Qingdao in Late 2021: Blue Seas and Skies, Cool Waters, and Seagulls Galore~~~
The weather gets colder, the sea in Qingdao deepens in color, but the accompanying air becomes ever more refreshing. The sea water is cool, seagulls fill the sky—it feels like stepping into an animal world. Up close, I communicate with the seagulls; tossing bread, they catch and eat it in midair. What a fantastic feeling!~~ Bringing my child to see the seagulls is a chance for him to get close to nature. Seeing his happy smile warms this mother's heart. Zhanqiao Pier is crowded with people, some carrying buckets and shovels, water guns, bread, and all sorts of snacks. The pier's railings are sturdy, so no worries about falling. The scenery is perfect, the temperature just right—blue waters and clear skies, refreshing and uplifting.
Second stop: Shilaoren Bathing Beach. Barefoot, I strolled along the chilly sand, gently caressed by fine grains. Snow-white waves laughed and rushed to the shore, then turned into silvery laughter echoing on the horizon. Eagerly, I collected shells and pretty stones. My child walked barefoot by the sea, supported by soft sand, while the white waves playfully charged the beach, their laughter lingering in the air. The sky, as if infected by the waves, was deep blue, reflecting its own shadow. The Old Stone Man sat silently, head bowed, missing his daughter. The sea breeze, carrying a salty taste, blew my hair into disarray. What a beautiful scene—I wished time would stop! As the sun set, the tide rose. The sea wind whipped up a thousand layers of waves, washing shells onto the shore. With our little fishing net and bucket, we picked up shells on the beach. So many shells—red, white, black, purple, and more. Sizes varied: some as big as a spoon, others as small as a soybean. Shapes differed too—most were fan-shaped, some with pointed tips like a unicorn's horn, others coiled like tiny snails. Among the finds were nautilus shells, and Dad found a tiny hermit crab. It was the first time I'd seen one—a tiny body carrying a conch shell. When touched, it hid inside for a while, then, seeing no movement, poked out a big claw, propped up its shell, and tried to scuttle away.
Third stop: the rugged, rocky Mount Lao sits by the sea. From afar, it looks insurmountably high. Taking the cable car to MiTian Cave, I stepped carefully inside, only to find it pitch-black, with the sound of hidden currents rushing by. A chill ran down my spine, making me shiver. Walking further, I found no path—until I shone a flashlight upward to reveal a steep ladder. Climbing up, I saw a suspension bridge; glancing down, a hundred-zhang abyss below. Finally arriving at Tianyuan, I looked down to see the sea and sky merge into one, a spectacular view.
Turning to May Fourth Square, the 'May Wind' sculpture gleams, as if extolling the achievements and glory of the May Fourth Movement, praising the courage and daring of the new youth! The May Wind, like a sacred flame, transmits passion and hope, and the pride and vigor of modern Qingdao!
On the way to the hotel, I admired the scenery through the car window: sunshine bright, flowers blooming in a riot of colors, red roofs and green trees, blue sea and sky. For accommodation, we again chose Blue Sea Hotels—this time, the Blue Sea Yuhua Grand Hotel in Chengyang. I really liked the hotel's decoration and ambiance: it's high-end and elegant. Service is excellent, and every visit, we stay here. The room is clean and tidy, with complimentary perks. There's even a cute robot that delivers meals—it knocks on the door and rings the bell! My child was delighted and found it so novel, so every time we stay, we order takeout O(∩_∩)O haha~ just so the little robot can come knocking. It's a true display of high tech. The breakfast is very good too, with plenty of tasty variety. The room was perfectly satisfactory, and the price is reasonable given the standard. I always give a good review, five stars satisfied haha! We absolutely loved the Paul Frank themed room, and the kid was over the moon. Highly recommend it, and we'll definitely stay here again next time~
