Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,

Another day at the beach!

This morning after finding out that there were no train seats available anywhere for next several days I decided to check out the bus station and found that no buses from the Xingcheng bus station seem to go anywhere except Beijing or further north east from where I came I decided to stay another day and see about a bus to one of the close seaside towns. As I had time to spare I couldn’t resist just one more walk within the ancient walls and thankfully I did as I met a guy (I think his English name was Max and his English was totally amazing!) on a seven day holiday who was checking out three of the main locations that back in the day held invaders at bay, Xingcheng being one of them.

As he had seen all that he wanted to see within the walls we decided to head to the beach together and as luck had it, he was travelling by car.

As Max spent 'some’ time trying to find cheap (at a sea side resort town, yeah right) accommodation and swimming I ended spending my day slowly walking along the main beach finding several small temples and secluded beaches full of old fishing boats and nets left out to dry. On my return journey I come across couples having their wedding photos taken and if my baby was with me, with that amazing bridge as a back drop i don't know if I could have helped my self either!  Max and I ended up meeting later in the evening and sat for a delicious meal of fresh seafood and chat before I grabbed a bus back into town to pack and get ready for my next adventure.

I would have loved to have stayed longer but as time and money is beginning to run 'lowish' and I also have several other places I wish to visit I decided to grab the bus to Beijing tomorrow and see about the first ticket out.

Just a short ferry ride from the coast lies beautiful Juhua Island.
Which in Chinese means Chrysanthemum Island.
Obviously due to the amount that grow there.

For those who choose to arrive at Beach No:1 you will find a huge statue of Juhua Nu, or Chrysanthemum Women who according to local legend , changed herself into an island to protect the people of Xingcheng from a nasty sea dragon. Her island form can be found nine kilometers from the coast and at thirteen square kilometers it is the largest island in Bohai Bay. The island is home to a fishing community, bodhi trees (rare in the north) several small beaches and temples, caves and natural rockeries along with an ancient holy well that is still being used by the locals after many generations.

Beers N Noodles toya…..shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was by Chinese Wu Bai
The album was ‘Li Hai’
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