The trip has really enriched my learning about China and the business side of it. The company visits have helped us understand some challenges they face and how the government has been of help to them. China though closed up before, they have developed so much that it's amazing. Being such a huge country, it is a challenge to develop the entire place especially when there is only one central government. I applaud China for a job well done.
Personally, i've met all the objectives i've set out to meet. One of them is being independent. It was my first time going on such a far away trip alone. And i supposed that i have learnt to take care of myself, keeping myself safe and healthy. Adapting to the way of life there, like how there is not a single toilet bowl except in the hotels. Making sure i have my things ready since we are constantly on the move and lastly keeping a look out for my friends. I was too busy enjoying myself that i never really miss home that much as i would have expected to. I guess if there is another chance like this, i would be able to handle it.
I went on the trip prepared to learn about how things work in China and i know i did. I see and experience for myself how China is growing to be a strong economic power which i do not doubt may even take over USA in the future. In the past, i used to think that China made goods are of poor quality and that it will be spoilt very easily. By going there, i see good quality being produced by advanced technology. The people there are very adaptable to any situation that may arise. Like having a generator of their own in case they will not be able to have power.
Though the labour there is cheap, the skills that the workers possess comes from training that was provided so they become skilled workers. And within China itself with such a big population, there is no lack of talent pool. You see news on TV about how Japan always comes up with high-technology items, China can overtake that. It's only a matter of time.
Lastly, China people are not all that bad as we thought they were. They were much friendlier and good with words when you are buying things from them. However, there are still some who are extremely rude. But no doubt, these people are made of hard stuffs. They stand their ground even being threaten. After this trip, i'm really happy to see the China Chinese sticking to their culture.We are both Chinese but we tend to be more westernized. It's sad to say we are losing our chinese roots. If one is to enter China, you must speak their language and have an understanding of the culture. And use the local talent pool, they will be a perk to your company.
To sum it all up, it has been a total eye opener for me in all aspects. New friendships are forged and it's a very great experience. I will definitely miss everything and all that i had been through. 
IBSM 2007 End.
iblog; 9:38 AM
Labels: Guangzhou, HK, Lao yao, Mr Wong, Ms Ng, Shenzhen, Xiao Deng, ZhuhaiDay 10
It is considered our last day in Zhuhai cause we are leaving the next morning back to Hong Kong.
Our last company visit for the trip is “Sanzao Science and Technology Industrial Park”. 
It occupies an area of 2.66 million square meters. It is a hi-tech industrial park with the development of such industries as electronics and IT, biological pharmaceutics and environmental protection as the main hub and other hi-tech industries as the complementary sets.
Within the area they have a commercial bank center and 52 enterprises, out of which 22 are overseas enterprise. In order to encourage pioneers as well as overseas students to set up companies, they have a 40% rebate on the rent. There are some pieces of land reserved for future big development. 40,000 sq meters is used for recreation consisting of 2 golf courses. 
This park has the reputation of the most “changed” environment and I can see why. The place is really beautiful. We were told that when the researches get too stressed up, they take a walk in the park to try and get some stroke of inspiration. 
During our walk around, we see various reputable universities, and they tend to specialize in software development. This is why I believe that there is a vast amount of talents for the companies in the area to tap in, it even has a student area, known as the “Pioneer Undertaking Park for Chinese Students studying abroad”. This along with the advantage of the basic package of software environment makes the whole place really an attraction on its own. 
We were told that in Mainland China the tax rate is 15%, Pearl River Delta 20% and Zhuhai 15% (两免三剪半). If I was an investor ready to set up a enterprise based on software development, this will definitely be the place I head for. I have a ready young talent pool and the basic infrastructure for me to use. And when my family comes along with me, the management of the area will help me get settled down like housing and after 1 year of establishment I can look forward to have funds provided. 
Next we went to Zhuhai Sante Cableway. Paid some money to take the cable car up
Going up
Pretty steep but really nice view of the valley
and another way down. At the top, we get to see the whole Zhuhai. 
It was a breathtaking sight.There were some activities up there for people to play and some of us did. 
Evelyn getting her self portrait drawn. 
The guys getting a shot at winning something. 
Found the wishing rock which had a lot of locks around it, the lock cost a lot of money so we simply put our hands on the rock and wish. The rock has this history of making the Casino King, Mr Stanley Ho who he is today. Because he one day came to this rock and made a wish, ever since his wish has been granted he comes every year to “repay”.
On our way back to the hotel for debrief, we passed by the river side. The black parts in the middle are all the shells where you get pearls from. There is lots of them which is how Zhuhai got it’s name because of the harvest of pearls from this place.
Back at the hotel, we all went back to our rooms to grab our journal before heading down to a mahjong room to do our debriefing. The teacher sat in front and the rest simply gathered on the floor. Some of us had to stand due to lack of place while Lao Yao stand guard outside the door for? Mr Wong commented on each person’s one comment. Many of us had leg cramps after all that. 
Then it was free and easy for the night. More market research was done before and after dinner. We were told that the driver was leaving Zhuhai and heading back to Shenzhen/Guangzhou on that night. It was rather sad to see him go, though I have never spoken to him before but I really appreciate his service. Driving us through all those traffic while we all slept through. Cleaning up the mess we made in the bus. 
But before he left, he dropped us off at another place away from the underground shopping centre. The group of us, Rong Xing, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Yi Ling and I decide to head back to 拱北地下商场 to resume shopping. 
Was trying to figure our way out when suddenly Rong Xing commented, so this is where Xiao Deng buys his books. Turned out that Xiao Deng was buying his story books from a road stall. He was surprise to see us and asked why we were there. He offered to bring us back to the underground shopping mall. More market research and we ended going back to the hotel with Ms Ng. Day 11
After breakfast we went off to 渔女像 and 情人路. 
Xiao Deng told us that 情人路 got it’s name because the one of the minister had to name it and it will reflect very badly if he, as a minister is unable to accomplish naming a small road. So one day, he took his wife for a walk down that road. The wife felt like how she was when she started falling in love. Walking down the road holding hands with her love by her side, she felt that this road is suitable for couples dating. So that is how this little road by the Pearl River got its name. Sounds very sweet doesn’t it? Took lots of photos with a lot of people.
The figure
The guys 
Stephanie, Me, Yi Ling, Bao Yi, Andrea and Elizabeth
Us plus Xin Ni and Rong Xing 
Xiao Deng with all of us
We were running really late for our ferry so when we got down, we literally grab our own luggage and ran. I was the first few to enter the customs, so I didn’t have the chance to thank Xiao Deng for the past 10 days or so. He took care of us and really taught us a lot of things. One of the nicest guides I’ve met of course not excluding Lao Yao as well. The last few who went in did thank him though. Off we went into the ferry. I got motion sickness the minute I got to my seat. It was a sad departure for me because I have gotten so used to the life I’m leading and once we leave Mainland China it also means I’m really going home. I will definitely miss everything. Slept through out the entire trip back to HK. 
Finally arrived at Hong Kong, it was really challenging trying to get our very overload luggage off the ferry especially when it was so shaky. After lunch, we walked back to our hotel and the rest of time was ours. 
Off we went in different groups. I went with Yi Ling and Andrea to the 3 combined shopping centers at the harbour side. It was really fun shopping for things. Went into Zara and bought a couple of things. Met Lao Yao later at the Avenue of stars and took a photo together. 
Met up with Zhe Ying, Stephanie, Nicholas, Jasmine, Denise at 女人街. We travlled by tram. =D
But before that, we had “Xiu Liu Shan”, 
the Singapore branch has closed down. It was my first time eating it and it was really yummy!!! Would love to try something else next time round. Cabbed back with Steph, Yi Ling and Andrea back to West Hotel and arranged to meet up later for Wantan Mee, which everyone said is a must try in Hong Kong. 
Lao Yao who came down and wanted to use the computer, got “pulled” to join us for our meal. Had a very memorable time with Stephanie, Yi Ling, Andrea, Elizabeth, Rong Xing and Lao Yao while eating. Back at the hotel, Lao Yao asked the guy at the counter what are some night spots in HK. He suggested “Ha Ta Dou” to him and so Rong Xing, Yi Ling and I decide to go along with him. It was really a very small street. We finished walking it in like 5 mins, all we saw was pubs and a couple of clubs. Ended up walking around to another place, took a cab back to hotel and realized it’s simply behind from where we were. Lao Yao paid all the cab fares. Then Yi Ling wanted to collect her “Wife’s biscuits” from Nicholas but we didn’t know his room so we went to Lao Yao’s room to call him. No one picked up the call and so we assume he has gone to bed. Ended up talking with Lao Yao in his room and when Yi Ling mentioned she bought a small mahjong set, he suggested playing in his room. So all of us went down to collect our things and went back up while he bathe when we were away.
Lao Yao unplugged the small refrigerator 
and put his towel over it. 
And off we played, didn’t think I win any rounds. =( 
But we talked a lot and only head back to our room at 5 plus in the morning. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and we saw Rong Xing standing outside. Turns out that Carol, Mingli and Tiffany were on her bed. So she joined us in our room, we combined 2 beds together and slept side by side. In the morning, we received 3 calls and since I was the nearest I picked it up. The first was morning call, second was Stephanie asking us if we were going for breakfast and lastly Elizabeth asking for Rong Xing. Day 12
We slept in so we missed breakfast. Set off at nearly noon and off we go to the airport. On our way there, we gave gifts to thank Lao Yao and the guide for accompanying us. 
While waiting for check in, we took photos. 
Andrea
Guan Hong
Nicholas
Christine
Edward
After some not very pleasant encounters at the check-in, we grab a bite and board the plane. Was separated into the order of name so I sat beside Stephanie 
and Lao Yao. 
Watched dreamgirls, slept and had my dinner. Finally had a very smooth touch down.
Home sweet Home.
iblog; 7:24 AM
Next was 长命村 also a Hakka Village. It got it's name because the life of the people living there are all above 85 years old. The World's oldest human was from this village at age 124, but she passed away a few months back, just one month after she received the title. And so it was believed that it's due to their drinking water which comes from a well. Xiao Deng told us that many people decide to move there after retirment is not only because of the beautiful environment but because the hope to live a longer life. Labels: archery, hakka, horse riding, Lao yao, Mr Kam, Mr Wong, Ms Ng, Singapore, strawberries, Sun Yat Sen, tea, toilet, Xiao Deng, Zhongshan, ZhuhaiDay 9
It's slowly counting down the days to home. But today we got to be tourist again!! Haha since we do not have too many companines to visit. Our first place was to some place where lives the Hakka clan. I'm a Hakka too but i'm guilty of not being able to speak it. haha
The environment up there is really superb. It's really a moutain, hilly kind of place. 
See? I mean where can you see this in Singapore? The only hill not even moutain we have is Bukit Timah Hill. Haha
Overlooking the tea field. Looks a bit small though but the products being produced are really of quality. The reason is?
Thata!! It's being 炒 by hand and by a very experienced gentleman. My first thought was that it must be really hot to put your hand into the huge metal wok and fry the tea. We also learnt that tea is NOT made from the leaves but a certain part of it, something like a bud. But we got a chance to try it!! I did and when it wasn't hot but warm and when i'm done, my hand is warm and smells really nice. 
Got the chance to see this expensive item above being grown. It's similiar to a piece of wood and we actually got to taste it. After it was cooked, it was entirely black and really looked like a charred piece of wood. Haha it was passed around but nobody bought it back to cook soup. Cause it really taste very bitter. We love sweets!! Even Mr Kam couldn't take it after ONE mouth. 
Our tea tasting room. 
The tea after it has been 炒. It was right in front of me and it was smelled really nice. 
This is the tools to just make tea. Reminded me of Lao Yao's purchase of a tea set the night before and he didn't manage to bargain to his desired price. Haha 
How can i leave without even taking a photo with the serene scenery? Ever since we step into China, all our meals consist of TEA. Only one restuarant serves coke and beer. But the rest are always tea. But still we didn't complain and even got used to it.
This dragon head has water coming out of it. We were told to wash our hands and then touch ourselves from head to toe before finally putting them in our pockets. This signifies bringing wealth back with us. Well, being typical Singaporeans we all did it. Who will mind extra wealth? Haha
We were told that to bring bottles down to contain the water, some of us even carried two. The poor guy of course is the one who helped us to fill the bottles. Xiao Deng rocks...he had to filled like 30 over bottles since there was 38 of us and many empty bottles. Haha well it's because we are not allowed to simply dipped the water in to fill it and if we dirtied it the villages will come after us. So yea Xiao Deng is the man for the job. He said, "我带一天的团都没这么累!" Haha
But he is never too tired to take a photo. 
After that, we went to have a go at either riding a horse or archery. Of course we had to pay for both activities. But converting it back to Sing dollars it was worth it. 
Me on my small horse. It was really scary cause it was my second time on a horse. Off we go to a wishing stone and to get a view of the entire village. 
Wish wish wish...
The village
Archery is a must try!! And the following people agrees with me. =) Andrea and i took turns playing. I closed my eyes for the first one but still managed to hit the target. 
Glenda
Yi Ling
Zhe Ying
Xiao Deng teaching Benson how to hold and shoot. Guess he must have brought a lot of tour to this place. 
Off he goes on his own, Benson that is.
Lao Yao and Mr Wong giving it a go.
George
Wen Song
Vanessa 
Yi Ling looks sad because the bow is almost as tall as herself. 
After all that hard work of filling up our bottles, Xiao Deng takes a break. And some of us took turns taking photos with him. 
Next is a personal favourite place of mine. Strawberry Farm!!! I can smell those yummy, juicy, delicious strawberries calling out to us. Strawberry heaven here we come!! 
Everyone grabbed a basket and started plucking them. Yi Ling's one was pretty empty so Xiao Deng chipped in to pluck for her. Zhe Ying helped us as well since they were wearing dark coloured shoes and the place was pretty muddy. Thanks you guys. 
Unglam Queen Rong Xing actually even pull the entire plant out.
Bargain King (Zhi Wen) +Unglam Queen 2 (Elizabeth) who actually pulled out the plant that Rong Xing tried to plant back.
Want a bite? 
Look at all the contented faces. We were queing to paid for our strawberries and it was really cheap. Paid about 15 bucks for a few kg of it cause i combinded mine with Yi Ling's. We were on our way to Zhuhai from Zhongshan when we had to stop for military checks. 
But we got cleared after our guides explained to them that we are of no threat. Moving on to Zhuhai, we headed to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. At the entrance, we were sliently begging for Xiao Deng to speed up his purchase for our tickets because almost all of us were desperate to use the washroom. Some of the guys were checking out the map outside of the entrance to locate the toilet. Finally the gates were opened to us, Zhe Ying and Yong Wei started leading the way to the toilet. At first, we were trying to keep our image by walking quickly but in the end we just ended up running. Guan Hong who was one of those at the back told me that the ticket guards was commenting why are we in such a rush? It's not as if there's gold inside the park. Haha. 
In the end, the toilet is our first visit. It's by far the best toilet in Mainland China. Though there is no sign of a toilet bowl. I guess we all have gotten use to the standard procedures of rolling up our pants before using the toilets. We then went on to tour the park itself. First place was the house of Sun Yat Sen.
We were not supposed to take photos inside due to reasons linked to respect. 
But still someone got a shot of the bedroom. It was similar to something that comes out of televison drama. 
Books of Sun Yat Sen. 
Sun Yat Sen in his younger days. 
Sun Yat Sen in his much younger days. 
Towards the end, i was glad to have the chance to get to know the people better. From left: Dickson, Guan Hong, Zhi Wen, Bao Yi, Me, Stephanie, Rong Xing, Elizabeth, Jasmine, Joyce, Denise and Tzi Khee.
Finally before we left the place, we took a group photo under this sign and Xiao Deng took the liberty to explain the words to us. But i doubt we remeber any of it at all. After dinner, we went maket researching and Bao Yi, Stephanie, Yi Ling and i were the last to alight from the bus. Ms Ng stopped us and asked if we would like to buy vcds and that the guides are gonna bring us there. We agreed and followed Xiao Deng to a "black" shop which from the outside looks innocently like they are operating those toy shops. But a hidden door reveals more treasure or should i say the "real" stuffs. On our way there, we went into alleys and pass by shops. At that point of time, i felt as though i'm really entering the China life and not simply seeing only the tourist side of China. Lao Yao bought 700+ worth of dvds and some of them are "yellow" ones. He managed to push it down to 600 i think. For the rest of us, we benefitted from this big buyer. He simply asked if there's water to drink and very soon one of the employee appeared with cold green tea bottles. But she missed out one for Bao Yi and she went a second time to buy. I felt important but of course conditions is that we buy more. Haha...Ms Ng bargained for us. She was really sweet, really like a mother to us during the trip. No wonder she's all the guys' "Ah Bu". She took really good care of us during the nights of market research. Bringing us across the road, going for "Gui Ling Gao" and Ginger sauce with Buffalo milk. All those sweet memories. Back at hotel, we had a strawberry party in Ms Ng's room. We threw almost 3/4 of our entire loot because they were too ripe. We washed them with mineral water before heading off to Ms Ng's room. In the lift, we met Mr Kam and i offered strawberries to two strangers in the life. Before we got out, they wanted to take some more but Mr Kam told them no more. Haha Mr Kam "saved" us man. In Ms Ng's room we met more of the girls and we started eating. Whenever we are almost finished, a new group appears with more strawberries. At that point i swore i'm staying off strawberries for awhile and i did. Haha but more because it's expensive in Singapore.
iblog; 5:16 PM