shen zhen

although ive been to hk quite a few times over the last few years, i have never ventured up north to shenzhen before...

after disucussing this long awaited trip with a few local friends, we were warned to be really really careful. basically 9 out of 10 pple gave negative reports. pick pockets, dirty streets, unruly locals..... ok, we get the idea, stay close tog at all times, look out for bandits and clutch at our belongings for dear life ALL the time.

after a day trip there, i can now say that either we were really lucky, or that it wasnt really that bad after all. maybe things have really improved or just the old saying, you can never be too careful...lol

the train trip was smooth, and as most visitors were either mainland or locals, there were hardly anyone at the alien queues. immigration customs were friendly and rather efficient once we figured out and completed all the necessary forms :D

shopping was not restricted to the large mall just abv the train station at lo wu (although u could still spend 1/2 the day there shopping n eating if u want), we did a short stroll to more shopping areas up north from the station and the local maps were easy to follow. the local MTR is rather convenient too as most of the larger malls are built ard these stations.

food is generally cheaper than in hk but getting good bargins will require great haggling skills. we briefly looked at a rather decent oakley backpack, not seriously buying one but just u know browsing. they offered us 480 RMB. we were hungry and went off looking for food.... the salesgirl shouted after us offering the same bag for 200 RMB and as we walked further away, 100 RMB! chris and i looked at each other in disbelief but somehow did not turn back....

as the local govt is quite strict with copy brands and pirated stuff, most are well hidden from the shoppers eyes. a small shop with just one or two bags n belts is just frontage for more `A goods`. friendly touts lined the narrow corridors of the malls and bring interested customers to special rooms for a `no obligation` viewing. no, we did not go :p

we saw the abv signage outside a roadside restaurant... we were den gently reminded that we were indeed in china. where they do eat (almost) everything and anything... animal lovers (fiona) will literally shut this shop down if she saw it.. lol