After leaving the Jingzhou city wall, our bus dropped us at the boarding spot for the Century Diamond. The river was low so there were lots of steep steps to get down to the ship and people had to carry their non-checked bags.
This was the easiest embarkation. We just walked on and straight to our rooms where the key was waiting in the cabin.
Balcony Cabin
I checked out my room and found it quite spacious and comfortable. All the cabins on board have balconies so the difference in price is a matter of floor and position on the floor.
The closets were tighter but enough for a short trip.
The bathroom had a nice cabinet to store things in addition to under the sink shelf. The shower had a door instead of a curtain that in my experience sticks to one.
The TV was small but it had several English language channels including CNN and BBC.
The balcony was just big enough for two small chairs to sit sideways but it was enough space for the trip.
Getting Settled In
The personal wifi router was expensive but I went I went ahead and paid for the in room option as the other option required access only in the lobby.
At 3:45 our bus had to go to front desk and turn in our passports and get photo taken. Then we were free until 4:45 pm when the English briefing was held in the bar.
The briefing was information on the ship and the sights we were going to see in addition to the locks process. It was interesting to learn that each lock takes 45 minutes and the entire process of the largest one will be 3 1/2 hours. We also learned that Chongquing, our end point, is the largest city in China with 33 million people.
Dinner is at 7:20 for my table so I went to my room to unpack and get settled beforehand. I also tried to keep my feet up as my ankles were like sausages.
Dinner is served buffet style although we still sat at assigned tables (I’ve been table 17 all trip). For the first time, I had a salad. I trust the ship is washing it with purified water.
We were limited to one glass of soda or water for free. The beer drinkers were going to have to pay if they want to continue to have that with lunch and dinner. Two of my table mates bought a package.
When I got back to my room, it was lights out after a long day.
STEPS: 6021
FLOORS: 11
Distance: 2.2 miles
Don’t miss the previous China posts linked below.
Going to China (tour and visa)
China: Trip Preparations
November 12-13, 2016: Travel to Beijing
November 14, 2016: Beijing and Great Wall
November 14, 2016: Ming Tombs and Peking Duck Dinner
West International Trade Hotel Beijing
November 15, 2016: Hutong and Temple of Heaven
November 15, 2016: Tiananmen Square, Fobidden City and Beijing Opera
November 16, 2016: Pearl Factory and Summer Palace
November 16, 2016: Traveling to Xi’an
November 17, 2016: Jade Factory and Terra Cotta Warriors
November 17, 2016: Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Opera
Grand Barony Xian Hotel
November 18, 2016: Traveling to Wuhan
Howard Johnson Pearl Plaza Wuhan
November 19, 2016: Wuhan to Jingzhou
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