Xiamen, People’s Republic of China - Oct 22, 2011

Pronounced somewhat like Shymen, Xiamen is a major city on the Southeast coast of the People’s Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of 607 square miles and a population of 3.53 million people. We are now in the subtropics (hooray!!!), Xiamen had a high of 28 in sunny skies, just perfect. Our tour today took us to Gulang-Yu island, this carless island is only one and half square miles so walking is the way of life here with only a few golf cart type vehicles to transport goods and guests with walking difficulties.

The night before we had a Oriental Theme Formal Dinner, a few pictures from our wonderful night.

 By taking the Holland America sponsored tour we saved ourselves from being sardined onto a Ferry as the group from Holland America had chartered their own, very nice, lots of room to move.

 Eating like a local.

 Beautiful resort island of Gulang-Yu - very popular for wedding photos 

 Christmas?

Our guide Helen (her English name).

 Then it was off to the South Putao Temple and yes this is still a practicing and open temple so only select pictures could be taken.

 By getting a coin into one of the holes is for good luck. I think it is just throwing your money away (I found a one yuan coin on the ground and used that - not our money).

Just finished watching the New Zealand All Blacks win the World Cup of Rugby against France 8 to 7. There were a few Kiwis on board and so very exciting as they have not won the world cup for 24 years. A nail biter though.

Tip or comment of the Day. Always a good idea to wait until happy hour before ordering your first drink, the first beer was 5.00 US the second for a dollar more. In other words good thing do come to those that wait...

Hong Kong tomorrow - will be up at 6 am for the spectacular sail in.