(Photo by Shi Xianghui)
In Xiaotaoyuan community, South Rehe Road, Nanjing, there was an adorable elderly couple recalling their memorable world travels through bits and pieces by opening an album during their rest time.
Yao Zhide, who is 82, and 77-year-old Ji Jingshu retired 20 years ago and then traveled to more than 20 countries. They also recorded their journey along the way, writing over 200,000 words in their travel notes.
Before retirement, Yao Zhide worked for Nanjing Port Group and his wife was a primary school music teacher. Both of them were busy working, and there was no spare money for them to travel abroad. Until 1995, the couple made plans for their retirement - to travel to 20 countries. In order to reserve money for travel expenses, Yao Zhide decided to quit smoking and drinking, and his wife was thrifty in running the household. "We had saved for three years before we saved enough for the first trip."
The first stop for Yao Zhide and Ji Shushi’s world travel was the United States, where they visited their son who worked there. Next, where did they most want to go? Yao Zhide did not hesitate to answer - Russia. This was a desire hidden in his mind for more than 40 years.
In addition to travel, every time they returned, the couple would write down travel notes accompanied by photos and picture instructions. Yao Zhide has always been passionate about writing. Some of his travel notes, which encompass more than 200,000 words, were published in many newspapers and magazines.
"The world is wonderful. We have to go out and have a look," the couple said.
