April 27, 2013. Shibaozhai Pagoda
Today we disembark for a walk to the Shibaozhai Pagoda.We run the usually hawker gauntlet almost the entire mile to the rickety bridge that crosses to the temple. There are a lot of people here and it is hot. The weather is getting warmer daily.
The bridge is a wood planked pedestrian suspension bridge. It rocks and undulates underfoot. It is difficult to keep one’s balance. We walk around the temple grounds. The pagoda itself is merely a staircase up to the mountain. Although originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the current pagoda has been reconstructed due to having been hit by lightning. We decide to pass up the nine story climb to the top and stroll around the quieter and shadier grounds.
On the way back we are once again assaulted by the souvenir people and do end up buying a picture of three fish. We are happy to get back to the cool and quiet of the boat. It seems like a good time for a gin and tonic. Lunch today is Chinese food! It seems more authentic than most of our other Chinese dinners.
In the afternoon we watch some vegetable carving and get our disembarkation instructions. Then there is dinner and packing. Tomorrow we leave the boat, visit the zoo and then fly to Xian.