Hey Hey and a Big G´Day to ya
 
Upon awakening I decided it was time to move on so I made my way towards the bus station down Harbin South Road. It took me about an hour to walk and once passed the million computer stores I spotted the tell tale signs of a Chinese Long Distance Bus Station, that of gatherings of people sleeping, talking and eating on any surface or patch of grass that can be found.
 
After about forty five minutes I left with a ticket to Yongding the following morning at 8:50am.
A bugger of a time for any bus to depart and a bugger for me.
 
I then pointed my toes in the general direction of the Botanical Gardens and wound my way through the back streets until I was lost enough to find my way to the ticket booth. I paid my 40 Yuan entrance fee which was the same as the gate on the hill that separated the Gardens and Nanputo Si.
 
Is it worth the 40 Yuan? Of course it is!
All Botanical Gardens are.
I've smelt the flowers in many Botanical Gardens around the world and I love each of them.
 
Xiamens is no different than the rest. It is huge, green, peaceful and full of beautiful trails that lead you through many types of gardens from around the world. I spent many hours winding my way up little hills and down the other side. Xiamens Gardens offers many beautiful views of the ocean along with the city.
 
As I was making my way up the hill towards the Nanputo Si I met the most beautiful girl. When we met we both stopped and smiled at each other and after I picked my jaw up from the ground I continued on my way. I took the wrong turn and we then met for a second time offering each other the same smile.
 
So I guess it wasn't a wrong turn after all.
 
We stopped to rest and introduced ourselves and then slowly made our way towards the top of the hill. At the top we swapped numbers and emails and she continued through to Nanputo Si with her neice and I made my way down the other side of the hill on the gardens side feeling all giddy inside. Half way down I found a huge rock that had an awesome view of the temple roof below along with the blue of the bay.
 
I sat to rest and received my first text.
Oh so Giddy Giddy Giddy!
 
At the bottom of the hill I was lucky to find myself walking amongst the mists of the rain forest. They have a mist machine set up through out the rain forest section and it creates such a beautiful environment to walk through. The mist is so light and creates such an awesome photo opportunity.
 
I then made my way towards Tainjin Temple whose roof I had gazed upon from the huge rock above. Parts are now being restored so I didn´t' stay too long. Instead I made my way back up the hill to Wundo Ledge and made my way back into Nanputo Si. I slowly made my way down the hill to the temple and spent some time resting in the front gardens.
 
Mate I wish I could put a speedo on my 'sturdy steeds'. I would love to know how kilometers I walk each day I am away or any day for that matter. It's not often my legs are tired but today they are so now as the sun disappears from my Chinese sky I find myself once again sipping cheap Mc Donald´s coffee.
 
For those of you who have gasped and said 'Shane...Mc Donald´s!'  Yes I say, I'd rather pay 5 Yuan for a coffee than 30 Yuan. I've always been a cheap coffee lover and until you have sat in the seat I am sitting in right now, please don´t question. Remember one thing, Mc Donald´s always have prime real-estate and here in China the real estate is even better. The view from my window is filled with such beautiful colours. It is filled with the Nanputo Si and its mountain. It really is such a relaxing view, I'd even say splendid mate!
 
The attached photo is not clear at all, it´s a pity it didn´t capture the real view.
It's right up there with many of the Mc Donald´s views in Japan.
 
Nothing better than a Mc Donald´s coffee and window view to rest tired legs or to snuggle into on a snowy winters day in Japan like I did many years ago. Plus the fact that here there are hundreds of Uni girls walking around me in the latest fashion, short skirts and long socks or a very long sweater and tights.
I can tell you, it doesn't make the view any worse!
 
I just received a text from `Beautiful Song´ (Song being the first part of her name) asking me if I could return to Xiamen after Yongding.
 
You know what...
 
I think I will!
 
Beers N Noodles to ya...shane
 
The soundtrack to this entry is My Bloody Valentines `Loveless´
Track 11 is the greatest song ever written, my favorite `allda world!´
It´s called `Soon´ and it is so beautiful.
It´s so wishy washy and full of guitar layers.
Belinda Butchers voice is so memorizing.
 
It´s a perfect way to end a perfect day, listening to my favorite song after meeting a beautiful Song.
Life is beautiful!