After time and time of packing and preparing, we got ready our bag packs and were extremely thrilled as we are going to the THREE GORGES DAM!  Everyone is excited and I was no exception. I bubbled with excitement as I am about to board the very first cruise in my life. However, the excitement was soon replaced by worries. Will I have seasick? How would the cruise be like? What if it is too cold? Various questions passed through my mind and the worries soon escalate due to our insufficient preparation and rumors from friends. “I heard it was dirty.” “There is no hot water.” “There are mice.” With such words, I became extremely worried and we were also shocked by the food and clothes in which our friends prepared while we just seem to be boarding it empty-handed. Unable to do anything to change our situation, we board the bus and head off.

The bus ride was a rather entertaining one as the tour guide was kind enough to broadcast shows and movies to entertain us through the long bus ride. Along our way there, we met up with a slight accident as our bus bumped into the bus next to it, causing the mirror of the next bus to crack. We got delayed as we wait for the traffic police to arrive to solve the issue. By the time we reached the dock, we had no more time to head from a dinner in the restaurant.

Upon boarding the cruise, I awe at the sight of the cruise. It was amazing!!! The condition of the cruise was much better than I thought it would be. It may not be as luxurious as those on television but it was my first cruise after all, so who am I to complain? J

After dinner and exploring the cruise, we waited in anticipation on the deck as we wait to see the sight of the dam in which we will pass. We experienced how the dam works and were amazed by how ships moved in and out of the dam. Cold seeped in and we eventually head back in as it was starting to drizzled. With the sound of those horns from the ship, we fell asleep.

We woke up to the sound of the morning call and it is still raining. We ate our breakfast and moved into a smaller ship so that we can explore the Shen Nong XI(神农溪). Wind blew cruelly at our face and we were regretfully that we did not bring warmer clothes. Still, the sight is beautiful and it was all worth it.

Changing to something like what which looks like a raft was yet another fun experience. At first, we were worried that the raft will overturn but soon we were thrilled by the ride and started getting ‘high’ through the whole journey. We screamed and join in the cheer. What a ride!!!

Time flies and the cruise soon ended. We went to visit places around the area and ended our trip with a feast at a local restaurant.

Through this trip, I learnt a little more background behind the scenery of Shen Nong Xi. The small river was much lower before and it had more beautiful sights but due to the building of the dam, the river was somewhat flooded and the water level became higher. Some areas of the river were covered by the water. This makes me feel a little sad upon hearing that as sacrifice seems to be a norm when changes are carried out. The simple life of the people made me see how my life differs from theirs. I need to learn the beauty of simplicity or else, I doubt that I will learn to enjoy anything. As they always say simplicity is beauty.