Right after our plane solemnisation, Rachel and I headed for Shantou (汕头), China, together with my parents and Rachel’s mom and sister.
We traveled together with a contingent from the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan (新加坡潮州八邑会馆), a few Jetstar and Meritus staff and some journalists, including my boss Chim Kang, my colleague Han Joo and our friend, Nicholas from Straits Times.
It was the maiden flight for Jetstar from Singapore to Shantou, hence there was quite a bit of media and government attention from both Singapore and Shantou. Jetstar will become the first foreign carrier to fly into Shantou’s Waisha International Airport (汕头外砂机场) (a former military airport) and will be the only carrier to fly direct.
![Waisha International Airport Waisha International Airport](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4374629047_4f9c7d8168_o.jpg)
![The plane we got married on :) The plane we got married on :)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4375381244_5733fd8eee_o.jpg)
![Security check Security check](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4374632543_3f8e14bf4c_o.jpg)
In the past, Singaporeans going to Shantou will have to take a flight to Xiamen or other parts of China and endure another grueling long long bus ride to get there, clocking around 10 hours in travel time. The direct flight to Shantou cuts down traveling time considerably – the plane took around 4 hours to fly from Singapore to Shantou. It took another 20 minutes to get from the airport to the city central.
Shantou, an eastern city in Guangdong province (广东省), is the gateway to Chaozhou, Jieyang and Shanwei. The Chaozhou and Shantou region is called Chaoshan (潮汕) and the main dialect spoken in these ares is Teochew. A large part of the Singapore Chinese population are Teochew, my mother being one of them.
For this trip, we followed the itinerary of the Teochew Association folks. Usually, we prefer to go free and easy for our travel, but Rachel and I considered we were traveling with four of our family members this time. Hence a planned itinerary and fixed bus rides will be less hassle for us to take care of everyone.
When we touched down at the airport, we were warmly welcomed by the airport staff with nice Tiger-motif cups for all the passengers.
![Our bus Our bus](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4375377022_2cb789f933_o.jpg)
![On board our bus with our tour guide On board our bus with our tour guide](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4374628253_a76de957d5_o.jpg)
After clearing the customs and collecting our luggage, we boarded the bus to New Plum Garden Restaurant (新梅园大酒楼) for lunch. New Plum Garden is a famous restaurant chain in China, something like Crystal Jade in Singapore.
![Outside New Plum Garden Outside New Plum Garden](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4374632905_5a4efcbfe7_o.jpg)
![Nice flowers, nice cool temperature Nice flowers, nice cool temperature](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4375381656_21e61f8d79_o.jpg)
![I wonder how anyone can use this phone booth I wonder how anyone can use this phone booth](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4375382184_84542cae8d_o.jpg)
![Restaurant entrance Restaurant entrance](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4374629819_d5126d5e70_o.jpg)
![Inside the restaurant Inside the restaurant](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4375383332_d2ae72dcec_o.jpg)
![Check out all the food available Check out all the food available](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4374628603_51dba23bee_o.jpg)
![More varieties More varieties](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4375380090_5e6caaaebc_o.jpg)
![Elephant clams (象拔蚌) Elephant clams (象拔蚌)](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4374629085_44068bf152_o.jpg)
![Assortment of fish Assortment of fish](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4374630265_633564d608_o.jpg)
![Live, moving abalone on display Live, moving abalone on display](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4375381858_725a58160b_o.jpg)
![Getting seated Getting seated](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4375377476_4f39bd4d57_o.jpg)
Here’s the heavy lunch we had:
![Braised pork trotters - yummy! Braised pork trotters - yummy!](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4375378164_5c54f5eebe_o.jpg)
![Cold platter Cold platter](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4374626571_9162433e7c_o.jpg)
![Bamboo soup Bamboo soup](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/4374627329_55d82fa60f_o.jpg)
![Steamed fish Steamed fish](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4374630335_1e156b55aa_o.jpg)
![Cuttlefish Cuttlefish](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4375378590_83be803b5b_o.jpg)
![Prawns Prawns](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4374626185_4d4354a176_o.jpg)
![Corns, basil nuts and other stuff Corns, basil nuts and other stuff](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4374625715_d76795c9c8_o.jpg)
![Oyster omelette Oyster omelette](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4374625571_ebc9b815fb_o.jpg)
![Crabs, baked with glutinous rice Crabs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4375380008_db67733f9b_o.jpg)
![Extremely delightful fried tofu - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside Extremely delightful fried tofu - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4374626697_790589fed9_o.jpg)
![Chiat-ying from Jetstar and Han Joo Chiat-ying from Jetstar and Han Joo](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4375380388_a3f2695d32_o.jpg)
![Jade green veggies Jade green veggies](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4375378204_880e948f60_o.jpg)
![Giant chunks of yam, sweet potato and tapioca in case we are still not full Giant chunks of yam, sweet potato and tapioca in case we are still not full](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4374628153_09d6c84d33_o.jpg)
![After lunch karaoke After lunch karaoke](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4374625619_dacf6d9cf2_o.jpg)
After lunch, we headed to our hotel, Meritus Shantou, to check-in. The staff were all lined up at the hotel entrance for a warm welcome for our contingent. There were lion dances and the VIPs were presented with large bouquet of flowers. There was also light tea reception for the VIPs to mingle with the Meritus Shantou staff.
![Lion dance welcome Lion dance welcome](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4374629927_f6c9a5e1ac_o.jpg)
![Meritus Shantou Meritus Shantou](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4374632379_a390b004fd_o.jpg)
![Dragon-shaped balloon to welcome us Dragon-shaped balloon to welcome us](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4374628397_52456b1791_o.jpg)
![Can you see the custom-made orange Merlion? Can you see the custom-made orange Merlion?](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4374632159_679d0db569_o.jpg)
![Hotel reception Hotel reception](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4375381012_a4eaf89d7a_o.jpg)
It was free and easy time from there till dinner. Rachel and I changed into our casual gears and headed out shopping in the nearby area, together with Han Joo, Rachel’s mom and sister. I haven’t been to China for a good five years or so and was quite surprised to see how the costs of things have risen since. Although still cheaper than in Singapore, certain commodities like petrol are at the small level or perhaps cost even more than in Singapore.
![In our casual wear, ready for shopping In our casual wear, ready for shopping](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4375381792_6a8ea6d4c5_o.jpg)
![The central shopping district where our hotel is located The central shopping district where our hotel is located](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4374632667_a058c45538_o.jpg)
![Out shopping with the ladies Out shopping with the ladies](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4374625927_823de1d9ed_o.jpg)
![Giant billboard promoting a newly opened amusement park Giant billboard promoting a newly opened amusement park](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4374629533_222d10f079_o.jpg)
![Only in Shantou - KFC Nian Gao Egg Tarts! Only in Shantou - KFC Nian Gao Egg Tarts!](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4375377872_9ec13ebcbc_o.jpg)
![Can you see the layer of nian gao? Can you see the layer of nian gao?](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4375380122_6058600ea9_o.jpg)
For dinner, we headed to one of the many lavish banquets hosted by the local government which we will grow tired of over the next few days. The spread is really good – don’t get me wrong. However, too much of anything always kills the joy.
![Waiting for dinner Waiting for dinner](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4374626873_65bf5c3db6_o.jpg)
![With the two MPs in our contingent, Ms Ellen Lee and Mdm Cynthia Phua With the two MPs in our contingent, Ms Ellen Lee and Mdm Cynthia Phua](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4374628663_24f4f7674c_o.jpg)
![Going through the dinner menu Going through the dinner menu](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4374630823_6dc3a8453b_o.jpg)
![A toast to the host A toast to the host](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4374627831_a4da27b181_o.jpg)
![Local news report on our contingent Local news report on our contingent](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4374628793_746fde9260_o.jpg)
Check out the dinner menu:
![Our dinner menu Our dinner menu](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4374630765_7c2704f703_o.jpg)
![Chicken and pork Chicken and pork](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4374628453_dffaaa0906_o.jpg)
![Abalone cooked with barley Abalone cooked with barley](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4375377704_52a8959860_o.jpg)
![This should be either duck or chicken, can't remember This should be either duck or chicken, can't remember](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4374626385_7254f5cc73_o.jpg)
![One fish for everyone One fish for everyone](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4375381614_7385b0401a_o.jpg)
![Scallop Scallop](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4374631255_f2ff5c721b_o.jpg)
![Black chicken soup Black chicken soup](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4374630705_0189304053_o.jpg)
![Fried and lightly salted mushroom Fried and lightly salted mushroom](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4375380736_e28f48d79a_o.jpg)
![Mixed nuts and other goodies Mixed nuts and other goodies](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4374629433_bcf2439ea7_o.jpg)
![Some teochew kuey Some teochew kuey](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4375378862_a63a9eb521_o.jpg)
![Shantou little oranges Shantou little oranges](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4375379172_6cee29d331_o.jpg)
![Desert Desert](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4374630003_a4c62d4f89_o.jpg)
After dinner, we went for a special performance put up by students of the over 50-years-old, Shantou Traditional Opera School. It was an eye-opener for us and perhaps a culture shock for our younger friends, Han Joo and Eunice who fell asleep in the middle of the performances.
Rachel particularly enjoyed the Teochew opera segment, featuring a scene from the popular classic, The Butterfly Lovers (梁山伯与祝英台), often referred to as Chinese Romeo and Juliet.
![The police stopped traffic just for us to alight from our buses, causing a jam The police stopped traffic just for us to alight from our buses, causing a jam](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4374627673_80e15bbc89_o.jpg)
![Signboard at the theatre entrance hall Signboard at the theatre entrance hall](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4374628741_059a39e149_o.jpg)
![Opening song and dance item Opening song and dance item](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4375378350_98d55cc375_o.jpg)
![Loud and formidable Loud and formidable](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4374630663_037d46bd78_o.jpg)
![Night's emcee who can also sing very well Night's emcee who can also sing very well](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4375383468_c4f3409aa5_o.jpg)
![Indian dance Indian dance](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4374626967_eb68bcc417_o.jpg)
![Acrobatic performance Acrobatic performance](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4375379554_eb143faaaa_o.jpg)
![Spinning a hanky Spinning a hanky](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4375382618_d050cdd245_o.jpg)
![Emcee belting a number Emcee belting a number](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4375382234_c481bc15f7_o.jpg)
![Performance on a sad ghost who got burned to death by her lover Performance on a sad Chinese ghost story](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4375382698_d9427769c1_o.jpg)
![Rachel with her mom and sis, enjoying the performances Rachel with her mom and sis, enjoying the performances](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4374626111_15c74ec3b5_o.jpg)
![Nicholas, Rachel and me Nicholas, Rachel and me](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4375381898_68b29d3e83_o.jpg)
![The Butterfly Lovers The Butterfly Lovers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4374628103_e6c164bc28_o.jpg)
![Another picture Another picture](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4375380908_9f6db83069_o.jpg)
![Star-crossed lovers Star-crossed lovers](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4375381568_ffba8a3b49_o.jpg)
![Finale item Finale item](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4374629877_80e43d6a24_o.jpg)
![Bubbles! Bubbles!](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4374630357_3b3a3e1d0b_o.jpg)
![The other lead singer The other lead singer](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4374630457_ca37bb4e28_o.jpg)
Video recording of the finale performance:
[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/v/L3uDfnJPQEw&hl=en_US&fs=1&”]
We went back to the hotel to rest for the night after the performance, concluding our first day in Shantou. 🙂
Stay tuned for the next update on day 2.
Technorati Tags: airplane rom, airplane wedding, ellie and carl, ellie and carl up, getting married on a plane, jetstar first shantou flight, jetstar inaugural direct flight from Singapore to Shantou, jetstar plane marriage, jetstar plane solemnisation, jetstar singapore to shantou, meritus shantou, plane marriage, plane rom, plane solemnisation, plane wedding, shantou, shantou travel, singapore first plane marriage, singapore plane solemnisation, singapore teochew association, singapore unconventional wedding, teochew poit ip huay kuan, up movie, wotif.com, 新加坡潮州八邑会馆 , shantou travel, shantou flight, singapore to shantou, teochew travel, Shantou’s Waisha International Airport, Waisha International Airport, 汕头外砂机场, guandong travel, chaoshan travel, 潮汕, 新梅园大酒楼, new plum garden, shantou new plum garden, new plum garden restaurant, 象拔蚌, elephant clams, 梁山伯与祝英台, teochew the butterfly lovers, shantou traditional opera school, teochew opera, teochew food, shantou food, shantou banquet, teochew banquet
hi alvin,
i was looking for travel info on shantou & came upon your website. my family’s teochew & we’ve been wanting to travel to shantou for the longest time, even though we’ve lost touch with our relatives there. i was wondering if you could share your travel itinerary & the tour agency/guide that you guys hired with me? My family (& extended family) and myself would be very grateful to you!! 🙂
pls email me if possible! thanks much!
gillian
Hi Alvin, I too chance upon your website and was very delighted to see the many places and eateries of Shantou you have shared.
We just booked our tickets to Shantou via Jetstar too and will be travelling there in early June. Jieyang is the ancestor hometown of my father-in-law and we intend to take my inlaws for a visit and also tour around the city. I am wondering if you can share with me your itinerary, travel guide/hotel information? Any guidance or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you and have a nice day.
You can get some Shantou travel info from my wife’s news article for my paper – http://alvinology.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/home-and-away-in-shantou/
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