Day 34 (5-4-2009) - Lu Mountain

Today is the day we “conquer” the Lu Mountain, otherwise known as Lu San. I seriously thought that we would be trekking for the most part of our way to the top, but what happened was we only had to walk a short distance, and then take the cable car all the way to one of the highest points of the mountain.

Since many of the days leading up to today were rainy, I was slightly concerned about the idea of taking a cable car up the mountain, when the suggestion was first mentioned. The weather had been so pathetic, that it seemed like a miracle that the sun was actually up and shining. Today’s weather was wonderful.

I’m not a person who is that afraid of heights. But when I was in the middle of the cable car ride up the mountain, I must admit, I was rather nervous; nervous enough to be gripping my seat as tightly as I can and looking down on the floor of the cable car.

It is in many ways different from the cable car I’ve ridden in Singapore. In Singapore, the height at which the cable cars hang at is no higher than Mt Faber, which is actually a hill. This one here is a genuine mountain. As it gets higher, it also gets windier and the car rocked. I did not like that part. And well, in Singapore, the cars are fully enclosed. Here, the cable car does not have window panes so it has an open air feel to the ride. In some ways it made the ride that much exciting. In others, it made it almost unbearable.

I had to give myself some time before I could sit properly, and fully enjoy the scenery displayed all around us from such a massive height.

The best thing that happened today was probably halfway through our ride to the top, when a certain song played on the loudspeaker radio. It was “Take Me To Your Heart”, the exact song we practiced and performed for Cultural Exchange Night, just a few days ago. I think this song has become some sort of a theme song for our trip and hearing it during the ride certainly helped calm me down and made the ride much more meaningful. I sang (screamed) along to it and I’m sure I was not the only one doing so.

Visiting Lu San (along with the Three Gorges) has provided us with a firsthand view of the natural beauty that China has. From gorges and cliffs to mountains and waterfalls, I have experienced much more than what I had expected, and much more than what I would have, if I had stayed at home.

start of the trail

cable car!!

streams

that lead to waterfalls...

end of the ride...

and end of the journey.