Shelley was up with the birds today for a Ta ji lesson on the top deck, I just about managed to overcome my sleepiness, induced by the gentle humming of the ships engines, to make it to breakfast. After taking it easy for most of the day enjoying the scenery, the occasional new town that had been built to house those displaced by the rising water level in the Gorges, we stopped off at whats know as the Ghost city at Fengdu.
Above: The city was full of sculptures of ghosts each depicting acts of sin including drinking too much. Something that's not possible on our cruise given the bar prices.
The city is supposed to to be the abode of devils after two Chinese officials Yin and Wang became Taoist recluses here, later becoming immortal. Their names were combined, translated the name is "King of the Underworld" Amongst the sculptures of ghosts the city contains 3 tests to determine if once you had become a ghost you could choose a new life and renter the world. None of which seemed too difficult but then again I'm not a Ghost, apparently ghosts cannot jump and this is why in China you often find some very high pieces of wood at the foot of doors. I originally thought that these were to keep out the rate, dogs, cats etc but no its to stop the ghosts coming in.
Above: The number of steps taken to cross the bridge determined what sort of character you were.
Back on board ship we were entertained with some of the worst cabaret I have seen, luckily my stash of beers helped me through a show which would have made Butlins look like the Royal Opera
Highlights: Spooky sculptures
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