As I climbed the hills, I noticed that many Chinese families climb all the way to the top with the whole clan, including grandma and grandpa. It is an impressivesight tto see old people climbing the rocks. I often read that the retirees in China dominate the parks during the mornings and early sunsets, as they stretch out their muscles practicing Tai Chi.
China does not hold the record for life expectancy but in the last study Macau held the fourth slot.
I was getting very thirsty from the climb and warm weather. December is winter in Xiamen which is very mild compared to north Europe. Xiamen in the winter is between 18C and 26C which is like summer in the Netherlands.
Well I struck luck when I came upon the Tushita building halfway through the climb. They have converted the plane into a shop and tea house. It is really not a place to eat. The vegetarian restaurant on the temple grounds are better suited for hungry visitors.
The list of tea they have was quite long. Everything was in Chinese so I picked the first one on the list, one of the cheapest they have which was going at 50 CNY. For an order you get a big thermos of water. The tea is actually good for 2-4 people, so I am a bit of a disadvantage buying this for only 1 person consumption.
As I wait for one of the men to serve me my tea, I strolled along the edges of the terrace to enjoy the surrounding views. The Tushita building is not very high on the Wulaofeng hills, but from its terrace you can have good views of the area and the buildings.
I guess the man serving me knew that I am a greenhorn when it comes to Chinese tea, so he showed me how to prepare tea and drink it. In the western world, we drink tea rather simply. Either a cup with a tea bag in it or loose leaf with a strainer. In Chinam rather, the Chinese way of drinking tea, they do it differently. It is a process, similar to a ritual.
Making sure to follow his instructions, I first poured water on the loose leaves, let it sit for a quarter of a minute (or depends on the intensity you want), then pour the tea into the little pot strainer and afterwards pour the tea into the tiny cups. Drink, and repeat the process.
I guess I managed to almost drink the whole thermos of hot water. I never had so much fluids in my body, but I needed it as I was on the verge of getting the flu before the trip. Having a lot of fluids is what I needed to combat sickness and dehydration.
This is really a nice surprise. The tea house here at Tushita building is really a good find!
Entrance to the Tushita tea house.
The Tushita building used to be a retreat house. It is now a tea shop and house.
Showing me how to prepare tea here.
You first pour hot water on the loose tea leaves, then pour the tea to the pot strainer, and lastly, pour the tea to the tiny teacups. Drink!
Views from the outdoor terrace of Tushita tea house.
Of course the liter of tea I drank had to go somewhere. This is their public toilet. These kinds of toilets are common in China and in many parts of Asia. No worries, you can even find them in France =)
Travel Period: December 2016
Destination: Xiamen (Fujian), China
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.
