China Trip - Part 3

9th March 2009, Monday

Time flies, it is the 3rd day of the holiday already.. Today's plan is to go to another town called Tek Huey "德化" to visit my grand 5th aunt. From my memories, it was a small town, far behind developed compare to Xiamen and Quan Zhou.

We are supposed to leave after the breakfast. Everyone got ready in the bus, and the driver said he couldn't start the engine.. Got everyone down from the bus and waited at the road side for repairs.. The driver even tried to get those men to help by pushing the bus from behind, but it doesn't work.

Waited for approx. one hour, we have decided to rent a new bus instead of keep waiting. Oh, within he one hour, some have grabbed the time for shopping.. Just walked in to the shop behind where we stand, my sister and my 3rd aunt have grabbed a thicker coat for themselves. :) I think they must be suffered from the cold for the past 2 days. haha.

In the journey to Tek Huey, I have snapped some pictures, basically lots of new highways built up, shows great improvement in infrastructure development.. But also see lots of poor village with old house, poor facilities.

Finally we arrived 德化 after 2 hours bus drive. The bus driver drove like a mad person, fast and furious is what i can describe. Break "hard and sudden" until my cousin, Kar teng & my last uncle fell down from their seat. Luckily we still managed to reached safely after all..

The town has great improvement.. Seems like more developed compared to Quan Zhou now.. The relatives told us that it was due to the high demand on the manufacture of low medium range product.

First thing to do is to take our lunch. Everyone is hungry after the shock and furios bus experience. Some uncles & aunties whom have been here before, warned us about the variety of dishes that might be served on the table. Apparently we were so hungry and forgotten about it.. and that's how we fell into the trap and "enjoy" the first dishes - the crocodile tummy, yet most of us think that is squid. haha. after knowing that, we became very carefully in every dishes served. haha..

Then we went to grand 5th aunt' house.. not very good condition, but it was much better compared to my last visit. We were offered strawberry, loquat (枇杷), apple and red bean drink. I have never drink the red bean drink before, good. i like it. :) Then we also visited her son's house at nearby. Seems like he is doing very well in career, living in a 3 rooms condo, very presentable & classy. ;) Feel happy and glad for grand 5th aunt..

Ok ok. The most important thing to do in 德化 is to shop for the clay product. (I bought a decorative lamp during my last visit). Mum wanted to buy the full set of dining plates, rice bowl + etc etc. So we went to the shop and grab without further delay. Alvin seems to be very interested in the dining plates as well. He chosen few (few = 26 pieces including source plate).

Well, no one is regret -- mum bought 2 boxes, alvin bought 1 box of dining plates + others, 2nd sis bought tea + decorative items + tea cups.. me also get tea cups.. Only 50RMB!! hehe... oh ya!! i missed out one person --- my poor daddy.. he felt sick and did nothing but rested in the bus while we shopped.. poor daddy...