Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Zhang Yuedong picked out a handkerchief embroidered with Miao patterns for Lin Yifei and said, "This handkerchief is very delicate. You can use it to wipe your sweat and remember our trip to Hainan."

Lin Yifei picked out a Li brocade wallet for Li Xiao and said, "This wallet has ethnic characteristics. It will be very special when you use it to carry money in the future."

They also selected some small items, such as shell wind chimes and coconut wood carvings, to take back as a souvenir of their trip. In the process of buying souvenirs, they not only gained many exquisite items, but also felt the unique local cultural atmosphere, which added a wonderful memory to their trip to Sanya.

After spending a happy and unforgettable time in Sanya, the three embarked on a journey to Haikou. As soon as they arrived in Haikou, they went straight to the Qilou Old Street full of historical charm.

As soon as you step into the old street, you will see the endless arcade buildings. Most of these arcades are two or three stories high, and the architectural style combines the Nanyang style and Lingnan characteristics. The first floor is a shop, and the second floor and above are residences. The arcade corridors extend from the street to the end of the street, providing shade and rain protection for pedestrians. The mottled walls, exquisite carvings, and arched doors and windows seem to be telling stories of the past.

Li Xiao looked up at the buildings and couldn't help but sigh: "Wow, these arcades are so unique. It feels like I have traveled back to the past."

Zhang Yuedong also nodded and praised: "Yes, this kind of architectural style that combines Chinese and Western styles is rare in other places. Look at the carvings, how delicate they are, and every detail is full of the hard work of the craftsmen."

Lin Yifei looked around curiously: "I heard that these arcades were the most prosperous commercial streets in Haikou in the past. I wonder what they sold here in the past."

The three of them admired the architectural features of the arcades while walking, and took out their mobile phones to take pictures from time to time. They walked into a variety of specialty shops, some of which were filled with various retro small items, such as old records, old cameras, retro posters, etc., like a small history museum; some shops sold Hainan's special handicrafts, such as coconut carvings, shell carvings, etc., with exquisite shapes that made people love them.

In a store specializing in vintage clothing, Li Xiao tried on a vintage floral shirt, turned around in front of the mirror, and asked with a smile: "What do you think of me wearing this? Does it look like the overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia back then?"

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei couldn't help laughing when they saw Li Xiao's appearance. Zhang Yuedong teased, "You look a bit like that when you wear it, but you almost wore a pair of sunglasses, otherwise it would look more like that."

Lin Yifei also nodded and said, "Indeed, this shirt suits you very well. Why don't you buy it and keep it as a souvenir."

Li Xiao thought about it and thought it was good, so he bought the vintage floral shirt. They continued to stroll along the old street, feeling the blend of history and modernity, and enjoying this unique charm.

After walking around Qilou Old Street for a while, the three of them were hungry. They asked around and found a time-honored Hainan noodle snack shop. As soon as they walked into the shop, a strong aroma hit their noses, which greatly increased their appetite.

The restaurant was full of diners, all of whom were enjoying their meals. The three of them found a seat and sat down, and ordered three servings of Hainanese rice noodles. Soon, the steaming hot Hainanese rice noodles were served on the table. The white and slender rice noodles were piled with beef jerky, peanuts, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, pickled cabbage, bean sprouts and other ingredients, and then poured with a spoonful of delicious marinade, which made people salivate just by looking at it.

Li Xiao couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks, stir the Hainan rice noodles, and then took a big bite and put it into his mouth. A satisfied expression immediately appeared on his face: "Wow, this Hainan rice noodles tastes great, the rice noodles are smooth and chewy, the ingredients are rich and varied, and the marinade is rich in flavor. It's simply a delicacy!"

Zhang Yuedong also tasted it and nodded in praise: "It is really delicious. The rice noodles have absorbed the aroma of the marinade, and every bite is very tasty. Moreover, the ingredients are matched just right, with sour, sweet, salty and spicy flavors blending together, with rich layers."

While eating, Lin Yifei said: "I think this Hainan rice noodle is different from the rice noodles we usually eat. It has a unique flavor that people will never forget after eating it."

The three of them tasted the delicious Hainan noodles and shared their love for the food. Li Xiao said: "I think the food in each place has its own unique charm, representing the local culture and lifestyle. Just like this Hainan noodles, it is a food business card of Haikou."

Zhang Yuedong agreed: "Yes, by tasting the food, we can better understand a place. The seafood feast I had in Sanya before and the Hainan noodles now are two completely different experiences, but both are unforgettable."

Lin Yifei smiled and said, "Then we must try all kinds of food on this trip to Hainan, so that we can show off to our friends when we go back."

Amidst laughter and joy, they finished their delicious Hainan noodles and continued their journey of exploring Haikou.

After leaving the snack bar, the three of them took a car to the Haikou Crater Geological Park. Along the way, they admired the scenery along the way through the car window, and their mood was particularly comfortable.

When the car arrived at the Crater Geological Park, the three were shocked by the unique geological landscape in front of them. There are many volcanic relics, craters, volcanic rocks, lava tunnels and other landscapes everywhere, like a natural volcano museum.

They climbed up along the winding mountain road and saw all kinds of strange volcanic rocks along the way. These volcanic rocks were in different shapes, some like giant mushrooms, some like eagles spreading their wings and some like winding dragons, which made people marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature.

"Wow, these volcanic rocks are so magical, they are like pieces of art." Li Xiao took pictures continuously as he walked, trying to record all the beautiful scenery.

Zhang Yuedong was also attracted by the scenery in front of him: "Yes, it's hard to imagine that these were formed after a volcanic eruption. The power of nature is so strong."

Lin Yifei asked curiously: "Will these volcanoes still erupt now?"

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, these volcanoes are dormant and won't erupt in the short term. But when they erupted, it must have been spectacular."

The three continued to climb up and finally reached the top of the crater. Standing on the edge of the crater, overlooking the huge crater, they were filled with awe. The crater was hundreds of meters in diameter, with a deep and dark bottom and steep stone walls all around, making people feel the majesty and mystery of nature.

"This crater is too big. It would be terrible if we fell in." Lin Yifei said jokingly. Zhang Yuedong smiled and patted his shoulder: "Don't let your imagination run wild. Let's just stand in a safe place and enjoy the beautiful scenery."

Li Xiao said seriously: "Through this visit to the Crater Geopark, I have learned more about volcanoes. These volcanoes are not only natural landscapes, but also witnesses of the history of the earth."

The three stayed at the crater for a while, feeling the unique atmosphere here, and then went down the mountain along another road. On the way down the mountain, they also visited the lava tunnel, which was dark and damp, and the walls were covered with strange lava textures, as if it was a passage leading to a mysterious world.

After walking out of the lava tunnel, the three were very satisfied with their trip to the crater geological park. They not only appreciated the unique geological landscape, but also learned a lot about volcanoes.

After leaving the Crater Geological Park, the three of them came to a specialty store in the city. The store was filled with a variety of Hainan specialties, the most eye-catching of which were the dazzling array of coconut products, such as coconut candy, coconut cakes, and coconut biscuits.

Li Xiao picked up a bag of coconut candy, opened it and tasted one. A pleasant surprise immediately appeared on his face: "Wow, this coconut candy is so delicious, with a strong coconut aroma, sweet but not greasy. I want to buy a few bags to bring back for my family and friends to try."

Zhang Yuedong also tasted one and nodded, saying, "It's really good. The taste of this coconut candy is very pure. And its packaging is also very unique, very suitable as a gift."

Lin Yifei picked some coconut cakes and coconut biscuits. He said: "These coconut cakes and coconut biscuits also look delicious. I want to try them."

The three picked many coconut products and bought some other specialties, such as pepper, Kuding tea, etc. After paying, they walked out of the specialty store carrying large and small bags.

At this time, Lin Yifei saw a Lao Ba Tea shop not far away, and he suggested: "Let's go have a cup of Lao Ba Tea. I heard that this is a special tea culture in Hainan. Let's go and experience it."

Li Xiao and Zhang Yuedong agreed, so the three of them walked into the Laoba Tea Shop. The shop was full of people, mostly local elderly people, who were drinking tea, eating snacks, and chatting leisurely.

The three of them found a seat and sat down, and ordered a pot of black tea and some special dim sum, such as shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, chicken feet, etc. The waiter quickly brought the tea and dim sum.

Li Xiao picked up the teacup, took a sip of the black tea, and felt the fragrance of the tea spreading in his mouth. He said, "The atmosphere of this dad's tea is really different. It makes people feel very relaxed."

Zhang Yuedong also drank a sip of tea and ate a shrimp dumpling, saying, "Yes, it's really a pleasure to enjoy delicious food and chat in such a leisurely atmosphere."

While eating chicken feet, Lin Yifei said: "I think this Laoba Tea Shop is like a social place, where everyone exchanges the little things in life and shares each other's joys and sorrows."

The three of them drank tea, ate snacks, and chatted about interesting things during the trip. They talked about the happy time at Sanya Yalong Bay Beach, the satisfaction of tasting seafood, the shock of watching the Li and Miao folk performances, the new discoveries in the Qilou Old Street, and the wonderful journey in the Crater Geological Park. The laughter and joy echoed in the Laoba Tea Shop, adding a touch of warmth and happiness to this trip to Haikou.

After enjoying the unique charm of the blend of history and modernity in Haikou, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei headed towards Wanning with great anticipation. Hearing that Wanning has a unique niche style, they can't wait to unveil the mysterious veil of this city.

The car slowly drove into Wanning, and the scenery along the way gradually changed from the hustle and bustle of the bustling city to the tranquil and leisurely rural scenery. On both sides of the road were large tracts of betel nut trees and coconut trees, with slender trunks reaching into the sky and swaying in the breeze. In the fields, green rice waves undulated with the wind, and occasionally a few buffaloes grazing leisurely could be seen, a picture of a vibrant countryside.

"Wow, the feeling of Wanning is different from the places I've been to before. It's so peaceful and natural." Li Xiao looked out the window and couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Yuedong also nodded and agreed: "Yes, it feels like a paradise. I am really looking forward to the next journey."

Lin Yifei said excitedly: "I heard that the beach in Shimei Bay is very beautiful. Let's go and have a look."

Soon, they arrived at Shimei Bay. As soon as they got off the car, the fresh sea breeze blew in their faces, mixed with the light salty smell of seawater and the fragrance of plants. The Shimei Bay in front of them was like a pearl isolated from the world, with white sand as delicate as powder, shining with golden light under the sunshine. The sea water was clear and presented a charming blue, from light blue to dark blue, with distinct layers. In the distance, several emerald green islands dotted the sea surface, as if they were emeralds sprinkled by the sea.

"This is so beautiful! It's simply a paradise on earth!" Li Xiao shouted excitedly and ran towards the beach with his arms open.

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei followed quickly. They found a place on the beach, put down their backpacks, and lay down on the soft beach chairs to enjoy the pleasant sun bath. The warm sunshine sprinkled on their bodies, making people feel extremely comfortable and relaxed. The waves beat the beach rhythmically, making a pleasant sound, as if it was a beautiful piece of music played by nature.

Li Xiao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said with emotion: "I love this place so much. It's far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, without the worries of work. There is only this peaceful sea and warm sunshine. This is what life should be like."

Zhang Yuedong opened his eyes slightly, looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him, and said, "Yes, this kind of niche treasure beach is really rare. There are not too many tourists disturbing us, and we can enjoy this time that belongs to us."

Lin Yifei sat up, picked up a glass of coconut juice, took a sip, and said with a smile: "How happy it would be if I could lie on the beach like this and drink coconut juice every day."

The three chatted while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Occasionally, a few seagulls flew overhead, chirping happily, adding some vitality and energy to this quiet beach. Li Xiao suddenly thought of something, he sat up and said to his friends: "Let's go swim in the sea for a while and feel the clear water."

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei agreed. They put on their swimsuits and ran towards the sea. The cool sea water gently wrapped around their bodies, bringing an unprecedented sense of comfort. They played and frolicked in the sea, sometimes diving into the water to explore the wonderful world under the sea; sometimes surfacing to feel the warmth of the sun. When they were tired, they returned to the beach, lay on the beach chairs to rest for a while, and then continued to plunge into the embrace of the sea. (End of this chapter)