Locations

Friday, April 23, 2010

Easter in Fujian province, 2

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Tea plantation on the side of the hill. Mountains fading into magic mist.







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On last day of tulous we finished up it super touristic viewing platform. The famous 2-finger hello!








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Traditions and people still live in these old buildings.





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Near Xiamen city, actually inside Xiamen city is a small Gulangyu Island. Hundred years ago it was a western paradise with English newspaper, western community, western architecture, etc. Today it has remained relaxed touristy spot, where is possible to get lost on some very Europe like small old streets.
Cars not allowed on the island, only some electric vehicles. Would be rather interesting to see ambulance without doors racing on the streets, inside doctors doing CPR, etc.








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Gulanyu island tunnels for people who don't like climbing hills







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Spring rain







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Spring, but almost looks like autumn. Gulanyu Island

Monday, April 19, 2010

Easter in Fujian province, 1

No eggs in this Easter!
Right next to our main door is a big map of China, that is collecting pins in different colour - the red and green are for places seen and been, at this moment 17. White for the places to be, at this moment 6.
This long weekend in Easter went with a goal to switching one of the white pins to green. Destination was neighboring province Fujian, 1000km south from Shanghai.

This region of China is famous for very old fortress-like round buildings made of mud - Tulous. To get there it took some effort, trip started with flight to Xiamen, there to get all the travel team together and head out by bus towards inland small villages, where these mysterious buildings could be spotted.





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First look to the inside side of the Tulou. It had to be self sufficient - water supply, food, cattle - during the times when the building was under attack of hostile tribes. Usually one building has 3-5 floors and up to few hundred rooms - lower floor for animals, then storage and upper levels for people.








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Night stay in Tulou, all you can dream of... even electricity provided. All this costs more than a cheap hotel.










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Getting lost in circular streets inside the house.









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Little girl at the door of her house









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View from the 4th floor. In the center of this building was a small temple.








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View from the 4th floor








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The farmer and his machine. Though, the machine got scared, when noticed white people and refused to continue work.








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Making sure the strange white human is not getting too close. Water cow









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Hao Che - good food.









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Older Tulous are square shape, but as people didn't like the dark corners of square buildings, gradually round buildings took over.








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This is how big and massive actually these buildings are.








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Our host and her small 2 room guesthouse for second night.


More from Tulou trip to Fujian in couple of days.