|
Post by chansomvia on Sept 4, 2014 6:02:36 GMT -5
I am attaching a picture of Henry's nephew who was a tremendous help when I went looking for my village. I understand he is moving to Hong Kong but I am sure Henry can put anyone in touch with him. Joe
|
|
|
Post by Doug 周 on Sept 4, 2014 11:03:00 GMT -5
That is nice to have a face of the person who so instrumental in my genealogy research.
|
|
|
Post by Henry on Sept 4, 2014 23:14:08 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
My nephew recently informed me that his move to Hong Kong has been delayed for possibly a year or two.
So he will still be living in Taishan and able to assist Forum members in their Chinese genealogy research.
Regards,
Henry
|
|
|
Post by douglaslam on Sept 5, 2014 7:23:38 GMT -5
Henry, I think there is a qualifying period of three years to enter Hong Kong if one partner is there already. I first met Shi Cheng in 2010. We had lunch together, and I rode on the back of his motorcycle for a brief tour of Taicheng. 2012 was more memorable because without Shi Cheng, his friend and their local knowledge and Toishanwa, I would have hit the proverbial brick wall in locating Fay Chee's ancestral home. I haven't got tired of going back to China yet, I am likely to go back in mid-October. If I could team up with my wife's cousin from Hong Kong, and his friend in Hoiping, I'd make another visit to Hoiping. I want to visit Duanfen 端芬, among other attractions. We have some serious eating and sightseeing to do. I'll certainly call on Shi Cheng again. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuanfenDouglas
|
|
|
Post by chansomvia on Sept 5, 2014 22:25:35 GMT -5
Douglaslam
Thank you for letting us know that, even as an experienced traveler to Taisan, you have met and found Shi Cheng helpful. I found him to be resourceful, humble and a gentleman.
Joe
|
|
|
Post by douglaslam on Sept 7, 2014 0:06:51 GMT -5
Joe, I have made a few trips to Sze Yup in recent years, but that does not make me an experienced traveller in that nick of the woods. I like getting back there often. Last year I made a day trip to Xinhui 新會 to see 梁啟超 Liang Qichao's memorial and ancestral home.
Yes, Shi Cheng has not a mean bone in him. If you can't adjust to the prevailing culture;it is hard to get ahead given China's corrupt practices. I know a few individuals just like Shi Cheng.
Douglas
|
|
|
Post by chansomvia on Sept 7, 2014 4:16:11 GMT -5
Hi Douglas I too used Xinhui as a base to go around and to go to Haiyen. Had the use of a distant relative company van and driver which took us around for a week. Quite embarrassing as driver instructed strictly not to accept red packet, the boss in fact gave him cash to pay for our lunches and refused to accept any reimbursement. The driver did not like the tea served at lunch and went back to his car to bring his own for us to have it brewed. He played host to us as you can see from the picture, prices of dishes are on the board at the back. There are many flashbacks at what we perceived and what we actually experienced e.g crossing the main street in Xinhui is like playing Russian roulette; free internet at most places; Siyap and Cantonese widely spoken; absolutely stunned by the bullet train speed and frequency of travel to Guangzhou and Zhuhai; punctuality and comfort of the Shenzen to Quangzhou train; the cartel of taxis ripping off passengers at the Xinhui bus stop. And food, food, and more food. Both home-cooked and from restaurants. I can understand the pull to go back, the attraction of experiencing the unexpected, the genuine delight of finding long lost relatives, seeing the hovels where they stayed, and the change in living conditions over the years.
|
|
|
Post by douglaslam on Sept 7, 2014 7:59:12 GMT -5
Joe, we both came back from China with positive feedback. I guess if you stick to the tourist things, don't talk about sensitive political issues, stay out of trouble, a good time is guaranteed. I enjoy my village brothers' companionship very much, and my welcome in the village is genuine. In recent years only laohuaqiao from this Forum returns to China as often as I do.
I figure it would cost me no more if I chose to go to the USA, Sth. America or Europe. There is still much in Asia I want to see. I keep on putting off a visit to New Zealand. Hope to catch up with you and Helen over there before too long.
Douglas
|
|