Quanzhou and Jinjiang 9/24-9/27


 By the time we arrived in Quanzhou it had been a long day. 

The approximate high-speed train route. 

As I was about to find out, we would have several long days before we returned to Shanghai. One of our objectives for this trip was to visit Zongda‘s parents. 

Map showing Quanzhou where we stayed and Where Zongda’s parents are

This was going to happen plus several more outings that were orchestrated by friends and family to introduce us to them, their food and the sights of the region. 

   After arrival on the 24th we visited a temple and toured a mosque, then a group dinner. On the 25th a visit with parents then their lunch with 20 others, a tour of his village then drive to meet friends at a hotel for another group dinner for 10. 
His village upper right with red mark at home
Touring the UNESCO historic Kaiyuan Temple on the 26th with a guide was followed by another group lunch, stop for special dessert, viewing ruins, another temple, mandatory child break (thank God) then dinner and a show at a authentic Chinese home turned restaurant. The 5 hour train back on the 27th was a nice break.
      Rather than do each days details I’ve decided to break it up into three pieces; friends and family, food, and places of interest.
   Somethings were constant such as traveling and planning for children and the heat/humidity. Quanzhou is at the same latitude as the bottom of the Everglades and the heat and humidity were always present. 
   
Family home circled. The white is the newest section and the red is an older section built by his grandfather. Arrow shows school he went to as a child
 I was amazed and overwhelmed at all the things we got to do. Also grateful to Zongda, his friends and family for all they did.

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