The weather was great. The temperature was perfect. It was cold but not too cold for us. It was just comfortable. We woke up to the greeting of Mr. Golden Sun on our second day in Shantou. However, the true fact is, only few of us managed to say 'hi' to him. This is because, half of our rooms faced the west where the sun goes down instead. My avid photographer brother was the one that said 'hi'. The picture below from him is the evidence.
Visiting Shantou means, we must taste as much of the local food as possible. We must embrace the local cultural, come on kids, for at least the 6 days. No point eating at McDonald's Shantou or KFC Shantou! So, we bravely asked the bus travel agent to suggest to us any local eateries for our first breakfast. So, we were sent to a shop that sold Teochew Porridge and Noodles. It sounded really good, as we were familiar with them and wanted to see if they resembled any we had back in Singapore and Malaysia. Below picture is the shop.
Wow, see how yummy the food seemed...They were cooking right in front of the shop ....
The senior citizens were marvelling over the different familiar dishes that could be eaten with the Teochew Porridge (plain rice porridge). See the varieties in the 2 pictures below ...black kana (olive), kiam chai (salted vege), kiam neng (salted duck egg) etc etc
And this one, see picture below, a big pot of pig intestines braised in 'lou' (black soya sauce gravy) with bean curd and pig skin. This is another common Teochew dish. Well, it looked too good not to try. But well, the taste of the original smell was just too strong for me to swallow!
Here comes the Teochew Porridge. See picture below. It was soothing for the stomach in a cold morning. The breakfast were rather heavy for us.
Here, in the next 2 pictures below were what the adults chose. All were typical Teochew dishes we ate since young.
Most children had chosen noodles. When the first bowl came, everyone rushed to warm their hands on the hot steam. How clever!
Yummy wasn't it? I was amazed that most children could finish the whole big bowl. I could not!
My uncle has specially ordered his noodles with different variety of meat and internal organs..see below. He is an expert of Shantou among us as this was his 4th visit.
Well, the food was delicious.... but eating in a local stall means, don't look what is under the table and what is in the kitchen. Now that we have finished eating, take a look if you are still curious ---->
Oh, well. So much about food for the first day and now the second day morning, we were all ready to 'cheong'.. Let's go!
The beautiful pagoda, standing majestically, welcoming us from the distance.
Hey, we better take a picture here for remembrance .. what a nice backdrop.
Here....we came close to the pagoda--->
It was very relaxing to stroll in the park. No boss screaming down our necks, no homework to pass up and no time limit! We took interest in everything. See what is on the tree?? (see picture below)
Oh, tree gets to grow old here...Its branches got the chance to develop anyway it likes. Will it envy its cousins in Singapore that always need to be trimmed or is the Singapore cousins envying those here that gets its freedom to grow old? (see picture below)
Twins (see picture below)
Art in China certainly has its status and history. I am most impressed with the roof art that I saw this time. Perhaps, I seldom took noticed of it but this time, we have about 9 cameras with us and I found so many roof art pictures taken, there is no way to miss. See the next 4 pictures, all taken in the same park.
Next, we hopped onto our bus and headed for a place called Hanwengong Memorial Temple. This was build in the Song Dynasty. To me, it was a place that we had to climb many steps as it as build on a mountain side. See all of us in the picture below, at the entrance before we climbed the steps.
When we finished climbing, we found more steps to climb. Dad and aunt decided to just wait there to rest their feet ---->
What is so special about the plant here, mum?! ---->
Nice view was the reward after you made the climb (see picture below)
We found more roof art at Hanwengong Memorial Temple too..see the next 2 pictures below --->
Wow, see how yummy the food seemed...They were cooking right in front of the shop ....
The senior citizens were marvelling over the different familiar dishes that could be eaten with the Teochew Porridge (plain rice porridge). See the varieties in the 2 pictures below ...black kana (olive), kiam chai (salted vege), kiam neng (salted duck egg) etc etc
And this one, see picture below, a big pot of pig intestines braised in 'lou' (black soya sauce gravy) with bean curd and pig skin. This is another common Teochew dish. Well, it looked too good not to try. But well, the taste of the original smell was just too strong for me to swallow!
Here comes the Teochew Porridge. See picture below. It was soothing for the stomach in a cold morning. The breakfast were rather heavy for us.
Here, in the next 2 pictures below were what the adults chose. All were typical Teochew dishes we ate since young.
Most children had chosen noodles. When the first bowl came, everyone rushed to warm their hands on the hot steam. How clever!
Yummy wasn't it? I was amazed that most children could finish the whole big bowl. I could not!
My uncle has specially ordered his noodles with different variety of meat and internal organs..see below. He is an expert of Shantou among us as this was his 4th visit.
Well, the food was delicious.... but eating in a local stall means, don't look what is under the table and what is in the kitchen. Now that we have finished eating, take a look if you are still curious ---->
Oh, well. So much about food for the first day and now the second day morning, we were all ready to 'cheong'.. Let's go!
We decided to visit Chaozhou first, a town abt 30 minutes from Shantou, before we embarked on tracing our anchestors homes. Chaozhou is a must-go place as most of the Teochew culture originated from this place. It is the most touristy place in this region.
Our first stop in Chaozhou was the FengHuangzhou Park. It is not a very big park with trees, children playground, a couple of old temples and a pagoda overlooking the Hanjiang River.
Below picture shows mum, dad and aunt taking a break from the stroll in the park.
The beautiful pagoda, standing majestically, welcoming us from the distance.
Hey, we better take a picture here for remembrance .. what a nice backdrop.
Here....we came close to the pagoda--->
It was very relaxing to stroll in the park. No boss screaming down our necks, no homework to pass up and no time limit! We took interest in everything. See what is on the tree?? (see picture below)
Oh, tree gets to grow old here...Its branches got the chance to develop anyway it likes. Will it envy its cousins in Singapore that always need to be trimmed or is the Singapore cousins envying those here that gets its freedom to grow old? (see picture below)
Twins (see picture below)
Art in China certainly has its status and history. I am most impressed with the roof art that I saw this time. Perhaps, I seldom took noticed of it but this time, we have about 9 cameras with us and I found so many roof art pictures taken, there is no way to miss. See the next 4 pictures, all taken in the same park.
Next, we hopped onto our bus and headed for a place called Hanwengong Memorial Temple. This was build in the Song Dynasty. To me, it was a place that we had to climb many steps as it as build on a mountain side. See all of us in the picture below, at the entrance before we climbed the steps.
When we finished climbing, we found more steps to climb. Dad and aunt decided to just wait there to rest their feet ---->
What is so special about the plant here, mum?! ---->
Nice view was the reward after you made the climb (see picture below)
We found more roof art at Hanwengong Memorial Temple too..see the next 2 pictures below --->
A walkway decorated with red lanterns in the Hanwengong Memorial Temple. See picture below.
After the climb, we decended back to the entrance and at the side, there were a couple of shops selling local tidbits and tea. The popular stuff we are familiar with were 'lao heo ng' (preserved buddha hand?!) and preserved kana (olive). The owner was happy to see us patronising his shop. He quickly made us tea...which is another common 'must-have' thing in the Teochew culture. This practice has somehow died when our grandparents migrated to Singapore and Malaysia. The local in Shantou and Chaozhou called this 'Ganghu' Tea. It is tea made in a bigger cup and then served in small cups. Then the cups are wash there and refilled with tea again. For us that live a fast pace of life, would not be able to find time to sip tea that way 'lah!'. Nevertheless, I bought a set of the tea cups for fun!! Yes, and my daugter used it once as if they were her toys. See picture below. The boss of the shop was busy making tea.
My uncles were following the traditions of consuming Ganghu Tea -->
Huh, if you are from Singapore and Malaysia, you would likely recognise from the next picture below who has visited the shop. Because of her endorsement, I bought some 'lao heo ng' from the shop. (Kym Ng, celebrity from Mediacorp - 2nd from right)
After satisfying our shopping needs, we hopped onto the bus and headed for lunch. Picture below shows the Han River North Bridge in Chaozhou.
Picture below shows common preserved fruits from Chaozhou.
I was surprised to see so many guava farms and guavas in Shantou and Chaozhou. My uncle bought a few and I have not tasted such good guavas for a long time. This was sold by an old man at the back of his bicycle. This must be fresh from his farm. See picture below.
Fresh kana (olive), another specialty from this place. My uncle loves it and he has always hunt for it in Singapore during the Chinese New Year period. Here you are ...loads of them! But he told the woman that sells them, I only wang RMB1. The auntie said, oh, then I give you for free. But uncle said, no no no, I pay you RMB. He still have a handful of kana for RMB1.. Everyone was happy to get a taste.
Lunch, we had vegetarian. Below picture shows another of my favourite dish. Sweet glutoneous roll. Ahem, pls give me the recipe, anyone?!
Vegetarian pork with the fats intact. Amazing! ----->
Vegetarian fish with fish skin intact ---->
After a sumptuous lunch, we headed to a temple called Kaiyuan Temple. This temple was built in the Tang Dynasty which has history over 1260 yrs. --->
We found more roof art. It is like our mosaic art but I think it is made of ceramic. Chaozou city is also famous of its ceramic manufacturing. --->
Below picture shows a very artistic photo taken from the temple. But what are the shoes doing there?
A visit to the toilet was stressful. Why must there be a hole on the door for a squatting toilet?? --->
Next, we walked down the street from the temple and came to a Commerce Pedestrian Street. There are many shops along the street --->
Stalls were set along the back lanes --->
A pet shop ----->
A shop making sesame oil. They were filling the oil into bottles when I passed by earlier --->
Putting noodles to dry in the sun outside the shop -----> Hygenic? No? Yes?
We went passed some old houses, old enough to have plants on the roof. Another roof art? ---- >
This appeared to be like the riches man's house on an old street ner the pedestrian street. Quick, take a picture before anyone comes out!
Knock and it shall be answered ..........
Hey, and we found a well along the street ---->
A musical instrument shop ----->
All things Made in China shop ---->
Teochew kueh mould. My mum and aunt were hot on these.--->
Traditional weighing scale. See picture below. I regretted so much that I did not buy one of this. This is a very sentimental thing as my dad used to have them when we were young. I have a special liking for it and I tried to make one myself when I was young. I am still in love with it. Why didn't I get one home? Whoever is going, pls get me one ---->
Trishaw is still a means of transport in this part of the world. --->
Next, we walked towards the Guanji Gate Wall. It is constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) ---->
Wow, our feet needed a break, all young and old. ----->
OK, come on everyone. Next moved to the most interesting place in Chaozou. It is interesting because we have heard this so much from our grandparents. It is the Guanji Bridge. The current one has been rebuilt. The old one was there 800 years ago. The whole bridge consists of one part of stone plate bridge, one part of arch bridge and one part of floating bridge. The floating bridge is hown below which is connected with 18 boats. The part of the floating boat can be disconnected for the passage of bigger boats. There are 24 pavilions with different styles on teh 24 piers for doing business. ---->
After mesmerizing the beauty of the bridge, we decided to ask the driver to bring us to any ceramic shops as we were told there were many here. So, we ended up in one before the sun went down. It was pretty impressive to see the fine art, they could even make patels of flowers that looks real with ceramic. And what a big teapot for Ganghu Tea??? ---->
Mr Golden Sun was saying goodbye, and the time was not even 6pm yet. What a shame! Anyway, we still have next time if we want to see more......
Dinner was sumptuous, now, we started to get familiar with the dishes and we also not failed to ask the chef for 'less salt and less oil'. My favourite dish for the night was another sweet cake kind of thing. Any recipe please?
After the climb, we decended back to the entrance and at the side, there were a couple of shops selling local tidbits and tea. The popular stuff we are familiar with were 'lao heo ng' (preserved buddha hand?!) and preserved kana (olive). The owner was happy to see us patronising his shop. He quickly made us tea...which is another common 'must-have' thing in the Teochew culture. This practice has somehow died when our grandparents migrated to Singapore and Malaysia. The local in Shantou and Chaozhou called this 'Ganghu' Tea. It is tea made in a bigger cup and then served in small cups. Then the cups are wash there and refilled with tea again. For us that live a fast pace of life, would not be able to find time to sip tea that way 'lah!'. Nevertheless, I bought a set of the tea cups for fun!! Yes, and my daugter used it once as if they were her toys. See picture below. The boss of the shop was busy making tea.
My uncles were following the traditions of consuming Ganghu Tea -->Huh, if you are from Singapore and Malaysia, you would likely recognise from the next picture below who has visited the shop. Because of her endorsement, I bought some 'lao heo ng' from the shop. (Kym Ng, celebrity from Mediacorp - 2nd from right)
After satisfying our shopping needs, we hopped onto the bus and headed for lunch. Picture below shows the Han River North Bridge in Chaozhou.
Picture below shows common preserved fruits from Chaozhou.
I was surprised to see so many guava farms and guavas in Shantou and Chaozhou. My uncle bought a few and I have not tasted such good guavas for a long time. This was sold by an old man at the back of his bicycle. This must be fresh from his farm. See picture below.
Fresh kana (olive), another specialty from this place. My uncle loves it and he has always hunt for it in Singapore during the Chinese New Year period. Here you are ...loads of them! But he told the woman that sells them, I only wang RMB1. The auntie said, oh, then I give you for free. But uncle said, no no no, I pay you RMB. He still have a handful of kana for RMB1.. Everyone was happy to get a taste.
Lunch, we had vegetarian. Below picture shows another of my favourite dish. Sweet glutoneous roll. Ahem, pls give me the recipe, anyone?!
Vegetarian pork with the fats intact. Amazing! ----->
Vegetarian fish with fish skin intact ---->
After a sumptuous lunch, we headed to a temple called Kaiyuan Temple. This temple was built in the Tang Dynasty which has history over 1260 yrs. --->
We found more roof art. It is like our mosaic art but I think it is made of ceramic. Chaozou city is also famous of its ceramic manufacturing. --->
Below picture shows a very artistic photo taken from the temple. But what are the shoes doing there?
A visit to the toilet was stressful. Why must there be a hole on the door for a squatting toilet?? --->
Next, we walked down the street from the temple and came to a Commerce Pedestrian Street. There are many shops along the street --->
Stalls were set along the back lanes --->
A pet shop ----->
A shop making sesame oil. They were filling the oil into bottles when I passed by earlier --->
Putting noodles to dry in the sun outside the shop -----> Hygenic? No? Yes?
We went passed some old houses, old enough to have plants on the roof. Another roof art? ---- >
This appeared to be like the riches man's house on an old street ner the pedestrian street. Quick, take a picture before anyone comes out!
Knock and it shall be answered ..........
Hey, and we found a well along the street ---->
A musical instrument shop ----->
All things Made in China shop ---->
Teochew kueh mould. My mum and aunt were hot on these.--->
Traditional weighing scale. See picture below. I regretted so much that I did not buy one of this. This is a very sentimental thing as my dad used to have them when we were young. I have a special liking for it and I tried to make one myself when I was young. I am still in love with it. Why didn't I get one home? Whoever is going, pls get me one ---->
Trishaw is still a means of transport in this part of the world. --->
Next, we walked towards the Guanji Gate Wall. It is constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) ---->
Wow, our feet needed a break, all young and old. ----->
OK, come on everyone. Next moved to the most interesting place in Chaozou. It is interesting because we have heard this so much from our grandparents. It is the Guanji Bridge. The current one has been rebuilt. The old one was there 800 years ago. The whole bridge consists of one part of stone plate bridge, one part of arch bridge and one part of floating bridge. The floating bridge is hown below which is connected with 18 boats. The part of the floating boat can be disconnected for the passage of bigger boats. There are 24 pavilions with different styles on teh 24 piers for doing business. ---->
After mesmerizing the beauty of the bridge, we decided to ask the driver to bring us to any ceramic shops as we were told there were many here. So, we ended up in one before the sun went down. It was pretty impressive to see the fine art, they could even make patels of flowers that looks real with ceramic. And what a big teapot for Ganghu Tea??? ---->
Mr Golden Sun was saying goodbye, and the time was not even 6pm yet. What a shame! Anyway, we still have next time if we want to see more......
Dinner was sumptuous, now, we started to get familiar with the dishes and we also not failed to ask the chef for 'less salt and less oil'. My favourite dish for the night was another sweet cake kind of thing. Any recipe please?
Wonder you feel as tired as we were after reading Day 2?! Stay tuned for Day 3, which is Puning City, my paternal grandfather's hometown!
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