Olympics Spirit

Several weeks ago, an overseas customer asked me if I feel excited about the upcoming Olympic Games. Being honest, I told him I'm not fancy about it. After all, Beijing is ten thousand miles away, and I just can't feel the blast from here.

Anyway, it's marvelous to see how people can get so crazy about the Olympics over here.

On last Wednesday (16-Jul), the Bank of China Hong Kong unveiled its own HK$20 dollar notes, limited edition collectibles commemorating the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The notes will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis at the branches. Each person will be limited to purchase one set of each type, per visit.

Started from Tuesday midnight, a large crowds of people queued in front of the designated BOCHK branches, despite of the heavy downpour plus thunder storm the whole night. Of course, some want to buy it for collection purpose, others for short-term investment purpose. Regardless what the purpose is, it's truly amazing to see the enthusiasm people was showing here. (I am neither a collector nor investor here)

The Hong Kong commemorative Olympic notes, which are sold individually for nearly seven times its face value. That means, this HK$2o commemorative Olympic notes is sold at HK$138.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6449011.html

Although we are not particular fancy about the Olympics, still, we get to participate in some of the celebration events, for 3 times so far. Our major channel is through Vincent's school where they give away free entry ticket to the students and their family.

On 12-Jul, we attended another Welcome Olympics Evening Show at the HK Olympic Equestrian Venue, located in Shatin. The security was pretty tight. We got to walk through a metal detection gate, our backpack & handbag were checked very thoroughly too.

Finally, we entered the Equestrian competition venue. This is the 1st time we actually visit the place where one of the Olympics events will be taken place. Cool !

A large stage was set up at the center of the course. However, it's not big enough for the audiences who sit rather far away, like us. Sigh.

The audience seat is 270 degree surround. Basically, there are 3 blocks there. Besides this 2 blocks, there is another block on the left too.

The evening show was started at 6pm. From time to time, we saw the artists who took part in the performance arrived and walked to the stage by using this walkway. I couldn't see clear who they are.

The opening ceremony. Really couldn't see who and what was on the stage there.

All of the artists who performed in this evening show are considered new people. I hardly hear of their name, besides EO2, Chan-Hew-Tung, AT17, Hiromi, Cheng-Yong, etc.

The most well known artist is Chan-Pak-Chueng (nick name : Ah Lek), who has connection to everything that is related to horses, perhaps you know that too. He show up at the very beginning of the show, took part in a short interview, then left the venue soon after his part ended (man in red).

After 30 mins, we started to feel bored. Anyway, we wanted to hang there a bit longer, cause we still hope to see superstars like Joey Yong, Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Kelly Chan would appear some where in the peak time.



We had lost our concentration on the stage very fast. Instead, we just sat there and listened to the not-so-good songs. The boys were more excited to see the planes that flied by though.

Sometimes, I would switch my eyes back to the 'tiny' stage and tried to see what's going on there. Besides the artists, some young dancers also performed the traditional Chinese dance. Although not so clear, I think it was pretty good.

Some 'Kung-fu' and 'Wu-Su' performances too. Damn, we really should have brought a binoculars here.

I happen to notice this part of the scene is quite extra ordinary. See the top of the seat there, it's like floated in the air and extended to the hill.

About an hour later, we all were getting real bored. Many people started to leave the place.

20 mins before the show ended, we left too. We felt rather disappointed because no surprises ever occured in that evening.

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Anyway, the weather was very good that evening, though weather forecast said the opposite. Oh yes, in case it rains during the competition time, no umbrella is allowed. This is to ensure the view will not be blocked. The audiences can only wear the disposable rain coat that the organizer distribute to them at the entrance.

Since the competition venue is near to our place, we walked home instead of taking the free shuttle bus provided by the organizer.

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Along the river side, I stopped for several times to take some night shots of the pleasant neighbourhood we are living in.

That's where we live.



One of the bridges that connect both sides of the river.




That's my favorite shot for that evening.

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Another China Trip

The quality dispute we were having with the customer has become very complicated that I got to visit the customer's factory again a few days after the 1st visit.



As usual, I took the KCR train to LoWu station.

Self-service checking out the HK immigration, quick-and-easy by using my smart ID card.

Within a few minutes, I was crossing the bridge that divides HK and ShenZhen.

Then, heading to the SZ immigration that allocated for foreigners.

2-3 years ago, LoWu immigration is the worst immigration I've ever seen before. Not just because of its crowded and noisy condition, but the normal waiting time was 40-60 min. There was once, I stuck there for 2 hours. Gosh, such a torture that I couldn't help but to curse on everything.

Also, the queue method was very stupid. People just made a long queue at every opened counter. If you were lucky to stand in a faster line, you could get through the immigration faster than the people who came much earlier than you, who unfortunately, queue in the slower line, vice verse. So, before I start to line up, I used to stand at the far side for a couple of minutes, to observe which lines moved faster, then I joined in. Can you imagine how suck it was?

Thank God this stupid method is no longer in used. Instead, everyone queue in the same zigzag line to wait for their turn to be diverted to the different counters later on. That's fair and efficient! The queue time has been reduced to 10-15 min these days. So, I have no complaint now.

LoWu Immigration tower, one of the landmark of ShenZhen city.

The pedestrian walkway outside the famous ShenZhen Commercial Centre. The scene is also , more pleasant than years ago when heavy construction was in progress.

This long, clean pedestrian lane has helped to upgrade the city's image. Before the rebuild had been taken place, this area was just like a chaotic black market. I used to feel such a huge difference between HK area and SZ area that is only a river distance. But not anymore.

Many years ago, HK people like to go to ShenZhen to tailor made for their home curtains and clothes. But in view of the fast appreciation of RMB, there is no advantage to shop in this area anymore. In fact, it's getting more expensive shopping here than in HK these days.

Last time, we used to trade HKD100 for RMB112. Gradually, the difference become smaller and smaller, until now, HKD100 can only get RMB88. How pathetic !

This is the government who is very determine to grow fast. For the past few years, I've witnessed its transformation from a 'village' girl to a 'modern city ' girl, like Cinderella fairy tale.

This time, I've decided to take the train way instead of the road way. According to my customer, it will only take 40 min by train. Compare to 2 hr by car, there is no reason I don't take the train. That is ShenZhen railway station, it's only 10 min walking distance from the LoWu Immigration Tower.

Unfortunately, buying train ticket is not as efficient as checking in the immigration. It tests my luck again. I was lucky enough to line up in a faster queue this time.

If things like this happen in HK, we normally just groan and curse inside the heart quietly. But China people are more direct in expressing their anger, they would shout and kick people ass instead! And when it's your turn to buy the ticket, it's better pay and move away fast. Do not ask too many questions.

The train schedule is quite frequent. I didn't need to wait too long for the next train to come.

This is the 1st class compartment. Comfortable enough. Weird thing is, the the 1st glass ticket cost RMB55, the 2nd class ticket cost RMB50. So, there is no reason why I shouldn't go for the 1st class, right? However, despite of the small price difference, 1st class is not full at all. I wonder if 2nd class condition has no much difference from the 1st class then?


Table for 4, good for playing poker or 'chor-tai-D' game.

The train departed around 11.52 am. Consider punctual !

I turn on my iPod, there is nothing better than listening to the music and watching the fast moving scene outside.

The train pass by residential area...

pass by agriculture fields...

As a consequence of the rapid growth in economy, China people are getting richer than before. This can be judged from the high standard condominium they are afford to buy.

I think this consider lower standard apartment.

26 minutes later, the train stopped over DongGuan station.

Every CRH train is pretty identical in appearance, just like twins.

Their speed is pretty fast too. I think the max speed can easily go over 150 km/hr. See the nearest power stand, it is actually vertically straight. But its image was severely distorted when the picture was taken during the train moved fast.

Another example.

Exactly 40 minutes later, I reached my destination, ShiLong.

Littering is still commonly seen everywhere, splitting too.

Just stepped out the train station and saw this statue of Shuen-Zhong-Shan, father of China

Many motorcyclists poll over their bike near the train station. This is the cheapest "taxi", if you don't mind sitting behind the motorcyclist, without wearing helmet. The market rate is RMB5. I've tried that once before, many many years ago. Well, dare not to take a ride anymore.

Err..I haven't seen this "taxi" before. Apparently it's a modified version, Benz grade.

I simply walked in a restaurant and ordered the safest food possible (vegie + toufu), as a result of seeing too many disgusted disclosure on the TV, mainly on how the meat is processed, etc...

I like the tea anyway. Its scent is pleasant and soothe the throat too.

1.30 pm.

Ok, eat full, drink enough. It's time to start work now. I halted a cab and reached the customer site in 15 min time.

The customer didn't compromise a bit though many negotiation was done beforehead. Since the issue had been dragged for 2 weeks unresolved, the customer won't let us leave without our commitment this time. So, QA called his boss, I called my boss, my boss called his boss, finally we agreed to retract all the so-called rejected goods. After settling the replacement and its delivery schedule, we were free. Boy, I feel like I was a hostage there.

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Sigh, althought it's not 100% our fault, but some one just got to give in this time. And that's the woe of being a responsible supplier.