Dapeng #3: Jiaochangwei Beach

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Well I had a lot planned for today, but it didn't work out as planned. After waking up and getting myself sorted, I headed out to the reganmian place for breakfast. The noodles were even better than last time. I didn't think that was possible. I could eat every meal there, but force myself to branch out a bit. I headed back to my place for a post breakfast coffee and to make a rough plan for the day. I had a look on my map app and found a couple of places nearby that I wanted to visit. The first was Dongshan Temple that was located really close to the ancient city. It only took me about ten to fifteen minutes to walk there, but when I got there, I could see it was boarded up to stop people entering. I really don't understand why temples are closed due to Covid, since they are mainly outdoors. I was a bit gutted that I couldn't visit as I really enjoying looking around temples and haven't been to one since I've been back in China.

I started to make my way to the next place I wanted to visit, which was a tower/pagoda type thing that you could climb up and get views of the surrounding area. This was a couple of kilometres away and it was rather hot as I walking along the street as there wasn't a lot of shade. It was pretty quiet out and a lots of businesses I passed looked closed, too. I think I got about a third to maybe half way there before I saw another red barricade in the distance. Buses and cars were stopping at it and turning around, not a good sign. I ventured further along and saw that it was guarded. The area must be in lockdown, another of my plans thwarted. So I headed back towards the main town. On my way, I passed by the Revolutionary Cemetery, which I hadn't noticed on my way there. There were three monuments/graves that looked well cared for with floral tributes in front of them. I didn't go in as there was no shade and probably not a lot to see. I enjoyed the view as I made my way back, the road was lined with green trees and I could see some kind of gates, which I think might have belonged to the temple.

I made my way to Jiaochangwei Beach and decided that I was going to have some rest and relaxation with a coffee and my book. There were a few places selling coffee along the beach, but I wanted a place that had outdoor seating in the shade, which narrowed my choices down a lot. I had seen a place that fitted the bill a couple of days earlier so headed there. It was Supply Coffee, but in a guesthouse/hotel that I don't know the name of. It did look very nice though, and I bet it cost a fortune to stay there, especially a room with a sea view. I waited for my coffee at the counter and when it was ready the guy behind the counter carried it outside for me. Very nice service. There were a few tables outside and although they were under shade most were empty as it was still really hot and most people preferred to be under the cafe's air conditioning. I spent a pleasant couple of hours there, sipping my coffee, reading my book, looking at the mountain in the distance and people watching those strolling by. Afterwards, it was time for some respite from the heat in my guesthouse. I did stop at the shop for a very healthy lunch of an ice cream, well when on holiday...

After resting for a couple of hours and the glare of the midday sun had diminished somewhat, I headed back to the beach to take a walk along to where I had the other day. The weather was so much better than the other day, and while I had liked it looking moody and mysterious when it was cloudy and overcast, it looked fabulous in the bright sunshine. I could see the mountains across the way clearly and the beach as it spread on and on in each direction. I could also see the mountains covered with telegraph poles that looked good. l was a little surprised that there was a large sign in English and Chinese saying that litterers were being watched 24/7 by CCTV and that they would be 'rewarded' with a vest to wear and an hour's litter picking, especially as I had noted that there was quite a lot of rubbish on the beach the other day. I really enjoyed my walk along the beach, it was nice and relaxing while also letting me get in a bit of exercise. When I got to the end of the beach, I had though about continuing on to the next one, but too much relaxing has left me feeling a bit lazy. I sat on the rocks for a bit reading my book and watching a couple of wedding photography shoots. When I grew bored, I headed back to my hotel at a leisurely pace.

When I got hungry, I headed out to do my daily Covid test and get some dinner afterwards. I caught the sunset, which was nice. There was a small restaurant further along the street I was staying on that sold noodles and breads, that I wanted to try. The menu wasn't extensive but had a few things on that I liked the look of, so I opted for some noodles with pork and spicy peppers. The restaurant also had a juice bar attached so I also ordered a dragon fruit juice. The noodles were nice, but not as good as the reganmian as the noodles were really thin, I prefer the fatter ones and the noodles had a watery soup in the base of the bowl. I had been hoping for dry noodles as they are also my preference. After dinner, I had a little walk around before heading home.

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Comments

[RENanDREW]

You had me at noodles!
Fat noodle are also my preference. Now I want noodles again, as I did after the other blog of yours :) I like the idea of 'rewarding' people who litter with community service of 30 mins cleaning duty. They will probably never litter again! :)

[Zephyr]

Noodles
I may have just booked a return trip to Dapeng partly for the noodles, and also to see things I missed due to Covid closures. Public shaming is a great deterrent ;)