Our fourth day in Shantou (汕头)was our last full day there. Hence we wanted to make the most of it. Instead of following the official itinerary with our contingent, Rachel and I decided to tag along with Nicholas who will be hosted by his Shantou relatives. In this way, we get to have the real local experience as opposed to lavish banquets and staged events, catered for tourists.
In the morning, Nic’s uncle drove to pick us at our hotel. He brought us to a famous stall near his place to have beef ball kway tiao for breakfast. The stall is said to serve to best beef ball in all of Shantou and one of the few left that still hand-made their beef balls. Rachel and I enjoyed our breakfast very much and devoured the tangy beef balls quickly.
![The best beef ball kway tiao in Shantou The best beef ball kway tiao in Shantou](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4466694070_32feefbe6d_o.jpg)
![The stall The stall](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4465918545_9a6dc35525_o.jpg)
![Nic and Rachel enjoying their beef ball kway tiao Nic and Rachel enjoying their beef ball kway tiao](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4465920725_3194c3a8c2_o.jpg)
![Hand-made beef balls Hand-made beef balls](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4466695720_75db725cfa_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the super fast beef ball "pulling" Close-up of the super fast beef ball "pulling"](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4466683038_6494931d7b_o.jpg)
After breakfast, Nic’s uncle brought us to walk around a local wet market and introduce us to some local food delights. The market was reminiscence of Singapore in the 80s. When I was a little boy, we had wet markets like these too where the fish and poultry are slaughtered live on the spot.
![At the local market At the local market](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4466697426_b511e0f007_o.jpg)
![Fishmonger Fishmonger](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4465919139_5246466c8f_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the fish Close-up of the fish](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4465913501_ed3445b628_o.jpg)
![Another fish stall Another fish stall](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4465916685_5764bb03a5_o.jpg)
![Live chicken waiting to be slaughtered Live chicken waiting to be slaughtered](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4466689616_b69cd43552_o.jpg)
![Noodle stall Noodle stall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4465917713_32c56f7da2_o.jpg)
![Vegetable and cockles Vegetable and cockles](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4465910349_6e164280a4_o.jpg)
![Cockles and all kind of shell fish Cockles and all kind of shell fish](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4465905635_62f531d444_o.jpg)
![Pork vendor Pork vendor](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4465917011_c6ab3477bd_o.jpg)
![Another butcher stall Another butcher stall](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4465905711_1c528b05ac_o.jpg)
We then went to Nic’s uncle’s condominium for a quick visit. Nic’s uncle and aunt lives on the top floor of the condominium. There’s no lift, so we had to climb all the way up – a harrowing task for Singaporean brats like us, used to modern convenience.
![Nic at his uncle and aunt's condominium Nic at his uncle and aunt's condominium](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4465908147_17e5e8cfb8_o.jpg)
![Nic with his uncle and aunt Nic with his uncle and aunt](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4465911155_c57daeec89_o.jpg)
Their home has a nice view of the city and the sea. The roof-top floor also belong to them and they have spent much effort converting it into a cosy little garden. There was a pet cat and some chickens kept in the garden. There’s also a tidy indoor area to sit down, smoke and sip tea.
![Beautiful rooftop garden Beautiful rooftop garden](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4466696728_b053a61630_o.jpg)
![Nic's aunt cajoled Rachel to take a photo with her beautiful rose Nic's aunt cajoled Rachel to take a photo with her beautiful rose](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4466684356_90e9c171a2_o.jpg)
![There's even a small papaya tree There's even a small papaya tree](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/4466684678_b922c912de_o.jpg)
![Well-kept greenery Well-kept greenery](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4465920789_ee62d6316f_o.jpg)
![Garden view Garden view](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4466686728_d87f17a8e2_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I Rachel and I](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4466690060_a4be06a5c7_o.jpg)
![Nic and his aunt, enjoying the view Nic and his aunt, enjoying the view](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4465912697_e2334093aa_o.jpg)
![Can see the sea Rooftop view](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4465919607_5320e837b6_o.jpg)
![Pet chicken Pet chicken](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4466693676_e45a33a6d6_o.jpg)
![Pet cat Pet cat](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4466693168_de9a0c4a95_o.jpg)
![The cat does not like to be carried The cat does not like to be carried](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4466682138_05fb9e89f9_o.jpg)
![The three of us together The three of us together](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4465918299_fcb4d36358_o.jpg)
![Nic sipping tea with his uncle while deep in conversation Nic sipping tea with his uncle while deep in conversation](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4465921537_cfbf922b49_o.jpg)
![Rachel chatting with Nic's aunt Rachel chatting with Nic's aunt](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4465911561_6496748de5_o.jpg)
![Home-grown hulu Home-grown hulu](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4465922027_ef000de020_o.jpg)
![Shantou mini mango Shantou mini mango](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4466696152_4b6283e3d3_o.jpg)
One thing we observed about Chinese homes during this trip is that they always have a large tea-set in the living room. Guests are always served with tea and most Chinese men smoke too when enjoying their tea.
![You will see one of this in practically all Chinese homes You will see one of this in practically all Chinese homes](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4466696176_41559c9232_o.jpg)
After seeing Nic’s uncle and aunt’s home, they drove us to the city outskirt to visit Nic’s family ancestral home and also to visit more of his relatives.
![Pumping petrol for the long drive. We were surprised by the steep fuel price. Pumping petrol for the long drive. We were surprised by the steep fuel price.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4465921689_5fea1380d1_o.jpg)
We had a sumptuous home-cooked lunch, choked full of Teochew delights at one of Nic’s relatives’ home. After lunch, we followed Nic as his uncle brought him house hopping. One of Nic’s relative owns a large ceramic and glaze factory. They gave us a tour of their factory and showed us the production process.
The Chinese were really hospitable. Even though Rachel and I were strangers, Nic’s relatives made us felt like one of them and we enjoyed ourselves very much that day.
![At the countryside At the countryside](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4466685786_f32026fa13_o.jpg)
![Nic's relatives enjoying a puff with their tea Nic's relatives enjoying a puff with their tea](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4465907691_6cce843a96_o.jpg)
![Very friendly pet dog Very friendly pet dog](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4466684084_87104167a3_o.jpg)
![A small-scale ceramic factory beside Nic's relatives' house A small-scale ceramic factory beside Nic's relatives' house](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4466684818_dfdae6502f_o.jpg)
![Making little pots Making little pots](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4466697522_7ff95f5a90_o.jpg)
![Completed pots Completed pots](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4465915957_511a40d33a_o.jpg)
![Lunch time Lunch time](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4465921767_9963850f05_o.jpg)
![Nic with his relatives Nic with his relatives](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4465916117_83f0a97802_o.jpg)
!["Or Lua" - teochew oyster omelette "Or Lua" - teochew oyster omelette](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4466690674_5a51057103_o.jpg)
![Braised duck Braised duck](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4465915485_aa391bcf88_o.jpg)
![Fried carrot cake Fried carrot cake](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4465918001_729294d08e_o.jpg)
![Veggie Veggie](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4465917491_aba56890ef_o.jpg)
![Beef ball soup Beef ball soup](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4466690180_4b2dcee2dc_o.jpg)
![Steamed eel - a local delight Steamed eel - a local delight](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4465919985_ce412c91c1_o.jpg)
![Turtle soup (甲鱼) Turtle soup (甲鱼)](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4465915911_0a5060005a_o.jpg)
![Crystal buns for desert (水晶包) Crystal buns for desert (水晶包)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4466690886_c2e6300c2f_o.jpg)
![Nic's ancestral village Nic's ancestral village](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4466688182_49f5df4560_o.jpg)
![Inside the village Inside the village](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4466692540_62a8a9ccbe_o.jpg)
![You only see kids and old folks. The youngsters mostly went to work in the city. You only see kids and old folks. The youngsters mostly went to work in the city.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4466691508_ebdb750391_o.jpg)
![Ads for STDs clinic... Ads for STDs clinic...](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4465911981_e1baa515b1_o.jpg)
![A village provision shop A village provision shop](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4465914157_7fb9497ee9_o.jpg)
![In an alley In an alley](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4466681302_8cc282336e_o.jpg)
![A walk through time A walk through time](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4465908731_d82bd9b310_o.jpg)
![Rachel in the alley Rachel in the alley](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4466684248_12193ea455_o.jpg)
![Dried kway chap Dried kway chap](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4465921831_985aa95cc2_o.jpg)
![Basket full of feathers Basket full of feathers](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4465906955_87f8239673_o.jpg)
![The feathers probably came from here The feathers probably came from here](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4465916845_b6c42e2179_o.jpg)
![Inside a kitchen Inside a kitchen](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4465921505_ec54c66ac9_o.jpg)
![Braised eggs Braised eggs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4466680910_90e9c66858_o.jpg)
![Braised pork that had been left simmering for years Braised pork that had been left simmering for years](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4465917863_f33a7206f4_o.jpg)
![Nic's uncle bringing him around his grandfather's old home Nic's uncle bringing him around his grandfather's old home](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4466689072_e1edb1c664_o.jpg)
![Inside a room where Nic's mother used to play in Inside a room where Nic's mother used to play in](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4465921795_b622e18457_o.jpg)
![An interesting structure An interesting structure](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4465913659_c04b43e8ca_o.jpg)
![The walls of all the village houses were adorned by kids' drawing and certs The walls of all the village houses were adorned by kids' drawing and certs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4465910391_23258a352e_o.jpg)
![Drawing by another kid in another house Drawing by another kid in another house](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4465916583_1572810706_o.jpg)
![A rain shelter built using donations from overseas Chinese A rain shelter built using donations from overseas Chinese](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4466690454_758992d8f8_o.jpg)
![Another archway built using overseas Chinese's donations Another archway built using overseas Chinese's donations](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4465912187_55c067a09d_o.jpg)
![At one of Nic's relatives' ceramic factory At one of Nic's relatives' ceramic factory](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4465913229_f9021d9e1b_o.jpg)
![Factory exterior Factory exterior](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4466692064_76c299896a_o.jpg)
![Inside the sprawling factory Inside the sprawling factory](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4465921863_0e8301569d_o.jpg)
![Another picture of the factory interior Another picture of the factory interior](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4465915249_1273910595_o.jpg)
![Display of their ceramic product range Display of their ceramic product range](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4465916461_34c0da389d_o.jpg)
![Stirring the glaze used to colour the ceramic Stirring the glaze used to colour the ceramic](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4465908467_50e6264ecd_o.jpg)
![Chemical barrels Chemical barrels](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4466694110_1a72e72867_o.jpg)
![Glaze pools that are over 4m deep Glaze pools that are over 4m deep](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4466695784_710e4658f5_o.jpg)
![Ceramic powder Ceramic powder](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4465909487_79fbb6bb15_o.jpg)
![Checking out the different kind of ceramic products Checking out the different kind of ceramic products](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4466681670_13064e87ff_o.jpg)
![Rachel looking through the ceramic items Rachel looking through the ceramic items](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4466695118_179e50134a_o.jpg)
![Workers going through their daily routine Workers going through their daily routine](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4466692640_363c515e7c_o.jpg)
![I suppose this is a kiln I suppose this is a kiln](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/4466687010_2264583d2a_o.jpg)
![Some large canisters Some large canisters](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4466687560_132fbb7cf5_o.jpg)
![The men sipping tea and smoking as usual The men sipping tea and smoking as usual](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4465911715_2a06e543b5_o.jpg)
![Barren farmland outside the factory Barren farmland outside the factory](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4465918515_20fb9a702d_o.jpg)
![More buildings coming up More buildings coming up](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4465918155_4e7546a9bd_o.jpg)
![A pet dog in the ceramic factory A pet dog in the ceramic factory](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4466682404_ce7cc1ddfe_o.jpg)
![Nic with his relatives who own the factory Nic with his relatives who own the factory](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4465915985_74b07c8181_o.jpg)
![With CCTVs - they get to work from home while watching television With CCTVs - they get to work from home while watching television](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4466696206_69838bf856_o.jpg)
The highlight of the day was scheduled for late noon – to visit a lavish hot spring resort, Dansuao Hot Spring Hill (潮安县东山湖温泉度假村), highly recommended by Nic’s uncle who drove us there. The resort claims to have an astonishing 99 hot springs! We reached the place at around 4pm and spend around two hours soaking ourselves in the many different types of hot springs there. Heavenly.
We managed to take a few photos of the place before Rachel got caught and was made to keep the camera in the locker. Other the hot springs, the resort also has massage facilities, a gym, sauna and many other items.
According to Nic’s uncle, this resort was built by a rich Singaporean Teochew businessman. With the advent of Shantou as a modern city, the man has received many offers to buy his resort recently, but he had steadfastly refused, seeing further potential in his investment.
![The hot spring resort is big. We have to walk a distance from the carpark. The hot spring resort is big. We have to walk a distance from the carpark.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4465910137_45b8c08142_o.jpg)
![We passed an old communist school on the way - pointed out by Nic's uncle We passed an old communist school on the way - pointed out by Nic's uncle](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4466693810_807d9abef7_o.jpg)
![The stroll was lovely as the place was rather scenic The stroll was lovely as the place was rather scenic](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4465911089_cec6bb48bf_o.jpg)
![Main building of the resort Main building of the resort](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4465908891_1012010ddb_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I Rachel and I](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4466691358_686e73207a_o.jpg)
![At the reception At the reception](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4466695400_0edc472112_o.jpg)
![We were surprised to see a grand piano at the lobby We were surprised to see a grand piano at the lobby](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4465922101_149c92b66c_o.jpg)
![We are here :) We are here :)](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4466683706_903dc396a5_o.jpg)
![A pond Artificial landscaping](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4465911033_b3648bf13d_o.jpg)
![There were many nice rock structures like this There were many nice rock structures like this](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4465906807_647844be2f_o.jpg)
![The four elements spring The four elements spring](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4465916179_7f773c888d_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I dipping in one of the hot spring Rachel and I dipping in one of the hot spring](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4466689744_a1cd7fe39a_o.jpg)
![Heavenly outdoor hot spring Heavenly outdoor hot spring](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4465908353_a31c1509d1_o.jpg)
![Rachel and Nic's aunt in one of the medicinal hot spring (hence the green tint) Rachel and Nic's aunt in one of the medicinal hot spring (hence the green tint)](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4466682878_4687fae53e_o.jpg)
![Another picture Another picture](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4465913373_c7d9f06f70_o.jpg)
![Rachel alone in another spring Rachel alone in another spring](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4466695018_36bd82a45e_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I inside a tiny spring Rachel and I inside a tiny spring](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4465914819_73807b591d_o.jpg)
![There's newspapers to read and fruits to eat after enjoying the hot springs There's newspapers to read and fruits to eat after enjoying the hot springs](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4465914737_d48b83702e_o.jpg)
![Night view of the resort Night view of the resort](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4465910731_8a5f629e72_o.jpg)
After the hot springs, it was dinner time. Nic’s uncle and aunt brought us to a nearby remote restaurant that we probably won’t be able to find by ourselves. There, we had one of our best meal in Shantou. The fish was slaughtered on the spot and served fresh. The kampong chicken meat was really sweet and tangy. Vegetable was jade green.
![Dinner place Dinner place](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4466686140_66ab708036_o.jpg)
![Inside the restaurant Inside the restaurant](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4466697564_58402a4238_o.jpg)
![We were the only customers that night We were the only customers that night](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4465921105_5bf907bf2a_o.jpg)
![The fish was slaughtered live after we have made our choice The fish was slaughtered live after we have made our choice](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4465907309_baea52ec1d_o.jpg)
![Chopping the fish into little bits Chopping the fish into little bits](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4466683618_bc9bf8da01_o.jpg)
![Chicken in the backyard where the toilet was Chicken in the backyard where the toilet was](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4465906875_89807363f4_o.jpg)
![There were lots of pet cats in the restaurant There were lots of pet cats in the restaurant](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4466686536_9ef32a5838_o.jpg)
![Our lunch coming up Our lunch coming up](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4465920143_0c6b808e78_o.jpg)
![Delicious kampong chicken Delicious kampong chicken](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4466681582_21e0d4c352_o.jpg)
![Liang Teh to go with the meal Liang Teh to go with the meal](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4466697288_b335c7ae34_o.jpg)
![Pig stomach soup Pig stomach soup](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4465916385_3259bd1e8f_o.jpg)
![Jade green veggie Jade green veggie](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4466688920_1f475b9b2b_o.jpg)
![Very fresh eel Very fresh eel](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4466694918_3e606469ba_o.jpg)
![Nothing goes to waste - the remaining ingredient were served with kway tiao Nothing goes to waste - the remaining ingredient were served with kway tiao](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4466693118_a6a8c65d4c_o.jpg)
![After a full meal After a full meal](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4465918995_004fda3510_o.jpg)
We had tea after dinner and Nic’s uncle strike up a conversation with the restaurant owner who was a retired hotel chef.
![Nic's uncle sipping tea with the restaurant owner and staff Nic's uncle sipping tea with the restaurant owner and staff](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4465907445_8a451156e2_o.jpg)
Nic’s uncle then drove us to buy some food stuff for Nic to bring back to his relatives in Singapore. We were then taken back to our hotel where we bid farwell to Nic’s friendly uncle and aunt.
That ended our last full day in Shantou. Tomorrow, we will be leaving early in the morning to Singapore. 🙂
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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