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Post by helen on Apr 7, 2009 4:51:26 GMT -5
Thanks Joe - the blog item was what I had been thinking of. I have been looking for some NZ books to take, as well as postcards, and some other Kiwiana things. When we first went back to China in 1980, we spent well over $NZ10,000 - bikes, sewing machines, TVs etc. Those were the days where they didn't have anything. This time, I have my Mother's sisters and brother to visit in Guangchou, as well as my new found cousin's family in the village. From what I gather, all have done well for themselves. The other villages are those where my extended family came from but I do not know of anyone who lives there. I am just going to take photos, and may make connections for future travellers from NZ.
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Post by laohuaqiao on Apr 7, 2009 23:23:38 GMT -5
Helen, With all the great advices already given here, nothing to add other than do/give whatever you are comfortable with and use your judgment on the particular needs of an individual relative.
The main thing I want to say is last week I found a great deal to fly to HK. So I'll be traveling with 2 friends of mine, a husband and wife couple, helping them locate their ancestral village in Siyi, at the end of May and first few weeks of June. We plan to visit Nanxiong Zhujixiang, passing by and spending a few days in Guangzhou. If you happen to be in Guangzhou area at the same time and if time permits, I thought it would be nice to try to get together.
I'll send you my contact information and other details via this board's message, check for messages.
This goes to other members of this board too, if you are in south Guangdong around that time, feel free to send me a message and let's see if we can work something out.
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Post by helen on Apr 11, 2009 3:50:29 GMT -5
Can any one tell me if we have to have any injections before departing for China? I know my children had them 3 years ago.
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Post by Henry on Apr 11, 2009 6:28:46 GMT -5
Helen, Please take a look at the China section on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspxThey identify health risks and provide recommended and required vaccinations. In the US, these vaccinations have become very expensive - some are $75 USD per shot. I usually visit the county health services department for these shots where they are reasonably priced or given for free. Their attitude is that they do not want you to go to a foreign country and return with a contagious diseas that can infect lots of people at home and create a public health problem - a wise policy. Henry
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Post by helen on Apr 11, 2009 16:07:46 GMT -5
Thanks Henry - Very informative - I never gave it a thought before.
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Post by Henry on Apr 11, 2009 20:27:21 GMT -5
Helen, I forgot to mention - please try to get your shots soon - some of the hepatitis shots have a time requirement for when the series has to be completed - there are also combination shots given. Also, I recommend carrying your shot record with you. As I may have mentioned - I carry my own anti-biotics when I travel overseas. Make sure you have an ample supply of your personal medications that you carry with you. Emergency medical services in China are available from SOS International: www.internationalsos.com/en/asiapacificregion_china.htmHenry
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Post by gingee on May 1, 2009 19:23:52 GMT -5
Update on trip to china village
I shall be eternally grateful to my brother-in-law and sister who encouraged my family and me to visit not only our ancestral villages, but also to meet our relatives (an aunt, uncle and cousins).
It was indeed a very heartwarming experience. I can honestly say that having a chance to meet relatives along with my own family was the icing on the cake. I believe that my husband and sons were also very moved and reaped a lot from this trip.
We were fortunate to enter the actual houses where our parents grew up in. The people living in the area were friendly and all were too glad to help. We recognized family members in America from photos on the wall and even saw our own photos that were sent to China years ago. Amazing how time seems to have gone so slowly. Some things are still so primitive. We were accompanied also by my aunt, uncle and cousin who helped tremendously in getting our messages across. My aunt also let me know who's palm needed to be greased.
Thank you all for your suggestions. Henry, your suggestions re: red envelopes were 'right on the money'. We shared a good lunch with our relatives, the guide and the driver too.
Unexpectedly, we paid an obligatory visit to the ancestors' graves, which is a whole other story .... I now know where the term 'hong shan' (sp?) comes from. When they say 'walk the mountain', Boy did we walk! We saw chicken, a flock of geese and even a water buffalo in our path.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip that should be made as opposed to a 'drive by' to the villages, especially since so many villages look so similar.
Many thanks again to Henry, Ah Gin, Helen and Raymond for your interest in assisting me. You provide a great service to those of us living outside of China wishing to connect to our roots. Bravo
Gingee
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Post by helen on May 1, 2009 20:46:19 GMT -5
Great to hear about your trip Gingee. Are you going to post your visit on a blog - wuth photos? It would be great to read. I have jist heard today that the hotel I am staying at in Hong Kong, has been quaranteened - due to Swine Flu. I hope it's over by the time we get there in about 6 weeks.
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Post by Henry on May 1, 2009 21:58:31 GMT -5
Hi Gingee,
You are welcomed ! Your comments are most appreciated. It is always a pleasure to try and help others travel back to the homeland and to experience what could have been - the good as well as the not so good. It certainly provides perspective.
Helen, please keep checking with the URL link I gave you for the US Centers for Disease prevention and Control (CDC) for the latest information on this flu and what sorts of travel advisories are being issued. You may also want to consider alternative hotels in Hong Kong.
Henry
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Post by Ah Gin on May 1, 2009 22:26:28 GMT -5
Gingee,
Thanks for your generous and gracious acknowledgement to all who showed interest in your very personal journey. I dare say the fond memories of the visit will last for many happy years. I am sure you will want to maintain a link with your relatives. "Come again when you are free" -- as the old folks would say.
Regards, Ah Gin
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Post by helen on May 2, 2009 4:02:27 GMT -5
Hi Henry - I've already booked and paid for the hotel. There are actually 2 of them in Kowloon, so the chances of it been our one will be 50-50. We just called the hotel in Xintang to book for 3 nights.The lady who answered did not speak Cantonese - and we were told we couldn't make a booking - we just haver to turn up on the day. So hopefully they will have 3 nights to spare, when we get there ...
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Post by laohuaqiao on May 2, 2009 6:07:56 GMT -5
Helen, BBC reported one hotel placed under quarantine in Wanchai district on Hong Kong Island, due to a traveller from Mexico via Shanghai became ill with the swine flu. All of its 300 guests and staff are being kept under observation for a week.
Is there another hotel in Kowloon being under quarantine as well?
China is taking similar precautions with everyone who might have had contact with that traveller, including all those on the same flights with him.
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Post by Henry on May 2, 2009 6:33:50 GMT -5
Helen,
Whenever I travel to China, I always carry anti-biotics and 2 packs of Tamilflu for the bird flu and I think it can also be used for swine flu. Also, watch yourself in these bird markets or around the farms.
Before re-entering the US, the customs and immigration forms specifically ask if you have been visiting rural farms.
Henry
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Post by helen on May 4, 2009 4:51:21 GMT -5
Thank Henry - would you count the villages as farming area? rural?
Hong Kong - which was criticised for delaying quarantine measures during the SARS outbreak - sealed the downtown Metropark Hotel, where a sickened Mexican tourist had stayed, trapping 350 guests and employees inside. Just google the Hotel, and there are 6 of them - and it's the Wanchai one - not the Waterloo one where I am going to be. phew
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Post by Henry on May 4, 2009 7:37:33 GMT -5
Hi Helen,
It depends on location.
Some villages that were once on the outskirts of a city are now part of the urban/city environment because of the growth and spread of cities.
Some villages are outside of the city and towns and are rural but not fully located in the farming landscape.
Some villages are are in the middle of farms and they keep pig pens in the village with chickens and animals roaming around. Also, on my way to pay my respects to my ancestors, we had to walk through some real farm areas.
I think this last type of villages are the ones that the customs and immigration officials are concerned with.
When you say the "Waterloo" branch of the Metropark hotel, is this the one in Kowloon where nearby - you board the buses for places in the SiYi region?
Henry
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