Mountains and Springs

Beautiful temple!

Yesterday we took a wonderful trip to Gu (Gwee) mountain to visit a Buddhist temple.  This mountain is located just outside of Fuzhou with the temple at the top.  People walk up the mountain on trails or the winding road - either way, a very long walk!  This temple is over 1,000 years old and is very beautiful.  There were many different buildings with altars, statues and courtyards.  It is close to New Years, so people are visiting to burn incense and pray.  The day was cool and the air very still, so the incense just hung around us.  The statues were stunning and the buildings beautiful in the surroundings.

On the temple grounds

The monks live here and take care of the property - we wondered how they were staying warm, as the weather is unusually cold. We also took a walk back into the mountainside that traversed the area, finding small pagodas and old buildings. There was very old calligraphy on the rock walls as we walked along - so hard to believe how long ago this was done.  Some of the areas were just magical, almost like finding Shangri-la. 

Our interpreter took us out for a wonderful late lunch and then we asked to go to the store.  He took us to Sam's Club!  That was really fun, as it was crazy busy with people shopping for the holiday.  It also wasn't our Wisconsin version of Sam's Club!  They had huge tanks of fish - I mean huge fish - that you could pick out for dinner.  They would just catch it for you and cut it's head off and send it home with you!  How handy, super fresh with no fuss or muss! 

After a brief rest, we had a terrific dinner with Karen's Mom's family.  It was held at a great restaurant, and we had a private room with table settings that looked presidential!  The food was of the highest quality, but also tested my pallet!  I can now say I have eaten coagulated pigs blood and quail eggs!  Not sure if I will do that again!  It was a wonderful time getting to meet Karen's aunts, uncle, grandparents and cousins.  They went all out for us, and we certainly enjoyed every minute of our time together!  We were exhausted when we got back to the hotel, and immediately went to bed.

Today we took it a little easier, and went with Karen and Mike to one of the famous Fuzhou hot springs, spas.  We soaked our bodies in the heated herbal baths, as well as the mineral baths. The temps were up to 102 and felt great.  There were lots of people there, old and young enjoying many different pools and temperatures.  There was a milk bath, that was good for your skin, and cold baths, or even very cold baths - we did not bother with the cold ones, but Mike did!  It was very relaxing and we felt great when we left.  Back to the hotel for a glass of wine in the Australian Wine Bar - go figure! 

Tomorrow Dave and Mike and I are off to the Wu Yi mountains for 2 days. It is a 4 hour drive from here into the countryside.  Sounds beautiful!

Deb