18th June:
We had dim sum for breakfast at the hotel restaurant and it was time to leave for Meixian.
My uncle had engaged the services of a mini coach to take us to and fro Meixian.
It was a five-hour plus journey from Guangzhou to Meixian and we spent most of our time dozing off. The ride wasn't that comfortable as the seats were quite small, plus the air-con wasn't cold enough.
At last, we reached Meizhou Train Station where the long-distance relatives picked us up. First, they bought us to this old-fashioned restaurant where we had our late lunch. They ordered many dishes for us, including, gasp, dog-meat! Obviously, no one touched it. Anyhoo, the dishes weren’t suitable for my tastebud and I ate minimal. (I just realised that the meal was not a treat, which was even weirder because I thought the one paying should have some say in what to order.)
Therein after, we travelled to a temple and along the highway, we saw what was the cringe-worthy scene in our whole tour, a man wearing his birthday suit. It was definitely the most memorable and funny scene ever.
That night, we checked into Tian Yuan Hotel. The room is smaller than that of Hotel Landmark Canton and some amenities are not met as well. Oh well, thank goodness we only stayed for one night.
We went on a city night tour in a buggy that sit all of us and got to listen to Hakka folk songs. I must say the experience is rather enriching.
We had KFC for dinner and went for feet massage.
19th June:
McDonalds is conveniently located across our hotel and of course, we had to have breakfast there. You never really travel until you try out the McDonalds of another country.
We were then en route to the Hakka village where my great-grandfather used to live as a child. The main purpose of going there was to pay our respects to the great-great grandfather as a family. It was also to fulfil the wishes of the great-grandfather and the grandparents.
Upon reaching the village, we pay our respects at the altar and firecrackers were lay out in front of the pond. My cousin and brother got to light the firecrackers and I screamed when they started to go off. It was really loud!
We headed off to the grave at the other side of the village. It was quite a long way and we had to cross under a “tunnel”, tracked through brambles and climbed up a mountain.
I’ve never perspired that much since the last time I ran 2.4km. The feeling was great though, as if we had conquered Mount Everest. The view from the grave is awesome, overlooking the highway and never-ending plains and fields.
It was with great joy when we got back on the coach and headed over to lunch.
Soon, it was time to bid farewell and it was a five hour journey back to Guangzhou.
We stayed at the same hotel again, this time, all on the same floor. Phew, comparing between the room in Meixian and Guangzhou, Guangzhou’s so much more luxurious. At least, there is space for us to walk around without feeling claustrophobic.
Our next stop was Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street where there is nothing to buy again. Again, we went for the customary feet massage. Their business must have up ten-fold since we begin patronising them. The 12 of us (minus the grandparents) contributed much of their earnings for the day.
