Shanghai to Xiamen to Shenzhen to Macau to Shenzhen to Hong Kong

Well I got a few more stamps in my passport. Even though Hong Kong and Macau are both technically part of China now, you need different kind of visas for each. Luckily the only one you have to pay money for (being an American citizen) is the mainland China visa which I already have.

First of, Anthony and I finished our time in Shanghai visiting with an old pal who taught with us in years prior. Shanghai is another city with a relatively short history (for China, long for the US) but action packed in the last 100 years.

After Shanghai we took off to Xiamen, another ocean port city. We flew a budget Chinese airline (imagine...) called Spring airlines. I can't imagine the seats being any closer together. Apparently the owner is famously quoted to have saying something to the effect of, "If we were allowed to sell standing tickets in an airplane I would." Now because of the increase in passengers you are only allowed to take 15 kilograms (about 33 lbs) of luggage... both your checked AND CARRY ON!!! So Anthony and I got creative and had to head to another terminal to ship some of our winter clothes to Beijing for our return visit to the north.

Xiamen is a great city that is rarely visited by Western foreigners. It was one of the port cities forced open by the Opium Wars, a rather grim period in British history. However the architecture in parts of Xiamen are beautiful. My favorite part was an island called Gulan Yu. This island is where all the embassies were located at the turn of the century. However my favorite part of Xiamen was seeing my old student and friend Brandon who has since been married and will have a child on the way soon. Such a blessing to be able to see him.

After Xiamen we went to the port city of mainland China of Shenzhen. From this hub we visited Macau, home to the first missionaries to ever come to China both protestant and catholic and Casinos. A rather strange mix. But I have been trying to see the ruins of St. Paul's Church for years. This is the same building that Matteo Ricci would have visited. Another of my favorite sights was the graveyard of protestant missionaries. This included the tomb of Robert Morrison the first protestant missionary to China. He also was famous for translating the Bible into Chinese and the first Chinese English dictionary. It was awe inspiring to be in the place where both of these men once stood.

After walking through of couple of the Casinos such as the MGM grand and the Wynn we headed back to ferry to the mainland. The next day we set out for Hong Kong...

On a personal note this trip has been a blessing. Being able to experience more of this tremendously large country's culture, food, people and life has really challenged the way I look at the China as a whole. Although there is much I haven't seen I feel blessed to experience what I have.

Travel with Anthony has also been a blast. We get up every morning find our breakfast and see what the day brings us. The Father has really blessed us this trip and we thank Him for He provides.