China

Well I must say I was quite surprised about my visit to Shenzhen, it is a very interesting city, it is very big, and surprisingly clean. I explored the city for a while, some massive buildings, and a huge ritzy shopping mall with a massive Gucci store among others. Out and about I only saw two other white people, I didn't think other than the shopping area right at the border with Hong Kong this isn't too big of a tourist destination. However at night my brothers friend took me out for an amazing green crab and shrimp dinner, it was a little oily but very tasty, and nice and spicy! After dinner we set out to look for some night life, and for a monday night I was amazed how alive the city was at night. A couple places we went to were so busy you could hardly move, and it was so loud you couldn't hear your self think. Finally we found a nice little place that was busy but not insane. There were a few tourists there, a good portion of which were from the Philippines.

After the bar closed, which I think was around 4am, we found a little street restaurant and had some grilled kebabs of various meats, I think beef, pork, and chicken (I hope), they were quite tasty none the less. Then we went to a SPA where Jim and his wife always go to, and had a very relaxing massage at 5:30 in the morning! Finally we made it back home and I slept for a while before making my way back to the big shopping centre on the Hong Kong border. It was way to painful to do much shopping there. The government of China is really cracking down on fake goods, so all the stuff on display was pretty poor quality and not overly impressive. You could talk to one of 1000's of store owners who try to get you into there shop, and then they may pull out some better quality stuff, and then you really have to fight to get a good price. I just couldn't take it, so I didn't buy very much, I am not cut out for that kind of shopping.

I then made my way back to Hong Kong, where I stayed one last night, and then came home early to surprise my mom, she thought I was coming home a week later. So when she showed up to my brothers place to go for dinner, she was quite happy to see me.

Now I am just readjusting to the cold, the lack of humidity, and the time change! I will be here for a month before heading back to Hong Kong, where I will continue my adventures in Asia! I think Philippines will be the next stop.

Posted by Jason Willock

Well I am now in China, the weekend in Hong Kong was quite fun, went out to a pretty big club on Saturday, it was a new club, so I don't think many tourists new about it, as there were hardly any white people. Had fun partying with the asians though. I am surprised that Hip-Hop seems to be the more popular music of choice in clubs here, at least to the few I have been. I was thinking it would be more electronic music. I am certainly not complaining! I am also surprised how late the action goes on here, I left at 5am and things were still going pretty good in the bar.
Prices are certainly more expensive on the weekend then during the weeknight. $300hkd $36cdn cover charge and that got you one drink.

Anyhow I am now in Shenzhen, a rather interesting city, 20 years ago it was a small fishing village. Now it is a city of 12+ million, and huge skyscrapers, and massive shopping malls. Also home to some good shopping, which was the main reason for the visit here. Designer Knockoff clothing, I went for a little bit today, and bought a watch and some jeans, it is rather tiring shopping, as you have to fend off all the sales people, and then do some serious negotiation for prices.. Fortunately I have some guidance here, one of my brothers friends lives here, so he took me around and gave me some ball park prices to pay for things, he doesn't speak chinese though, so we can't get the best price, that is reserved for the native speakers.. His wife is better at that, but she is away, so us two white boys have to fend for ourselves.

Not much English is spoken here, so it will be interesting to see how it will be to get around. But am looking forward to seeing what this city is all about.

Posted by Jason Willock