This week Selective Tours is hosting a group of Australian agents on a cruise of the spectacular Yangtze River between Yichang and Chongquing.
Our educational began in the city of Wuhan, capital of the Hubei Province (the Hubei province is located in Central China).
Wuhan is a city of 8.3 million people, and consists of three regions which were united as the city in 1927.
Wuhan is an industrial city with the biggest industry being the joint venture with French car manufacturer Citroen to produce their vehicles (subsequently all local taxis are Citroens). Wuhan is also a centre for education with over 30 Universities and Colleges.
We began our time together with lunch at a local restaurant where we tried local specialties to the area such as ‘Mandarin Fish’, Lotus Soup, Fried Lotus Root, Pork with Bamboo roots and a Wuhan-only dish which is apparently a mixture of grass and bacon!
After lunch we embarked on a 4 hour drive to the city of Yichang from which our Yangtze River Cruise is to depart.
Although freeway all the way we were charmed by the surrounding countryside. Local villages spotted the countryside and farmers could be seen working in the fields using traditional farming methods. Chinese vegetables were being harvested, and stacked onto bicycles with trailers or hand drawn carts. Ducks were rounded up by villagers with long sticks.
There were many ponds next to the freeway for fish farming, with traditional boats moored on the bank, as well as rice fields. The sights were reminiscent of descriptions in novels such as ‘Wild Swans’ and it was a disappointment to see the occasional tractor. There were even several brickworks where you could see that the bricks were made by hand and stacked on racks covered in sacks to dry.
Unfortunately we arrived at Yichang in the dark, so could not get a photo of the 500m long rickety metal gangway we had to walk across over the Yangtze River to get to our ship.
Above: Some of the famil group at lunch in Wuhan, from left: Paul Webster, Redlands Travel Qld; Christine Ji, Selective Tours; Sandra Webster, Redlands Travel; Susan Doyle, Travelscene Castlemaine Vic; Lesley Yu, Orient Royal Cruises; and Shane Doyle, Travelscene Castlemaine.
Above: Pots for sale by the side of the road in Wuhan.
Above: A stateroom on the East Queen.
Above: The group on the East Queen, from left: Susan and Shane Doyle, Travelscene Castlemaine; Sandra and Paul Webster, Redlands Travel; Marsha Olver, Harvey World Travel Penrith; Zaia Andrew Bazi, Jetaround Holidays Sydney; Christine Ji, Selective Tours; Sharp Sun, Orient Royal Cruises sales mgr.
Above: There's a shortage of diesel fuel in Wuhan - these trucks were queuing to fill up.
Above: The inter-city games were being held in this Wuhan stadium.
Above: One of the local delivery vans!
Above: Our ship, the majestic East Queen ready for departure.
Above: The spectacular lobby of the East Queen.