Wuchang and Yichang. and The Three Gorges Dam ...

Saturday morning there was another 7am stop, but didn't bother getting up as there was a stop again at 2pm until 6am Sunday morning - just after the first of the 3 gorges. This was the town of Wuchang - a major climb up from the river. It was fairly busy on a Saturday afternoon - got a lot of looks from the locals also saying "Hello" and smiling at the out-of-town Westerners. Had a few drinks on the boat that night, and hit the town for a look since it was Sat night and we were in port. We were guided to Karaoke bars - as that's all that seemed to be happening at that hour - but decided not to participate - so back to the cabin. Sunday, our last day on the boat, Had another early stop at a temple - but had a walk around instead. It was a really funky rural area - with the hills terraced for farming, and oranges growing on the hills. I didn't realise we were in an area warm enough - but I guess it is October and the temp was about 22/23C (70/75F). The cruise was over at 2pm - and we departed to head straight to the 3 Gorges Dam. Had to pass security/bag check to visit the dam - and the penknife in my bag was taken from me until the end of the trip. They must have though I was MacGyver if I could do something to the largest dam in the world with a penknife ! The site of the dam is huge - and quiet impressive. It produces power equivalent to 18 Nuclear power stations and it is supposed to serve the power needs for 10% of China ! The bus tour finished around 6pm - and we said goodbye to the Irish girls who were on their way to Tibet - and we headed on a 5 hour bus ride to Wuhan for an overnight stay and an onward connection. We hope to head to Gulian tomorrow, Monday - but nothing booked yet. Prob going to skip Shanghai this time, and head straight down towards Hong Kong. Need to leave on a flight from there on the 22nd - so got a little over a week to catch the south of China.......