The tour pickd me up promptly at 7.40am – there were two Malaysian ladies from the hotel too. We went down to the Station and on to the train that goes to the Border. Took about 45 minutes. Then, through Immigration – both sorts. For China we had a”group visa” so we had to line up in the order we were listed on the sheet! Me last!
Into aother bus. A quick stop to take photos of a big poster of Deng Xiao Ping who apparently opened China up to the West. Our guide, Naomi, was very fond of him – or at least she has been toeing the Company Line.
Shenzen is only 27 years old. Originally it was a fishing village of about 200 000 people. Now it has 18 million! Naomi kept pointing out all the high-rise buildings – proudly. I kept thinking how soul-less it was. Without its past.They took us to see a painting village. Basically, the people are trained to paint copies of pictures which then get sold In bulk to the rest of the world. Our original guide (Jack) told us that each persons specialises – so that one may do mountains, another lakes etc (on the same picture.) They live in the high rise aparments nearby and the final products are sold in the village. Next stop was the Museum where they had a couple of the Terracotta Warriors. And lots of Chinese Jade – carved, inlaid into screens and so on. Then we went on to a Chinese restaurant for a nice lunch. At my table were 2 Kiwis, 2 Poms, the 2 Malaysian ladies and me. Very Interesting and muticultural!
Finally we were given 2 hours to shop at a shopping centre attached to the train station. Two hours was far too much! The stuff in the shops seemd junky to me – clothes, shoes DVDs, sunglasses, lurid figurines (rainbow coloured buddhas for instance). The sort of stuff you might find in thee Dollsar shops at home. And everywhere people hassling “Missy, Missy. Manicure? Pedicure? You want watch, handbag?” After a short time I just found a seat and did my favourite thing” PEOPLE WATCH.
Eventually back on the train. The train was full of Hong Kong people with wheeled suitcases – they apparently go up and buy up. Then back to Kowloon where we were basically left to our own devices after getting off the train. We were underground and told to find the exit to Nathan Rd nearest our hotel, Not surprisingly I missed mine first time. But a little back-tracking and all was well.
This morning Jack said to us” You can say ‘Hello Jack”, Or just “Jack”. But don’t say ‘Hi Jack’, especially on the train”.
They are forecasting rain tomorrow so that means it will be overcast. It’s my last day in Hong Kong, so not looking good for The Peak.
