Chris flew into Qingdao last night to join me for the weekend – woohoo! After a 1 hour (grrrr) flight delay, he finally arrived at just past 11pm. Fortunately we had a good ‘ol buffet breakfast to look forward to this morning – mmmm… It’s a pretty good selection of Chinese and Western breakfast, though the star dish is their cooked-to-order eggs. For some reason, their eggs are cooked perfectly! Plus they’re big with nice fat yolks. Mmm…
We spent most of the day wandering around the area. Namely Badaguan which is just behind the hotel and is so European it really felt like we were back in Australia. There were few/no people on the quiet streets and they were lined with green trees and lots of little parks everywhere. It was gorgeous and so lovely to stroll around, a nice breather from Shanghai – which is worlds apart.
We walked all along the beach front for hours, and in one area, were totally surprised (and amused) to see TONS AND TONS of brides and grooms! Turns out that everyone comes to this area for their wedding photography, and it’s not hard to see why – the view is fantastic and if you’re from the inland with no sea, this turly makes a memorable photoshoot. Really wishing I’d known this before, then Chris and I could’ve arranged for a photoshoot too! It was pretty funny seeing SO MANY brides there though.. it was literally everywhere you looked. They also all had their entourage of makeup artist, photographer, photographer’s assistant, etc. It was one of the most amazing scenes we’ve ever seen – I don’t think we’d ever forget it 😉
Whilst in Huashi Building, which basically looks like a small castle situated on top of the hill, a lady came up to us and asked where we were from. Turns out she’s from Australia too! And not only that, she and her husband have just moved to China too (to a city 2 hrs north of Qingdao). They said that in the 8 weeks they’ve been in China, we were the first foreigners they’d seen. Apparently their city has all local Chinese only. Was fascinated to find out that they were the 1st foreigner couple to be married at this church in Port Moresby, which is the SAME Chris’ parents attended when they lived in Papua New Guinea – how coincidental is that?! They were such such lovely people, and so friendly and interested in different cultures and experience. I love people like that, can’t stand it when people are just stuck in their country, convinced it’s the best, and refuse to leave it to see other countries. We exchanged cards so we can meet up when they’re next in Shanghai 🙂
The breakfast buffet. For some reason, they do one of the best
easy-over fried eggs I’ve ever had. It’s perfect every morning!!
There’s this road behind our hotel, all tree-lined and with
European-style villas. Nice!
A serene ‘lil park we stumbled upon
A super cute toy-like house
What a far cry Qingdao is to the flat-out mentalness of Shanghai!
Sooo quiet and not many people around – bliss
Pretty foilage means lots of people do photoshoots here,
there were 4 couples on this street!
And so I decided to take my own photos, hehehhe
A stall on the beach selling shell necklaces, etc
Beach, with perfect blue skies
We counted ELEVEN bridal couples doing photoshoots in just this ‘lil area!
So we got in on the action too 😉
Stopped by a teeny ‘lil cart (you can see the red cart in the background)
that made us crepe with egg, lettuce, chives, sausage and a spicy sauce.
It was big, and so filling – all for US$0.50!
Relaxing under a tree overlooking the ocean
Huashi Building was home to the president of Kuomintang.
It’s basically a castle on top of a hill, overlooking the ocean.
A pretty chinese vase inside Huashi Building
The ground floor – doesn’t look that homely to me to be honest..
Master and Madam of the house. Haha.
Climbing up towards the roof
Gorgeous views
Was kinda nervous I’d fall off the other side, which was a very steep drop!
Chris.. contemplating the meaning of life
Climbing right up to the very top, above the trees
With our new Aussie friends, who recently moved to China. We were
the first non-Chinese that they had seen since they moved 8 wks ago!
I’m living vicariously through your travels and food consumption 🙂
I’m living vicariously through your travels and food consumption 🙂
What a gorgeous place. The beach looks so pretty!
I totally agree on wanting to meet people who are cultural, I love other cultures and it bothers me when people are only interested in theirs.
SO true! I find it a bit weird (and also self-centered) to just think your country is the very best, without opening up your mind to see what else is out there. There are pros and cons to everything!
Wow, never thought china had such pretty beaches.
BTW – your shoes = HOT!
They have even nicer ones, we just haven’t visited em yet! 🙂
this part of china certainly looks very european …:)
Yeah, it was first occupied by Germans and lots of foreigners, so it’s one of the more european cities in CN!
What a gorgeous place. The beach looks so pretty!
I totally agree on wanting to meet people who are cultural, I love other cultures and it bothers me when people are only interested in theirs.
SO true! I find it a bit weird (and also self-centered) to just think your country is the very best, without opening up your mind to see what else is out there. There are pros and cons to everything!
Wow, never thought china had such pretty beaches.
BTW – your shoes = HOT!
They have even nicer ones, we just haven’t visited em yet! 🙂
didn’t know China had nice beaches like that, coolies.
Does Chris miss life saving?
Not near where we live though, sadness. Yeah, Chris def misses the beach!
this part of china certainly looks very european …:)
Yeah, it was first occupied by Germans and lots of foreigners, so it’s one of the more european cities in CN!
eh, close up of your shoes please!!
They’re the same ones that I wore in the Suzhou trip photos – pink leather flats!
they are really eye catching arent they! =)
didn’t know China had nice beaches like that, coolies.
Does Chris miss life saving?
Not near where we live though, sadness. Yeah, Chris def misses the beach!
Cool day trip.
Even better that it’s right outside our hotel 😉
eh, close up of your shoes please!!
They’re the same ones that I wore in the Suzhou trip photos – pink leather flats!
they are really eye catching arent they! =)
Cool day trip.
Even better that it’s right outside our hotel 😉