Xiamen

Right… my vacation in Xiamen. Finally, I found some time to write about my unique experiences in China’s Southern coastal “pearl" (?), which constantly teases Taiwan’s independence fantasies. To make the latter better understandable, please check the picture below:

Molto vicino!

Xiamen’s unique location (on a clear sunny day you can see Taiwanese/ ROC’s land) has enthused the PLA’s decision to build massive bases in the surroundings of the city. Although the military is most certainly present in the city, the atmosphere is still rather tranquil and laidback.

I left together with Ryan (a “Mid West Americano”) on May 1st from Wuxi (where I stayed the preceding nights). The first day we explored the city and the surrounding of a huuuuuuuge high-rise building…, our hotel. We passed the night away drinking good old Tsing Tao (Chinese beer) next to a beautiful lake in Zhongshan Park (centrally located). The barman asked us whether we were interested in staying at his place, but we declined politely. Fortunately (thanks to Wang Fang) we found a better located/ cheaper hotel on the second day. Wang Fang became a good friend of mine, who I met earlier on the GTZ's Eco City Programme's symposium (for those who dont know, that is my employer!). We spend the whole vacation closely together, which led to brilliant experiences and marvellous misunderstandings :). Three continents, three completely different cultures, three different people; exchanging their ideas and enjoying foolish adventures.

We visited a lawless village, where 5 prostitutes manage to sit on one motorcycle and where thinks are still black and white.

Going back in time, way back...

We illegally sailed with a fisherman to a Taiwanese island, where surely no Dutch man has ever been (I think....).

A real fisherman

We visited the most amazing houses I ever saw, where Hakka people (ethnic sub-group of the Han Chinese) still raise beautiful children.

People really live in these "earth houses". There were built with the initial aim of keeping the people together and fending off attacks from other ethnic groups and wild animals.

Boys stay boys, always

And we had an amazing lot of great fun!

Improved simplicity

I hope to soon upload all photos on Picassa and to post a new message on my board to share some images of Changzhou (not as bad as you might think :)).

Love to you all!

Marijn