Travels Revisited, Wuhan Recall

In Wuhan, 2002, bicycles, often shared, and often carrying large loads were the main mode of transport. There were few cars in the provincial city. PHOTO: // ANGROVE — In Wuhan, 2002, bicycles, often shared, and often carrying large unwieldy loads were the main mode of transport. There were few cars in the provincial city.

Twenty years ago I was in Wuhan, China. My Wuhan recall is of a provincial city with few cars. A global pandemic was pure sci-fi fantasy.

Then in 2020, I wrote a New Years post about a decade of travel highlights and upcoming adventures, there was no reason for a Wuhan recall. No reason to include images or stories of my visit to the unremarkable city in 2002.

Wuhan Recall

However shortly after New Years, 2020, news began filtering in of a virulent animal-to-human virus in Wuhan. It was then I began my Wuhan recall and recollections.

In 2002 I was in Wuhan to board one of the last boats to chug upriver on the Yangtze, through the stunning towering Three Gorges before flooding began. The giant Yangtze dam was being built. Monuments, 3000 years of history and dramatic scenery would be lost forever. The lives of 1.3 million people would be changed when they would be displaced by rising water. I wanted to see the area before flooding began.

A woman carries fruit in pole baskets, Wuhan 2002. There were very few cars, but some bicycles.PHOTO://ANGROVE — A woman carries fruit in pole baskets, Wuhan 2002. There were very few cars, but some bicycles.

Unremarkable Provincial City

My recall of Wuhan then, was of an unremarkable provincial city. There were few cars. People got around by walking, bicycling or buses. The only reason I was there was to board the Yangtze steamer. Wuhan did not seem like a city which would change lives.

As more news developed I looked at images of 2020 Wuhan in disbelief. China’s juggernaut economy had turned the provincial backwater into thriving global city. The population had more than doubled to 11 million since my visit.

Wuhan Changed Our Lives

It was this new city that would change the lives of everyone on the planet. When I was there that concept would have been difficult, to imagine or believe. A global pandemic was more like a sci-fi fantasy than the reality of over 5 million deaths world-wide.

Going forward Wuhan will go down in history as the epicenter of Covid-19, whether caused by a “wet market” or laboratory escape.

2002: This restaurant in Guilin offers local delicacies to tourists. The the lamb was probably goat, commented our guide, as there are few sheep in China. One restaurant in Guilin gave diners the chance to choose the animal from a cage before the meal. These creatures possibly came from a wet market. Now wet markets and this type of restaurant are fortunately being discouraged. A good result of Covid-19 PHOTO://ANGROVE — 2002: This restaurant in Guilin offers local delicacies to tourists. The the lamb was probably goat, commented our guide, as there are few sheep in China. One restaurant in Guilin gave diners the chance to choose the animal from a cage before the meal. These creatures possibly came from a wet market. Now wet markets and this type of restaurant are fortunately being discouraged. A good result of Covid-19

Looking Ahead

Enough of Wuhan. Time to look forward. Two journeys which I had scheduled in 2020 are set to run this year. An adventure with friends via yacht through the Northwest Passage of the Arctic, and also a discovery of Morocco. The company planning the Grand Canyon hike is not offering it this year citing the pandemic.

Hopefully with increasing global vaccinations, especially in poorer countries, the world will be a safer place once more for us to explore. Slowly we are evolving to a new normal.

2021 Through my Lens

With our travel wings clipped many of us discovered the beauty in our own surroundings. I became fascinated with the skies, the stars and the moon. Below are some images from 2021. I made one overseas trip to Iceland which was strictly covid-monitored. Otherwise I enjoyed finding beauty, wonder and excitement without traveling very far.

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco is a treasure all year and especially in Springtime when cherry trees and azalea bloom. Several days each week admission is free so everyone can get a chance to enjoy the beauty. There is a tea house serving simple lunch fare and drinks. PHOTO://ANGROVE — The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco is a treasure all year and especially in Springtime when cherry trees and azalea bloom. Several days each week admission is free so everyone can get a chance to enjoy the beauty. There is a tea house serving simple lunch fare and drinks.

Mustard fields in Wine Country glow in the Spring. Just an hour north of San Francisco the waist-high mustard marches in rows between the grapevines. The mustard surpresses growth of pests without the need for chemicals. PHOTO://ANGROVE — Mustard fields in Wine Country glow in the Spring. Just an hour north of San Francisco the waist-high mustard marches in rows between the grapevines. The mustard surpresses growth of pests without the need for chemicals.

April 2021, new moon photographed as it approaches the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. PHOTO;// ANGROVE — April new moon photographed as it approaches the North Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was up and running in June 2021. With masks and social distancing window shopping was fun and as enticing as ever. PHOTO://ANGROVE — Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was up and running in June 2021. With masks and social distancing window shopping was fun and as enticing as ever.

Mono Lake, California in July. Migrating phalaropes in formation at sunset.The phalaropes migrate to Alaska to nest. They then return to Central or South America. Mono Lake is on their flyway. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Mono Lake, California in July. Migrating phalaropes in formation at sunset.The phalaropes migrate to Alaska to nest. They then return to Central or South America. Mono Lake is on their flyway.

Milky Way photographed over the Tuolumne River, Yosemite. Unicorn Peak in the background. This image was chosen by the Northern California Camera Clubs as the image of the month in December. It was also a runner up in Wildcare photo competition. PHOTO;// ANGROVE — Milky Way photographed over the Tuolumne River, Yosemite. Unicorn Peak in the background. This image was chosen by the Northern California Camera Clubs as the image of the month in December. It was also a runner up in Wildcare photo competition.

Multiple glaciers converging. Seen from Iceland Air as I flew over Tunu Greenland. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Multiple glaciers converging. Seen from Iceland Air as I flew over Tunu Greenland.

Moonrise over dowtown San Francisco photographed from Russian Hill. To the right is the Pyramid building and to the left the lights of the Bay Bridge. PHOTO;//ANGROVE — Moonrise over downtown San Francisco photographed from Russian Hill. To the right is the Pyramid building and to the left the lights of the Bay Bridge.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge in November sunshine. Unusually warm weather for this late fall walk. To the left is the Freedom Tower PHOTO;// ANGROVE — Walking the Brooklyn Bridge in November sunshine. Unusually warm weather for this late fall walk. To the left is the Freedom Tower

My Park Moment. The Presidio has an on-going exhibition of photographs of National Parks. 400 images were selected from 7000 submissions. Mine shows a windsurfer by the Golden Gate Bridge.

Happy New Year! Be safe, and hopefully may we all have some happy travels in 2020!

Comments

wendy phillips says

January 2, 2022 at 3:26 pm

Hi AngelA
Happy New Year!
Your Spectacular photo of the brooklyn Bridge brings back delightful memories of our adventure with you and maggie.
Looking forward to our next one!
❤️🎊
- Angela says
  
  January 2, 2022 at 3:32 pm
  
  It was fun! such a glorious day too – bluebird blue! Happy New year and lets have some more adventures this year!
  Angela