31 | Viking Explorer Society News
Karen Burns-Booth discovers China's unique culture, traditions and
diverse cuisine whilst sailing on board the Viking Yi Dun.
CULTURAL VOYAGE
"My Chinese coastal
sailing was a voyage
of discovery, where I
tasted, visited, and
saw things I' d never
encountered before."
I awoke early to pale sunlight filtering
through my stateroom curtains. Eager to see
where we were, I ventured out on the veranda
and witnessed the most amazing landscape—
tiny islands and mountains in the distance
were capped with a pearl-grey wispy mist—
reminding me of the Chinese silk paintings
I grew up with in my youth, when we lived in
the New Territories of Hong Kong.
We were now sailing the South China Sea
on our way to Shenzhen and our final port of
this China Discovery voyage. However, my
adventure had started some eight days before
in Shanghai, where I embarked on the Viking
Yi Dun.
From metropolitan Shanghai, down the
coast to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, via ports
I'd never heard of before, I felt I had truly
glimpsed China's ancient heritage, whilst
marvelling at the skyscrapers that dominated
many city skylines, emphasising China's
dynamic modern culture.
I was introduced to fascinating glimpses of
China through varied shore excursions, both
included and optional. From Yu Garden, built
during the Ming Dynasty, with its traditional
Chinese wooden buildings and bonsai trees,
to an unbelievable aerial acrobatics display,
where I watched entranced, as young girls
twisted, twirled, and somersaulted on silk
ribbons suspended from the roof.
With a clash of cymbals and a rhythmic
drumbeat, we were welcomed to Zhoushan
by a colourful Lion Dance on the pier. It was
here, on an excursion to Guanyin Altar, set in
tranquil surroundings with lily ponds, bridges,
rivers and pagodas, I felt I'd really experienced
authentic China. Nine floors of marble, with
gold, brass and bronze statues, every inch of
this temple was decorated in an impressive
way; it was simply jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Fuzhou (Pingtan) in the Chinese province
of Fujian provided me with a fabulous
excursion to Fuzhou City and "Three Lanes
and Seven Alleys", a protected historical and
cultural district that is reminiscent of China's
old streets and alleyways. The roads were
bustling with Chinese visitors who had
travelled there in preparation for the
Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival), and
there was a definite frisson of excitement and
anticipation as they shopped and enjoyed
their time for one of China's most
important holidays.
The variety of excursions offered on the
Viking Yi Dun made it almost impossible to
choose from. But there was one that stole my
Images:
Karen
Burns-Booth/Adobe
Stock
Clockwise, from top: A
colourful dragon sculpture
in Shanghai; woven baskets
for sale; bonsai, Fairylake
Botanical Garden, Shenzhen
LEARN MORE
