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10 years ago, I stopped in Xiamen on a lay-over and met a French guy who told me how much he loved it there.
I was looking for a place to stay on my way to Kaohsiung, so I decided to give Xiamen a try.
I was looking for a place to stay on my way to Kaohsiung, so I decided to give Xiamen a try.
Zhongshan walking street
I was expecting this area to be touristy but I was pleasantly surprised.
The vibe was chill, the buildings full of charm and overall, a nice change from the usual Chinese shopping streets.
The vibe was chill, the buildings full of charm and overall, a nice change from the usual Chinese shopping streets.
Xiao long bao place
I keep running into places I love on the first night of my trips !
A simple place, clean, spacious, with relaxing music and a lovely hardworking duo.
A simple place, clean, spacious, with relaxing music and a lovely hardworking duo.
Happy Meal
The next day, another small shop run by a lovely couple.
The first 2 days sold me on Xiamen.
I came back 3 times to this place and 3 times to the other one.
The first 2 days sold me on Xiamen.
I came back 3 times to this place and 3 times to the other one.
Xiamen parks
China has some of the most beautiful city parks I have seen.
They are large, well laid-out, well maintained, widely used, and still feel peaceful.
They are large, well laid-out, well maintained, widely used, and still feel peaceful.
Muslim dancing
One of the things you see in the parks.
Xiamen library
Things just keep getting better.
I loved this library. Modern, bright, spacious, and despite the hundreds of people using it every day, super quiet.
The staff was lovely too. Seeing how I could say "hello" in Chinese, and probably curious about a foreigner using the library so much, the entrance guards kept trying to make conversation with me in Chinese every time.
I loved this library. Modern, bright, spacious, and despite the hundreds of people using it every day, super quiet.
The staff was lovely too. Seeing how I could say "hello" in Chinese, and probably curious about a foreigner using the library so much, the entrance guards kept trying to make conversation with me in Chinese every time.
Laptop repair
My laptop was having a screen backlight issue and it was getting worse. So I decide to try my luck in a ASUS store.
They say it can be fixed in 30 minutes. The store was located in one of those iconic tech markets where you can find hundreds of small repair shops and spare part vendors. Having my laptop repaired by a chinese geek in one of those, absolutely !
The repair guy replaces my screen in front of me. 20 minutes later, for a fraction of the cost I would have paid in Belgium, I have a new screen !
They say it can be fixed in 30 minutes. The store was located in one of those iconic tech markets where you can find hundreds of small repair shops and spare part vendors. Having my laptop repaired by a chinese geek in one of those, absolutely !
The repair guy replaces my screen in front of me. 20 minutes later, for a fraction of the cost I would have paid in Belgium, I have a new screen !
Xiamen coast
I changed hotel a few times to discover different parts of town.
This area was outside of the city center, in a beachfront neighborhood, mainly for local tourism and family days at the beach on weekends.
Another nice surprise.
This area was outside of the city center, in a beachfront neighborhood, mainly for local tourism and family days at the beach on weekends.
Another nice surprise.
Amazing condo
Probably my favourite condo of my recent trips!
Tennis event
I have been in need of a new tennis raquet for years. So I buy a racket and ask the shop owner how I can find people to play with.
2 weeks later, I play in a local team event with some amazing players. Our team won the event and I am now a Chinese regional champion !
2 weeks later, I play in a local team event with some amazing players. Our team won the event and I am now a Chinese regional champion !
The matches were even broadcasted live on social media :D
Personal highlights from one of the matches ...
Personal highlights from one of the matches ...
New favourite pastry
A nice discovery. Light sticky rice cake with raisins ( Nuòmǐ gāo 糯米糕 )
Reminds me of my hometown raisin crepes (bouquettes), with sticky rice instead of flour.
Reminds me of my hometown raisin crepes (bouquettes), with sticky rice instead of flour.
Chinese cafetaria
These restaurants are made for me.
It's great for people like me who have a hard time chosing and want a bit of everything !
It's great for people like me who have a hard time chosing and want a bit of everything !
Every day life
Square dancing
Amazing.
Picking strawberries
While I was out running, I passed by this strawberry farm that lets you pick strawberries.
They were cheap and really good too.
They were cheap and really good too.
Food
Bubble tea heaven
The variety of bubble tea in China is crazy.
