seems to be made of practically thin pieces of paper as when you walk and someone steps on it, it would tear. Anyway, at least a four star cruise has a television for us to watch shows even though at times, there would be any signals.

There was a sign which shows how to wear a life jacket when there is an emergency on the cruise and we need to evacuate the cruise. This is good to show how passengers know how to be able to react during an emergency and it would not be that messy.

And a photo of me & my room mate, Hui xin More ships outside the window of the room Then we took a look around the cruise. It was quite okay but the rooms on the first floor were the very creepy as people could like look through your room or like could bang into your door and there it goes.

Then it was photo taking time on the deck area first.

Other rooms at the 1st floor

The main area Deck area where there are PHOTO TAKING Clockwise from top left: Bernice, Yan Khee, Eileen, Alicia, Baohui, Hui Xin & Me Deck area

We were going through the Three Gorges dam area.

China's Yangtze River, Three Gorges Dam upon completion, will be the largest hydroelectric complex in the world. It is located in China's rural heartland on the third largest river in the world, the Yangtze. The Three Gorges Dam towers 182 meters (600ft) high and stretches over 2.4 kilometers (1.5miles). The reservoir created by the dam will extend nearly 400 miles upstream. The project consists of a river dam, spillway structures, powerhouse, and buildings for navigation.
The dam's construction will take 17 years and has been divided into three phases. The first phase dealt with preparations for construction of the dam. The diversion channel was built so that the river could be blocked. The second phase mainly focused on construction of the spillway, left bank power houses, and ship's locks. The first batch of generators started producing power during this phase. The third phase involves construction of the right bank's powerhouse, which will be the completion of the entire project.
The Three Gorges hydroelectric power plant contains 26 turbine generator units. Currently the generated electricity is being sent to Central and East China, Guangdong, and Chongqing. It is predicted that over one-ninth of China's electrical power will be created at the Three Gorges Dam.
The idea for the dam was first proposed by Dr. Sun Yetsen in 1918, and has been under consideration ever since. The Three Gorges Dam is a marvel of engineering, and the greatest challenge its designers have ever faced. The dam has been designed to store over 5 trillion gallons of water and to withstand an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale. Ocean-going vessels of over 10,000 tons will now be able to enter the nation's interior, which will redefine how products and technology move around China.
The three gorges dam not only creates electricity, but will also control the annual floods that have devastated vast portions of China for millennia. Each year 15 million people and 1.5 million hectares of farmland will be protected from flood threats, thanks to the Three Gorges Dam.
The Three Gorges Dam project will not only fulfill its utilitarian needs, but will also serve as a symbol of pride for the Chinese people.
http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/yangtzecruise/dam/index.htm

Scenery enjoyment of what is going to happen...

Going nearer... Looking down by the side The gate Actually, the gate closes as it acts as a barrier to able to flood the area and bring the ship upwards. As the ship keeps rising, it is then brought up a mountain area if I am not wrong.The gate Videos of the gate closing