Shenzhen- Mainland China

From Top to Bottom: The Gang at Splendid China; Splendid China; Shenzhen skyline from museum; Shenzhen street musician

Our Passport pages are filling up! Saturday, we all went to the Mainland to the city of Shenzhen. We were accompanied by our host Kenneth Wong and several of his GSE team members that went to Brazil last year- Pauline, Joe, and Yolanda, along with another guest. First stop was Splendid China, a cultural theme park that explores the many different regions, cultures, and history of China. Detailed model villages, life-size replicas, and costumed actors portrayed the variety found in China. We all tested our taste-buds limits at lunch eating Sichuan (or Szechaun as it's known at home). With most dishes very being very spicy, it was quite a meal. At the Shenzhen Museum of history, we learned how this small rural village has now become a growing metropolis. Only about 25 years old since urban development has started, the city population has grown to an astounding 8 million people and is responsible for about of 1/3 of China's GDP (along with two near by cities). We then went to a large book store/mall. Outside, some of us were treated to an elderly street musician that wowed us with his talent. Hopefully Darren will able to share that video on this blog. The feasting continued at a Shanghainese restaurant where one of the highlights were the "Chinese" doughnuts. We ended our long day of walking with a traditional foot massage, based on reflexology practice. This massage lasted for 1 whole hour! We were all ready for a good nights rest after that.