This was one of the most exciting and memorable trips ever. We’re so happy to be back and have so many fun memories. 26 of our friends and family joined us on a 2 week tour of China and witnessed our big fat Chinese wedding in Quanzhou on 8.8.08.
Starting with Shanghai, we walked down Nanjing Lu with millions of other people trying to get down to the Bund. Nanjing Lu is always busy, but I’ve never seen it this packed. Saw the locals practice tai chi on our walk to the People’s Park. Visited the art district Mu Gang San Lu and the French Concession area. Some of us got to try Chinese foot massage for the very first time. It was painful, but felt great afterward. Celebrated Bryan’s 21st and Tom’s 25th birthday with 2 huge snakes. Bryan had the snake’s liver while Tom drank the snake’s blood. Then we visited some cool bars and finished the evening with karaoke. Yu Yuan Garden was also packed. Some wondered off and our poor tour guide Mary was nervous to lose people. But luckily everyone met up in the right place and on time. Then off we went to saw one of the best Shanghai arcobat performances.
We traveled to Yellow Mountain by an overnight train in the soft berth. 4 people to a room. It’s the way most people travel in China. This was the first time I’ve ever traveled in soft berth. It was clean and comfortable. It’s also the best way to travel to see the countryside. Once we got to Yellow Mountain, all of us took the gondola except for R.O.B. who hiked for 2-3 hours in the heat. We were all a little worried since we didn’t see or hear about him until 6-8 hours later. We all hiked couple of shorter trails on the top of the mountain. However, this is unlike any trail or mountain you will ever find in U.S. All the trails are paved with the perfect little steps built by hand, and all the materials used to built the trails and hotels were carried up the mountain by farmers looking to make more money. The steepness and narrowness of the trails scared those who were not afraid of heights. The sunrise was the so pretty, with the mountain peaks above the clouds and pine trees everywhere.
We only got to stop in Hangzhou for a short afternoon. But everyone got to see one of the most beautiful places in China, Xihu or West Lake.
I think everyone was as amazed with Quanzhou Hotel as we were the first time we saw it. It’s the biggest and best hotel in Quanzhou. Everyone told me they ate the best, slept the best, and had the best time in Quanzhou. Our wedding day was so extraordinary, it even surprised us. With only 3-4 days of planning, it’s hard to believe we actually pulled off a wedding with 500 guests. There were photographers, videographers, reporters following us all day and night. Poor Suzanne and Matt had to fight with all these people just to get our photos. Our phones kept going off every 2 minutes. Fireworks almost burnt off my eyelashes and Dan’s hair. What a crazy and memorable day!
Anxi tea plantation was interesting, however, it was probably one of the hottest day we had to deal with.
Yongding was small and interesting. We got there late in the evening. There were no one on the streets except for us and the vendors. Some of us got to play pool in the middle of the street. Everyone had beers in their hands while wondering around town. Ken hoped on the back of some guy’s bike and got a local tour. It was too late to eat dinner, so we all just had some grilled lamb on a skewer for snacks. Next day we got to visit some round earth houses, hakka houses, that were built to protect themselves from war. These homes are huge and people still live in them.
Xiamen was probably the cleanest city we visited. They have a no honking rule, the small island reduces pollution by preventing cars from being on the island. Only way there is to ride the ferry.
We got to see the history of Beijing by visiting the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, and hutongs. But we also got to experience the present by attending 2 games at the 2008 summer Olympics.
