Our plan before we left for Hong Kong was to have a day trip to Shen Zhen. We had purchased about a month ago the China Visa from the Chinese consulate in Adelaide St here in Brisbane. Just went in, waited in queue for 30 minutes and paid Aus $ 40 for Aus passport Aus $ 50 for Uk passport. Purchased a regisered envelope for $ 4.20 and they posted passports with visa in , back to Carindale for me within a week.
As Harbour Plaza Metropolis was next to Hung Hom station, it was easy for us to purchase a second class ticket $ 33 HK each.....each way. ( First class ticket was $ 60 + , I think and seats were different. They were like a comfy seat on the bus , all facing the same way. Whereas the second class was like the normal metal MTR seats , along the side and of course standing rails to hang on to. We got a seat and it was fine. The trip took about 40 minutes. We were off.
When we arrived at Lo Wu we had to fill in Immigration forms and pass the usual immigration border crossing as if we were in an airport.
We had tried to get RMB in Hong Kong but many banks did not supply them. Perhapas Sammy caould tell us what bank actually does exchange $$$ Aus to RMB. The rate had gone down that week, so we thought we%26#39;d take our chances and either use ATMs at ShenZhen or exchange after we passed through Immigration.
We queued at the Bank outlet and waited for ages. However the rate here was much better than the rate the money exchange counters were giving. So we were happy we waited at the Bank outlet.
The Commercial centre is the building just to the right of the exit. In we went. Actually we didn%26#39;t even get in before a girl latched on to us...where are you from ? what are you after, can you come to my shop, what are you looking for.....she was stuck to us for at least an hour....no thank, we want to look around, no thank you we are just walking round today, no thank you leave us and we want to be on our own....no matter how many times we thought we ';lost'; her...there she was waiting at the next escalator. Yet another would join us...no thank you all over again. Then every shop we passed was the same with their questions.
Now, we are quite savvy, we have been to Bali, Bangkok, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia etc...never have we seen such persistance. They were like Vultures. Having said all of that, we were in lower season, not so many tourists, weather was cooler, economic situation down, so I think they were a bit more desparate for clientelle.
We did go to her so called '; friends'; shop in the end, just to be rid a someone following us all day.
We did buy watches, bags, etc.
My friend bought a watch last October for $ 420 RMB and wanted another one the same. I said $ 60 Aus are you kidding , we always get them for much lower. Anyway they start at about $ 650 RMB for everything watches ,bags , jewellery, t-shirts.... Finally even with the poor 4.3 RMB - Aus $ 1 exchange rate that day , I got her the same watch for $ 200 RMB. Hope it lasts till I give it to her.
Anyway, we had a bit of fun with it all too.
Back through customs and immigration again and back to Hong Kong.
The next day we just did some more shopping, had to pick up our glasses from Citigate Outlet. We came back to TST and walked to the Avenue of Stars and saw the Bruce Lee statue. There were a few weddings on and they were having their photos taken at Avenue of Stars. Nice to see the dresses etc. There was a '; no fishing '; sign along there, but just a few metres up, men were indeed fishing. We had a look at what they were catching ( Hubby likes fishing ) and they were very small stippy, spooty fish about 10-12 cm long ! We went back to the Ladies market for a few more gifts then back to Hotel from where we could see the Symphony of Lights. Being foggy days and nights, it was not the greatest, but we got the idea. Our hotel was next to the Hong Kong Colesium , a big stadium, and it had some great lights changing with the Symphony of lights...couldn%26#39;t hear any music though, too far away.
In all, out holiday in Hong Kong was great. The people we met were lovely, the food fantastic, the sigtseeing very interesting. A beautiful city really.
So glad we chose Hong Kong as our 30th Wedding Anniversary celebratory destination !
I must thank all the bloggers for hints and directions etc. I can say that a good map picked up at the airport or hotel is invaluable also.
Thanks again everyone !!! xxx
Just Back Report: Day 4 %26amp; 5
Just a quick note about the ';touts'; at Louhu Commercial City. Yes, they seem to be more persistant than they were last year. However, I have found that they are easier to lose if you ';don%26#39;t speak English';. A few words in Spanish, French, or even Pig-Latin(!!) usually discourages them.
Just Back Report: Day 4 %26amp; 5
Great trip reports Zezz! i have really enjoyed reading through them and taken quite a few notes - thank you for posting :)
Great trip reports Zezz! i have really enjoyed reading through them and taken quite a few notes - thank you for posting :)
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