Friday, January 1, 2010

Night Fishing With Cormorants On The Li River

China Part VI - Night Fishing With Cormorants On The Li River
After we returned from the river trip. so mom wouldn't have to make the long walk back to the hotel, I got a Jitney cab to take Mom back to the hotel. Dee Anna and I rode with her, All of the red flags, banners and decorations were in commemoration of the 'New China', 2009 was the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Peoples Republic Of China.

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Some of us decided to rest up while some others went with Dian Thomas to a fish hot-pot restaurant. Bob & Raylene shared a Jitney with Professor Bell of BYU and his wife. They passed some high tech vehicles along the way.

At the restaurant they picked the fish they wanted from the tank, it was prepared in very thin, translucent, slices which were then cooked in the boiling water in a matter of seconds.

I'm not sure just what Bob is eating in this photo, but he was later known for eating the eyes of the fried fish we were served at various restaurants.

When they returned from dinner we all boarded Jitneys and made our way back down to the river to see the Cormorants fishing. We got into small boats and set off to meet up with the local fishermen on their bamboo boats.

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Cormorants are natural fishers. They are very valuable to the fisherman, each bird cost him around $600 (US). The fisherman ties a string around the neck of the Cormorant so that it isn't able to swallow the fish. The bird dives down into the water and catches a fish and resurfaces with the fish in its throat. The fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and makes it spit out the fish into a basket then sends it back out to catch some more.
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After awhile we disembarked on a small island and got a closer look at the fisherman, his Cormorants and their catch. When he has finished fishing he will remove the ties on the necks of his birds and let them eat some of the smaller fish. They have a good relationship with each other, like a hunter and his bird dogs, they are more than just fishers they are like pets as well.

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We got to get up real close and personal with the birds. I was the first one upon who's shoulder the old fisherman perched his bird. I wasn't expecting it and I am not a big bird fan...not the highlight of my night. Mom was next and none to fond of it either it appears.
After several others got to experience being a bird roost for a photo-op, we put some tips in the fish basket and re-boarded the boats to return to the city and some shopping at the harbor bazaar or some nightlife on West Street before wending our way back to the comfort of our beds where we could rest up and prepare for tomorrows adventures.

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It had been a long day. Mom, for one, was ready for bed.

Coming next:
The Morning Market in Yangshuo.

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