This is the city of Xiamen (formerly known as Amoy) as we left the Ferry Terminal to go to Gulangyu. This Island is located on the Taiwan Strait. Keep going 100 km the island and you will get to Taiwan; a few more thousand kilometres and you would hit Vancouver.

This island is about 2 km long and 1 km wide with a population of 20,000 people.

Small homes (flats) line the narrow streets. You will notice that often the sink is outside. People will wash dishes, themselves and their clothes at this sink.

Of course, the streets are packed with tourists and residents. The locals say that Gulangyu is a “peaceful, relaxing” environment. I beg to differ! The crowds are similar to Best Buy on Boxing Day!