Visit to Granddad’s Hometown – Shantou 14-16 May 2014

My very first visit to this part of China, and my very first oversea trip with my Ah Gong. There’s a total of 7 of us, My 3rd uncle and his wife, my 2nd aunt, my parents and me and of course, my 94 years old Ah Gong.

A visit back to the old home of my grandfather who left China for Singapore ages ago, when he was only a boy of less than 10. He has been back for visits many times, but finally I get to visit with him. It’s been an interesting trip, visiting the old relatives, my grandmum’s siblings and their children and my granddad’s siblings family and of course visiting the house he stayed in when he was a young child.

Got to learn much of my own family history, the time when communist was very active and how it affected my Ah Gong’s parents and the family, how they were tortured. All these are very sad stories which caused the separation of my great grandparents and their siblings. True but sad. Get to see for myself, the old houses that they stayed in and how much have been developed since then.

We did visited a few sights, went to TeoChew, Shantou and at certain areas, my Ah Gong do recognised the site and shared some stories with us, how he used to bring the cows out for grazing.

It’s a short but yet memorable trip.

Back to where Home was

2 years ago, my parents went China with my Ah Gong. Back to where he came from. I missed that opportunity. But 2 years later, Ah Gong wanted to go back home again, and once again, the opportunity is here.

It's not easy to have this chance again, especially now that Ah Gong is 93. It's not everyday you get a chance to go on a trip (back to his hometown) with your ah gong! But this round, the trip is with a few of my uncles and aunts, and well, as usual, with such a group, there's bound to be lot's of talking, and nonsense and rubbish.

And i did consider. But at the end, Ah Gong won the battle. I decided, i shall still go with them! And so, come mid may, i shall be off to Swatou, back to my ah gong hometown!!! :)