So after my blogging app failure earlier today (thanks draftcraft) and then accidentally deleting my blog written yesterday, I’m plonked by the pool, slightly frustrated by blogging repetition, AFL semi final on the big screen and trying to remember what I did yesterday other than eat an soak in the sun.
Friday 11/9
We awoke to the view of coming into Xiamen (pronounced Shar-men).
Now I’m not a group tour person (I am actually quite an introvert). I don’t like the rigidly planned activities (who would have thought) and waiting around for people annoys me. Being in Xiamen for only 6 hours we decided to do a ship tour to save the hassle of maneuvering around in a short time frame. Well I can’t decide if I felt more like a cow or a sheep but I definitely felt like I was cattle being herded. The experience has definitely reinforced that I am a DIY traveller!
Our herding experience started with a ferry trip (with customary green group 1 sticker) across to Gulangyu Island. The ferry was overrun with 5 herds and ended up standing room only. Being herd number one, we scored a seat much to the annoyance of other cattle! There were three rules on the ferry and I was determine to follow them (I hear many an Asian ferry ends up sinking). Rule 1 – no smoking (check, I gave that up years ago), rule 2 – no tossing (well I try not to be a tosser but some may debate this) and rule 3 – no striding (still trying to figure out what constitutes striding, do I stride considering my legs are so short?).
Gulangyu island was quite beautiful. It had a European feel and although Simon thought it was tired and run down, I thought it had character and charm. Our herder (a.k.a. tour guide) attempted to speak English and tried to share the history of the island. Don’t ask me to share as I’m sure Google will be more helpful than my interpretation of translation.
No smoking
No tossing
No striding
………no understanding!
I managed to snap a few photos but was too scared that I’d be separated from my herd if I lingered too long and attempted to be too artistic. The herder didn’t quite know where she was going and had to back track several times losing part of the herd on the way. We started out with 37 and ended up with 34 at one point. This didn’t go down well with the oldies! Many a moan from the herd was to be heard…..or were the moos or bahs?
The island had a lovely little town in the centre but we didn’t get the chance to explore. While the herder was tracking down some of the lost herd I did manage to sneak off and buy an icecream. It was a lucky dip icecream as there were no explanations as to the flavour choices. I though brown would be a safe bet, it could be chocolate, bean paste or God knows what. Sigh of relief when it was chocolate! Oh look my icecream photo has captured two of the lost herd!
I couldn’t help but photograph one shop where the body language of the workers made you feel so welcome (insert sarcasm), crossed arms and evil eyes! Lucky there was no time to shop!
Tanya'stravelblog 