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Post by douglaslam on Jun 2, 2012 7:01:29 GMT -5
It is with a great deal of pleasure and anticipation that Geoff and I welcome Helen and her husband's visit to Sydney. Sydney did not turn on its best weather for early winter. In fact it is a wet old day, but it did not dampen our sense of occasion for it's our first meeting, though, I had met Geoff previously during Henry's visit to our shores in December 2010.
Most of you would know Helen is our most prolific contributor, being the first person to wrack up one thousand postings. It is Helen's first visit to Australia, which is just one short hope across the ditch. She is most generous in presenting Geoff and I a copy of Gwa Leng ( her ancestral town) Wongs in New Zealand. Helen is one of the contributing editors and researchers of this richly illustrated genealogy record.
As host with some local knowledge of my hometown Sydney, I led them to the Zengcheng association club house. The caretaker there was most welcoming. He was happy to unburden himself with the woes that besets the association. Readers will recall my previous post about stacking of membership which gave rise to corrupt office bearers. The club's coffer was plundered to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. There was a protracted legal battle which went all the way to the state supreme court at great costs to all parties. At the end, the good triumphed, the corrupt officials were routed. Some badly needed house-cleaning was done spearheaded by a female president who herself is also hailed from New Zealand.
Geoff was proud to point to us his ancestors whose photos are on display as pioneering members of the association.
Geoff, Helen and her husband, their families all have long history of early settlement in the young countries called Australia and New Zealand. Their roots are firmly planted Down Under but they never forget where their ancestors came from: Zengcheng in the Pearl River Delta.
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Post by geoff on Jun 2, 2012 12:07:11 GMT -5
Doug & I didn't let a little rain (sometimes heavy) stop us from welcoming Helen & her husband to the shores of Sydney. We've had the wettest summer ever so what's a little more rain. First job was drop them off at their hotel, to buy some umbrellas & off to satisfy our appetites with yum cha at one of Sydney's finest chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Then an afternoon's walking tour of Chinatown & nearby Darling harbour, & finishing the day with another chinese meal.
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Post by Ah Gin on Jun 2, 2012 16:54:45 GMT -5
It is heart warming to hear that Geoff and Doug gave Helen and her husband a warm welcome and not let a little bit of rain dampened the visit. I live in the deep southern part of Oz and quite a few miles from Sydney Town, and I would have loved to personally welcome our New Zealand Chinese heritage expert, who so willingly stretch out her hands to help fellow researchers.
Helen: welcome again to Oz. From a development perspective, you probably came to the conclusion that we, the sons and daughters of the Chinese pioneers, have advanced a great deal in this fair land, call Australia.
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by Doug 周 on Jun 2, 2012 21:54:55 GMT -5
Post pictures please
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Post by geoff on Jun 3, 2012 2:24:49 GMT -5
Doug,
Photos....haven't you seen rain before?....I do remember Helen taking a photo of hubby with raindrops falling on his head. You'll have to wait for her to upload that one....maybe.
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 3, 2012 5:49:40 GMT -5
The weather is only marginally better today, and Geoff could not be with us. We did a long walking tour of the sights of Sydney which of course included the famous Opera House. The Opera House is under extensive renovation, it was not the best time at all. It was rather damp to take a walk across the other icon the Harbour Bridge.
We travelled by train to a suburban hub near where I live. We checked out and compared the civic amenities in Auckland, New Zealand, and suburban Sydney. Sydney won.
At lunch time Helen's husband and I decided to order our well-known mud crab, weighing in at 1.3 kg. It was done in spring onions and ginger, so very juicy, succulent and delicious. Crabs are in season and at a good price. Helen is not a fan of crustacean.
Ar dinner, we decided to have another crab, at a different venue. It was deep fried with chilli and salt. It was not nearly as nice as the one we had for lunch. We learned a lesson.
Photos? That would have to wait for Helen's return to NZ at the weekend. My camera's useless because the memory card is missing, my daughter had it.
Tomorrow, I am back to the daily grind, Helen will be with her husband visiting relatives. The good times did not last.
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Post by geoff on Jun 3, 2012 6:16:08 GMT -5
Ginger with eschallots mud crab on a bed of noodles...my 2nd favourite after combination chow mein (ate last night)......so I missed 2 crabs in a day.
This weekend has broken the 23 year record for rain & coolness for early winter. This is definitely not the typical Sydney weather for this time of the year.
We didn't let the weather dampen our enthusiam for sharing our experiences in living in China, New Zealand & Australia with each other.
I last visited China in 1979 so suppose it's about time I paid another visit to fill in some of the gaps in my family history. This time I'll have more information to share with the relatives in Canton city....providing I can find a translator.
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Post by geoff on Jun 3, 2012 16:19:39 GMT -5
Helen,
Just before bed last night I started to read the "Gwa Leng Wongs in New Zealand" book you'd kindly given me.
On page 7, I discovered ......"WONG Yi Po's sons: 1. WONG Nim Baat, born 1131, settled in 1142 in Sha Tou. In 1160, a descendant in the next generation moved to settle in nearby Bak Sek"...
You have presented me with info on the origin of the WONGs from Bak Sek, Mum's paternal side of the family. If that's the case then your husband who is a WONG of Gwa Leng & my mother's grandfather WONG Hong Ching of Bak Sek, have a common ancestor going back to about 1000-1100. Thank you & we must discuss this more when you return home.
The hunt still continues on for info on grandmother NG from a nearby village.
The rain clouds seem to have disappeared this Monday morning, so I hope you get to see more of Sydney without holding an umbrella.
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 4, 2012 5:03:15 GMT -5
Helen and her husband are down-to-earth, easy going people. We hit off well like old friends. They are on their own today, calling on relatives. The weather is much better with the sun shining. Not so for Tuesday with forecasts of gusty winds and rain.
I enjoyed the walk because many of the sights I have not seen for years. I took them for granted. There was simply not enough time to show them more.
Ah Gin, I am sure Helen would love to meet you as a well, just that her whole time is for Sydney only.
Geoff, on Saturday evening, we did not see crabs in the tank, until it was too late when one was brought out from the kitchen. Bad luck you missed out.
We all felt lucky, so we bought a few lottery tickets. I want to see Helen and her husband going home as millionaires. Geoff, If you missed out on the big one, you have yourself to blame.
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Post by geoff on Jun 4, 2012 6:36:13 GMT -5
Douglas,
I have already "won" by discovering more about the WONGs of Bak Sek.....without visiting there.
Helen, I have lent the book to the local ex Kiwi chemist. He immediately recognised some of the names & couldn't wait to read more. It's a pleasure helping to spread your valuable research.
I also told him about this site...so we may have another visitor.
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 8, 2012 8:30:51 GMT -5
Today is Helen's last full day in Sydney. The weather is cool but sunny. Helen and her husband covered a lot of territory in the company of their relatives here. You maybe surprised to know they had a small win at the casino. How about that, coming out on top.
We met again for a send-off dinner in Chinatown ( I don't like the term ). Chinatown was alive with street stalls on Friday evening, huge crowds of people mingled, and the restaurants were doing brisk trade. What a contrast to the 60s when the place was deserted after dark.
Once again, crab was the pick. We had a relaxed long dinner and a lively conversation. This time tomorrow, they'll be back in Auckland, their hometown. We look forward to meeting each other again in NZ or Oz.
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Post by geoff on Jun 8, 2012 16:25:14 GMT -5
Douglas,
Thanks for the invite to Fri night's dinner but I had some weekly reports to do before leaving as Mon is a public holiday here.
Crab again?....how can I be so unlucky...3 times!
It's a sunny Sat morning for Helen's departure from Sydney, quite opposite to her arrival last Sat.
Helen....look forward to hearing of your sightseeing during your week here, after your return to Auckland.
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Post by helen on Jun 9, 2012 10:15:19 GMT -5
Sydney - in the Rain. But it was a warm welcome by the Sydney Crew. Thanks guys.
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Post by helen on Jun 9, 2012 10:18:42 GMT -5
And a quick visit to the local Zengcheng club in Dixon Street. ( Luen Fook Tong) Mr Ng kindly allowed us to have a talk there - out of the rain.
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Post by helen on Jun 9, 2012 23:40:31 GMT -5
Sorry for the large photos. We had an awesome time in Sydney - going as far afield as Newcastle and the Blue Mountains. I really enjoyed seeing all of Geoffs hard work in locatiing his family from all branches of his parents. It's like a jigsaw puzzle - the more he finds, the more threads he has to pull in - amazing Geoff. If only we all had the dedication and patience to fill the gaps. It may be time for another visit to China - and to bring your research all together in a book.
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