Wednesday, June 15
We sailed most of the night and docked around 6:00 am, just west of the first gorge, Qutang. Some people paid for an excursion to Baidicheng (White Emperor City) but we chose to wait an hour after they departed and disembarked on our own. It was nice to walk around, off the ship. Even all the stairs weren't a minus, considering all the sitting around one does on a cruise ship. Mind you, I'm not complaining. We busted our tails to get everything done to pack up and leave Taiwan, physically as well as mentally. Having this time to write, read and gaze at the scenery going by has been wonderful.

The stairway from where we docked up to town.

We found a wall around the the edge of town along the river. 

It wasn't a Great Wall, but it was Pretty Good.

The scenery, now that we've gotten well east of Chongqing, has gotten rugged and sparsely populated. We still go through some small cities but it's been mostly villages or trees.

When we pull up to dock there's often a small boat permanently anchored along the shore that our ship ties up to. I suppose it allows the big ships to come close to shore without having to worry about running aground.

At one point we docked and took small boats up a tributary. There were some other ships' passengers there as well and I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman standing nearby.
Him: Where are you from?
Me: America. And you?
Him: Singapore. You like Obama?
Me: Yes, he's good.
Him: Do you like Mr. Trump?
Me: No. Do you?
Him: Yes!
Me: Why?
Him: His is change and change is progress.

Now there's a conversation stopper.

Once I figure out how to upload a video from my camera I'll post it here.