Gu Lan Yu Island is part of Xiamen. It is a separate, beautiful island you get to via a very quick ferry boat ride. But, before we embark on our tale of adventure, I need to catch you up on Sunday night's activity. First, an up
date on the traffic rules and pedestrian right-of-way. It turns out there is another twist. If you are in a very large crowd, and IF there is a very brave chinese person in front of the pack...the group actually step
s out in front of speeding traffic to make them stop. In psychology, I believe this is referred to as the "herd" mentallity. In zoology, it is referred to as lemmings jumping off a cliff. Well, tonight we saw it happend and we actually participated. We watched speeding traffic come to a halt as this difiant herd of pedestrians were determined to get across the street. So why did the western pedestrians cross the street in China
? To g
et to the Pizza Hut, of course. Sunday night we just needed some pizza. So we convinced Lina to tag along and we went to the Pizza Hut (right next door to McDonalds and KFC). However, this Pizza has you check in at the lobby level, take a private elevator to the 24th floor and dine overlooking the city (this ain't like any pizza hut I've seen in the States...I don't remember the last P
izza Hut I saw where you could even sit down). So, Lina was dying for some pasta and we wanted pizza. They were out of pasta (how do run out of pasta?!). So we all had delicious cheese pizza, enjoyed the view and sipped on what we think was Pepsi but was pretty much straight syrup and tap water. But let me tell you...it tasted goooooood. 
We went to the piano museum which was full of every shape and size of piano from way back in history. A very cool place, but sorry, couldn't take pictures. There was a small furniture museum that had samples of furniture from the various dynasties...another very interesting stop.
We climbed to the top of the "Sunrise Rock" which you can see is the tallest point on the islant (more Chinese steps). We say the sunrise Buddest temple, and a very cool statue that is a bunch of guys playing "bet your moon cakes" (or something like that). In reality, it is the game of Yahtzee. Linda tried to explain this to Lina and Abbey.
You'll notice a picture with the kids in front of a pair of hands holding a baby. This is a memorial for a doctor who was born on Gu Lan Yu, and moved to Beijing. He delivered over 15,000 babies. He died in 1983 and the erected this garden and stature as a memorial.
We watched a brief film about the island. It was very interesting. Futuneately, we were able to buy a copy of it. We also have a copy of the DVD about the Terroccata soldiers. We figure we'll have a China party sometime after we get back and show the movies and eat Chinese food.
My favorite part of the day was when we went to the local Fujian Province museum. Fujian is known for several things, one of them being Tea, another is their stone work, another their de wua porcelian and pearls. W
e went through the museam. The ladies working there were dressed in period garb. You can see one in a picture with the girls. Her head is covered along with her ears and her neck. It was said that if a man saw a woman's ears or neck, he would have to marry her. If you look at her waist, the band around the top of her pants indicates if she is married or not. If she is single she has a two narro
w colorful bands. If she is married, she has one white band. The width of this band indicates how rich her husband is. 
We were taken to a little back room where this adorable, young Chinese woman taught us about tea. We had a tea session and she took us through 4 types of tea. She taught us how to properly sip tea (and if you don't take at least three sips it is considered rude). It was an absolute blast. In the end, they are always selling (you might also note, any "exhibit" or museum ends at the gift shop...they're getting this capitalism thing down pretty well). So, we ended up with 300 Yuan worth of tea and some other goodies we'll share when we get home. But when a fun experience it was!
date on the traffic rules and pedestrian right-of-way. It turns out there is another twist. If you are in a very large crowd, and IF there is a very brave chinese person in front of the pack...the group actually step
s out in front of speeding traffic to make them stop. In psychology, I believe this is referred to as the "herd" mentallity. In zoology, it is referred to as lemmings jumping off a cliff. Well, tonight we saw it happend and we actually participated. We watched speeding traffic come to a halt as this difiant herd of pedestrians were determined to get across the street. So why did the western pedestrians cross the street in China
? To g
et to the Pizza Hut, of course. Sunday night we just needed some pizza. So we convinced Lina to tag along and we went to the Pizza Hut (right next door to McDonalds and KFC). However, this Pizza has you check in at the lobby level, take a private elevator to the 24th floor and dine overlooking the city (this ain't like any pizza hut I've seen in the States...I don't remember the last P
izza Hut I saw where you could even sit down). So, Lina was dying for some pasta and we wanted pizza. They were out of pasta (how do run out of pasta?!). So we all had delicious cheese pizza, enjoyed the view and sipped on what we think was Pepsi but was pretty much straight syrup and tap water. But let me tell you...it tasted goooooood. 
I also mentioned that we ventured back to retrace our steps from 13 years ago with Maggie. We went to the old Holiday Inn (now a Millinium). And walked the same streets that 13 years ago had little shops. This place is now hopping! We could no believe our eyes...t
his is a booming city. So we enjoyed the sights and headed back to the hotel to rest up for our day on Gu Lang Yu.
his is a booming city. So we enjoyed the sights and headed back to the hotel to rest up for our day on Gu Lang Yu.
There is a lot of history on this Island. It is an island know for turning out top notch muscians (there is a music conservatory on the island), and it is nothing short of a tropical vacation spot with beaches, a resort and some of the most serene gardens and norrow little streets. It also has its share of commerce, trade and street vendor.
Today was a warm, tropical, sunny day and we spent all of walking all over the island (according to Linda's pedometer we did at least 16,000 steps...we're not sure, she didn't wear it, she left it in her fanny pack.., so we know her fanny went at leats 16,000 steps). Another local guide joined us today, Abbey. I don't know where they find these young ladies but you just want to eat them up. Abbey is adorable, she is very knowledgeable of the a
rea and knew every inch of that island. We had to keep an eye on Ashley once again because I think Abbey was fixin' to take her home. And once again, both Becky and Ashley were the focal point of the locals, many stopping to touch their hair or have their picture taken with them.
rea and knew every inch of that island. We had to keep an eye on Ashley once again because I think Abbey was fixin' to take her home. And once again, both Becky and Ashley were the focal point of the locals, many stopping to touch their hair or have their picture taken with them. 
We went to the piano museum which was full of every shape and size of piano from way back in history. A very cool place, but sorry, couldn't take pictures. There was a small furniture museum that had samples of furniture from the various dynasties...another very interesting stop.
We climbed to the top of the "Sunrise Rock" which you can see is the tallest point on the islant (more Chinese steps). We say the sunrise Buddest temple, and a very cool statue that is a bunch of guys playing "bet your moon cakes" (or something like that). In reality, it is the game of Yahtzee. Linda tried to explain this to Lina and Abbey.
You'll notice a picture with the kids in front of a pair of hands holding a baby. This is a memorial for a doctor who was born on Gu Lan Yu, and moved to Beijing. He delivered over 15,000 babies. He died in 1983 and the erected this garden and stature as a memorial.
We were the oddities on the island. We were in short sleeves and shorts. Everyone else was bundled up. BECAUSE, we learned that you dress by season. Doesn't matter how hot it is, you don't wear out of season clothes. So since it is only March, you should be in long sleeves and a jacket.. because it's March. There were
guys on the beach in suit and tie. I was a ball a sweat as it was...I don't know how the locals do it. We took a gondola ride (thankfully it was short...these things fall down in the US, I didn't want to even imagine what the Chinese maintence program was for this thing).
guys on the beach in suit and tie. I was a ball a sweat as it was...I don't know how the locals do it. We took a gondola ride (thankfully it was short...these things fall down in the US, I didn't want to even imagine what the Chinese maintence program was for this thing). We watched a brief film about the island. It was very interesting. Futuneately, we were able to buy a copy of it. We also have a copy of the DVD about the Terroccata soldiers. We figure we'll have a China party sometime after we get back and show the movies and eat Chinese food.
My favorite part of the day was when we went to the local Fujian Province museum. Fujian is known for several things, one of them being Tea, another is their stone work, another their de wua porcelian and pearls. W
e went through the museam. The ladies working there were dressed in period garb. You can see one in a picture with the girls. Her head is covered along with her ears and her neck. It was said that if a man saw a woman's ears or neck, he would have to marry her. If you look at her waist, the band around the top of her pants indicates if she is married or not. If she is single she has a two narro
w colorful bands. If she is married, she has one white band. The width of this band indicates how rich her husband is. 
We were taken to a little back room where this adorable, young Chinese woman taught us about tea. We had a tea session and she took us through 4 types of tea. She taught us how to properly sip tea (and if you don't take at least three sips it is considered rude). It was an absolute blast. In the end, they are always selling (you might also note, any "exhibit" or museum ends at the gift shop...they're getting this capitalism thing down pretty well). So, we ended up with 300 Yuan worth of tea and some other goodies we'll share when we get home. But when a fun experience it was!
By 5 o'clock we were beat. All ashley kept saying was she wanted ice cream. So we went to the McDonald's and sat down and
realized we could not get up again. So we ate there. We went to get ice cream, and like a typical McDonald's in the States, they advertized about 6 flavors and only had 1 - chocolate. So, we boarded the fairy, headed back to Xiamen, found another McDonalds and scored some ice cream...then it was back to the hotel to collapse. They are all in bed now, including Linda and I am not far behind. Tomorrow we spend some more
time touring Xiamen and hit the airport for a 4:30 flight to Guanzhou. We leave Lina here at Xiamen which is sad...she has been such an outstanding guide and a real pleasure to be with. We'll meet up with Simon in Guanzhou, our local guide, who I am sure will be charming as well.
realized we could not get up again. So we ate there. We went to get ice cream, and like a typical McDonald's in the States, they advertized about 6 flavors and only had 1 - chocolate. So, we boarded the fairy, headed back to Xiamen, found another McDonalds and scored some ice cream...then it was back to the hotel to collapse. They are all in bed now, including Linda and I am not far behind. Tomorrow we spend some more
time touring Xiamen and hit the airport for a 4:30 flight to Guanzhou. We leave Lina here at Xiamen which is sad...she has been such an outstanding guide and a real pleasure to be with. We'll meet up with Simon in Guanzhou, our local guide, who I am sure will be charming as well. 
2 comments:
What a great day - that's more like it! Give Lina a hug for us, we've grown to love her too. No tears from here today, just smiles. Love and hugs to all, Mom/Nana and Dad/Papa
Of the eleven days I spent in southeast Asia, the two meals that I still remember the most clearly were McDonald's in Hong Kong and Pizza Hut in Bangkok. Of course I was fifteen and not a very adventurous eater. :)
Thank you again. I look forward to every post...
-brian g.
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