Our first full day in China

Well because we were so tired from our travel, we got plenty of rest out first night and the whole day was good as far as jet lag. We started off the day with a big breakfast buffet and yes Megan and I had egg rolls for breakfast. Hey, we are in China why not. Where in the US will you get eggrolls for breakfast and good ones at that. We left aroung 8:30 am and headed to our first stop. We started off going to a Buhdist Temple, Nanputuo Temple, right by Xiamen University. Apparently it was a holiday, the Moon Festival. It was kind of rainy and when it finally stopped raining it got so hot and humid. It was so crowded at the temple but it was really neat to see. The next stop was where my grandfather went to college, Xiamen University. I think it is so neat to see where my grandfather went to school. Our next stop on our tour was a fort on Xiamen Island, Hulishan Fortress. It housed huge cannons to protect the water ways and could shoot over 10000 meters. Then it was off to eat once again. Although there are some things that are a little different, the food is pretty much like our meals in flushing. Everything has been really good so far.

Our afternoon trip was to Gulangyu island. This island is a small island off of Xiamen. It has been occupied by many different countries so the architecture is a mixture of a lot of countries. It was a very beautiful island. They don't let any gas powered vehicles on the island to preserve it. The people are definitely interesting. Very short and to the point about things. Some may call it rude and probably rightfully so. Also, Megan and I have seen multiple children peeing on the sidewalk. Gulangyu Island is also called Piano Island.

Then it was off to eat once again. We tried to eat at a place with an ocean view but our tables were not at the window so my family wanted to get tables next to the windows. An argument ensued in Chinese and we left the restaurant. But we walked down the road and had a very nice meal. We saw the biggest shrimp that we gave ever seen and they were such an interesting color as well. It was all very good and after dinner we were off to fly to Wuyishan and the Wuyi Mountain. One of Megan and I's favorite stops on the trip.

Our First Hotel in China

After dinner we head to the hotel, exhausted and ready for the bed. Riding up to the hotel we had no idea what to expect. Mom had told us that 5 stars in China does not mean the same thing in the US. As we were pulling up, we see a huge really nice hotel, Xianglu Grand Hotel. I tell you what, 5 stars in China is pretty close to 5 stars in the US. Megan and I were really excited to take showers and hit the hay for our first full day in China (specifically in Xaimen). Here are some pictures of our room and the view from our room.

The Asian Party Bus Begins

And we finally arrive at Xaimen, China and boy are we are tired. As tired as we were, we boarded the party bus and went to go eat as is custom in the Liu family to do. Here is a pic (sorry it's a bad one) of the party bus.

On our way to China

Well I am sitting on a plane that we will have been on for 16 hours. Here are some pics of our home in the sky. It really hasn't been that bad because of all the entertainment available.

So China...

So yeah, I was talking to my dad today about random stuff, you know hurricanes, flight plans, electical outlets and what not and realized that in a week Megan and I are going to be off to China.  So much has been going on with Megan starting work and the college ministry at Shandon being in full swing.  I knew that things had changed when I left home at 6pm and did not get back until a little after 10pm.  So China, hadn't really thought a lot about it but it is coming and it is coming quickly.  My family is celebrating my Grandmother's 90th birthday, yeah count 'em 90 years, by taking a family trip to China.  I am talking uncles, aunts, cousins, the whole shabang.  It will be like the "Asian" party bus to our wedding except on a plane for 16 hours to China.  Megan and I are really excited about going and the best part about it is that we will see it with my family.  People often ask us are we going to see the Great Wall, Bejing, etc...  Well we aren't and though a part of me is bummed, I am excited about seeing the China my family knew.  We are going to see where my Grandmother and Grandfather lived, where my mom was born, you know family stuff.  As being the first born in America, sometimes it is hard for me to relate to my heritage, and I am hoping that this trip will connect me a little more to it than I was before.  So pray for us as we prepare to travel half way around the world to a place we have never been and where Megan will tower above everybody!  :-)  7 days to go!