Day 0: Suzhou to Xiamen

Flying into the light of Xiamen via Shenzhen Airlines

Here we go.

Well, perhaps I should say, Here I go.

When  I left Suzhou it was dark and raining.  Dark because it was still 04:30 and I had to get to Wuxi for a 06:50 flight to Xiamen.  Rainy because, well, it's Suzhou.

By the time I picked-up my baggage it was still before 09:00 and the Xiamen airport was fairly empty.  Not a tout in sight. When I got outside, even though I had left my winter gear behind, I found I was wearing too many clothes.  The cab driver had the aircon running. 

As it was too early for hotel check-in, I headed over to the Xiamen City Museum, which I would not recommend unless there's absolutely nothing else to do. The best thing about it is it's free (as are, if you've not visited yet, most public museums in China).  The nearby Xiamen Art Museum was a bit better as it had a facility-wide annual painting exhibit featuring more than a few pieces over which you might be inclined to linger.

It was close to noon by the time I got to the hotel (having stopped for an idle coffee between museums), where I was informed that I was being given a room with no window.

Oh.

But we can give you a room with a window -- for an additional charge. Not wanting to sit in a cell, I accepted the offer.

My bicycle, I found, was hiding just behind the concierge's desk and the guy they call the concierge offered to bring it to my room -- at no additional charge.

As the photos show, the box arrived with a puncture, but having reassembled the bike, it seems no damage has been done.  It took about 30 minutes to get everything refitted and the bike ready to ride, which I'll do tomorrow on a circumnavigation of the island.  Weather report calls for late afternoon rain.  I'm planning on an early start and a return before the precipitation begins.



















It was 14:00 before I set out for food and found quite by chance one of those places that allows you to fill a bowl with your choice of uncooked veggies (and meat, if you're so inclined), which you then hand over, with your cash, and which returns to you as a bowl of hot food. Fabulous meal of tofu, bok choy, lotus root, cabbage, chrysanthemum, and a couple of kinds of mushrooms.

The meal was followed by a trip to Carrefour to get a few snacks and some breakfast items.  Then I had to process these photos, write the blog post, and shower.

I'm knackered.

Good night.

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