東海(hai)(hai)島(dao)是(shi)一個平坦(tan)而開(kai)闊(kuo)的(de)大(da)海(hai)(hai)島(dao),以(yi)擁有世界第(di)(di)二、中(zhong)國第(di)(di)一長(chang)(chang)沙(sha)灘(tan)而聞名,海(hai)(hai)灣呈新(xin)月形,沙(sha)細且白,海(hai)(hai)灘(tan)全長(chang)(chang)28公里(li),寬100至300米,僅次于澳大(da)利亞的(de)黃金海(hai)(hai)岸,是(shi)廣(guang)東地(di)區海(hai)(hai)濱(bin)度(du)假(jia)的(de)好去處。島(dao)上(shang)海(hai)(hai)沙(sha)粗(cu)細適中(zhong)無(wu)泥,其松軟(ruan)度(du)可與(yu)北戴河、芭提(ti)雅媲美,獨具南國海(hai)(hai)濱(bin)風情和特色的(de)椰林清吧園,是(shi)度(du)假(jia)區的(de)又一景觀。游(you)人在這里(li)乘涼(liang)、觀海(hai)(hai)、品嘗(chang)多(duo)種(zhong)美味小(xiao)食,會令人頓(dun)覺心曠神怡,困(kun)意(yi)全無(wu)。在蔚(yu)為壯觀的(de)海(hai)(hai)灘(tan)上(shang),你(ni)不但可以(yi)享受到輕型航空(kong)飛機、海(hai)(hai)上(shang)摩托艇、空(kong)中(zhong)拉傘(san)、沙(sha)灘(tan)跑車等各式(shi)各樣的(de)游(you)樂項目的(de)樂趣(qu),還可以(yi)與(yu)當地(di)漁民一道齊(qi)齊(qi)拉大(da)網,品嘗(chang)海(hai)(hai)鮮,或(huo)到海(hai)(hai)中(zhong)沖浪(lang),盡(jin)情盡(jin)興,令你(ni)回味無(wu)窮。
是航船進(jin)出(chu)湛(zhan)江港(gang)的(de)咽喉之地,是天然(ran)的(de)“綠標”。其地下有(you)被(bei)遺(yi)棄的(de)軍事工(gong)程,洞(dong)穿(chuan)山(shan)腰,機關巧沒,詭(gui)不(bu)可(ke)(ke)記。現擬(ni)開(kai)發(fa)為多功(gong)能的(de)娛(yu)樂場(chang)所——“地下龍(long)(long)(long)(long)宮”。龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)嶺(ling)海(hai)(hai)拔不(bu)高,相形于(yu)平均自(zi)然(ran)標高約20米的(de)東(dong)(dong)海(hai)(hai)島(dao)有(you)“登龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)嶺(ling)而小東(dong)(dong)海(hai)(hai)”之感。站立(li)山(shan)頂,東(dong)(dong)海(hai)(hai)島(dao)的(de)自(zi)然(ran)風(feng)光盡收眼底。向西注目(mu),田疇干里,翠綠點綴,云(yun)蒸霞蔚,面(mian)東(dong)(dong)遠(yuan)眺,瀚海(hai)(hai)無(wu)涯,一(yi)(yi)(yi)碧萬頃,漁帆點點,片云(yun)天遠(yuan);近看,白(bai)浪(lang)層層,銀沙(sha)如(ru)練;側耳傾聽,林海(hai)(hai)颯颯,濤聲陣陣。龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)玲的(de)得名沒有(you)文(wen)字可(ke)(ke)考,但在民(min)間卻流傳(chuan)(chuan)著(zhu)種種傳(chuan)(chuan)說。一(yi)(yi)(yi)說龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)嶺(ling)原是當地龍(long)(long)(long)(long)家(jia)祖(zu)先選葬的(de)風(feng)水(shui)(shui)寶地,后遭朝廷的(de)破壞而堆土成山(shan)。另一(yi)(yi)(yi)說很(hen)久(jiu)很(hen)久(jiu)以前,王(wang)母娘娘下凡,不(bu)慎遺(yi)失(shi)香(xiang)珠(zhu)一(yi)(yi)(yi)顆在香(xiang)港(gang)。龍(long)(long)(long)(long)王(wang)派遣十條(tiao)小龍(long)(long)(long)(long)看守香(xiang)珠(zhu),其中一(yi)(yi)(yi)條(tiao)白(bai)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)貪(tan)戀東(dong)(dong)海(hai)(hai)島(dao)的(de)美(mei)麗(li)風(feng)光,擅離職守,飛到東(dong)(dong)海(hai)(hai)島(dao)游玩,樂而忘返而定居于(yu)此這些(xie)美(mei)麗(li)的(de)傳(chuan)(chuan)說都(dou)給龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)嶺(ling)增添了幾許神奇的(de)色彩。傳(chuan)(chuan)說寄托(tuo)著(zhu)人(ren)們美(mei)好的(de)愿望,而眼前的(de)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)水(shui)(shui)嶺(ling)確象(xiang)一(yi)(yi)(yi)條(tiao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)頭昂起的(de)巨龍(long)(long)(long)(long)。
全長68公里,是(shi)(shi)近萬(wan)名農(nong)民、戰(zhan)士、工人、學生和(he)機關(guan)干部苦戰(zhan)22個(ge)月建(jian)成的(de),它與南三(san)島共同(tong)構(gou)成湛江港的(de)門戶。自從1958年修建(jian)跨海大堤之后,東海島不再是(shi)(shi)孤島。
俗稱龍(long)海(hai)灘,長28公里,寬150-300米,僅次了澳大(da)利亞的黃(huang)金海(hai)岸,是中國第一(yi)長灘,世界第二長灘。
在(zai)霞山火(huo)車(che)站附近有直達東(dong)海(hai)島的旅(lv)游專線,或坐“霞山→東(dong)南”的車(che)途(tu)徑(jing)東(dong)海(hai)島。
從(cong)湛江市(shi)區出發,驅(qu)車(che)23公里可到(dao)達(da)島如心的東(dong)山鎮,再往東(dong)走(zou)20公里,便到(dao)達(da)“東(dong)海島省(sheng)級(ji)旅游度假區”。
東(dong)海島地(di)處(chu)雷(lei)州半島東(dong)部,位于北緯20°55′-21°55′,東(dong)經(jing)110°11′-110°21′。其東(dong)出太(tai)(tai)平洋(yang),南(nan)(nan)下(xia)東(dong)南(nan)(nan)亞,西倚大西南(nan)(nan),是我國與印度洋(yang)、太(tai)(tai)平洋(yang)沿(yan)岸國家和歐洲海陸(lu)的重要交匯點,是中國大西南(nan)(nan)金三角(jiao)經(jing)濟區的進(jin)出口咽喉(hou)。
傳說在宋恭帝向蒙古人投降被蒙古人擄走之后,為了支撐南宋的半壁江山,文天祥、張世杰等忠臣又擁戴益王趙昰繼位做皇帝。可是(shi),蒙古鐵(tie)騎很快(kuai)又殺了(le)回來(lai)(lai)(lai),正危(wei)難(nan)之(zhi)際,忽然(ran)飛(fei)來(lai)(lai)(lai)一(yi)(yi)只大蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die),聲(sheng)稱要救(jiu)駕。你道(dao)這(zhe)蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die)是(shi)從哪里(li)來(lai)(lai)(lai)的,原來(lai)(lai)(lai)是(shi)從吳(wu)道(dao)子畫的“美女撲(pu)(pu)蝶(die)(die)(die)圖”上(shang)(shang)飛(fei)下來(lai)(lai)(lai)的。吳(wu)道(dao)子人(ren)稱畫圣(sheng),他畫的畫是(shi)很有(you)靈(ling)氣的,只因當年宋徽宗趙(zhao)信也(ye)是(shi)好畫之(zhi)人(ren),他見(jian)這(zhe)只蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die)畫得傳神,心(xin)生(sheng)憐愛(ai)之(zhi)意(yi),便用御筆在撲(pu)(pu)蝶(die)(die)(die)的撲(pu)(pu)字(zi)之(zhi)上(shang)(shang)加上(shang)(shang)了(le)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)小(xiao)小(xiao)的“免(mian)”字(zi),成了(le)“美女免(mian)撲(pu)(pu)蝶(die)(die)(die)”。蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die)銘(ming)感皇(huang)恩,一(yi)(yi)直未(wei)能報答,今見(jian)趙(zhao)家(jia)有(you)難(nan),使現身來(lai)(lai)(lai)救(jiu)駕。趙(zhao)昰(shi)等(deng)人(ren)見(jian)形勢危(wei)急,便顧不了(le)許(xu)多,紛紛爬上(shang)(shang)蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die)的背脊(ji)逃(tao)命。蝴(hu)(hu)蝶(die)(die)(die)振翅一(yi)(yi)飛(fei),沖出重圍,為了(le)逃(tao)離蒙古鐵(tie)騎的追趕(gan),它拼命地飛(fei)呀飛(fei),不知(zhi)(zhi)越過千(qian)山萬水(shui),也(ye)不知(zhi)(zhi)飛(fei)了(le)多長時間(jian)。飛(fei)到(dao)(dao)一(yi)(yi)處海(hai)(hai)(hai)灣(wan),已經筋疲力盡,再也(ye)飛(fei)不動了(le),便一(yi)(yi)頭栽到(dao)(dao)大海(hai)(hai)(hai)里(li),度成一(yi)(yi)個(ge)海(hai)(hai)(hai)島(dao)。再說小(xiao)皇(huang)帝趙(zhao)昰(shi),他睜(zheng)開(kai)眼睛(jing),見(jian)四面是(shi)海(hai)(hai)(hai)水(shui),心(xin)里(li)納悶,不知(zhi)(zhi)是(shi)什(shen)么地方,但心(xin)里(li)又想,剛才(cai)從臨安城(cheng)逃(tao)出來(lai)(lai)(lai);如今見(jian)到(dao)(dao)大海(hai)(hai)(hai),莫不就是(shi)臨安城(cheng)東(dong)面的東(dong)海(hai)(hai)(hai)。于是(shi)便沖日說出:“哈哈,我們逃(tao)到(dao)(dao)東(dong)海(hai)(hai)(hai)島(dao)了(le)。”由于皇(huang)帝開(kai)了(le)金口,從此就將錯就錯,把(ba)這(zhe)里(li)叫(jiao)做(zuo)“東(dong)海(hai)(hai)(hai)島(dao)”。
東海島特產“民安灶(zao)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)”,馳名遐邇,聲譽很高。灶(zao)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)本也(ye)是蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie),它是以捕捉(zhuo)于“灶(zao)”而得(de)名,這(zhe)“灶(zao)”便是人(ren)(ren)為的(de)(de)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)洞。蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)肥了要入灶(zao)“脫殼(ke)”,人(ren)(ren)們在這(zhe)人(ren)(ren)為的(de)(de)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)洞中捕獲它,便稱“灶(zao)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)”。灶(zao)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)也(ye)許是入灶(zao)以后得(de)以“自我完善”的(de)(de)機會,所以跟(gen)別(bie)(bie)的(de)(de)蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)有(you)很大的(de)(de)差別(bie)(bie),它具(ju)有(you)“肥、香、甜、脆(cui)”以及“長命”的(de)(de)特點,蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)肉豐滿,蟹(xie)(xie)(xie)(xie)膏殷紅干實,味道(dao)芳香、甜美可口。
香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua),因(yin)其形狀似蘋果(guo),所(suo)以叫蘋果(guo)香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua),它是(shi)東海島(dao)的(de)(de)(de)特產。東海香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)成(cheng)熟后表皮呈(cheng)白色,光滑(hua)鮮(xian)嫩。透過表皮隱隱可(ke)(ke)見瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)玉內部有(you)(you)一些(xie)青色的(de)(de)(de)“瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)筋(jin)”。鼻子靠近香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)時,可(ke)(ke)聞到(dao)一股芬(fen)芳的(de)(de)(de)水果(guo)香(xiang)味。香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)具有(you)(you)水分多(duo),清(qing)(qing)甜(tian)脆口的(de)(de)(de)特點。在藥用(yong)上,它清(qing)(qing)熱(re)解暑,利尿健脾胃,是(shi)夏日食用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)南國佳果(guo)。香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)的(de)(de)(de)品種(zhong)(zhong)不多(duo),在東海島(dao)基本上是(shi)蘋果(guo)香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)。它的(de)(de)(de)大(da)小因(yin)季節種(zhong)(zhong)植的(de)(de)(de)先(xian)后、種(zhong)(zhong)子的(de)(de)(de)優(you)劣、管理(li)的(de)(de)(de)不同(tong)而有(you)(you)差(cha)異.小的(de)(de)(de)香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)一般是(shi)0.1公斤,最大(da)的(de)(de)(de)香(xiang)瓜(gua)(gua)(gua)可(ke)(ke)達l公斤多(duo)。
是(shi)東(dong)海(hai)島的特有(you)民間(jian)藝術,是(shi)人(ren)(ren)搭人(ren)(ren)構成(cheng)的長(chang)龍(long)(long)(long),被(bei)譽為“東(dong)方一(yi)絕”,1992年“五一(yi)”節(jie)曾應中央電視臺的邀(yao)請上(shang)京演出(chu)。人(ren)(ren)龍(long)(long)(long)舞(wu)(wu)(wu)是(shi)一(yi)項(xiang)大型的民間(jian)娛(yu)樂活動,因(yin)而得以保存(cun)至(zhi)今。東(dong)海(hai)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)(ren)龍(long)(long)(long)舞(wu)(wu)(wu)與內地(di)之(zhi)(zhi)“龍(long)(long)(long)舞(wu)(wu)(wu)”不同,“龍(long)(long)(long)”全(quan)部由人(ren)(ren)組成(cheng),而不是(shi)用物(wu)構成(cheng),因(yin)之(zhi)(zhi)稱“人(ren)(ren)龍(long)(long)(long)”。龍(long)(long)(long)身(shen)巨長(chang),一(yi)般(ban)由五六十人(ren)(ren)組成(cheng),有(you)的達數百人(ren)(ren),氣勢(shi)雄(xiong)偉壯(zhuang)觀。人(ren)(ren)龍(long)(long)(long)舞(wu)(wu)(wu)分“龍(long)(long)(long)頭”、“龍(long)(long)(long)身(shen)”、“龍(long)(long)(long)尾”3個部分,“龍(long)(long)(long)頭”是(shi)最(zui)重要部分,演龍(long)(long)(long)頭者必須身(shen)高力(li)大,基(ji)本(ben)功好,表(biao)演技巧熟練,其身(shen)負3個孩童(tong)(tong),分別飾龍(long)(long)(long)舌、龍(long)(long)(long)眼、龍(long)(long)(long)角。飾龍(long)(long)(long)眼孩童(tong)(tong)兩手各(ge)持一(yi)燈(deng)籠或電筒(tong),閃閃發光。