My Trips to Putuoshan, china -Day 10 on 10/5/2012

Woke up at 6.00 a.m. and went to the Laiyue Yacht Dock to take the morning view. Walking along the Wai Ma Road, enjoying a morning sunrise view before going back to the hotel to start our journey to Putuoshan.

Went to the coach station and took the bus to Shenjiamen the fare cost $50.00 rem. It took about 2 hours, and took a taxi which cost $20.00 rem to the harbour.  The ferry fare to Putuoshan is $25.00 rem and its took 15 to 20 minutes to reach there.

Once we reached the island, Lian Heng contact one of the tourist guide which cost $300.00 rem per day and for half a day was $150.00 rem as we reached there around 2.00 p.m. Trying to get a hotel room was a nightmare. A 2-stars hotel room cost $580.00 rem on Friday and the price go up for Saturday which is $980.00 rem. We are forced to take 3 rooms for 2 nights if not they are not letting out. Most of the hotel rooms are fully booked as we did not book in advance or contact the tourist guide to do the booking on our behalf.

 This photo was so cute - men caught in actions, one man was praying and yet in front of him another man had his 2 hands inside his trouser.

Putuoshan is a holy place where the believers of Buddhism come here to pay their respect.  The island have became a tourists attraction place which thousands of tourists flocking around.  The main living in this island depend on the tourisms and the biggest problems are the tourists from the China which I am sorry to say that they don't understand the meaning of queuing.

We had been push around by the China citizens, they simply just cut queue even we are queuing in a row. No doubt, this place have change dramatically since 23 years ago but the characters from most of citizens still had not progress and is the same as 23 years ago. After been pushing around by those China citizens, our tempers were getting hotter and hotter. The tour guide tell us to bear it or follow their example.

Waited for two and half hours and finally got the hotel rooms and left our suitcases at the hotel. The tourist guide took us to visit the 2 largest temples in this island first so that we can do our prayers as they close at 5.00 p.m.  Also all the temples are situated at the top of the hills and we have to walk a few  km uphills before we reached the temple. The 2 largest temple is Southern Heaven Gate and Kwan-yin of the South Seas and Puji Temple.

 This monk was busy playing on his mobile phone while in the same hall with all monks are chanting. We were not allow to go in to pray when the monks are gathered at the main hall of the temple chanting and praying. It was supposed to be a holy island where thousands of believers come to pay their respect to the Goddess and it was sick to see this attitude of monks acting so disrespect to their elders. When I ask the tour guide what was happening to all these monks, it seek to change since I had visit this place.  Been told that nowaday the monks are being pay thousands to train as a monk per month and they are all university graduates.

While waiting for my relatives and friends finished their prayers. I was curious why there was a crowds  surrounding a fence tree so went and had a good look. Oh! it was a squirrel busy eating the foods provided by the tourists and there was a rat been passing through and the crowds were busy to see whether the squirrel will snap and catch it. Yea! the squirrel had caught his meal and hate to say this, but the crowds were roaring happily to see this squirrel in action.

Took our dinner at villages shop where they offered seafood dishes. The fish cost 4 times more expensive than in our country. They don't have chicken as that cost about ten times more expensive.  The dinner cost about $480.00 rem.

After we finished our dinner, we took a long walk from the harbour back to  our hotel which took about 45 minutes walk.  Reached our hotel and watch our chinese dramas again. Then my nephew, Raj went out to get some skewers of BBQ chickens, squids and vegetables for us. We enjoyed the food and drinking.

Times to rest now as I am totally knackered and have to wake up early tomorrow for my walk.
Oh! for our this 2 days, each of us spend $900.00 rem.

I totally do not recommend this place to anyone as it cost hell of lot of monies to stay and food are also expensive in here.  If you are a budget travellers please avoid this island at all cost. As a national park this one charges for every entrance and every temples entrance there is a charge before you can go in. Also the crowds, there are thousands of crowds around here everyday.

Place: Putuoshan, china
Photo: By Robert and Cat Tan
Date: 10/5/2012