Oh yes!! This is it! I've been waiting for this trip since my father allowed me to join our "surname"s Association in Central Luzon. Not ony that...daddyow even paid for my airfare and travelguide fees! Our trip was in Zhousan, China...most specificall in the Putuoroka Mountains. There, we as Chinese-Filipinos, was eager to see and visit the "mecca" of Buddhists, the home of Bodhisattva Guanyin, the famouse Goddess of Mercy in Buddhist religion.
The Gold Statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin
I fist encountered Guanyin or Guanyihmah in our house. My mother and father-side Lola are followers of Buddhism, thus, we had Bodhisattva Guanyin, DeeKhong & KwanKhong's altars in the house. Aside from the new year celebrations, mommyow had us pray, burn incense, paper money, and kowtow to their altars on special Chinese Dates of which I have yet to do some research. However, I knew more about Guanyihmah when my doctor-Brother introduced me to the famous children's novel, Journey to the West by Wu'Cheng'En. This was the story of SunWuKhong, the monkey who had tremendous magical powers that shook and made a rukus in both heaven and earth. This is also the inspiration of Dragonball's Gokhu character. In Journey to the West, Guanyihmah is a famous character. She was the "general" guide and protector of SanZhang the priest, WuKhong and the rest of the gang in their....uhhmm..well...journey....to....the west. The Bodhisattva helped the group so many times in the story. But the most notable one is when she tamed SunWuKhong to be of great help to SanZhang. She created a magic headband that when Wukhong wore it, it gave Sanzhang an ability to cause pain on monkey's head by just reciting a prayer or chant provided by Guanyin.
Selfie before the flight to Shanghai
Our flight was at 3:40am...when we arrived at the Clark International Airport, we were surprised by the fact that our flight was the so called "inaugural flight" of China Eastern Airlines. We were treated with free buffet styled morning merienda with different baked goodies plus a very delicious pasta treat. The event also offered a free photoBooth for our enjoyment.
The travel from air took us around three (3) to reach Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China. From there, the group ate breakfast in a noodle resto. However, as I had a very little Yuan or Renminbi, I skipped that group "event", and settled for my FudgeeBarr snacks on the ride to Zhoushan later. I am very grateful to my "auntie" ChingChing because she lent me the only Yuan pocket money that I have for the whole trip. I told her that I'll pay her when we get back in the Philippines.
For six (6) long hours, we travelled from Pudong to Zhoushan via a coach. It was a ride that accomodated us , all 22-persons. In the Philippines, we simply call this coach.....a Bus. haha! I was so into saving myself from spending, that i brougt with me snacks such as Fudgee Barr, HumpyDumpy and Nachos which saved me from starving in that 6-hour bus ride.
We had lunch in a stopover restaurant. It was not a good one since the seniors in our groups were very dissatisfied with the taste and servings of the food. But given that we were quite starving from the first roughly 2-hour ride, we ate them all down to our stomachs anyway! Another ride commenced after lunch. It took us roughly 4-hours to reach our Hotel in Zhoushan. We had a blast on the buffet dinner offered by our hotel. Filipino plus Chinese is equal to a craving for seafood dishes by which the buffet successfully won the hearts of the many! I am not into seafood on my part...i feasted instead on baked goodies, desserts and coffee!
The venue of the Spectacular Putuoroka Presentation
After dinner, we were off to a Putuoroka Presentation. I though it was just an orientation presentation of our adventure tomorrow, a tips and trick lecture on safety, rules and directives. But Lo and behold.....it was a stage show! It was an evening stage presentation that showcased creative and professional use of lights, sound, shadows and music! A very spectacular and superb highlight of our day! Did i mention that our benches was rotating? Yes it was....it is a feature of the show where the background is not just ordinary props or materials, but the actual terrain of the area is used in the entire "presentation". A very innovative and great use of talent and creativity! On the other hand, Thinking that it was just an orientation, I only wore a shirt and shorts for the event. Wow! It was striking cold but was manageable since I sweat a lot in the Philippines, thus a drop in temperature won't be much of an effect in my body. A great night experience in Zhoushan it was before we came back to the hotel and had a good night sleep.
The Garden with Pond
Lining Up for the Ferry Boat
Next day was....THE DAY! This was the day that we ought to do what we came for in Zhoushan Putuoroka Mountains. We had several interconnecting bus transport in the islands, aside from a ferry-ride from Zhoushan. We stopped over at several Buddhist Shrines althrough-out the islands. From Kowtows, burning incense to saying prayers for our loved ones, the group travelled to many different shrines. In one of the Shrines, I managed to find a Bonsai display. It was when I remembered my plan to bring my mother's image in Putuoroka, and take her to places that I'll be travelling to. My doctor-Brother started this idea, so I also followed suit. Our mama died a year ago, and it was her dream to travel in many different places. But after succumbing to Kidney disease, she wasn't able to continue her plans. Mama is very much like Guanyihma, she was always by our side, and she always make efforts to make us happy!
Mama visits Putuoroka Mountains
Buddhist Shrine happenings
In the afternoon, we also travelled to Luokashan, a kind of twin mountain of PutuoShan. Thus the name, "PutuoLuoka" or Putuoroka Mountans. Luokashan was home to secluded shrine just beside a ravine and the coastline. The shrine boasts of a viewing deck were we may see an old stone carving of Bodhisattva Guanyin. It was another set of kowtows, incense burning and prayers in a lot of shrines. But when we had to go home...a small group of ours took a different path down...all the while, thinking that we're close to the bus area. From that misadventure, our group descended and reached a lone vendor along the path. He was a good calligraphy master that was a proud fortune-teller. He sold souvenirs and trinkets, but his bestselling product is his calligraphy paintings. He tells you of our future/fortune impromptu while writing/painting calligraphy related to his visions. It was not just an awesome display of arts and magic, but very entrepreneurial even!
Jamos and Mamang pulis
Selfie by the Bay
Back in the ferry station, our group was again, sliced in two. Six of us was cut off from the a ferry boat given that the operators are careful not to overload every trip. This had our trip back to the hotel much later that expected. At the hotel, we had an "upgraded" dinner.....and given that we were in a Buddhist pilgrimage, our dinner were all veggies, no meat servings. hahahha! But again...i still had a lot of snacks, ready to satisfy my wants later in the evening.
People walking to reach Bodhisattva Monument
Day three was our last day in China. We had a "vegetarian" breakfast buffet! I was so amazed that donuts and cakes were served...haha! After breakfast, we immediately left for a last round of kowtows and prayers. We walked to the nearest shrine that we visited yesterday, and then rode the bus to a spot where a 30-minute hiking and walking brought us to the one and only gold statue or monument of Bodhisattva Guanyin in PutuoShan. There were actually two (2) routes to reach the monument. We had the backend route. haha! You may reach it via the frontend taking roadside tracks instead of the wider center track. Whichever route you go, the destination is definitely breathtaking...not just because of the breathtaking views of the trees, mountains and the golden statue....but because the hike will also take your breath away in exhaustion. When you plan to follow this adventure, don't forget to stop and drink from the water fountains provided by the park's management. it will surely help.
Golden Statue of Guanyin
Bodhisattva Guanyin Monument
Stalls along the streets
Descending from the monument, find time to eat some chinese street foods and/or buy some pasalubong or souvenirs that you may bring home. Several stores are lined-up along the streets leading you to the bus stations. I was so engrossed with selfie that day, being early down the trail from the monument. But to the dismay of my groupmates, I was the "last one" to complete the "heads" before we rode the bus and went back to the hotel for our departure. It was another 6-hour bus ride to Shanghai! We had lunch at a stopover. We were given an "allowance", 60 yuan to be exact, to go get ourselves some food for lunch. it was a "choose your own adventure" lunch for me! I got a fried egg with giniling, rice and a bowl of strange "bola-bolas". My mama cooks way better food than what I had. hiihihi! And you guessed it right, i still have some stash of snacks that i ate until we reached ShangHai. haha!
Selfie
Selfie fruit stall
When we arrived in Shanghai, we went straight to a hotel, not to check-in, but to have our buffet dinner! yehey! But before that, we strolled along the streets of Shanghai, looking for things to shop...but time flies so fast that upon arriving at the mall areas, we had to go back already! A friend stopped by to buy some fruits to take back home. While, I on ther hand, took another set of selfies for FREE!
Wagas daw po!
Last selfie
After a sumptous dinner, we took one last bus ride to Pudong International Airport. It was 11pm in the evening. On flight, i had a nice conversation with a friend. He is young enough to have so many dreams. I do hope he finds and chooses the right path for his future. But like many plans, it is not final. External forces and internal decisions gives us so many options in life. Sometimes, it is true that we should not act like mountains standing firm, staying in a position that is risk-free. Instead, we should act like rivers. Rivers that flow, and is not fixed. This way, we learn new things, we adapt new things, we appreciate new things and we become "new" everytime we acquire new knowledge and understanding. In Life, change is inevitable. We must carry on. This Adventure did not only have me enjoying nature, chinese arts and culture, but this Zhoushan experience gave me time to reflect on life, appreciate my blessings and understand people and their beliefs. If you had the chance to visit Putuoroka like i did...what was the best thing about your trip?
Here's a video presentation of my exploration, my adventure in Zhoushan China.
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