Martin Han, RDF International School

I like the shoreline of Dapeng.

It has been a few years since I have been in Dapeng, and the only thing I have been interested in, is its shoreline.

Dapeng’s shoreline isn’t the best. I have been to Thailand’s Crabbi, a beautiful place, where the beaches and water is so clear you can see your toes when water is up to your chin. There are a few locals however, surfing on the high waves. I would watch them catching wave after wave, and giving a thumb up if they caught a big wave, but it seems to me, that even though I am congratulating them, I am still an outsider, a guest, because I did not have any connection with them.

Dapeng’s shoreline is a familiar place to me. The shoreline of Dapeng gives birth to plenty of fish, mainly small fish, like sardines; there are plenty of sardines in Dapeng. There is a joke about the sardine fish, which says that fishermen in Dapeng eat so many sardines, that soon there will be policemen policing the number of sardines eaten. Although this joke was made to illustrate the fact that fishermen catch too many sardines, it also shows that plenty of sardines could be found.

At times, I would hop in my car and go to the shore to fish a little, experience the cool ocean breeze., I would find a spot and start fishing. The sun slowly rises from the horizon, with rays of light penetrating the blue sea. The subtle difference from time to time is hardly noticeable. I did not look at the rod, but was engaged in calm water. I was fascinated by the beauty of the ocean. No matter how many times I go here, the image of the sea always gets to me.

Dapeng’s shoreline isn’t just about fishing; it is also about the view, the image around it.

Soon, the sun starts to rise, people start to come, photographers take their photos, tourists sunbathe on the beach and kids run around. It’s very lively scene; the people are enjoying their time.

The beach is crowded, but it seems to make joy spread easier. Happiness hops from one to another, as the sunlight strikes the beach lighting it up for the people.

The beach seems brighter than usual.

Dapeng’s shoreline is not about the scene, but about the people, the emotions that spread through us, the joy, and the happiness.

At noon, I would pack up my fishing gear and head home; although there is no fish in the bucket, I still go happily, leaving the crowds. Even though leaving the beach of happiness, I did not feel depressed, because I know I am going somewhere better.

DaPeng’s shoreline was never about the scene, the fishing, the people; it is my home, where I live, where I belong, it is what I am connected to.

I love, the shorelines of DaPeng.