I got lost some time ago and I stumbled upon a paradise where I was warmly received. There, I met Gab, the son of the couple who made me feel safe that afternoon. Gab drove me home and I felt as though I have known him for a long time already, that when he invited me to an adventure, I didn't say no.
My mind was nagging me saying I said yes so soon, but what can I do? I can't refuse when he teased me saying it's a beautiful place and he was sure I'd be delighted to see it. So let's just say my curiosity got the best of me so I agreed.
And so our adventure began at the gate of a place called Lianhuashan where I was amused as I watched Gab try his charms and tease the guards by the gate to let us in even without tickets.
The guards didn't budge an inch and there was no trace of any emotion whatsoever on their facial expressions. But Gab was persistent, he even taunted them and made some funny faces just to make them laugh.
"I know for sure you wouldn't want to embarrass me in front of my girlfriend so you would let us in, right?" Gab teased the other one even more. After a few moments, the guards let out a quick laugh and motioned us to go inside.
The first thing we saw was this place surrounded by cypress trees. "I wonder if these cannons were real remains of war ages ago?" my thoughts quietly asked like someone's going to hear and answer it. "I guess so," it said answering its own question.
After admiring the pieces and the view, we went further toward a building which was said to have some interesting sights. We noticed different flags around and more trees, cypress, and shrubs too.
Going inside one of the rooms, we met a young emperor who seemed to be really busy with things. He was stamping on some documents and we didn't wish to bother him so we just took a snap of his face and quietly left.
Moving on to the next space, we saw this couple who seemed to be having a serious conversation over tea. We wanted to take a look around but our manners said we had to give them some privacy, hence we left them too.
Going to the next, we found these weapons of different shapes and sizes. I suddenly felt scared for some reason and got goosebumps all over so after taking a photo of Gab with the spears and stuff, I motioned we have to leave. I was just glad he was receptive and understood what I was trying to say. He even held my hand as we left the room.
We then walked around and farther, Gab still holding my hand. We found our way to another gate and where we had sight of a Pagoda.
Coming through the gate, we were welcomed by this tree which we believed to be very old. I was really impressed! "This place must be many decades already," I stated.
"Yes, centuries ago. It was built in the 16th century during the Qing Dynasty." Gab confirmed confidently. "It seems you know its history?" I asked as we continued to walk.
"I have been here quite a few times already and yes, I've read the history of how this place," Gab explained. "It seems this place made an impression to him that he kept coming," I muttered silently.
The view of the pagoda from the distance was really breathtaking with those little fountains, perfectly-trimmed shrubs, and trees too.
I became so silent as we got closer. There was a mini water wheel too! It was just so mesmerizing and as if we got there at a perfect time because there were no other people but us.
We went around it like we were trying to find where we would fit in. Gab was with no words too but he squeezed my hand quite a few times like he was listening to my thoughts and was in agreement with them.
We decided to spend more time near the fountains admiring everything around us. We had a chitchat about many other things like best friends who haven't seen each other for so long and only had that time to catch up.
Before we left the place, he promised that was just the beginning and more adventure will come soon.
We went home a little late that day. I had fun and definitely enjoyed the time with Gab and that place. Now, I eagerly look forward to when we'd meet again for another exciting adventure.
This little fiction was written to give life to the photos that the husband and I have captured during one of our travels some years ago.
Thank you, beautiful souls, for your time, and hope you enjoyed this little journey. Have a wonderful new week!
