That was the picture of my son Solomon. It was taken in my school the Chinese High School when he was nine years old. I was then attending a course in Guzheng playing. We went to the church every Sunday morning. After that we went to our school. When I was in the class, he would be wondering about in the campus.

The wording engraved on the rock 自强不息 was our school motto.

I went to China in November 2008. I went with the Teochew Opera Group to attend the third International Teochew Opera Festival held in Shantou. Solomon was initially agreed to go with me. He would like to take pictures during the festival as well as take care of me.

We discussed about the trip. We spent about one thousand and four hundred dollars in buying new lens for his camera and a new camera for myself.

He changed his mind a month before our departure.

Solomon's pet since he was a baby Tutuhuo

The computer art done by Solomon for Tutuhuo

We had many discussions on the change of plan. I did not mind that we would lose the few hundred dollars deposit for the tour. I was very uncomfortable to go without him.

I was not willing to answer to my friends' questions on Solomon's change of mind.
Friends in China were waiting to meeting him.
I could only tell my friends that Solomon preferred to participate in the school project during their vacation. Like father like son, both of us did not say out any reason.

After watching one of Solomon's works with classmates that was telecasted in Channel News Asia on 19 October 2008 evening, I was pride with my son. I told him that he did a good job. He was a very good cameraman. We were joyful that evening. That was what we missed for a few weeks after he changed his mind.

I was thankful to Yueli who arranged the stay in China for me after Solomon withdrew his trip.

God is great. We checked in at the airport by pair of roommates. Hence, I got the seat next to my roommate Xiang onboard. It gave me the opportunity to talk to him and get to know him.

Although we were busy in taking part in the show when we were in Shantou and in attending the governments' functions when we were in Jieyang, I missed Solomon very much. I thought of going home every night.

I visited Zexiong, a friend in Shantou, and his father when we arrived in Shantou. I also met Nanfeng, a Jieyang friend who traveled to Shantou from Dongwan where he worked. The meetings made me more cheerful.

I was caution when I talked to Xiang initially. I did not like to get agitated. After talking to Xiang for some times, I found him a little mischievous. Sometimes he behaved like my son. It made me felt comfortable to stay on.

The night when we had our performance at Huiru Theatre, I brought a bag of DVD and magazines. I wanted to give them to my China friends who would come to see our show. When Xiang saw me carrying the bag, he asked, "Are you going home?" His question made me decided to continue my trip to Zhejiang after our performance in Jieyang.

When we were in Zhejiang, it was very cold. Whenever I took picture of the autumn scenery, I thought of Solomon.

When we were in Lingfeng, I did not climb up the steps to the temple. It was high and there were many steps to climb.

When we were in Daciyan, I did not visit the 'suspension temple'. Although there were cable cars to ride, the walkways of the temples were built at the edge of the mountain looked like hanging in the air.

While our group members visiting the two places, I recalled Hui and I visiting the Drum Tower in Beijing three years ago. When we climbed up the sixty-nine steep steps, Hui walked closely behind me. When we came down from the tower, he walked slowly right in front of me. It was to make me more confident and comfortable in climbing the steps up and down.

When a few of us waiting for the group at the foot of the mountain, I thought of my son. He would give me support if he was with me.

When the group came back from the 'suspension temple', Yueli gave me two sheaves of maple leaves. I was grateful that she knew that I was collected maple leaves on the way.

I was thankful to Xiang and Yueli, who made me felt more released and comfortable on the trip.