East Asia

In Shenzhen we habitually stay at the Intercontinental at Overseas China Town (OCT) as it's a five star hotel; within our budget; right on the Metro; and thus provides easy access to markets; art galleries; and even a theme park. Directly across the highway (access via the metro tunnel) there is a large more-natural woodland-park as well as a pleasant village and shopping precinct, with restaurants and coffee shops.  The hotel has well-appointed public spaces including several restaurants and conference rooms and is very comfortable.  The breakfast, in particular, is vast, catering to every taste.  

This is the third time we've stayed here. 

After arriving and settling in we went across the road to Walmart for a light lunch and to buy some Australian wine (yes, it was back). 

Such was our travail that we then had to relax at a pleasant coffee shop with charming server. We'd walked another 12 km today.

I spent the morning in the park and exploring the town - more coffee. 

This is just a small area in this largely wooded park. Very nice and very needed, given all the high-rise apartments nearby.

Despite rumours to the contrary, China's building boom is still in full swing here. The building with the palm trees is new and the tall building in the distance is the Ping An Finance Centre, fifth-tallest building in the World (115 stories - 599 m).

Unlike last time, once out of the hotel, almost no one here speaks English. Can they have forgotten? No. It's a young and confident new generation. China is now a world power. It's the same arrogance that English speakers once had. 'If they don't understand you shout,' an American once told me.  At least the Chinese remain polite.

Last night in China.
Tomorrow it will be back on the Metro to the border; then on to the HK Metro to the city; to catch a taxi to the cruise terminal and board the ship. 

We went back over the highway to a restaurant that I'd discovered earlier in the day. Where we ordered whole roast duck and a salad.

Fortunately the menu had pictures, as there was no translation and we had no internet. Wifi was a couple of Chinese characters??? 

We'd bought the wine at the supermarket ($A 14) and tried to ask if BYO was OK. It was farcical trying to use sign language to ask that. But then they produced both wine glasses and ice. No charge.

Why can't these foreigners speak Mandarin? Or read or write?

Needless to say, the meal was excellent. It was also inexpensive and a fraction of the price of a similar evening meal at the Intercontinental, across the road. Or in Australia.

The restaurant is quite large and there were numerous young couples, some with children, enjoying each other's company and the atmosphere was very convivial.  Have you ever noticed that people laugh the same in any language?