John and Dean's China adventure

Zhuhai-Guangzhou-Xiamen

24.10.2008 - 25.10.2008 -17 °C
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After a couple of days we left Zhuhai and took a car to Guangzhou where we then flew to Xiamen. Xiamen is an island directly across from Taiwan. When we arrived our guide took us to the beach in an van with no air-conditioning and it was a hot day. Dean threw a fit, in chinese, saying that he requested a car with ac since we were going to be in it all day sight seeing. He was startled that Dean spoke chinese and it took him a minute for it to sink in. I think he was very new at his job. young guy, sweet but a bit clueless. After more discussion he finally got it. The next day they arrived with an air-conditioned van. It made it so much better. The air was okay outside but after a while you could feel it in your lungs. We drove to the side of the island that faces Taiwan, there is a huge sign that say's "One Country Two Systems" So at night they turn on the lights so everyone in Taiwan can see it. Just a side note, there are talks going on between the two as we speak. Opening more avenues of travel, boat and plane. Here is a couple of pictures of the sign.

We went to Gulangyu Island by ferry. It was a five minute ride. There are no buses, cars or bikes allowed. Needless to say it was a very peaceful place after all the hustle and bustle of so many chinese cities. Only about 50,000 people live here.

Beautiful views and gardens. Locals go there to get wedding photos taken. In almost every city we went to someone was getting their wedding photo taken. Interesting that while so many are getting married here prop 8 wasn't passing in LA. oops, not going there. Some great wedding pictures of couples in Xiamen.

On our way to the top of Gulangyu island we took a photo of this statue which honors The Peoples Army.

Then the view from the top. Looking back over to Xiamen.

and before we knew it, it was time time to eat.

Afterwards we looked around a couple of neighborhoods to see if we wanted to live there. Went in a couple of apartments and service hotels. Then off to the airport for our flight to Ningbo. Fast and furious couple of days.