Weihai, warnings and wondering
Trip Start
Jul 07, 2011
1
5
9
Trip End
Sep 30, 2012
Yantai, Shandong, China
Friday, August 19, 2011
What an interesting last 3 weeks! As the world has watched the 'downfall of British society', we expats in China have been watching/reading/listening with baited breath. Colleagues I work with have been offering theories and counter theories as to why Britain suddenly became a shoplifter’s paradise for 4 days. Of course what we expats really wanted to know was why it only took local residents 8 hours via various social media networks to organise a mass clean up in certain areas of London, but it took our ‘great prime minister’ 3 days to return from his frolicking in the med? Also where has this new buzz word ‘Criminality’ appeared from? As one of the older teachers here said;
"In my day they called it crime."
Before all the action in the UK, here in Weihai I was treated to Typhoon warnings. Starting near the south of Shanghai, Typhoon Muifa was reportedly heading to the north-east coast of China. A warning on the TV, reports in local newspapers and word on the street was that this was going to be a big storm. Batten down the hatches, stay indoors, stock up on your food. These were all bits of advice that were bandied about. So I duly obliged and hibernated in my flat for near on 2 days. The wind howled, the rain splattered against the window, but it was nowhere near powerful enough to be considered a Typhoon.
Reports after the weekend showed that the Typhoon had hit a city called Qingdao (3 hours away from Weihai) instead. Weihai had only suffered the after effects of a Typhoon that had petered out. So with my life intact and my Monday off, I decided to go on a day trip to the neighbouring city of Yantai. Yantai is described as Weihai’s older brother. It is a larger coastal town approximately 60km away from Weihai. Yantai was once under British rule as a colonial port.
There is a lot of British architecture that still remains in Yantai. As I arrived into Yantai, I was greeted with the same hustle and bustle that I have become accustomed to in China. My first port of call was to find a decent dumpling restaurant as I was ravished and in need of food (a 90 min bus journey is enough to send even the strongest man into fits of hunger). The food in Yantai was delicious. After re-fuelling, the plan was to visit the old Yantai museum to gain an insight into the history of the place. After a short period of finger pointing and gesticulating with a local, I found out that I needed the number 43 bus. Turns out the 43 bus took me to a theme park and not the museum! The theme park was ok. No rides were working due to the rain and the local pandas in the zoo were too tired to come out and strut their stuff. But I did manage to find a lovely beach to walk along in the afternoon.
In between my work, I have found a nice little beach where I can sit and read in peace. I can also go for a swim in cool clear sea water which is a plus. I plan to make the most of the next month, because after that winter looms. I’ve added some pics of my beach exploits and Yantai wonderings.
Finally I’d like to finish this entry by wishing my former work colleague Spike Reid a speedy and event free recovery from an incident that occurred on his latest expedition. Spike’s bravery and quick thinking not only saved his life, but also saved the lives of the people around him. Plus the RGS (not to mention the softball team) would not be the same with without him.
Speak to you soon.
Sanj
Comments
Damn mate, seems like you having a blast in China, Happy for you. But damn England and all the crazy riots, that´s some f**k up s**t. Well take care and EAT A LOT it is very important and you know it :D. BIG HUG/ Cesar
Thanks for the updates...you write well and they make for an enjoyable read. The mention of dimsum is making me hungry! Keep well. V
Im writing this on your birthday!!! Look forward to hearing about what you get up to celebrate