High speed on the Jinji Lake

Sunday, 23.09.2018

Our compound outdoor pool has closed again after 3 months of service, which means we have to spend our free time differently. Why is the pool closed again, even though the thermometer still measures around 30 degrees celsius? No idea, permits, costs of many lifeguards and staff (although, we could have reduced them by firing the 50% who always sleep), there were many reasons that justify the end of the swimming season in mid-September every year.

So, Sunday afternoon, really nice weather, not too hot (28 degrees celsius), slightly cloudy, and time to do something? I heard that you can take a tour to one of the two islands on the Jinji Lake from the east side of the lake. Colleague Google maps showed a dashed line from 'Ferris Wheel Park' to the island.

So, after taking a nap, we let the taxi drive us halfway around the lake. We were a bit late to go to the island, but we could drive around it. Ok! 'By speedboat?' Philip asked. I have no idea where he got that vocabulary from, but we just said yes, even though there was a risk that it might be just the gondola. But fortune was on our side and we actually got a somewhat 'faster boat'.

Safety was of course very important here. Everyone received a life jacket, well except for Jule, but we would hold onto her anyway, that's what we were told when we insisted on one for her.

And then we started. The captain maneuvered the boat carefully out of the docking area and then increased the speed. The bow lifted, the stern lowered, and the (other people's) hair waved in the wind. A look at the family: Mom?

Having fun, Philip?

Thumbs up! Jule?

Meeeh! She didn't like it! But we had to go through with it, it only lasted 10 minutes anyway. Philip would have gone again right away if he could.

The afternoon was still young and we took the opportunity to walk north along the promenade to find something to eat in 'Moon Harbour'.

Philip took lots of photos of Chinese people and Jule enjoyed her new ability to walk.