Travel Journal - Day 3 Hong Kong

28.02.10

Made my way to Lo Wu station just a stone's throw away from the hotel around noon. Looking for the immigration counter was a challenge as I did not know the way around. I could only rely on the signs. Finally found it and got my passport stamped. Yay!! Another stamp on my passport for this trip. The train ride was challenge no. 2. Manson told me he would wait for me at Mongkok station. I realized that to get there, I had to make a transfer somewhere in the middle of my ride and I had absolutely no idea where.. Anyway, I just boarded the train. Thank God I was late (due to the wait at the immigration) and he gave me a call while I was on the train. It was then we realized that he had given me the wrong station name.. Phew!! If not for that call, I would be lost in the city... When I finally met him.. Lunch... =D Local food *yummie* Better food than in Shenzhen... keke.. After that was walk walk walk around the city (my poor poor feet...) But the places that we walked by was really interesting. Have seen Mongkok upteen times from the movies and TV shows but being there in person is a totally different feel. Although most of the buildings are old, they just have a kind of enchanting feel about it.. We had coffee at a small coffee shop in one of the old buildings (too many, dunno which one.. =P ) Cosy and comfortable.. Walked down Nathan Road then later to Tsim Sha Tsui.. Went into a couple of malls too but there's nothing special about the malls.. Just like those here in SG. I still like to walk the streets instead.. keke...
Last stop - Victoria Harbour - think this place is a place every visitor to HK must go to. Fantastic view of the commercial district from there.. All the tall skyscrapers.. You can also see Tai Ping Mountain which is across the harbour. But it was really misty today so the upper part of the mountain was not really clear.
Couldn't contact Po Wah for the last week so I gave Alan a call instead.. Woah.. long time no hear from this guy, so he was really surprised to receive a call from me.. But too bad he already had another appointment so we did not meet up. What a pity!!

As it was the 15th day (last day) of the Lunar New Year celebrations, Manson had to go home for dinner.. Tradition.. So when he went back, I took the train and made my way back to Shenzhen. I couldn't walk anymore.... Think I have totally 'overwalked' for the last few days. Came back to the hotel around 9 changed and went out to look for food. Couldn't spare the time to rest even a little bit cos it was getting late and if I still don't get my dinner, I would have to starve for the nite. I really don't fancy the food in China. Not exactly my kinda taste. Nevertheless, still had to fill my stomach. Was sitting alone at the noodle shop watching the sides of some fireworks behind one of the many tall buildings in Luo Hu.. Geez... the feeling was... lonely....
I know that one shouldn't go for massage right after food but my whole body was breaking up so I went ahead for my 1st massage in 3 days. Chinese massage... so-so... I still prefer Thai massage better.. keke..

** Tomorrow, I'll be catching the plane back to SG.
Yay!! Miss home, miss mom and dad, miss Mikka...

Travel Journal - Day 2 Shenzhen

27.02.10
Today, I totally overslept... Was supposed to meet Dennis at 10am but was still sleeping until he gave me a call at 10.15am... Soooooo sorry Dennis.. Washed up and got ready as fast as I could... Went for breakfast at one of those backlane shops. Another place that the locals go to. Was totally stuffed but the food was honestly only so-so... We headed to the Metro (train) to head over to my destination of the day - Hua Qiang Bei.
Just at the entrance of the stairs leading down to the station, I managed to get my first 2 pieces of 'Yu Rong' (padded quilt jacket) after a round of bargaining with the boss.. Gosh.. I really hate to bargain for things.. If not for Dennis (who did the bargaining for me.. keke) I guess I wouldn't have gotten these 2 jackets. We decided that since we were still in the vincity of the hotel, it was only wise to go back and put these 2 bulky jackets down first.. Thank goodness!!! I never expected the load afterwards...
The crazy buying started a few minutes after I entered the wholesale market - which is behind the electronics marts along the main road. Dennis left shortly as he had to get materials for his house reno. I continued my hunt and ventured deeper into the market area. Gosh! I am so amazed by myself. Within a span of less than 3 hours, I got more than enough things to stuff my luggage and backpack. The bulk that I had was so big, the shopowners thought I was buying stocks for business... Haha.. That was good cos that means that the prices that they gave me was not as bad as they would to a normal tourist.. Keke.. *Bargian*
The load that I had was too much for me. I had to stop shopping although unwilling but no choice. I am still puzzled at how I managed that big bulk of 'goods' to the main road to get a cab back to the hotel. Even the taxi driver was shocked... keke...
Arrived at the hotel around 2.45pm and did not wanna move for at least 15mins. My legs were soooooo tired. Think if I walked any longer, I would get the cramps. When I finally decided to move my butt to check out the 'good stuff' that I got... *SHOCKED* Filled the whole bed... and YIKES!! after squeezing the stuff into my luggage... cannot close!!! Had to sit on it and adjust the sides before I could get it clasped.. Mom, dad, whoever.. I need to come with more people next time.. Mikka, prepare a BIG luggage... =D
Manson gave me a call to arrange for the meeting tomorrow.. 12.30pm - Mongkok - lunch... Got it!!
Lazed around in the hotel until around 7+ when Dennis came to pick me, along with his wife and son. We went to a BBQ place somewhere off Futian District. Think I prefer this BBQ meal to the one I had in the morning.. keke.. Dennis' wife is from Szechuan, so she was secretly pleased that I can take spicy food. Dennis can't take too spicy so she has to cut down on the chilli and pepper. Have to re-check with him the name of this place. Would be good to go to this place for dinner again.
Went back to the hotel after dinner as the kid needs to go back and sleep. I went to the business centre instead of returning to my room. Miss Mikka so I had to go drop a short email. Happy to know that he will be starting his 'Golf Season' training again as the weather is getting better. Have fun with the clubs.. keke..

** Tomorrow will be Hong Kong day. Must remember that I can't buy anymore stuff...

Travel Journal - Day 1 Shenzhen

26.02.10 
Left the house at 4.30am in the wee hours of the morning. Mikka was sweet enough to keep me company right until I left the house (alright.. his timing is perfect cos he can go to bed after that.. keke) Hit straight for Terminal 2 and checked in shortly after 5am. After I got on the plane, I fell asleep almost immediately (no sleep for the night is terrible) until the stewardess 'screamed' at me asking what I wanted to have for breakfast.... (Damn it! Who needs breakfast when they can sleep... =P ) I had the suckiest chicken gravy fried rice on the plane.. Totally not nice... so much so for SQ/MI food... However, I did see something to brighten up my 'not so desirable' morning... Mountains of clouds..... Very nice... didn't have the chance to sneak out my camera though as the plane was about to land. Immigration was kinda fasat as there were only like what? 2 planes that landed..... Hmm..... But I have to say that these Chinese people should really consider building some toilets inside the "Before Clearance" area. My bladder was bursting cos I don't like to use the plane toilets (if I really can avoid it) but was told that the toilets are only available after clearance out in the arrival hall.... The worse part is the luggage screening guy was not paying attention and I had to 're-scan' my luggage for the second time before I could finally make it out... Geez....
Along the way from the Airport to the hotel, all I see is buildings buildings and more buildings... Never realized that Shenzhen is also a 'concrete jungle' like Singapore. Not only that, I hear from Dennis that the prices of the houses are comparable to that of Singapore, if not, more expensive even. Wow... how can the prices of a home be so unaffordable...
After checking into the hotel - Century Plaza Hotel - we went for lunch at one of the rice noodle shop along the street near the hotel where most locals go. Food tastes good but I never felt so pressurized to eat in my life... It was unfortunately lunchtime and I had like at least 10 or more people standing around me wishing me to finish and get out... I couldn't even finish my food in the end.
Went up to Dennis' office after that to say hello to Clara and Leo. Didn't stay very long there though. Went to Dongmen to start my hunt for stuff. The area is quite large and there are abundance of shops doing wholesale. I dunno if it was because I was too tired or the things there are not that appealing to me. In the end, after 3 hours of so of endless walking (ouch! my feet hurts), I did not manage to get much things. Went back to the hotel tired and disappointed. Put down my stuff and headed over to Dennis' office again. We went for dinner at a Hunan Restaurant cos I never tried Hunan dishes. Spicy but different from Szechuan dishes. I would rate this better. Returned to the hotel after that. The time was barely 8 but I was too tired to do anymore walking. Thought of going for a massage but changed my mind in the end so I ended up writing this in a notebook that I bought for 2 bucks today... LOL...

** Going for a holiday alone is no fun... I especially miss Mikka.
Tomorrow, I will go to Hua Qiang Bei. Lets hope I can get everything there.. If not I will have to go back to Dongmen to run around again.....