Diane Snider Photos

The name XIAMEN was well chosen as it means "Gate to China" which indeed it has been ever since its early origination about 1376. Made up of several islands yet in modern times connected by bridge to mainland China, it has had an active history, including various wars, through many Chinese Dynasties and even into the 20th Century.

Basket boats - or round boats - not only carry fish and huge piles of fish nets but also day-to-day supplies such as wood, vegetables, fruits, other market items, tools, and even the family. Being not only round but also flat bottomed, these boats are quite stable and safe.

The back end of a lower deck on the cruise ship proved to be a perfect spot for photographing the very near small fishing camp used by the basket boat fishermen. Convenient to their village up on the hillside, the camp area provided plenty of rock space on which to dry their very large nets.