7. Wuhan is larger than any city in the U.S. except New York


Wuhan - southern sections. 
The northern sections are across the Yangtze.

Wuhan is larger than any city in the U.S. except New York ... yet few of us have ever heard of it. 

Day 7

Today our tour guide has arranged to retrieve our missing luggage from the airport in Wuhan. We docked here sometime before daybreak.

Just before breakfast, two Chinese Navy ships came along side. We were concerned at first. Later we heard that they came receive their breakfast from our ship. Afterwards, one of them blew a whistle, they came to attention, stood in formation and sang to the people on our ship. We suppose this was to thank our crew. 

Wuhan - Feeding the Navy
Two Navy boats come along side - and sing for their breakfast

Someone said that taking pictures was forbidden and if you got caught, they might confiscate your camera. Too late! We had already taken three pictures.

We were supposed to take a bus tour of Wuhan this morning, but our bus didn't show because of engine trouble. Instead we walked into Wuhan as a group to sight-see and shop. What an experience!

It was just nearly impossible to cross the street -- people walking, on bicycles, cabs, many buses and little pedicabs. As far as we could tell, there were no traffic controls of any kind. What mayhem!! Anyway, our guide told us to cross as a group and keep walking no matter what - "just be brave", he said. Easy for him to say! We all stood there in amazement until Virginia's cousin, an old Marine, said "Okay, let's go!" and we all followed. We made it!!!!

Wuhan - our luggage arrives 4 days late
Our errant luggage arrives. Hurrah!

Wuhan has a very modern shopping area. There was a wide promenade between rows and rows of shops. We walked along, gawking at the natives and they at us. We smiled and they smiled back - very friendly. The babies were so beautiful that it was difficult to resist touching and talking to them. One young mother had a beautiful little boy no more than two years old. Virginia asked to take their picture and she seemed very pleased to oblige. She had been teaching her baby some English words -- he could say "hello", "how are you" and "goodbye" and he knew how to blow a kiss.

Wuhan - Little Emperor & Mother
Wuhan mother and her little emperor

As we walked down the promenade looking in these modern shops, we saw an alley that looked intriguing. There were people everywhere and they were cooking all sorts of food on both sides of this alley. We didn't venture too far before turning back.

Wuhan McDonalds
The familiar golden arches in Wuhan

It was hot and humid - that dampened our desires to shop. We were on shore for about an hour or two before returning to the ship.

About 1:00 PM, we had a buffet lunch aboard ship. They try very hard to please our Western appetites, but they don't have the ingredients. There were McDonald's and KFC's in Wuhan, but our timing was bad.

Chen Su Ying (Susan)
She was a star in the fashion show the night before.

Wuhan children
Beautiful ... friendly ... trusting Wuhan children

After lunch, a new bus showed up to take us to the Museum of Chinese History. It was very interesting, but it was difficult to concentrate because of the heat.

When we finished viewing all of the artifacts, there was a musical show. Beautifully dressed girls played their ancient instruments while a young man accompanied them on huge bells. It was very entertaining.

Next we went to a rock museum and garden. There were many bonsai trees. Among them was one called the "longevity tree" -- it was 300 years old. The saying goes that if you touch the leaves of this tree you will live to be very old (but the tree may die). A gift shop was connected to the museum.

Wuhan Rock Museum and Garden 

We returned to the ship about 6:30 PM - just in time to wash up for dinner.

It was a very nice evening and we sat outside on the top deck and talked with our new friends until the "sandman" caught up with us.

Someone from another tour group took ill and had to receive medical attention in Wuhan. Our cruise ship waited and we were late getting away. It was comforting to know that he was getting concerned care and consideration here. 

Wuhan by night, as seen from our cruise ship.

Trivia: 

Buicks are manufactured in Wuhan, Volkswagens in Shanghai and Citroens in Chongqing. Most of the cabs in the cities we visited were red Citroens, but we didn't see many Buicks or VWs. There are very few privately owned cars. 

Every Buick we saw in China was black. 

Bicycles are, by far, the most popular mode of transportation. 

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