1984 Trip on Yangzi - Chongqing to Shanghai

13. Night on the Yangzi

Our cabin was small about six by eight feet in size. Not much other than two bunks one over the other, one chair and a small table. They always furnish a quart thermos of hot water for drinking and we use it for tea. We had taken some food with us. We had several large jars of fried peanuts. We generally take peanuts with us whenever we travel because they keep well and a good source of protein. Peanuts are plentiful in China and are low in cost. Most restaurants served fried peanuts and all banquets have them as part of the dinner. We were traveling in the summer so cold was not a problem. It was very hot and quite humid in the cabin but very comfortable on deck. Everyone was quite friendly to us and seemed amazed to find foreigners on this Chinese ship. Remember that the ships that most foreigners travel on are truly "First class", but then the cost is in the thousands of US dollars. We always enjoyed traveling with the ordinary Chinese and a chance to see the real China that tourist seldom see. Breakfast was rice gruel with pickled vegetables and some steamed bread. Not our favorite but when you live in China for a year you get used to such breakfasts.