China Day 4 - Mt. Jiahua 8/19/12
Got a late start last night as we didn't sail until 1:30 this morning. Apparently there was a ship accident and one of the cargo barges sank in the river. Seeing the number of ships going both up and down river, it's amazing that it doesn't happen more often. At ay rate,we've made pretty good time and will still make it to the port for Mt Jiahua.
Watching the cargo barges travel down river loaded with concrete, gravel, stone, sand, and coal, gives more meaning to the phrase"watching the world go by." The constant construction going on here requires a lot of materials. Learned that china consumes more that 50%of the copper mined in Australia. Today alone we've passed five huge suspension bridges that are under construction. Each one looks to be at least four or five lanes in each direction plus train lines. I wouldn't be surprised if they were finished by the time we leave. Another study in contrast how quickly some things are modernizing while others, like the rusted metal docks are years behind.
Had an interesting lecture on Buddhism this morning. I would like to learn more, although I'm not quite ready to assume a monistic life! Because of the delay leaving last night we docked in Tong Ling. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but it's a city of 6 million people and home to the worlds largest cement plant.
Mt. Jiahua is one of the four sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism with over 100 temples. It's also home to the buddhist college. At the base of the mountain they have a 300 ft bodishivata statue made from copper with a golden face. My pictures didn't come out very well. Only got to see it thought cloudy, rainy bus windows. :-(
Lots of switchbacks up the mountain and, like everywhere else, lots of people and cars. The buddhists worship twice each lunar month - the 1st and 15th days of each month. Yesterday was the first day of the lunar month of July, so lots of people have made the trek to the mountain. Still with the crowds it's quite beautiful. the drive up was enhanced from the rain with lots of waterfalls. Sadly no pictures as it didn't work well from the bus.
Sent from my iPad
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