Shenzhen as old as the twins 37 years!!

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Geo: 22.53, 114.13

11th April, 2017

The day started early, up at 5.15am and caught a Taxi to the meeting place, the taxi dropped us around the area but once again we were lost trying the find the pick up place, getting their at 6.40am when the tour was supposed to leave. A good brisk walk for us and google maps was not much help.

Picked up with a family from Caulfield, Michelle, Mark and son Max, driven to the Station where our guide Elton met us and we connected with two from India. First class train trip to Tuen Men, very comfortable, elited and walked to customs which when we passed through we were in Shenzhen, China. Elton had to hand us over to Bruce, he did not have a permit to work in China so stayed with us but Bruce was in charge.

First stop Lychee Park, OMG it was just incredible beautiful park and Yen and Yin was explained to us, but people in groups were dancing, exercising, playing cards, Ping Pong, Chess, Tia Chi, using exercise equipment, Karaoke, playing music and singing in opera. We were welcome to join in and had a go at a couple of things, so welcoming, friendly and everyone was having a good time at 9am this morning.

If we had something like this in our parks we would not have lonely people, everyone was welcome, dancing was everything including tango, traditional dancing etc. sessions were for all ages, they were happy, interacting with others in what ever they wanted to part take in. Bruce told us it meant people leaving their homes and meeting up with others, such a wonderfull thing to see.

Next stop the Terracotta soldiers, 8000 so far and still finding the horses and soldiers, still have not found the actual body of the Emperor but have found something and not game to open because of so many booby traps. 2,200 years ago they were buried.

We then walked through to the Jade Factory and being a sucker for a bargain once again bought
a few things!! We then left and walked into the Bamboo factory, well we had a good time and once again bought a few things, shirt for Mick, glove for washing the car, wiping benches etc. undies for me that are marked Free and will fit all sizes!! All of us had a good time and we met up with the people from the Dorsett from Queensland who were also having a good time.

We then walked to the Restaurant very flash and had a banquet which was really good all chinese including fried rice, dumplings, noodles etc. very nice, not used to a napkin been put over my lap!! Once again met up with the Queensland couple and let them know we will join them at Happy Valley Race Track tomorrow night, should be good.

We then set off for the shopping mall Luo Hu Commercial City with plenty of warnings from Bruce and Elton about keeping our bags in the front because of pick pockets. 10 Floors and the guides were really good in looking after us, we just asked for what we wanted and they would show us where to go.

Elton showed us the electronic section, where we bought lighters you recharge, power pack which will do three charges, fast electronic 1000 for iPhone you can charge with very quickly and I had prescription glasses done which will be sent to me, transitional, bifocal and the last ones cost $1000, these are $350 no tax, plus we bought a few clothes. The centre sells all fake items but are graded from A, B, C, and we were taken to the stores where it is guaranteed of being A, good quality for everything. My glasses would have taken more than 2 hours to do so will be sent home for no extra cost.

We had the best day, plenty of time to relax if we needed to and all us had a wonderful experience.

This city was built 37 years ago and has a population of 17,000,000 people, still growing and is the industrial side of China, 4 times the size of Melbourne. Was built so quickly that they did not put in any lifts so had a flat part down the centre of escalators for suitcases, people put on and slide them down. The lifters at the bottom would carry the suitcases up the stairs for people and are payed to do this.

Such a great informative day thanks to the guides Elton and Bruce who where with us the whole time.

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Photos

Lychee Park
Could have stayed all day this place was incredible, beautiful, peaceful and so inclusive

Thi Chi
People having a good time

Chinese playing Chess
Why not 9am in the morning, keeping the mind active

Massages
All types of machines you could use for a massage

Our small group
Really lucky with the group we had today

The River dividing China and Hong Kong
Shenzhen was built on exactly the same as what is on the Hong Kong side in 37 years, the age of our twins. Big difference between the flats of Hong Kong and the city of Shenzhen. Barbed wire fencing to stop people from crossing over.

The Terraccotta Soldiers, Jade and Bamboo
Could not take photo's inside so Bruce took one of us outside the Meridian View Centre.

The Foyer of the Meridian View Centre
Different Buddhas in the foyer, we liked this one because he was smiling.

Coffee in the Shopping Centre
Not sure what we spent but needed a coffee before continueing our shopping. Loved the cups the cappuccino were served in, powdered milk makes a difference to the taste.

Elton in Blue and Bruce in Yellow
These guys were fantastic and really made our day.

Cemetery
After 7 years the bodies are dug up and cremated to make room for others

Customs Building we had to go through
Elton took the photo of us standing in front of the Custom Building, Shopping complex on the left and the MTR on the right. Everything within walking distance.

Comments

[Kate O]

Great photos, you both look fantastic

[muzoconnor]

We were very tired but it was worth the trip, slept in today and went to the Ladies Market, getting the hang of shopping and bargaining, had a ball arrived back to the hotel and it is bucketing down. Hope it clears for the races at Happy Va
lley!

[Ann Naismith]

What a great day you had. Saw so much. Wonderful ! Xx