On the Gulangyu Cruise, I had a dream about the blue sea

This Gulangyu Cruise trip was my first cruise experience, and it became a memory I just can’t let go of. The whole trip was almost a “purely impulsive decision”: a week before departure, I was still hesitating, then suddenly asked friends, found travel companions, took leave, bought travel supplies... From the idea to departure, it only took five days to finalize all arrangements and shore plans. But before leaving, my familiar “travel anxiety” arrived as expected. During those restless days, excitement and anxiety intertwined like two winds in my heart. Sitting at my desk, my mind had already flown far away, imagining possible scenarios over and over: What if I can’t get leave? What if my travel companions don’t get along? What if the weather turns bad? What if I can’t make it back from shore excursions on time? What if I leave something in Japan? ... All these were “worries that hadn’t happened yet but were enough to drive me crazy.” In my extreme restlessness, I could only silently pray on Weibo: “May everything go smoothly.” Finally, carrying this complicated feeling—nervousness, anticipation, and a little unease—I set off. As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by the light rain in Shenzhen, the air humid and sultry, typical of the familiar southern plum rain season. Dragging my large suitcase and carrying a straw bag, I walked under an umbrella on the way to Hong Kong. The wet streets made my anxiety grow heavier. Until I reached the border, the weather suddenly cleared up. I was still holding the umbrella, not to block rain but to shield from the sun. This sudden sunshine seemed like a blessing from above to soothe my tense nerves, and I relaxed, with only a quietly growing sense of anticipation inside. ✨And the journey that followed really went as I wished: I smoothly caught the shuttle bus, passed through customs, boarded the ship, and met up with my travel companions. Although I was the youngest in the group, there was no generation gap at all, as if we were all playmates from the same generation (except for some slight differences in music taste🤣). When I opened the door and saw the unbeatable sea view by the window, I couldn’t help but film a Room Tour, silently thinking: “For the next five days, I’ll be living here. I wonder what stories will unfold?” But I think the sky clearing after the rain on the first day and the unexpected rainbow had already quietly told me the answer. (To be continued, see P18) #VacationMode #TheShipICan’tQuit