We awoke at about 5am on our first full day in QingDao, nothing strange about that at all, since we often get up really early in the morning, after all sometimes you find some very interesting things early in the morning. We got dressed and took a walk across the street and down the iconic Zhan Qiao Pier and onto Huilan Pavilion.
Next time you break out those bottles of Tsingtao and have a cold one, take a look at the label, that's Huilan Pavilion staring back at ya'.
One very interesting change that the Missus noticed right away were how many folks had dogs as pets. This very energetic pup, not only sported a bright yellow t-shirt and looked exactly like her master. But also gets our award for spirit. This poodle was off sniffing some of the carts near the street, when the woman called her. Ears pricking up, the pup immediately took off at top speed to her master, jumping down from a good height, almost doing a face first front gainer upon landing.
She barely broke stride, and it was good thing that her master decided that she'd be better off on a leash.
There was one negative detail we noticed regarding dogs in QingDao; no one seems to pick up after them! Which led the Missus's Fifth Uncle to revise the instructions on walking and crossing streets in China; "everywhere else, you need to look six ways, and listen eight….. but In QingDao, you need to look seven! Make sure to look straight down to make sure you don't step in dog poop!"
Poodles and Schnauzers seem to be favorites. This one couldn't wait for his morning walk on the beach.
Views from Huilan Pavilion.
We had lucked out….. this morning was the clearest of our visit.
This little island is called Little QingDao (Xiaoqingdao), the Germans built a lighthouse on it in the 1900's.
Heading back to the hotel we decided to grab some breakfast. The Missus's Aunts, always on top of things, made sure that we knew about, and had access to the hotel's breakfast buffet.
There was quite a selection. The Missus really loved the fact they had one of Her favorites, millet porridge. And I was happy they had Suan Nai (yogurt)!
Quite a spread, huh? We exercised some restraint, and kept to the veggies, pickles, yogurt, and fruit. Still, it was more than enough for us.
Soon after breakfast we met the Missus's Mother and Fifth Aunt at the train station a few blocks away. One of the Missus's cousins was arriving via the overnight train from Beijing. Having gotten into the spirit of things, the Missus and I had put the bouquet that was presented on our arrival in water the night before. Bearing the bouquet, I walked over to the Missus's Cousin, whom I had never met, and greeted her with one of the few Mandarin words I knew…. "Ni Hao", and handed her the bouquet. I'm guessing these type of antics are pretty common in this family, as she blinked twice, and told me in English, "hello my brother, it is so nice to finally meet you….."
After all pleasantries, the Missus and I headed off to our morning destination…. Zhongshan Park. Even though everyone we spoke to recommended catching the bus or a cab, the Missus decided we should walk. When asking for directions along the way, people kept telling the Missus, "it is very far away…." To be fair, it was really maybe 3-4 kilometers….. Plus we got to find places like this along the way.
This is QingDao Tianhou Temple (Temple of the Queen of Heaven), built in 1467, it predates the establishment of QingDao as a city by four hundred years.
One of the most interesting displays is the one that details the history or currency in China.
Walking up Laiyang Lu, I quickly noticed the European Architecture. And in keeping with the spirit of things, the some of the business signs were in three languages, Chinese, English, and German.
Up the hill, and down a short street we entered into QingDao Lu Xun Park.
The views along the paths that meander along the paths are quite beautiful.
In the background of this photo is the beach where one summer the Missus's Father decided that She needed to learn how to swim. So almost everyday, they'd walk and make their way to Number One Bathing Beach.
During our walk the Missus laughed and pointed up to this hotel….. named the QingDao San Diego Hotel!
Eventually we made our way to Zuoshan Lu……. and after asking for directions, we entered Zhongshan Park. And I felt blessed to see the Cherry Blossoms…..
And though it was a bit late for the blooming of the blossoms…… every few minutes a breeze would blow through the park, and the flowers would take flight, and for a few moments it seemed like it was snowing…….
Of course, this is a prime site for wedding photos…..
The Missus full of memories, told me that when She was young, it was the entrance of the park that struck Her…. it was "a grand entrance". Unfortunately, we had entered through the back…. so She just had to find the "grand entrance". And of course we found it….. though the Missus told me it just didn't seem quite as "grand"…..
Looking at the faces of all the young children visiting the park on excursion……
And seeing the look of wonder on a few faces……
When the wind blew through the trees sending the blossoms airborne…. to them it was grand, and perhaps maybe twenty years from now, it will be their "grand entrance."
Sorry, not much food in this post….. but believe me there's much more in he next one…. much, much more food!