Date: 13th – 14th Sept 2003
Aim : To promote and support Buddhist education
Objective: To publicize the International Buddhist College (IBC)
Total members: 44

On Sept 13th 2003 , a Sat morning at 8.15am, I arrived at Than Hsiang Temple with rain still pouring down since early morning, but this did not stop the group spirit for the Hatyai trip. There were around 15 members who were already gathered at the Great Compassion Hall with Ven Zhen Yuan busy tidying up food and souvenirs which we were bringing along for the trip. By 8.40am, three-quarter of the members had already arrived and were busy registering and signing for the border pass. By 9.00 am, all the members were seated, waiting for the arrival of Ven Wei Wu who would join us for a group photo as well as an opening speech on the purpose of this trip, followed by blessing for a safe journey.

The bus departed at 9.15am and stopped at Seberang Jaya to pick up one Sister who was staying at the mainland. In the bus, Ven Zhen Yuan was so considerate as to prepare noodles and drinks for all members as breakfast, as she was worried we would not be used to hawker’s food and which might cause an upset stomach during the trip. Each of us were also given a small hand towel as souvenir.

Our bus stopped at Changlun at 11.15am, where we met with Ven Wei Wu who said he was going to arrange lunch for all of us. All the members also happily changed some Thai bhats which would be used for shopping.

Our 1st stop was at the International Buddhist College site, where we arrived at about 12.30 noon. There was one site supervisor and around 10 construction workers who had just stopped for their lunch. After briefing them on our purpose of visiting and delivering some gifts and food, we took some photos , with the supervisor leading us to view the partially constructed building. We expressed our concern and thanks to all the workers who had helped to speed up the construction before we proceeded to Hatyai.

We arrived at Klintiendharm Foundation building at Central Park at 2pm where Ven Wei Wu was already waiting for us, reminding us to have our lunch immediately. We are so thankful to the staffs of Hatyai who had prepared delicious lunch for us and many types of Thai deserts. After lunch we proceeded to visit Songkla beach , where the view of the beach was so beautiful. All of us had gathered at the “ Mermaid “ and “ Cat & mouse “ site for group photos. We also had a short chanting together with Ven Zhen Yuan under the shades of the trees.

We left Songkla beach and proceeded to visit “ Long pu tott “ as well as “ Kuan Yin Temple “ before going back to Central Park at 6pm. After taking our bath and dinner, the group proceed to Prince Songkla University for “ The Joy of Zen Orchestra “ performance from 7.30pm till 10pm. The show was really excellent as the artists from various countries performed their best in this concert which is part of a fund-raising for our IBC building.

Our 2nd day programme started with morning chanting session with Ven Zhen Yuan at 7.15am on the 4th floor of Klintiendharm Foundation building. After that, we had breakfast followed by a sharing and chanting session with Thai students and staffs. We presented some souvenirs to them to show our appreciation for their warm hospitality.

Our bus left the Klintiendharm Foundation building at 9.30am and proceed to the ‘Cashew nuts factory’ and “ Tee Chang Wan “ statue. I really admired the spirit of Ven Zhen Yuan, who even with the heavy rain , she still encouraged us to take group photos for memory.

The bus arrived at ‘Hatyai Old Folks Home’ at 10am, where we were welcomed by the Admin officer who gave a short briefing about the home before bringing us to visit their residents. There were 50 old folks with 34 male and 16 females .We presented small gifts and biscuits to all of them and had a chatting session with them. Later, the home’s manager came to provide more information about the home . We raised few questions with the Manager giving us satisfactory answers. We had singing and dancing sessions with some old folks till 12.30noon.

All members then dispersed to have lunch and to do some last minute shopping till 2pm. Our bus then proceeded to Nora Plaza for shopping before going back to Penang.

Unexpectally, our tour leader Mr. Choo had arranged for us to visit the Dynapharm medicine factory at Prai, where we were brief on how the Western and Chinese medicine were processed as well as introducing us to some health product for supplement. About 80% of our group ended up buying the products home. We arrived at Than Hsiang Temple at 8.30pm.

Conclusion:
This was my first outing with Ven Zhen Yuan and Sunday school volunteers ( Ai Xin Baba , Mama , Jie Jie and Ge Ge ). I am glad to be given this opportunity to join this trip as I got to know more volunteers who had continuously given their support and service to Than Hsiang Temple which include Sunday school as well as Wan Ching Yuen. I really admire their team spirit and helpfulness , and also appreciate the contribution and organizing effort from Ven Zhen Yuan. At least I have benefited from the outing as well as building up more friendly relationship with volunteers in order to achieve our objective as Buddhist members .As Ven Zhen Yuan said , all of us must be very lucky to have the opportunity to meet and make this journey a happy and memorable one.