Despite preparing for Orchid Island by reading many reports on the Yami people, he found he was not welcome when he arrived in July, 1987.
為了避免重蹈「文明」覆轍，他先涉獵了有關雅美文化的書籍及研究報告。雖然心理有所準備，但在民國七十六年七月到蘭嶼時，卻發現自己不受歡迎。