Silver Bay Message in a Bottle Part Two – Updates
If you’ve been following this story previously, you might be aware just how far we’ve got with our research of the message in a bottle.
From finding out more behind the story of how Silver Bay residents, the Harringtons discovered the message in a bottle. Featuring on the BBC website as well as numerous front pages in the China Press – to say the story has gotten quite big is a huge understatement!
So what have we found out?
Take a look below to discover all the latest update and interviews.
Silver Bay Message in a Bottle
Since posting our story, the amount of email response we’ve had has been impressive.
We’ve been contacted by everyone from Xiamen University students through to a journalist at the BBC – and they all want to know the same thing; Where did this message come from?
Although we’re no closer to learning the truth, we’ve discovered more about the origins of the bottle and also more about Gulangyu Island, which is referenced to in the post itself.
We recently received an email from a lady who is originally from Xiamen but is currently living in the UK. Needless to say, she felt compelled to write after the reading the story and informed us of a few key things.
She told us that Gulangyu Island itself doesn’t have any cars on it. In fact, all they have is one fire engine!
She also told us that you can walk around the entirety of the island in 3-4 hours, and that 90% of homes have pianos in them.
On top of this, Ellen claimed it’s a top date place for young people to visit, as it is very beautiful and romantic.
As well as all providing all this amazing information, she also volunteered a possible background story, which we are inclined to believe ourselves.
Ellen believes the message tells a story of two students choosing between following their love for one another and following their dreams. She also suggested it could be pressure from their family to follow their careers.
As they seem to be saying goodbye, we can only assume their dreams and career aspirations won over their love, if this is the case.
Press in China
Since learning of the article, the press in China has been great at uncovering information for us. They discovered that the bottle which the letter arrived in is actually a traditional Chinese plum juice, which can only be bought at restaurants on the island, and they also had some questions to put to Nancy that you can see below:
1. Did you imagine getting a response from China?
2. Did you know Xiamen or Gulangyu islet before this?
3. Are you interested in Chinese culture?
4. What do you think about the contents of the message?
5. Could you introduce yourselves? People in Xiamen are curious about you.
6. You are famous in Xiamen now, if the government of Gulangyu islet invited you to visit Xiamen and Gulangyu islet, would you like to come?
Nancy was more than happy to respond, and had the following to say:
“We are delighted to hear that this discovery has sparked a response in China, we’d love to know more about the area.
We previously knew nothing about this area, and we’d love to know what it’s like, does the University still exist? How long ago could this letter have been written? Who wrote it? I wonder whether we could find out any more regarding also the age of students there, the subjects studied, the surroundings? Are there any signs that you can see regarding the date? I am also very curious to find out how on earth the bottle managed to travel so far? It’s incredible! It’s also such a kind and compassionate letter, which I’m sure could be the basis of many a life’s lesson…
I’m a Speech and Language Therapist, I co-ordinate the team in a Cheshire Hospital working with adults with speech, language and swallowing disorders. I am married to Bren. He is a Consultant and advisor, working in the food industry. Jack is our son, he is eleven years old, in the top year at Cherry Tree Primary School, Lymm, which is twinned with the Aerospace Academy School in Xi’an. He took the message and the bottle into school to show his teachers and classmates. He is very interested in history and science and loves being in the outdoors, climbing trees and exploring. We all love the beach, and spending family time there. We often walk our dog, Barney, on the beach
We would absolutely love to visit Gulangyu islet and meet with the people of Xiamen. We would be very interested in trying to find out more about the origins of this wonderful discovery, and would welcome any opportunity to collaborate with you to discover more.”
As you can see, the mystery message in a bottle is certainly an intriguing story that’s captured the interest of a lot of people. We really do hope to find who wrote it, but even if we don’t, we certainly have a story on our hands that we’re sure will influence our wildest daydreams for a long time to come.
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