Hey Hey and a Big G'Day to ya
 
Up early enough to continue reading Stephen Kings 'Cell' for well over an hour before having to go knock on English's door. Still in bed and after nearing another hours reading later we headed off. Both were sick now. Daniel was finally beginning to get better and not have dizzy spells and now Alexa is beginning the same symptoms.
 
I can put money on it that I don't get it.
Two years in China and I've never been sick.
VERY VERY hungover but not sick!
 
We caught bus number three to the Holiday Inn as English wanted to look at the menu. One look at the menu and I gave my notice. I was not going to pay that price for breakfast. Easily nearing 100 Yuan. They decided the same and we then made our way towards Lundu Wharf. As it was also past lunch time our decision was made for us when we walked past a sign reading 'Brazilian BBQ - 48 Yuan All You Can Eat'.
 
Mate its well worth it.
 
If you are standing staring at the big Pizza Hut building, look right and you'll see a huge silver glass building. It's on the 2nd or 3rd floor, I think it was second. It was an awesome meal spent out on a sun drenched balcony. In the beginning we were worried we were going to be charged more but all I can say is when the guy comes around with huge slabs of meat on BBQ spikes, allow him to cut off as much as you can eat. You will receive about eight or so types of meat, and then there is salad and fruit .
 
You won't be charged more.
Eat as much as you want, take as long as you like and include dinner in it as well.
 
The three of us were about to head across to Gulang Yu when Alexa began to get dizzy and feel ill. After we found her a taxi Daniel and I headed across on the ferry. Underwater World costs 70 Yuan in to get in and I think it's worth it. I've been to several in Australia and another in Beihai in Guangxi Province and they are all pretty much the same, full of colourful fish, some weird some beautiful. You also get a seal and a dolphin show and mate, what more do you want.
 
If you haven't been to an Underwater World and your gong to Xiamen, include it in your day.
 
Several years ago a huge whale was found washed ashore somewhere near here. Sorry but the word 'found' really doesn't suit a washed ashore whale does it. What, did you lose it amongst the sand grains? Anyhow, the Xiamen Underwater World has a complete skeleton on display along with a separate skin display. Totally awesome!
 
After a few hours we met Alexa out front and we then spent some time walking around the touristy streets of Gulang Yu before heading back to the mainland. When I use the word 'Mainland' for Xiamen I know Xiamen is an island but it's much bigger than Gulang Yu. As it was Alexa's birthday the following day adding to the fact that they were both flying to Thailand and we wouldn't be able to share Spring Festival Beers, Daniel and Alexa decided to splurge.
 
We had noticed a restaurant in one of the other Wharfs. The sign out front says 'Western Chinese Japanese Thailand Food'. Alexa had mentioned it a few times for lunch and I always backed out. Being where it was the price for even a glass of water would make me cringe, but as it was a celebration I thought why not give it ago, I can only kill myself once! When we arrived we walked into a very dark, black and shiny entrance. We were led upstairs into a very dark, black and shiny restaurant. Once seated we looked at the menus and I could feel my hand leading to my little pocket knife.
 
Yep, even a glass of water was expensive!
 
This place was so expensive and dark that it felt seedy. It's hard to explain. It was like sitting in an old martial arts movie 'waiting for something to happen'. Kind of like being in a seedy restaurant in a Bond Movie and knowing that something is about to happen. How do you know something is about to happen, because it's the same glitzy set they use in all action movies. Kind of like the restaurant in Indiana Jones Part II when Indy had to drink the poison and then all hell broke loose.
 
Kind of like...ok, you get it!
 
No matter what the cost, it was well worth it to use the 'see through bamboo urinal wall'. How tacky, yet effective.
After a beer or two I continued going back!
 
Beers N Noodles to ya...shane
 
The soundtrack to this entry is none other than the beautiful Latin guitar sounds of 'Armik' and their album 'Malaga'
Reminds me of a beautiful Spanish seamstress who is the stepmother to my Girl & Boy Kats
Did you know that a large amount of Chinese Primary School children actually learn Latin Dancing....Unbelievable!