CHINA 2010 SUNDAY 4th

Despite setting the alarm it failed to ring so it was 9.10 when Keith woke me. It was a good job it wasn’t Monday as we have to be at the office by 9am.

Helen had arranged to collect us at 11.30 and promptly turned up with Mander both bearing gifts. It was like Christmas with a Microwave, DVD and numerous free gifts that went with their purchases. We would open them later.

We walked round the corner to a ‘Beefsteak House’ for lunch. Western style food but also offered Chinese style. With the heat, and Keith having had a good breakfast, we declined the steak and eggs and settled for some lovely chicken wings and fried octopus with dips. We were also entitled to a free bowl of fresh fruit so tucked into that. We laughed together as Helen attempted to pour out the beer into Keith's glass. The assistant had not removed the bottle top! The meal over we said goodbye to Mander, who was returning to the office, and continued in the car to one of the ferry terminals to visit 'Gulangyu'.

In a busy part of the city we joined the crowds leading down to the boats. As the boat appeared to be full we waited for the next ferry which was already lined up to come alongside as soon as this one departed. The fare for a 6 minute journey is 8yuan, payable on the return journey. However if we wished to sit upstairs we had to pay on board a further 1 yuan, which is what we did. Helen was concerned that I had no sun hat or umbrella so lent me a spare hat. Once again it was very hot but we are not complaining. I had been watching the weather reports for days prior to our arrival. It had been nothing but high temperatures and scattered thunderstorms. In parts of the Fujian Province flooding and landslides have taken place but according to Helen and Mander this bad weather does not affect Xiamen.

One of China’s National Parks Gulangyu (English translation ‘Drum Wave Island’ as the noise of the tides surging through a hollow rock sounds like a drum beating) has no vehicles apart from the electric tourist car. The island is also known locally as 'The Piano Island' as nearly every house has a piano. The island was once the home of many foreign embassies and so there were some rather grand buildings. Some grand hotels too, that we passed in the electric car as we travelled along the coast road. Walkers occupied the width of the road most of the time and instead of sounding a horn a tune was played. It did sound more like a mobile phone ring tone so it was no wonder some people took a long time to get out of the way. Our destination was to visit 'Shuzhuang Garden', a 'Piano Museum' and then climb to summit of 'Sunlight Rock', not necessarily in that order. The gardens created by a wealthy businessman in 1913 were lovely and in one part stretched out into the sea which was very dirty. A quirky rock formation by small pools contained a path climbing up the hillside going through doorways and small tunnels. Hidden in the rocks were the Chinese zodiac symbols. We found them all apart from the Pig which happened to be Helen’s as well as my symbol. She believes it was hidden behind the tree.

On to 'Sunlight Rock' the highest point on the island where we were to get a panoramic view of the area, especially the coastline of Xiamen. With the temperature 37 degrees I failed to reach to top even though there was only another 10 metres of steps to go. Keith succeeded but I was quite happy and got a good view of Xiamen’s waterfront and all the landscape of the island below. Going down was so much easier and on reaching the 'Piano Museum' the air conditioning was much appreciated. 2 buildings housed numerous pianos from around the world. A very small one that fitted into a corner had us wondering just how it would be played as the keyboard met in the middle and the keys became smaller. Before leaving we were able to hear one of the young lady guides play a tune on one of the grand pianos. It must be lovely to have studied music and end up with a job in such a museum. The collector of these pianos now lives abroad, Australia I think, but it could be America. Our last visit was to the ‘Memorial Hall dedicated to one of China’s greatest sailors, Zheng Chengong, whose large statue stands on a plinth below a small headland gazing across the stetch of water between the two islands and close to this island’s ferry terminal. A well displayed history depicted in many large paintings of this man’s achievements and a shame we were not allowed to take photographs. Once again we were grateful for the air conditioning.

Helen was keen for us to sample the local refreshments and so we followed the narrow road downhill passing several buildings being renovated and some that needed to be to arrive at the souvenir shops and eating places to stop outside a 'Milky Tea Shop'. Keith and I would prefer an ice tea, which could not be taken away, and so we settled down inside a very small interior where the walls were covered in paintings of cats. Pinned on a notice board stretching round the room were hundreds of messages left by customers all relating to cats. Helen had the shop’s speciality tea. In a large familiar takeaway paper cup she drank a ‘Carnation’ milky tea. Nothing unusual in that you may say. How many times have you had cornflakes and raisins in your tea! Time to head back to the ferry but I am sure we shall be making many returns to Gulangyu. I noticed that all the warning signs for people to keep of the grass and fragrant plants were painted on grand piano shaped boards complete with keyboard. How fitting for this lovely small island.

At home we had time to shower and change before we had guests. Mander was to collect us to go out to dinner to meet Keith’s students and more dignitaries. So at 6pm he brought the Managing Director of Formosa Plastics, Mr. KC Lai and two other gentlemen that we had met the previous evening. I sensed Mr. Lai was keen to look around the apartment and was glad we had managed to store away all the ‘goodies’ that Mander brought this morning. We were to discover that Formosa Plastics Marine Company are heavily involved in this new training scheme for Xiamen. We drove to a restaurant by a large lake not too far from our apartment and escorted to a lovely dining room. More excellent food, drink (especially the fresh 'star fruit' juice) and a relaxed atmosphere. Our host, Mr. Lai, was a very jovial man. 2 senior Captains joined the 'top table' whilst the students and other senior office staff sat at another. But at no time did they feel left out. At one point the students came over to say welcome and drink to our health, Keith reciprocating later. Getting on for 10pm we left the restaurant with the staff saying ‘goodbye’ in English to us. By now the temperature was very nice and with the colourful city lights it will an ideal place for an evening visit especially as we have been told there are several coffee houses around this very large lake.