For those who do not know, the Chinese word for mountain is Shan. Consequently, there are many, many, many places in China which have the word Shan in them. Some of which are not really mountains but rather very large hills. However, some of the most famous Shans are the ones which play an important role in Chinese religions such as Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Somewhat unintentionally me and Katy have scaled quite a few of these ‘holy’ mountains. One of the most unique holy mountains, in this case a Buddhist one, is Putoushan. Putoushan is both a mountain and an island. As if someone had just dropped a Chinese mountain off the coast of China, Putoushan is a tiny place. About 5 kms long and 2-3 kms wide, it is one of the smaller inhabited islands of what is called the Zhoushan archipelago. Basically a few dozen islands off the coast of Ningbo (A large city near Hangzhou).
Shortly after getting back from Beijing rules were passed to restrict travel outside of Zhejiang. That is to say, to leave the province you needed to get a covid test done, and not an at home test like you can in the UK, but rather scheduling an appointment with a doctor and getting tested. The test needs to be done within 48 hours of travel so a bit annoying. Annoying enough for me to try and focus on just travelling somewhere interesting within my province which I had put off doing for a while.
You cannot really take a train to Putoushan, largely because it is an island. There are a series of bridges spanning the archipelago almost like a freeway elevated above the ocean. I elected to take a long distance bus to the island from Hangzhou Eastern Rail station, the total journey took about three hours. Long distance buses in China are variably about the same if not cheaper than taking a train and can be quite comfy. Each chair looks more like a recliner than a traditional bus seat. Biggest problem however is the invariably broken toilets onboard. Putoushan itself doesn’t allow any private vehicles on the island, so to make the final leap one has to take a passenger ferry across the bay.
The biggest attraction Putoushan has to offer is also the largest, a massive bronze sculpture of Guan Yin. Guan Yin is the Boddhisatva (Like a saint/deity) of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism (Chinese Buddhism really). She’s often thus erected facing the ocean as she is said to provide protection for sailors. The island is associated with her because it is supposedly her birth place. Though they can’t seem to decide which cave it was she was born in.
The island has over a hundred temples/shrines dedicated to Guan Yin and you do not need to try very hard to find them as the island is littered with temples and electric busses linking them altogether. Accommodation on the island is a bit limited ranging from a few luxury resorts to home stays and guest houses. I elected to stay at such a guest house.
It was nice however staying in a community block as there were plenty of small Chinese restaurants serving the locals.
Far as I could tell there were no other foreigners on the island that weekend, which may have explained the amount of stares I received being a bit larger than usual. I do wish I had gone during a warmer month however, the beach looked picturesque!
I walked to the top of the island and to the highest peak, and cheated slightly by taking a cable car back down to one of the largest temple complexes on the Island. If there was any big detractor/disappointment it would have to be how relatively new everything felt. Many of these temples are technically centuries old, but most like many things in China have just sprung up or been heavily rebuilt since the 1990s. There is also something of a sense of sameness to some aspects of the island. Anywho, shortened post this time. Find attached a few more photos I took while spending the weekend in Putuoshan.
Let me take his temperature after being reluctant day before
Chose his own PJs and happily put them on with help
Wanted to wear my hat instead of his
January 18th
Hector
After I did A and B on alphabet puzzle he immediately found C and put it in. He wanted to finish it and put his hand on mine each time I picked up a piece.
Looked up at me and made a sound after sitting on bench on walk home
Allowed himself to be weighed and measured at school
January 19th
Hector
Sat and looked at book while checking books out at library
Lots of laughs, giggle and eye contact
Lots of time looking at car pages in books
Listened when I said stop while walking to library
Chose which trousers he wanted and happily put them on with help
Reluctant to go out front until I said cake
Stayed in his room after stories for third night in a row
Did not lose focus when reading a longer story, even when he had to wait for me to turn the page
Picked up a ball
January 20th
Hector
Showed interest in rolling and separating play dough
Listened when I said stop when out
Appeared to match two wellies in his matching game
After I modeled threw cars into a tin, making it easier for himself by adjusting his height
January 21st
Chose what he wanted to wear and let me help him get dressed
Cooperated at an optometry appointment including looking at pictures
Appeared to say Mum then looked back and took my hand
Vocalised in response to tablet
Put numbers 1 to 6 into order on caterpillar
January 22nd
Max
Hit a button on his cube
Hector
Said duh when I wouldnt respond to him putting his cup on counter for a drink
Touched screen without hand over hand when doing number app
Showed interest in putting together all vehicle puzzles
After modeling, tidied all cars into the box
Passed blocks to me to make a tower
January 24th
Hector
Said ‘eyes’ while singing Heads, shoulders etc
Tried to make ‘help’ sign
Said d when doing alphabet puzzle and correctly placed about half of letters. C was missing and used another letter the same colour instead.
Watched a whole episode of Rainbow Rangers, a show with no vehicles and limited music
Picked up Max’s bottle and put it in his (Max’s) mouth
Stayed in bed after a long story (Snow White) and appeared to listen during
Consistently gave his cup to ask for a drink
Painted at school
Happily went to drop Max off first after being resistant first day
Used abacus to make a tower to put cars on
Said at least 50% of numbers for Frog number cards
January 12th
Hector
Listened to Room on the Broom only doing a circuit of room max 3 times
Appeared to understand sign for food
Lots of giggles while chasing me round room and riding on my shoulders
January 13th
Max
Chatty at nursery
Hector
Happy to see Granny and Grandad when they got home giving good eye contact and hugs
Waited well for start of school
Started to build a tower with soft blocks then let me take turns with him to finish
Sat and read a picture book for at least 5 minutes in library
January 14th
Hector
Happily gave me his car at drop off
When I showed him a banana said oh possibly for an orange
Complimented by stranger for helping to walk Max home
Looked at me several times on walk home
January 15th
Hector
Consistently put numbers 1 to 4 into order on caterpillar
Balanced the frogs on scales listening to me to help him
Showed interest in wooden vehicle puzzles
Focused for whole book (with me not letting him turn early)
Max
Rolled from back to side
Leaned forward on arms while sitting
January 16th
Hector
Waited for me to push cars to him
Spent 30 mins in dining room happily looking at books and colouring but was more interested in a blank sheet than a picture. Let me help him write a letter A.
Used spoon more consistently and had improved grip.
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The Hopkins of Hangzhou 