Day 1
In Shanghai, the September afternoon sun streamed through the window lattices. An ordinary conversation unexpectedly brought us a little closer. Karin mentioned the sea there, saying, "We could find a weekend next month." At the time, I thought it might just be an offhand remark, but as days passed, those words became a quiet hope in my heart. By early October, Karin began checking the weather, as if silently planning the trip. That was when I knew—Karin truly wanted me to see the beauty she held in her eyes.
Without hesitation, I booked a flight to Shenzhen. No matter the weather, I was determined to see the ocean that Karin wanted to share with me.
In the early hours of October 18th, Shenzhen was wrapped in a gentle night. After the plane landed, I settled into a hotel, ready for the journey ahead. We set off at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, though a few small delays pushed our departure from Karin’s home to 9:30. Through the car window, glimpses of the coastline and city scenery drifted by, and my mood shifted with the passing views.
Our first stop was the Shenzhen Observatory. Riding the bus up the mountain, we looked down at the sparkling sea from above, breathing in the moist, salty ocean breeze. We strolled leisurely along the mountain path, taking plenty of photos—everything felt relaxed and effortless.
We then took a speedboat to get a closer view of the sea, feeling the rhythm of the waves against the wind.
While the car was charging, we chose to have lunch at a small roadside restaurant. The prawns were springy and tender, and the steamed fish was wonderfully fresh. Though simple, the meal left a deep impression.
That afternoon, we visited Elephant Trunk Rock. The seawater there was so clear you could see straight to the bottom, and the rocks were fantastically shaped, as if meticulously sculpted by the ocean waves.
As dusk settled, we arrived at the reserved seaside restaurant. We were in the midst of savoring the restaurant’s signature lobster paella and soft-centered Basque cheesecake when fireworks suddenly bloomed above the distant shore. Night, sea, and shimmering light wove together in that moment—as if the ocean breeze had drawn close two souls breathing as one.
On our way back, we attempted to visit Yantian Port, but a wrong turn led us through a series of detours that even brought us near a friend's neighborhood. We ended up inviting the friend to join us, and despite further twists and turns along the way, we eventually abandoned the plan to reach Yantian. Instead, we shared a plate of steaming rice noodle rolls by the roadside—an unplanned detour that turned into a heartwarming memory.
After dropping Karin off in the evening, the first day came to a close, my heart brimming with anticipation for the journey ahead.
Day 2
We set off for Egong Bay in the morning and first stopped to charge the car. While waiting, we decided to have breakfast by the sea. Soon, we found a coffee van. Sitting on simple camping stools, we enjoyed a light meal in the morning breeze. Gazing at the distant horizon where the sea met the sky, breathing in the salty sea air mixed with the aroma of coffee—time seemed to slow down perfectly at that moment.
The midday sun filtered through the clouds, casting a shimmer over Egong Bay where the sea sparkled with the clarity of the sky. We found a seaside spot, ordered mojitos, and let the sea breeze—salty and soft—brush against our faces. Everything was quiet and perfectly at ease.
Sitting there, gazing at the seamless blend of sea and sky, time seemed to slow its pace. Wrapped gently in the embrace of the ocean, the blue-green waters mirrored our smiles—in that simplicity of being together, we found pure contentment.
That afternoon, we waded into the sea together. The water was cooler than expected, our feet sinking into fine sand as waves gently lapped against our skin. In those playful moments, an indescribable sense of ease washed over us, as if even the air had been painted with tranquility.
As the sunset dyed the horizon, our journey drew to a close. Though physically on my way back, my heart lingered—still adrift in those turquoise waves, carried by the salt-tinged breeze.