Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Hong Kong Internet rocks! - updated on 5/8/04
Yay, I can now access my email so bring on the messages (o:
Zhongsan
On Tuesday we drove from Guangzhou to Zhongsan. This is the town my Dad's father and mother came from. It seems to be doing very well with furniture and clothing factories, and prawns and agriculture. Apparently the land is very fertile. The motorways here are lined with imaculately manicured shrubs/hedges and there are 100s of flash apartment buildings all lined up together. You don't see anything like it in NZ or the UK. And, for once, I saw blue skies! We also drove past some sculpture and furniture factories in amongst the agriculture fields. China is booming, there is so much fast paced development.
We checked into the hotel that Uncle Arthur recommended and order a mini van to drive us out to the villages. Aunty Pauline got hold of her 2nd cousin on my Dad's Grandmother's side (Leung) who was the Police High commissioner for the time, but now retired. He accompanied us on our pilgrimage. First stop was Goong Goong's village. We met with Dad's cousin in law, the wife of Brenda's brother. She lives in Goong Goong's house and has split it in half so that the other half could be rented out. We lit some incence for Goong Goong and Por Por and saw photos of our Great Grandfather and Mother. The style of the house was old and simple (not like the new house of Mar Gee) but with nice decorative interior features. You'll see the photos. It was very hot but there was a good ceiling fan and standing fan. We then went to visit Dad's Aunty, Goong Goongs 5th sister. She is 94 and still with it. Rae took her portrait. She has a carer. Goong Goong had 5 sisters and 1 brother (Uncle Dixon still living in Canada) I think. Our great grandfather died young (he also indulged in opium a little too much) so our grand father had to support his mum, sisters and brother and his own family. This is why he moved to Fiji to work. Another relative, the daughter of Goong goong's third sister, was summoned and the 5th sister's grand daughter. Are you confused yet. We all were!
Did I mention that we needed to get special permission to enter the village from the Police Chief. We did and then had a police escort! Probably the only time I'll get that. The other police dudes brought cold water for us. Rae took their photos as well. I think they were quite chuffed (o: Then we went to Dad's Mum's village. Por por's family home was similar to Goong goong's but the ceiling decorations/carvings/paintings were more elaborate. Apparently Por Por didn't get to see it as she was married at 16.
Aunty Pauline has been chatting away in various dialects of Cantonese like a trooper! We all rely on her to find out what people are saying, however Pam and Moira can also pick up bits and pieces. That night Rae and I shouted everyone to dinner including the Leung side (the police commissioner and his family). We had yummy lobster and pigeon (tasted between chicken and duck....got to try it once eh!) and 7 layer cake (Dad, you'll remember this one).
This post may be a little disjointed sorry. Got to fly to met Pam et al and her cousin Steven who has flown from NZ via Thailand to meet us.
Next day...
We are in Hong Kong now. It is very flash and happening. We took the ferry over from Zhongsan. It took around 1 and 1/2 hours. Before that we had a crazy foot massage at the hotel in Zhongsan. It was the massage from heaven and hell! I'd never been hit, poked and proded so much. And it hurt! But was ultimately relaxing and good for us. We also got a back and full leg massage as well. The ladies seemed well trained as they could tell where our knots and pressure points were, and worked on them. They all laughed at my squeals and facial expressions. At one stage they crack all your toe knuckles! I was a bit squeamish after that (o:
We had a great Thai dinner with Steven (Pam's cousin) and said farewell and safe travels to Tracy and Moira (they are off to Europe today).
Anyway others are waiting for the free internet so I'd better go.
Zhongsan
On Tuesday we drove from Guangzhou to Zhongsan. This is the town my Dad's father and mother came from. It seems to be doing very well with furniture and clothing factories, and prawns and agriculture. Apparently the land is very fertile. The motorways here are lined with imaculately manicured shrubs/hedges and there are 100s of flash apartment buildings all lined up together. You don't see anything like it in NZ or the UK. And, for once, I saw blue skies! We also drove past some sculpture and furniture factories in amongst the agriculture fields. China is booming, there is so much fast paced development.
We checked into the hotel that Uncle Arthur recommended and order a mini van to drive us out to the villages. Aunty Pauline got hold of her 2nd cousin on my Dad's Grandmother's side (Leung) who was the Police High commissioner for the time, but now retired. He accompanied us on our pilgrimage. First stop was Goong Goong's village. We met with Dad's cousin in law, the wife of Brenda's brother. She lives in Goong Goong's house and has split it in half so that the other half could be rented out. We lit some incence for Goong Goong and Por Por and saw photos of our Great Grandfather and Mother. The style of the house was old and simple (not like the new house of Mar Gee) but with nice decorative interior features. You'll see the photos. It was very hot but there was a good ceiling fan and standing fan. We then went to visit Dad's Aunty, Goong Goongs 5th sister. She is 94 and still with it. Rae took her portrait. She has a carer. Goong Goong had 5 sisters and 1 brother (Uncle Dixon still living in Canada) I think. Our great grandfather died young (he also indulged in opium a little too much) so our grand father had to support his mum, sisters and brother and his own family. This is why he moved to Fiji to work. Another relative, the daughter of Goong goong's third sister, was summoned and the 5th sister's grand daughter. Are you confused yet. We all were!
Did I mention that we needed to get special permission to enter the village from the Police Chief. We did and then had a police escort! Probably the only time I'll get that. The other police dudes brought cold water for us. Rae took their photos as well. I think they were quite chuffed (o: Then we went to Dad's Mum's village. Por por's family home was similar to Goong goong's but the ceiling decorations/carvings/paintings were more elaborate. Apparently Por Por didn't get to see it as she was married at 16.
Aunty Pauline has been chatting away in various dialects of Cantonese like a trooper! We all rely on her to find out what people are saying, however Pam and Moira can also pick up bits and pieces. That night Rae and I shouted everyone to dinner including the Leung side (the police commissioner and his family). We had yummy lobster and pigeon (tasted between chicken and duck....got to try it once eh!) and 7 layer cake (Dad, you'll remember this one).
This post may be a little disjointed sorry. Got to fly to met Pam et al and her cousin Steven who has flown from NZ via Thailand to meet us.
Next day...
We are in Hong Kong now. It is very flash and happening. We took the ferry over from Zhongsan. It took around 1 and 1/2 hours. Before that we had a crazy foot massage at the hotel in Zhongsan. It was the massage from heaven and hell! I'd never been hit, poked and proded so much. And it hurt! But was ultimately relaxing and good for us. We also got a back and full leg massage as well. The ladies seemed well trained as they could tell where our knots and pressure points were, and worked on them. They all laughed at my squeals and facial expressions. At one stage they crack all your toe knuckles! I was a bit squeamish after that (o:
We had a great Thai dinner with Steven (Pam's cousin) and said farewell and safe travels to Tracy and Moira (they are off to Europe today).
Anyway others are waiting for the free internet so I'd better go.
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