GULANG YU

Today we went to a small island called Guland Yu - we went down to the ferry terminal - almost by accident as we were not sure where we were going - anyway we arrived at the ferry terminal after about 30 minutes walk and got on the ferry - the trip across was about 5 - 10 minutes only and was free on the lower deck or 1 Yuan on the top deck. Coming back however it was 8 Yuan plus 1 Yuan to go on the top deck - each that is- there is no other way back so they have got you by the short 'n' curlies......

When we disembarked we decided to take the island tour - on an electric buggy - by comparison this was 60 Yuan each ( 15 Yuan = 1Pound Sterling) but you could get off and get back on at a few different places - with hindsight this was a good choice as the island is small but when walking - may well be not.

A good day was had - a bit of sitting on the beach - checking out this enormous statue of General Koxinga ( who apparantly kicked out the Durch a few years back) - a bit of looking round a museum - a bit of window shopping - not a bad way of passing the day.

In the evening when we returned to Xiamen, we went to a Lonely Planet recommended restaurant - the Lujiana Hotel Restaurant - it was a bit posh ..... where we sat on the roof top and looked across the straights to Gulang Yu - when the lights came on it was pretty good - better than the Bund in my opinion - but much lower key - oh and the meal was pretty good too.

We are thinking about flying to our next destination, as by train or bus I think it would take ages and involve 2 or 3 changes - we will decide tomorrow -

Just 2 weeks left now .... time flies by

- still no luck with the pictures - this PC will not let me connect the camera for some reason.

More sooooooooooonnnnnnn.