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Published: December 25th 2009
Well let me start by saying a very merry Christmas to you all from this truly magical little island! Just had a beer on the beach (finally somewhere warm!) going to post quite a few pictures of Piano Island (Gulangyu Island) to give you a true idea of quite how diverse this tiny little island is.
On the ferry over you see the usual Chinese massive obsession with neon, they will light anything up, regardless of its insignificance! They love it!! As much fun as it is to photograph, I started to think “oh well here we go again...” and oh how wrong I was!
I decided that I would spend a day, as the god named Lonely Planet suggests “just wandering around.” The island is no bigger than Sark, so is the perfect place to stroll around, no cars anyway and no roads for that matter!
I started to realise quite how much I had underestimated this little island as soon as you get off the main drag... Tiny little “roads” (when I say roads this is a bit of a stretch, I have been in bigger alleyways!) weave in and out of each other, with zero
sense of order or planning. (Just how I like it) I would simply turn in and out of these meandering alleys with no idea about where I would end up or for that matter what I would see next.
In the space of 10 mins I was beautifully lost in a maze of pathways, passing the evidence of the islands colonial roots, rich mansions blend with tiny gardens and Catholic Church’s. I decided to start uphill (bloody steep) and moved inland and found my passing through tropical forests, packed with an array of birds (of the feathered variety this time!) Climbing up and up, I arrived at sunlight rock to look out across this amazing little place.
Spotting a beach from the top and to be honest really beginning to fancy a beer, headed down the other side... now don’t get me wrong this beach seems as clean as any beach in jersey but I challenge anyone to take a swim without coming back out with either more toes than you had when you got in or glowing like the Incredible Hulk! Being that that surrounding this picture sic little Island is what being kind can be described
as heavy industry and at worst full on nuclear reactors! Well enough of that I settled down with my beer served in true Chinese style, a massive bottle and an oversized shot glass to drink it with (see picture) . After getting accosted for at least 20 photos during the day (Chinese obsession with beards!) I got to chill and watch a fantastic sunset while watching massive tankers float by (Condor staff... would love to see you load these big boys in an hour and 30).
Off to the Hakka’s round houses tomorrow, try and wait to find out this time Samantha Jane Leighton!!!!! xx
Well I think that is enough writing for xmas day, I am off to get bladdered on the beach! Much love and a merry Christmas to you all!
Pmc
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Sam
non-member comment
You know the solution Mr. McClemens - dont tell me where your going and i won't be able to have a sneak preview! The beach looks so beautiful and the streets remind me of Japan :) Oh and you called me sad for taking pictures of the ports! xx