The river is very low

We arrived at Fengdu at about 9pm and were met with many people who turned out to be staff from our boat the Victoria Jenna.  They had big glow stick and they were waving them to try to show us the way to the ship!

I have seen pictures of guests joining cruise ships with red carpets, smooth gangplanks and sometimes even a band.  This was not like that!

The ship was moored on a pontoon well out on the river. The river was 60 metres below the path where we were.  There were 150 concrete steps, there was no red carpet, no band and no smooth gangplanks just a kind of floating walkway made up of old boats, metal pontoons, planks and metal walkways all without handrails stretching at least 300 metre out from the bank into the river in the dark but lit by the boats searchlights. At each change of direction or step up or down was a member of the crew to assist which included the words "Welcome, mind your step".  Apart from that it was all much as I expected!

Many times on this trip already we have had to suspend our expectations and see the funny side of things as they really were. This was one of them and so we laughed! 

Then we scrambled down the steep steps on a balmy night to one of the greatest rivers in the world.! 

I notice as you probably have, my liberal use of exclamation marks.  Sorry about this but sometimes, even very often in fact, it is the only thing to remotely describe what we are seeing and experiencing.

What was even more amazing was what good value our 10 Yuan  for porterage was.

We have two suitcases, each weighing 21 kilos. A porter with a pole over his shoulder ties rope round the two and carried them both at once down the steps and a jog and delivered them to the ship! 

Our cabin is lovely. Little balcony, nice shower room, big fluffy towels and air conditioning.  Things are looking up.

And so to bed