On the our third day in Shantou, we went to Puning City (普宁市) in Jieyang (揭阳) in the morning. Rachel and I got to ride in one of the VIP’s BMW, thanks to my boss, Chim Kang.
![Rachel and I inside the BMW Rachel and I inside the BMW](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4427967795_227bd4c658_o.jpg)
The first activity for the day was to head to one of the local government’s banquet hall for another opulent feast. Nicholas, Rachel and I decided to skip this banquet as we were still full from our heavy breakfast at the hotel. We also wanted to take a breather from the straight-laced official itinerary.
The three of us explored the local market nearby and were captivated by the vibrant sights and sounds. We bought some local tidbits to bring home and then had a simple lunch at one of the street stalls. It was just porridge with some vegetable and meat dishes, but it felt good to eat normally for once.
![On the street of Puning On the street of Puning](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4427971179_a5c76bd62f_o.jpg)
![We were on a street with lots of mobile shops We were on a street with lots of mobile shops](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4427965335_528ea4435c_o.jpg)
![Loud music and catchy displays were ubiqutious to all the mobile shops Loud music and catchy displays were ubiqutious to all the mobile shops](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4428736670_d1e4ef887e_o.jpg)
![Somehow, this Ronald MacDonald sees to have more oriental features Somehow, this Ronald MacDonald sees to have more oriental features](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4428737074_97284be703_o.jpg)
![Commericial trishaw Commericial trishaw](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4428733072_32280b2729_o.jpg)
![Overdressed for marketing Overdressed for marketing](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4427970817_f2012453e6_o.jpg)
![Chicken and rabbits waiting to be slaughtered Chicken and rabbits waiting to be slaughtered](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4428736002_5fbc86aa3a_o.jpg)
![Mutton with assorted body parts Mutton with assorted body parts](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4428733808_11e28b5c9e_o.jpg)
![Fishmonger Fishmonger](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4427967651_821e0af990_o.jpg)
![Fish slaughtering Fish slaughtering](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4427978341_f1e02c3080_o.jpg)
![Vegetable stall Vegetable stall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4427977345_f0ea489384_o.jpg)
![More vegetable vendors More vegetable vendors](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4428737562_cfe7d5345f_o.jpg)
![Meat vendor Meat vendor](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4428736806_7178e43704_o.jpg)
![Fancy some tortoises for lunch? Fancy some tortoises for lunch?](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4427972653_7768a376e4_o.jpg)
![Home-farmed eggs Home-farmed eggs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4427976597_f61ae4199f_o.jpg)
![We bought lots of quirky flavour potato chips We bought lots of quirky flavour potato chips](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4427969215_c8f944c5a9_o.jpg)
![Potato chips we bought because of the funny brand name Potato chips we bought because of the funny brand name](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4428738876_4e715d8cf9_o.jpg)
![We had our lunch here We had our lunch here](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4427964669_e57dc8374c_o.jpg)
![Meal for three pax Meal for three pax](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4428735476_5a7b4fe01c_o.jpg)
![Close-up of our meat and vegetable dishes Close-up of our meat and vegetable dishes](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4427965745_3858030c32_o.jpg)
After lunch, we went to the Puning Overseas Chinese Secondary School (普宁市华侨中学) for a tour. The Singapore Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan (新加坡潮州八邑会馆) has contributed funding to this school and some of the members in our group were happy to witness how their money has been used for a good cause.
![Inside the school compound Inside the school compound](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4427968353_363c91655d_o.jpg)
![The Chinese really like slogans - even on buildings The Chinese really like slogans - even on buildings](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4427966411_e5158ffcbf_o.jpg)
![The lux cars from our entourage, parked at the school basketball court The lux cars from our entourage, parked at the school basketball court](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4428737946_16f569124c_o.jpg)
![Students flocking to classes Students flocking to classes](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4428740600_9314c3340f_o.jpg)
![Random school girls Random school girls](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4428740470_ccd3e30eab_o.jpg)
![Lots of parked bicycles Lots of parked bicycles](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4428730294_9a9aea1377_o.jpg)
![School kids playing badminton School kids playing badminton](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4427968467_a855ebec1b_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I enjoying lollies we bought from the tuckshop Rachel and I enjoying lollies we bought from the tuckshop](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4427968575_c2a2de5e71_o.jpg)
![On the important of speaking Mandarin On the important of speaking Mandarin](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4427966369_760bb2cdff_o.jpg)
![School noticeboard School noticeboard](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4428730622_9b186861ba_o.jpg)
![Another signboard encouraging students to speak Mandarin Another signboard encouraging students to speak Mandarin](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4428734166_4d33d42b3e_o.jpg)
![Time for poetry recital by the river Time for poetry recital by the river](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4428738050_617e9f6c7f_o.jpg)
![The dormitary The dormitary](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4427975091_5806e89c80_o.jpg)
![Freshly constructed extension wing Freshly constructed extension wing](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4428740360_1a68753244_o.jpg)
![The new building The new building](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4428739622_e74cf89c22_o.jpg)
![A dedicated hall in the new building to showcase the school's achievements A dedicated hall in the new building to showcase the school's achievements](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4428732008_0e1f5919b6_o.jpg)
Next, we headed to the Puning Chinese Medical and Herbs Market (普宁中药材市场) to check out the wide array of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs found in Chinese medical halls around the world. Other than the ubiquitous herbs like Lingzhi and Cordyceps, there were also rare items that are not commonly found elsewhere. Rachel and I were fairly disturbed to find a shop which specialises in deer products – all the way from the antelope to the deer’s penis.
![Entrance to the Puning medical hub Entrance to the Puning medical hub](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4428736502_1b01d2ab65_o.jpg)
![Minature representation of the entire compound Minature representation of the entire compound](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4428735786_91e4f66e06_o.jpg)
![There were rows and rows of medical shops like this There were rows and rows of medical shops like this](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4427979215_1d6163b275_o.jpg)
![Another shop Another shop](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4427975809_ca988d9041_o.jpg)
![Variety of herbs Variety of herbs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4427965155_b79a3a2803_o.jpg)
![Nicholas and Rachel outside one of the herbs shop Nicholas and Rachel outside one of the herbs shop](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4427973467_a09e8ebae0_o.jpg)
![Cordyceps (I think) Cordyceps (I think)](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4428739964_7af0705339_o.jpg)
![Sacks and sacks of these Sacks and sacks of these](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4427970159_dbbaa84ded_o.jpg)
![A large piece of Lingzhi A large piece of Lingzhi](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4427968191_ef5819f63c_o.jpg)
![Mountain of herbs Mountain of herbs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4427979357_bbe519ff54_o.jpg)
![Packed into bags Packed into bags](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4427966921_061eaaed3b_o.jpg)
![Stuffed little Bambis Stuffed little Bambis](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4427973697_a65248b2f3_o.jpg)
![Rachel feeling sad for the deers Rachel feeling sad for the deers](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4428738538_2de2240b1f_o.jpg)
![Inside the deer specialty shop Inside the deer specialty shop](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4427965395_2929abaffa_o.jpg)
![Whole antelopes for sale Whole antelopes for sale](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4428741920_758658ca36_o.jpg)
![Smaller bits of antelopes Smaller bits of antelopes](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4428740054_f67c7fa457_o.jpg)
![Really thin slices of antelopes Really thin slices of antelopes](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4427970053_2b38d0228b_o.jpg)
![Deer tendons, with the hoof still intact Deer tendons, with the hoof still intact](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4427976181_2859e9b890_o.jpg)
We then took a long ride to a gigantic house owned by a rich Singaporean Teochew oil tycoon. We did not get to meet this tycoon, but there were caretakers and gardeners present who are responsible for the house’s upkeep though no one seems to be be staying in it.
There, the tycoon had made arrangement for a few truckloads of firecrackers for our group to play with. We were also all presented with a large box of preserved plums and Shantou oranges each.
This was the first time Rachel and I have come so close to firecrackers and so many of them at a go. The sound was really booming loud and you could feel a tingling pain in your ear drums after a few minutes. The sea of red left behind as residue is beautiful, but probably a pain to clear up later on.
![One of the two door god that greeted us upon entering the house One of the two door god that greeted us upon entering the house](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4427978831_8be9bb50f3_o.jpg)
![The other door god The other door god](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4427977049_f2c598feed_o.jpg)
![The door the two gods are guarding The door the two gods are guarding](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4427974987_0654a9fbde_o.jpg)
![Setting off firecrackers to herald our entourage's arrival Setting off firecrackers to herald our entourage's arrival](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4427971665_66b3cdc92b_o.jpg)
![Lighted firecrackers Lighted firecrackers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4427971731_7f71eb8a12_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the firecrackers Close-up of the firecrackers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4428733326_ec1e744471_o.jpg)
![Me walking away as the noise started to get deafening Me walking away as the noise started to get deafening](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4428736590_042d452093_o.jpg)
Here’s a video recording of the lighted firecrackers:
[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/v/0C9nWqjWHjY&hl=en_US&fs=1&”]![Gawking villagers Gawking villagers](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4427967961_09d0c8fb3b_o.jpg)
![The trail of red residue is beautiful The trail of red residue is beautiful](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4428733224_5c65791243_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I standing amidst the firecracker residues Rachel and I standing amidst the firecracker residues](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4427975429_53be902f95_o.jpg)
![Another shot Another shot](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4428731860_a80301956e_o.jpg)
![Beautiful firecracker residues Beautiful firecracker residues](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4427976875_63b87411f7_o.jpg)
![Another picture of the residues Another picture of the residues](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4428740542_1db4e7f550_o.jpg)
![Slogans adorn all the entrances Slogans adorn all the entrances](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4428744068_072bef3f6f_o.jpg)
![Many many doors Many many doors](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4428738668_f05a54c3b4_o.jpg)
![Gangsters from the 70s Gangsters from the 70s](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4428743160_0a8d6e0bb9_o.jpg)
![Another gangster shot Another gangster shot](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4427976073_33e338ba50_o.jpg)
![Picture of Nicholas from the second floor - the house is really big Picture of Nicholas from the second floor - the house is really big](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4428741236_05647835b3_o.jpg)
![Me peeking out of a window on the second floor Me peeking out of a window on the second floor](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4428738916_626e38fc71_o.jpg)
![Rachel on the second floor Rachel on the second floor](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4427966687_4d7fef426d_o.jpg)
![Empty alley Empty alley](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4428740858_4163222afb_o.jpg)
![Couple from 80s China Couple from 80s China](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4427964141_4afabaae4d_o.jpg)
![A walk into history A walk into history](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4427964827_9a8f52d20c_o.jpg)
Next, we headed to China Jade Capital (中国玉都), which controls more than 20 percent of the jade market in China. It’s the biggest in China and has a large amount of Burmese jade. As we are not familiar with jade pricing, we did not buy anything although we were quite impressed with the beauty of some of the white and purple jade pieces.
![At the Jade Capital At the Jade Capital](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4428737428_36db857633_o.jpg)
![Inside one of the main building in the Jade Capital Inside one of the main building in the Jade City](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4428743592_2b5c99555e_o.jpg)
![Layout of the compound Layout of the compound](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4427966781_124fc81729_o.jpg)
![Security cameras Security cameras](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4427967505_381dcc398b_o.jpg)
![Buying jade Buying jade](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4428731636_3bc9826576_o.jpg)
![Daily food items, carved out of jade Daily food items, carved out of jade](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4427975625_d0c98522bd_o.jpg)
![Gigantic jade flower Gigantic jade flower](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4427977999_5c76f3d99c_o.jpg)
![Jade Guan Yin Jade Guan Yin](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4428745644_5104b281be_o.jpg)
![Another large jade table piece Another large jade table piece](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4427966183_c5cc62aef9_o.jpg)
![This one looks realy fragile This one looks realy fragile](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4428731502_d6f7cbe7b5_o.jpg)
![Rachel the jade seller Rachel the jade seller](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4427967241_3351360c57_o.jpg)
We had dinner at Temeisi Hotel (揭阳特美思大酒店) which seems to be helm by a famous head chef. We were quite hungry this time as we had a light lunch. Hence we were able to eat quite a bit.
![Temeisi hotel lobby Temeisi hotel lobby](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4428736970_43cf214df8_o.jpg)
![Very catchy giant Yun Bao at the lobby Very catchy giant Yun Bao at the lobby](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4428739210_d5f95177a2_o.jpg)
![Lighted Yun Bao Lighted Yun Bao](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4428738474_f5bd95e391_o.jpg)
![Inside the banquet hall Inside the banquet hall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4428739350_127c4c3cfa_o.jpg)
![Fresh seafood Fresh seafood](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4427976735_841dd2cb69_o.jpg)
![Famous chef Famous chef](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/4428740258_14cf747d48_o.jpg)
![Chinese bacon Chinese bacon](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4428736400_cf1b30395b_o.jpg)
![A large piece of fresh abalone A large piece of fresh abalone](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4427977447_581a81e4ed_o.jpg)
![I ate two pieces as Nicholas do not eat abalone I ate two pieces as Nicholas do not eat abalone](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4428734356_68c42c3623_o.jpg)
![Steamed fish Steamed fish](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4428739476_8ae7847039_o.jpg)
![Crispy prawns Crispy prawns](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4427966075_b161e6c25f_o.jpg)
![Fried Toufu Fried Toufu](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4428738186_abb8597f2f_o.jpg)
![Pork ribs soup Pork ribs soup](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4427971917_4b27450cb4_o.jpg)
![Delicious kampong chicken Delicious kampong chicken](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4428735852_971d85d9a4_o.jpg)
![Salted fried mushroom Salted fried mushroom](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4427969857_3298655eb0_o.jpg)
![Veggie with pig stomach Veggie with pig stomach](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4428736284_f7b1f18a0d_o.jpg)
![Jade green veggies Jade green veggies](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4427965061_ec5820df9b_o.jpg)
![Teochew Ku Chye Kway Teochew Ku Chye Kway](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4427969347_b1317c69d3_o.jpg)
![With Ms Chong Pit Lian, CEO of Jetstar Asia With Ms Chong Pit Lian, CEO of Jetstar Asia](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4427968921_27461b38b9_o.jpg)
After dinner, we headed back to Meritus Shantou, ending our official itinerary for the day.
Nicholas’s cousin came to look for him that night. His cousin is a surgeon and a very friendly chap. He offered to take Nicholas, Rachel and I to a nearby massage centre which is frequented by the local medical community. I did not take any pictures of the massage centre, but the services and facilities were really excellent.
Rachel went a seperate room for ladies. The three of us guys went for a sauna first before getting a good massage. We then joined Rachel in the resting area where they actually served us porridge with some light ingredients.
After the meal, we took a quick bath and changed. Nicholas’ cousin then kindly drove us back to the hotel. It was nearing 2am. We felt really guilty as he still has to work the next day, but at the same time, touched by his hospitality.
![The massage centre Nicholas' cousin brought us to The massage centre Nicholas' cousin brought us to](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4428736448_0f847f0e38_o.jpg)
Stay tuned for my next update on day 4. 🙂
Previous Entries:
Home and away in Shantou (Rachel’s my paper article)
Day 1 – Arrival, Teochew Opera
Day 2 – Chaozhou, Chao’an and Raoping
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