Gorging all day :-)

It is difficult to know where to start with this post and I wonder if there is too much to write about and too many photo's to post, so I will have to maybe try and condense everything somewhat :-)
Yesterday I was invited to the "Three Gorges Dam". Jess's husband works there and it was very kind of him to offer to show me around. I bused into the city early and met Jess, Nettie, Carol and the children and we were driven out to the dam in a company van. The drive out to the dam really is so beautiful, many mountains and beautiful scenery. We picked up Jess's husband as we drove into the Three Gorges Dam area and headed off to see what it is all about. The debate rages as to the good and bad points of the dam...but you can't ignore the fact that it really is an amazing feat of engineering and construction and as I have mentioned the whole area surrounding the dam is breathtakingly beautiful. We drove around to different vantage points and saw just how huge it really is.


It was great to see the famous landmark and then head on back to the city and be treated to a delicious lunch. I have found Chinese people to be very hospitable and my friends are so kind and generous that I feel very lucky to know them. I wonder just how to manage to repay them for all their kindness.


After lunch we took a walk along the riverside park. Check out this tower to guard over the "Chang Jiang" river and keep the river monsters away. I think now it hosts a tea rooms and probably gives you a good vantage point to see anyone who gets caught in the altering currents (rips) that occur whilst swimming at this bend in the river(the river monsters maybe?)

We then went to "Childrens Park" and I finally found the very small, very old and very real Buddhist Temple that is there. I have been trying to locate it but in such a big park was having problems, thanks to my friends I now know :-)It has a wonderful calm feeling about it...a real find I think.
and then....
We went to visit Jess's apartment and just chill out for a while. Whilst we chatted we also watched some National Geographic channel. The show was about moving houses(literally moving houses from one location to another)I was telling them that we also do this in Australia and it is not uncommon whilst traveling the road to my home town, to see these houses being transported on massive trucks to their new destinations...I think it was a little unbelievable for them :-)
and then.....
We went to another restaurant for dinner...again another impressive meal at a restaurant with a real difference. It is like eating in a park wonderland, a big living green house of trees and plants and to add something a little out of the ordinary...the food gets transported from the kitchens by guys on roller skates, they give the food to the waitresses who then serve you...:-) I was fascinated by these guys flying around like speed skaters with trays of food and drinks. The restaurant is huge so they move the food quickly...but they also run up and down stairs...on roller skates...I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing (lol)


Anyway,to sum it all up... I had a wonderful day with some wonderful friends who really make me feel welcome here.
And for all those who want to see all the photo's from the day, please click this link below :-)

26-10-2008 Three Gorges Dam Day