Reunited and showing off Xiamen

It seems the wait was forever, but suddenly they arrived --Grandma and Aunt Mary arrived Tuesday and we have been taking Xiamen by storm ever since. It has been so incredible to have them here, not just because we miss family in general and them in particular...but the thrill of having a witness to our lives here has made this a very exciting visit. Sophia and Grandma are waiting for Helen at the bus stop on the first day...


and when she arrived Aunt Mary snapped a photo with Helen's good friend Xiao Meimei.

On Wednesday it was clear and warm, so we headed out on the water on the "dragon boat," a tour boat Helen has been eyeing for months.


This is Xiada seen from the water. The boat took us out around Gulanyu and out to Jinmen Island..traditionally called Quemoy and part of Xiamen, but which has been under Taiwanese control.


Here are the Chinese tourists rushing to take a picture...

And here is the island with its slogan -- I have asked a friend to translate...I think it is something about one China, three systems, or something like that...there was also a Taiwanese flag flying. We did not dock, and foreigners are not allowed to enter Taiwan this way. Residents of Fujian province are allowed onto Jinmen for short stays. The ties of family and culture are particularly intense between Taiwan and Fujian.

On the way back there was a puppet show on the boat..so funny.

We ended up on Gulanyu on the first real summer like day, and everything was in bloom.

After lunch we did some important shopping, so if you are a friend or close family member -- get excited.

And Miss Sophia got a long coveted item.

Here is the whole group -- with Michael still in Seoul.

Lovely Shuzhang gardens, where we finally saw the famous piano museum -- no photos allowed but lots of pianos --

Mary took these great photos of us.


And how about those sea food restaurants?....here are some stingrays ready to be dinner.

Mary's photo of a beautiful sunset at the end of the day while we were on the ferry home.

And she herself...tired out yet?

I brought them with me to Helen's kindergarten for English class, much to Helen's delight.

We toured the campus a bit.


And after some serious shopping...time for lunch--more noodles anyone?

Back to our building where they are staying one floor below us, which is so convenient. Just in time to reconnect with Michael, back from Korea with some chocolates -- red pepper paste chocolates to be exact.

More to come -- the flea market, tea and the temple...on our 4 day tour package!