As the trip was planned earlier, I told the elders that I would not be visiting them during days I was in China. On the last visit to each of the Elders Day Care Centres, the old folks waving and saying bon voyage to me when leaving the centres.

The old folks from the computer learning centre where I was a volunteer also wish me all the best at my last present in class.

Although I should enjoy my trip with all the blessings, I did not pick up my luggage cheerful in the departure morning.

My son Solomon planned to go to China with me but he changed his mind a month before departure. We discussed about shooting the stage performance in Shantou and Jieyang, as well as the beautiful autumn scenery in Zhejiang. I spent more than eight hundred dollars to get an additional lens for him. He also selected a new camera of about five hundred dollars for me. But he preferred to take part in his school's vacation project a month before departure.

As I always keep what I promised, hence I did not withdraw my participation in our Teochew Opera Group. Besides, my China friends from Beijing, Chaozhou, Guangzhou, Jieyang, Shantou and Dongwan were getting ready to meet me in Shantou and Jieyang. I had to keep my promise.

The morning when I took a taxi leaving for Changi Airport, we were stop by the police at the entrance to the Ayer Rajah Expressway. The driver said that there might be falling tree on the highway as there was heavy rain that early morning. I wondered if I escaped the incident as I delayed my journey.

When arriving at the airport, the group of about seventy members was waiting for me.

We arrived at Xiamen Airport after 1 p.m. The tour guide Miss Fang from Shantou receiving us. We took our lunch at the airport restaurant and continued our journey to Shantou.

When I heard that we would stay in Civil Aviation Hotel which was different from the plan, I was worried as I told my China friends earlier the hotel we were be in.

I tried to make use of the China mobile phone card, but I could not use it by following the instruction. Miss Fang did not make it too. I have to thank Guolai who bought the card for me before hand.

When the coach entering the Chaozhou, I was excited as I saw the familiar scenery. I visited Chaozhou in 2004 and 2005.

After checking in to the Civil Aviation Hotel, I managed to get the mobile phone company to activate my phone card.

We went for a Teochew Opera The Pomegranate Flower (石榴花) immediately after our dinner.

While watching the show, my friend in Shantou Zexiong called me and I could not talk to him as I could not hear clearly in the theatre. We then communicated through sending messages. He was glad that we were allocated to a new hotel which was closer to his place.

When we were back to the hotel after the show, I noticed there were a number of messages from my China friends. I replied to them and let them know that where we stayed.