Band Performance @ Lau Pat Sat

The school band performed at the Lau Pat Sat yesterday evening. Many people stopped eating to see what's going on. Many of them were also taking pictures of the band while they perform. They did a wonderful job there. I remembered some music pieces like "Theme from Dances with Wolves" and "Stars on 45"(70's and 80's music).


 

China Trip - 3 Gorges Cruise - Day 2 (Con't)

These are the sampans which we took to see some of the sights.
The sampans can take about 20-25 people. We went with a tourgroup from Taiwan. Our tourgroup took the left side of the boat while the other group took the right hand side.
When we were on board, the Taiwanese wanted to take pictures at the front of the boat. Half of them started standing up and walking to the front at the same time! I really cannot imagine anyone more stupid! Don't they know that the boat will capsize if all of them were to do that!!??

One of the boat masters singing a folk song for us. 

China Trip - 3 Gorges Cruise - Day 2

After a good night's sleep, we were told to go to the top deck before we proceed for breakfast. We were supposed to pass the first gorge that morning. The thing is... the water level was supposed to be much much lower than now. But since they have increase the water level, you don't really feel like you are passing through a gorge. But overall, I can imagine how tall the mountains were as compared to now.
A picture of our cruiseship. We were on board of a smaller leisure boat which will bring us to see other parts of the river which our cruise ship is not able to access.

Here in this picture you can see 2 signboards. One showing 175metres while the other showing 150metres. By the end of this year, the level of the water in the river will rise to the first marking and will reach the second marking by 2008. Most plantations and people living below the 175Metre mark will be moved by then.

This is a very nice place to visit so if you have the chance, do so quickly before everything is gone! 

China Trip - 3 Gorges Cruise - FengDu (Part2)

The ski lift which took us up to the ghost city.

Devotees praying for luck, health, whatever they hope for to the gods in the temple. You can buy offerings for the gods.

 

China Trip - 3 Gorges Cruise - FengDu (Part1)

First stop from the cruise was to this city called 'FengDu'. It is supposed to be a ghost city where all those who died will pass through here. The weather was very hot. Ladies selling hats were standing from where we disembarked pursuading us to buy hats and maps from them. If you are interested, you can even get a 50-60% off from the things they sell.
Small girl selling sweet potatoes along the steps near the ship.
Many shops selling gifts, souvenirs, food and drinks along the streets as we approach the ghost city. Eat if you dare! I wouldn't since I have a weak stomach. Don't want to be sick halfway during the trip.
The signboard showing a view of the city before the entrance. Pretty big place. And a lot of walking. We were told that we can take a ski lift which will bring us up to the city or to take a hike up. All of us voted for the ski lift! :-) 

China Tour - 3 Gorges Cruise - Day 1

My first meal on board of the cruiseship. Simple toast, sausages and ham. We brought packets of Milo so we made some Cafe Mocha with the coffee the restaurant has provided. I still cannot understand why they serve tomatoes, potatoes, chinese cabbages, and pickles along with western breakfast! Btw, notice the Chinese soup spoons and chopsticks. There wasn't a set of fork and knife available. Sigh...
We had a briefing about the ship facilities as well as the itenerary for the 3 days. The lady spoke in Mandarin and later did a separate briefing in English as there were also guests from Australia, UK and the US.
Some views from the ship while cruising.
 

National Day Celebration

Had my first National Day celebration in school on 8 August. There was a ceremony at the parade square and a fun fair that day.


 

Chongqing Hotpot

The whole tour group ended up in a Chongqing Hotpot restaurant once we arrive in Chongqing. Finally get to try out the actual stuff! My take on this... the soup is really spicy! The tongue actually numbs before you feel the spiciness all the way down to the stomach. The ones in Singapore are really not that spicy. This restaurant serves buffet style and the dishes they serves are very different too. There's the clotted duck blood, pork slices, fish balls, vegetables, liver, duck liver, duck everything! (Most of us don't take beef, so we decided to just skip it).


After dinner, the coach took us to the harbour where our cruise was already docked there. This was the first time I'm going for a cruise vacation. Very excited. I imagined that it will be something like the Superstar Virgo, Leo style. But when I say the size of the cruise ship, I was not that impressed. Very small. Supposed to be able to hold about 160-180 passengers. We had to carry our hand luggage and walk to the ship on this platform on top of fast flowing yellow river. Porters carried the rest of the suitcases to the ship. We rested on the ship for one night before the ship moves off from the harbour in the morning. 

ChengDu Lunch

We went to this restaurant for our lunch before proceeding to Chongqing. We were supposed to board the cruise ship in Chongqing that night. The restaurant serves traditional food and comes with name taken from 'the romance of three kingdoms'. The food was very good. Enjoyed it very much!


 

The Painted Faces Show (China ChengDu)

These were taken at the show - The Shadows Show. The last picture is the man who made these shadows of animals. I just think he's good.

Chinese Painted Faces

The pictures from the China trip continues....
These were taken at the ChengDu Cultural Theatre where the actors staged a variety of shows. There were acrobats, singing, dances and the most popular, the painted faces. Painted faces show was where the actors dressed up in tradition war costumes and changes their faces in split seconds. They change about 6-8 faces through the show. I tried to take pictures of them changing faces but I was just to slow. :-)