It was early but perfectly timed to take splendid images of the iconic Gorges. Convinced that I would be the only one up, I took the lift to the state-of-the-art 360 degree observation deck only to be greeted by a crowd of photography enthusiasts. ?It seems everyone had read the daily programme delivered the night before. I spotted Mr and Mrs Dyer who had flown from London Heathrow directly to Chengdu to visit the pandas, and then took the high speed train to Chongqing where they boarded the Premium Series ship, Century Paragon. ?We were amazed with the spacious atrium as soon as stepped on board, check-in took no time at all, and we were given cabins with huge balconies next to each other on the third deck. During the 4-day cruise from Chongqing to Yichang we had the feeling we were so close to the shore we could almost touch the beautiful landscape from our balconies as we passed through the Gorges.

Even though it was early in the morning we felt refreshed and commented on how soft and comfortable the beds were ?C and big!?2 metres long and nearly a metre wide, and provided with soft smooth cotton linen.

Upon approaching the King of all Gorges on the Yangtze River ?C Qutang Gorge ?C the silence fell upon all of us, broken only by an occasional camera shutter. The sun was showing its first rays and the light was perfect. The observation deck was big enough for all us not to be in each others’ way. ?When we finished our photography the Tai Chi master turned up and asked if we would like to join him for a session of the ancient relaxation technique. Why not? said Mrs Dyer enthusiastically.

And so we made our first white crane figures with our bodies in the open air gently drifting through the majestic Yangtze Gorges. Rejuvenated after the gentle exercise Mr and Mrs Dyer left for the breakfast room and I decided to go for a swim in the?largest heated indoor swimming pool on the river. The water was so warm I didn’t want to get out but breakfast called. The breakfast was buffet style packed with both western and Chinese food. ?Instead of a western breakfast of eggs, toast, croissant, fish, mushroom, beans I usually have a Chinese breakfast ?C I adore Deep Fried Dough or Chinese Sticks with a bit of jam. I finished off the tofu ?C a sweet version. ?The staff looked smart in their traditional Chinese uniform and were so attentive, with big smiles despite the early hour. My cup of coffee was filled up even before I had even finished it.

The afternoon was spent on an?excursion by rowboat through the stunning Lesser Three Gorges.?We were escorted in an orderly queue, wearing safety jackets and counted on numerous occasions. I felt safe. ?Nature in the heart of China at the Lesser Three Gorges is so vivid, so lush. Photos can’t do it justice, it has to be seen and experienced in the flesh so to speak. Tired and happy we returned to the main ship ready for the buffet lunch where?art and food are so magically combined.

The time between lunch and dinner passed very quickly ?C I went to the library to try the traditional Chinese board game?Ma Jong, while Mr and Mrs Dyer wanted to learn about the art of Calligraphy.?We met later while I was rushing to the state-of-the-art fitness centre and Mrs and Mr Dyer were on their way to the Zen Spa Center where they had booked?massages.We?noticed how everybody on the Century Paragon looked relaxed, almost floating on the water together with the ship. Everyone, including the staff looked happy, accommodating, relaxed, almost in a Zen-like state themselves.

“Would you come back?” I asked them.

“Of course, but we would do the longer cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing. With this kind of service and a very good price it would be shame not to!”

Century Paragon is the newest addition (2013) to our Platinum Service along with?Century Legend?. Both ships were designed by the award-winning Norwegian architects Yran and Storbraaton who are behind some of the world’s leading cruise ships!?Our Platinum Series all-suite cabins feature a glass panelled balcony, deep bedding, a spacious bathtub with separate shower, a purified drinking water system and LED flat screen TVs.