Photos of the Class of 1967 August mini-reunion in Hong Kong and Trip to China can now be viewed here.
2010 Jiu Zhai Gou, China trip (Cecil 陳焯亨)
In the spring Edward Chung and I were planning a trip to Jiu Zhai Gou, the scenic spot in Sichuan province bordering Tibet. Joseph Lau in Hong Kong expressed interest in joining even though he had been there before. Then Peter Chau and Joseph Chow also joined. Joseph Chow's wife Hilda and their two children also came along. We decided to meet in Hong Kong, staying for couple of days before heading to Chengdu.
While in Hong Kong Joseph Lau organized a dinner for class of 67. Two tables of classmates
turned up. For those like me who did not attend the 40th reunion three years ago it was a chance
to realign the faces with our memories. Most of folks I have met during encounters in the past 15
years or so. But there were couple of faces which totally escaped me. Chow Chi Sing whom I remember as a genteel petite kid in Wah Yan is now taller, darker and balder than me. Besides he is way cooler - I could have taken him for a character actor in Hong Kong movies! Another surprise is John Loo who was slim back then is now round faced with a storky stature. For a moment I thought I was shaking hand with the movie director Wong Jing. There were others who had not changed much - Joseph Lau, Chow Fei Luong, Tang Tong Bo. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Jiu Zhai Gou lived up to its fame. Joseph Lau said it was the prettiest tourist spot in China
he had visited. I concurred. This place is classified as a UN world heritage site. The scenery is
unique and cannot be found anywhere else in China.You have to be there to believe what you were told. Once there I am sure you would agree with Julius Caesar: " I came, I saw, I surrendered"!
Chengdu is memorable too. The panda nursery was wonderful as it offered such a close encounter with so many of them in an open environment. DuJiangYan, the great waterwork built two thousand years ago testified to the wisdom of the Chinese people. Water diverted from the Min river irrigated the great plain of Chengdu which supports a population of more than hundred million! We found a great Sichuan restaurant in Chengdu where the food was not too hot but just too wonderful. I had the best Chang Cha Duck ever at this place. Personally I could have used another couple of days exploring Chengdu. There is also mount Omei and the city of Chongqing. But that of course would be another trip!