Jeff decided he had had enough of tours, so he headed out shopping in town. I took a tour that left at the same time as Jeff. Our first stop was to take a ferry across the bay to the island of Gulang-Yu. It is a walking only island but since it is only 1 1/2 square miles, getting around is relatively easy. The ferries were packed. We walked up and down the hills seeing romantic refuges named Moon Garden and Peacock Garden. We went over wistful bridges called Dragon Bridge and saw Sunlight Rock. We also visited a museum that a bunch of rare pianos. This was to be the highlight of the tour but when I got there I discovered you could not take pictures and the building was bursting at the seams with tourists. You couldn't get close enough to read the descriptions. I exited quickly and sat outside watching the pretty coastal views.
The problem with this peaceful place is that it was overrun with visitors. Everywhere you turned, people and more people. Pretty place but China is wearing me down.
After a crowded ferry ride back to the mainland, it was off to the obligatory Chinese lunch lazy susan style. I didn't eat much but it all look really good. I just can't get into the competition to fight for the food.
Next up was a drive around the city. This city doesn't seem to stop growing. It'll easy double its population shortly. The drive took about an hour and then we stopped at a silk factory for the obligatory shopping opportunity. I didn't take any photos as the glare out the windows was too great.
Back at the ship, I found Jeff waiting for sailaway sitting on his deck chair reading his Kindle. His day went well as he was able to find something to purchase.
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