This is the first post in a mini-series here on the blog from our Summer vacation where we headed over to China for two weeks in July during a little break in the wedding season (and Summer break for Betty’s university). Feel free to skip these blog posts if you want to see the regular wedding content, but if you’re interested in some photos of China read on! These were also all shot on the Sony A7ii with the 16-35mm f/4 OSS and 55mm f/1.8 Zeiss lenses. So, a little info there for camera geeks, I didn’t bring my normal Canon 5D Mark III but took our newer small mirrorless camera which I loved!
We started the trip flying out from JFK on Delta (my favorite airline!) here in New York with a flight to Shanghai, stopping over at Narita airport in Tokyo, Japan for a connection.
Miles handed the trip surprisingly well, sitting in his seat playing some games on his iPad and watching the Penguins movie and Big Hero 6.
After spending a night in Shanghai, we took a connecting flight to Xiamen, our first destination. In the photo above we are hanging out at a Starbucks at Shanghai Pudong airport getting overpriced coffee. Below is a quick shot from the window of our China Eastern flight from Shanghai to Xiamen, the rest of the flight was nothing special just another airline.
Landing in Xiamen airport they had some New Years displays still up that Miles posed with.
Meeting up with Betty’s friends for dinner on the beach in Xiamen.
Miles making new friends and refusing to pose nicely of course.
Day 2 in Xiamen we grabbed breakfast downstairs with some traditional “street food” breakfast of Xiao Long Bao and eggs at a small stall on the street.
The street in Betty’s Mom’s neighborhood.
Grabbing a taxi we headed over to Gulang Island, a popular tourist destination and popular with locals as well.
Ferry ride to the island.
It had been raining in the morning and we were still getting some sprinkles when we first arrived on Gulangyu.
Also, Gulangyu is a popular spot to take wedding photos, with brides and teams of photographers all over the same spots. Very interesting to see everyone getting the exact same photo for their wedding portrait.
Yes, selfie sticks are everywhere in China as well!
Climbing to the top of the mountain to get a better view of the island, suuuuuper crowded in the top lookout area as seen below.
Not on Gulangyu, these photos are from a popular shopping street near the beach.
And that’s about it for Day 1 and 2 of our time in Xiamen. Well I think technically these are day 1, 2, and 3? With the flights and time changes I’m not 100% sure what day it was half the time we were in China! More photos from China to come at some point!
