PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Hong Kong no Phooey TR (Apr 2012)! The Yee's have it....TR finish #1101, 07/09
- Thread starter PrincessInOz
- Start date
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
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- 79,816
2 months... that is awesome...
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
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- 108,006
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
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- 108,006
The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with One Step....Shenzhen
The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with One Step Lao Tzu
DH and I have long wanted to travel to China. So, it is appropriate that the quote for this post comes from the Chinese Philosopher, Lao Tzu. Whilst Hong Kong and Macau are now part of China, to the minds of X-gen people like DH and myself, so close and yet so far! But this trip will bring us a lot closer to our first step into China than any other trip weve taken.
Shenzhen is situated in Guangdong province about 40 km north of Hong Kong downtown. It is apparently a major city and the area is Chinas first Special Economic Zone, one of the most successful.
(These zones are afforded with special tax incentives for foreign investments and great independence on international trade activities.)
Travel from Tsim Sha Tsui to Shenzhen takes about 45 minutes by MTR, which makes this Chinese city an attractive day trip option from Hong Kong should one wish to go. Importantly for DH and myself, it will give us our first taste our first step into China.
In researching things to do in Shenzhen, I have discovered that there are a number of theme park activities. One in particular Splendid China appeals to me. It contains scaled down replicas of Chinas historic buildings and culture. If youre thinking Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City and the like, youre spot on the mark. Admission fee is listed at around $15 - $20, which includes the ticket to the China Folk Culture Villages, right next door.
There are a number of ways to get here bus, taxi, subway.
There is another theme park in Shenzhen that intrigues me Window to the World. Scaled replicas of Angkor Wat, Niagara Falls, the Sphinz and Pyramids, Colloseum and even the Grand Canyon. Why would anyone travel the world?
Im not even going to mention Happy Valley theme park, which is the #1 theme park in Shenzhen.
But really .its the shopping that draws people to Shenzhen. With the mix of genuine and knock-off designer goods, there is sure to be plenty of bargains and rip-offs to experience in Shenzhen. If shopping is on the cards, I would be tempted to check out Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Rainbow Department Store, MixC Mall.
At this stage, Im making sure I have the option to head to Shenzhen. That means organising a Chinese Visa, the first one for DH and myself.
Still waiting on my parents to pass me their completed forms and I will be chasing them this week for this.
One Step at a time!
The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with One Step Lao Tzu
DH and I have long wanted to travel to China. So, it is appropriate that the quote for this post comes from the Chinese Philosopher, Lao Tzu. Whilst Hong Kong and Macau are now part of China, to the minds of X-gen people like DH and myself, so close and yet so far! But this trip will bring us a lot closer to our first step into China than any other trip weve taken.
Shenzhen is situated in Guangdong province about 40 km north of Hong Kong downtown. It is apparently a major city and the area is Chinas first Special Economic Zone, one of the most successful.
(These zones are afforded with special tax incentives for foreign investments and great independence on international trade activities.)
Travel from Tsim Sha Tsui to Shenzhen takes about 45 minutes by MTR, which makes this Chinese city an attractive day trip option from Hong Kong should one wish to go. Importantly for DH and myself, it will give us our first taste our first step into China.
In researching things to do in Shenzhen, I have discovered that there are a number of theme park activities. One in particular Splendid China appeals to me. It contains scaled down replicas of Chinas historic buildings and culture. If youre thinking Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City and the like, youre spot on the mark. Admission fee is listed at around $15 - $20, which includes the ticket to the China Folk Culture Villages, right next door.
There are a number of ways to get here bus, taxi, subway.
There is another theme park in Shenzhen that intrigues me Window to the World. Scaled replicas of Angkor Wat, Niagara Falls, the Sphinz and Pyramids, Colloseum and even the Grand Canyon. Why would anyone travel the world?
Im not even going to mention Happy Valley theme park, which is the #1 theme park in Shenzhen.
But really .its the shopping that draws people to Shenzhen. With the mix of genuine and knock-off designer goods, there is sure to be plenty of bargains and rip-offs to experience in Shenzhen. If shopping is on the cards, I would be tempted to check out Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Rainbow Department Store, MixC Mall.
At this stage, Im making sure I have the option to head to Shenzhen. That means organising a Chinese Visa, the first one for DH and myself.
Still waiting on my parents to pass me their completed forms and I will be chasing them this week for this.
One Step at a time!
Mum from oz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2010
- Messages
- 923
Less than 2 months now! My favorite dragon was the pink one. 
and I loved the fireworks photos, especially the last one. I didn't get to Shenzen when I went to HK. It sounded a little too scary for me. The language barrier in HK was enough. I promise to do the last day of HK on my blog before you leave. We did Ngong Ping and the big Buddha.
and I loved the fireworks photos, especially the last one. I didn't get to Shenzen when I went to HK. It sounded a little too scary for me. The language barrier in HK was enough. I promise to do the last day of HK on my blog before you leave. We did Ngong Ping and the big Buddha.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Less than 2 months now! My favorite dragon was the pink one.
Looking forward to your blog. Thanks!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea
lets talk about High Tea
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea Henry James
As a child growing up in Asia, I remember many many weekend afternoons where my parents would drag us kids round to the various establishments offering their version of the High Tea. In the rose tinted faded memories of my youth, I remember platters of delectable sweet delights, sandwiches and cakes.
The traditions of this experience start by simply adding the leaves of Camillia sinensis to hot water and the brewing of an aromatic beverage known as tea. After water, tea used to be the most widely consumed beverage in the world only recently surpassed by coffee.
Tea plants are native to East and South Asia and were only introduced into Europe by the Portuguese in the 16th Century. Those of you who are Asterix fans will remember that in one of the books, Asterix in Britain, Getafix brewed the magic potion for the Britains to defeat Julius Caeser which turns out to be tea!
The English would add food consumption to the experience of tea. So it is that I will be chasing rainbows and imagined delectables in Hong Kong. The colonial legacy of a High Tea is alive and strong among the city hoteliers.
(I did toy with the idea of experiencing a High Tea in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort but given that the city hoteliers are more renowned, we opted for the special Dim Sum instead.)
Researching High Tea in Hong Kong, there were various lists of the best High Teas hotels in Hong Kong (The Peninsula Hotel, Mandarin Oriental hotel, Four Seasons, Shangri-La, InterContinental, Grand Hyatt) as well as non-hotel establishments (Cantopop, Antique Patisserie, Crabtree and Evelyn).
The one that appeals to me is the Chocolate Library at the Ritz Carlton. The Chocolate Library is located on the 103rd floor and as the name suggests lays out a chocolate version of the High Tea. Okay .maybe its the fact that there might be a fantastic view to shoot from the 103rd floor that appeals to me .but you got to admit that a Chocolate High Tea might be something worth considering as well.
My mother and I differ on this point. She would prefer one of the more traditional versions and isnt that keen on the Chocolate Library.
That being the case, I suspect it may come down to a choice between the Island Shangri-La and the InterContinental. Im leaning towards the InterContinental, which takes bookings. One thing that seems to be different to the High Teas of my childhood the food is not a buffet and all you can eat. Rather, it is served on tiered silver trays.
I suspect this will be one of those experiences that will be weather dependent. May we have a rainy afternoon and a couple of hours to spare for this experience!
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea Henry James
As a child growing up in Asia, I remember many many weekend afternoons where my parents would drag us kids round to the various establishments offering their version of the High Tea. In the rose tinted faded memories of my youth, I remember platters of delectable sweet delights, sandwiches and cakes.
The traditions of this experience start by simply adding the leaves of Camillia sinensis to hot water and the brewing of an aromatic beverage known as tea. After water, tea used to be the most widely consumed beverage in the world only recently surpassed by coffee.
Tea plants are native to East and South Asia and were only introduced into Europe by the Portuguese in the 16th Century. Those of you who are Asterix fans will remember that in one of the books, Asterix in Britain, Getafix brewed the magic potion for the Britains to defeat Julius Caeser which turns out to be tea!
The English would add food consumption to the experience of tea. So it is that I will be chasing rainbows and imagined delectables in Hong Kong. The colonial legacy of a High Tea is alive and strong among the city hoteliers.
(I did toy with the idea of experiencing a High Tea in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort but given that the city hoteliers are more renowned, we opted for the special Dim Sum instead.)
Researching High Tea in Hong Kong, there were various lists of the best High Teas hotels in Hong Kong (The Peninsula Hotel, Mandarin Oriental hotel, Four Seasons, Shangri-La, InterContinental, Grand Hyatt) as well as non-hotel establishments (Cantopop, Antique Patisserie, Crabtree and Evelyn).
The one that appeals to me is the Chocolate Library at the Ritz Carlton. The Chocolate Library is located on the 103rd floor and as the name suggests lays out a chocolate version of the High Tea. Okay .maybe its the fact that there might be a fantastic view to shoot from the 103rd floor that appeals to me .but you got to admit that a Chocolate High Tea might be something worth considering as well.
My mother and I differ on this point. She would prefer one of the more traditional versions and isnt that keen on the Chocolate Library.
That being the case, I suspect it may come down to a choice between the Island Shangri-La and the InterContinental. Im leaning towards the InterContinental, which takes bookings. One thing that seems to be different to the High Teas of my childhood the food is not a buffet and all you can eat. Rather, it is served on tiered silver trays.
I suspect this will be one of those experiences that will be weather dependent. May we have a rainy afternoon and a couple of hours to spare for this experience!
usnuzuloose
Loosing Boo Boo
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
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- 395,634
Chocolate tea? That might be worth a taste. I might have to experiment with that at home. If you try it tell us. I would love to see pics of that room. Are you going there?
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
- Messages
- 37,723
So I missed a bunch of updates while I was gone!
So I'm confused about this trip....remember us having a discussion about someone writing "non-linear" trip reports?
Have you worked out a timeline for your trip? I know you are going to Disney first. You have your accomodations worked out for the rest of the trip right? Have you worked out when you will go to Shenzen, tea and what was that other place that now I can't remember?
For those like me are you going to work out a schedule? or are you just going to be Vagabonds and decide what to do the morning you wake up, or the night before you go?
I know it's not MY trip! 
So I'm confused about this trip....remember us having a discussion about someone writing "non-linear" trip reports?
Have you worked out a timeline for your trip? I know you are going to Disney first. You have your accomodations worked out for the rest of the trip right? Have you worked out when you will go to Shenzen, tea and what was that other place that now I can't remember?
For those like me are you going to work out a schedule? or are you just going to be Vagabonds and decide what to do the morning you wake up, or the night before you go?
I know it's not MY trip!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
- Messages
- 108,006
If I make it to the Chocolate high tea, I will do my utmost to get pictures.
So I missed a bunch of updates while I was gone!
So I'm confused about this trip....remember us having a discussion about someone writing "non-linear" trip reports?
Have you worked out a timeline for your trip? I know you are going to Disney first. You have your accomodations worked out for the rest of the trip right? Have you worked out when you will go to Shenzen, tea and what was that other place that now I can't remember?
For those like me are you going to work out a schedule? or are you just going to be Vagabonds and decide what to do the morning you wake up, or the night before you go?
This trip is going to be a little different to the highly planned-down-to-the-last-minute trips of Disney.
Aside from the first 3 days, which will be spent at Hong Kong Disney, the rest of the time will be more free and easy. We'll work out what we want to do when we get up and will be weather dependent.
I've just been covering off the various things to do and attractions at Hong Kong in the PTR so that I keep them in mind for when we are there. I'll summarise closer to the time of departure.
And...my TR will be mostly chronological. I don't do time warp tripping well!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
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- 108,006
You didnt turn in your paperwork. This office is now closed.....YAAAAAAAH!
A scene from Monsters Inc.
Roz: You didnt turn in your paperwork last night.
Mike: He didnt .I no paperwork?
Roz: This office is now closed
[Roz closes the window on Mike's fingers]
Mike: YAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Right now, I feel just like poor Mike Wazowski!
Today, I took my parents into the China Visa Centre to sort out our visas for Shenzhen. Our equivalent scene went something like this ..
And that, folks, was the China Syndrome meltdown that I had today.
The upshot is that we have decided to that the China entry visa is not worth applying for. We will keep this trip exclusively to Hong Kong and Macau.
DH and I did discuss things when I got back .we will keep dreaming of that China trip we want to do and save the Getting of the Visa for that trip.
For anyone reading this and planning a trip to China as a tourist...just remember the current policy in Australia is that you need to take:
For anyone seeking a family and friend Visit visa, you will need to produce:
I don't know what you need to produce if you're on a business visit!
A scene from Monsters Inc.
Roz: You didnt turn in your paperwork last night.
Mike: He didnt .I no paperwork?
Roz: This office is now closed
[Roz closes the window on Mike's fingers]
Mike: YAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Right now, I feel just like poor Mike Wazowski!
Today, I took my parents into the China Visa Centre to sort out our visas for Shenzhen. Our equivalent scene went something like this ..
[Its 9 am in the morning and we walk into China Visa Centre. The front door duty guard hands us a piece of paper and gives us an electronic ticket number. Take a seat and wait.]
Dad: Whats that paper?
[Hand paper over. Dad looks at it, whilst looking for his glasses which he didnt bring with him. The paper floats to the floor and my dad is searching for his non-existent glasses.]
Me: Mum, can you please pass that paper to me?
[Mum bends down to pick the paper off the floor. When she straightens up, she grimaces in pain.]
Mum: I think I pulled a muscle in my back.
Me: Oh no!
Mum: Dont worry, Ill manage.
Me: Oh no!
[Mum hands me the piece of paper and turns to talk to Dad. I read the paper.]
Me: Oh no!
[Mum and Dad continue to ignore me.]
Me: Oh no! I think they want us to provide a copy of our airline ticket and our hotel reservation. This wasnt on their website!
[Mum and Dad continue to ignore me.]
[Wait for the next 35 minutes before our number is called. Walk up to the counter, where Chinese Roz is making hand gestures. We hand over our forms and passports to her.]
Chinese Roz: Where are you staying in China?
Me: We are staying in Hong Kong and want to do two day trips into Shenzhen.
Chinese Roz: You ask for two time entry into China. Where are you staying?
Me: We are staying in Hong Kong for 11 nights. We want to visit Shenzhen twice for one day each time.
Chinese Roz: Where is your hotel in Shenzhen?
Me: We go into Shenzhen and come back to Hong Kong in the same day.
Chinese Roz: Why you go twice?
Me: We are asking for the visa just in case we want to go twice.
Chinese Roz: Where are you staying in Shenzhen?
Me: Not staying in Shenzhen. Staying in Hong Kong.
Chinese Roz: But you ask to go into Shenzhen twice. Where are you staying? I need to see your hotel confirmation.
Me: I dont have my hotel confirmation or airline confirmation with me. I have them at home.
Chinese Roz: Policy. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
Me: Airline ticket is in everyones individual name. Hotel confirmation only has one name on it.
Chinese Roz: Policy. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
Me: This requirement was not listed on your website.
Chinese Roz: Policy since December. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
[Pause and wait whilst Chinese Roz flicks through all the 5 application forms and passports. Afterwhich, Chinese Roz pushes all application forms and passports back across the counter towards me.]
Chinese Roz: You email me your hotel confirmation and airline tickets in name of all applicants. I check back-office and if it arrive, I process.
Me: But I dont have access to my computer now.
Chinese Roz: You come back when I get hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants. (aka This office is now closed!)
Me: *sigh* (aka YAAAAAAAAH!)
[Pick up all passports and paperwork before turning and heading to a quiet corner. Get mobile phone out and dial a number.]
Me: Hello? [TA name]. Were at the China Visa Center and there is a problem. Aside from wanting a photocopy of the passport and a photocopy of the last china visa (which we did have because the TA told me this was new policy), they also want us to provide a copy of the hotel confirmation and airline ticket. I have an email address and name. Can you email them for me?
TA: Im not at work yet and dont have access. This is new policy.
Me: Yes. Thanks anyway.
[End call and dial another number.]
Me: Hello? [DH name]. Were at the China Visa Center and there is a problem. They also want us to provide a copy of the hotel confirmation and airline ticket. I have an email address and name. Can you email them for me?
DH: I dont think I have the electronic copies.
Me: Yes you do. I emailed them to you when I got them.
DH: I will check ..
[Pause and wait whilst DH checks his PC.]
DH: Hello? I have the airline tickets but not the hotel confirmation.
Me: Can you go to my laptop and log in to my email?
DH: Cant this wait????
[Pause and count to 20.]
DH: Im at your laptop. Where do I go?
Me: Log into my work account. Heres where you go [url address given] and my username [Im not stupid enough to actually type any of it here] and password [ditto on the not stupid enough] ..
DH: I cant log in. Let me try again.
[Pause and count to 20.]
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
Me: WHAT!!?????!!
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
Me: Wh Ho ..Fu YAAAAAAAAH!
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
[Pause and count to 20.]
Me: Thanks anyway.
[Hang up and turn to talk to my parents.]
Me: Lets go. We cant do anything right now.
Mum: We can come back later.
Me: Not today Im not driving home and driving back here again.
Mum: Dad and I can come back tomorrow.
Me: Okay. Thanks.
Dad: Whats going on?
[Mum turns to Dad and tries to explain the situation whilst we are walking back to the car.]
[Get in the car and proceed to drive home.]
Me: This is ridiculous. Its just a one day visa to enter China that we want just in case we want to visit.
Mum: And it is expensive. The two time entry visa is $127 per person. Thats nearly $600 for the 5 of us.
Me: That person behind the counter was so officious and Im not sure I wanna go to Shenzhen anymore.
Mum: We dont have to go.
Dad: Yes. We dont have to go.
Me: Really? I wasnt sure whether we wanted to go to Shenzhen anyway .it was just to get the visa in case we wanted to go.
Mum: We dont have to go. In fact, we can save the money and put it towards a really nice high tea in Hong Kong.
Dad: Yes, save the money.
Me: We can do two high teas for that price.
Mum: Okay. That sounds like a good alternative.
Me: We can do a normal high tea and do the high tea at the InterContinental.
Dad: Sure.
Mum: Maybe we could go twice to Macau
[Ignore last comment and proceed to drive home.]
Dad: Whats that paper?
[Hand paper over. Dad looks at it, whilst looking for his glasses which he didnt bring with him. The paper floats to the floor and my dad is searching for his non-existent glasses.]
Me: Mum, can you please pass that paper to me?
[Mum bends down to pick the paper off the floor. When she straightens up, she grimaces in pain.]
Mum: I think I pulled a muscle in my back.
Me: Oh no!
Mum: Dont worry, Ill manage.
Me: Oh no!
[Mum hands me the piece of paper and turns to talk to Dad. I read the paper.]
Me: Oh no!
[Mum and Dad continue to ignore me.]
Me: Oh no! I think they want us to provide a copy of our airline ticket and our hotel reservation. This wasnt on their website!
[Mum and Dad continue to ignore me.]
[Wait for the next 35 minutes before our number is called. Walk up to the counter, where Chinese Roz is making hand gestures. We hand over our forms and passports to her.]
Chinese Roz: Where are you staying in China?
Me: We are staying in Hong Kong and want to do two day trips into Shenzhen.
Chinese Roz: You ask for two time entry into China. Where are you staying?
Me: We are staying in Hong Kong for 11 nights. We want to visit Shenzhen twice for one day each time.
Chinese Roz: Where is your hotel in Shenzhen?
Me: We go into Shenzhen and come back to Hong Kong in the same day.
Chinese Roz: Why you go twice?
Me: We are asking for the visa just in case we want to go twice.
Chinese Roz: Where are you staying in Shenzhen?
Me: Not staying in Shenzhen. Staying in Hong Kong.
Chinese Roz: But you ask to go into Shenzhen twice. Where are you staying? I need to see your hotel confirmation.
Me: I dont have my hotel confirmation or airline confirmation with me. I have them at home.
Chinese Roz: Policy. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
Me: Airline ticket is in everyones individual name. Hotel confirmation only has one name on it.
Chinese Roz: Policy. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
Me: This requirement was not listed on your website.
Chinese Roz: Policy since December. We must have the hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants.
[Pause and wait whilst Chinese Roz flicks through all the 5 application forms and passports. Afterwhich, Chinese Roz pushes all application forms and passports back across the counter towards me.]
Chinese Roz: You email me your hotel confirmation and airline tickets in name of all applicants. I check back-office and if it arrive, I process.
Me: But I dont have access to my computer now.
Chinese Roz: You come back when I get hotel confirmation and airline ticket in name of all applicants. (aka This office is now closed!)
Me: *sigh* (aka YAAAAAAAAH!)
[Pick up all passports and paperwork before turning and heading to a quiet corner. Get mobile phone out and dial a number.]
Me: Hello? [TA name]. Were at the China Visa Center and there is a problem. Aside from wanting a photocopy of the passport and a photocopy of the last china visa (which we did have because the TA told me this was new policy), they also want us to provide a copy of the hotel confirmation and airline ticket. I have an email address and name. Can you email them for me?
TA: Im not at work yet and dont have access. This is new policy.
Me: Yes. Thanks anyway.
[End call and dial another number.]
Me: Hello? [DH name]. Were at the China Visa Center and there is a problem. They also want us to provide a copy of the hotel confirmation and airline ticket. I have an email address and name. Can you email them for me?
DH: I dont think I have the electronic copies.
Me: Yes you do. I emailed them to you when I got them.
DH: I will check ..
[Pause and wait whilst DH checks his PC.]
DH: Hello? I have the airline tickets but not the hotel confirmation.
Me: Can you go to my laptop and log in to my email?
DH: Cant this wait????
[Pause and count to 20.]
DH: Im at your laptop. Where do I go?
Me: Log into my work account. Heres where you go [url address given] and my username [Im not stupid enough to actually type any of it here] and password [ditto on the not stupid enough] ..
DH: I cant log in. Let me try again.
[Pause and count to 20.]
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
Me: WHAT!!?????!!
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
Me: Wh Ho ..Fu YAAAAAAAAH!
DH: Its telling me that your account has been closed. Contact a system administrator.
[Pause and count to 20.]
Me: Thanks anyway.
[Hang up and turn to talk to my parents.]
Me: Lets go. We cant do anything right now.
Mum: We can come back later.
Me: Not today Im not driving home and driving back here again.
Mum: Dad and I can come back tomorrow.
Me: Okay. Thanks.
Dad: Whats going on?
[Mum turns to Dad and tries to explain the situation whilst we are walking back to the car.]
[Get in the car and proceed to drive home.]
Me: This is ridiculous. Its just a one day visa to enter China that we want just in case we want to visit.
Mum: And it is expensive. The two time entry visa is $127 per person. Thats nearly $600 for the 5 of us.
Me: That person behind the counter was so officious and Im not sure I wanna go to Shenzhen anymore.
Mum: We dont have to go.
Dad: Yes. We dont have to go.
Me: Really? I wasnt sure whether we wanted to go to Shenzhen anyway .it was just to get the visa in case we wanted to go.
Mum: We dont have to go. In fact, we can save the money and put it towards a really nice high tea in Hong Kong.
Dad: Yes, save the money.
Me: We can do two high teas for that price.
Mum: Okay. That sounds like a good alternative.
Me: We can do a normal high tea and do the high tea at the InterContinental.
Dad: Sure.
Mum: Maybe we could go twice to Macau
[Ignore last comment and proceed to drive home.]
And that, folks, was the China Syndrome meltdown that I had today.
The upshot is that we have decided to that the China entry visa is not worth applying for. We will keep this trip exclusively to Hong Kong and Macau.
DH and I did discuss things when I got back .we will keep dreaming of that China trip we want to do and save the Getting of the Visa for that trip.
For anyone reading this and planning a trip to China as a tourist...just remember the current policy in Australia is that you need to take:
- A photocopy of your passport
- A photocopy of your LAST Chinese Visa issued (and if this was in a different passport, take a photocopy of that passport just in case)
- A copy of your airline ticket, with return journey
- A copy of all your hotel accommodation confirmations or group tour itinerary
For anyone seeking a family and friend Visit visa, you will need to produce:
- An invitation letter from that person confirming that they have invited you there.
- A photocopy of the inviter's Chinese ID card or their passport (if they are Chinese) or a photocopy of the Inviter's Chinese Visa (if they are non-Chinese)
I don't know what you need to produce if you're on a business visit!
usnuzuloose
Loosing Boo Boo
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 395,634
I am so sorry! What a horrible melt down. Now A I am going to proceed to this.
zanzibar138
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 5,927
Oh what a nightmare! But thanks for the info - will come in very handy when we are planning our trip to China. What happens if you haven't had a Chinese visa before?
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
- Messages
- 37,723
Wow! I wondered why you weren't around and posting on your day off. Obviously you were dealing with much more pressing issues than TRs and other silly things like that.
We just watched Monsters Inc. the other night so I can totally hear Roz....You didn't turn in your paperwork!
Sorry that she didn't turn out to be a government spy working on your behalf to get you into China!
We just watched Monsters Inc. the other night so I can totally hear Roz....You didn't turn in your paperwork!
Sorry that she didn't turn out to be a government spy working on your behalf to get you into China!
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
- Messages
- 108,006
I am so sorry! What a horrible melt down. Now A I am going to proceed to this.
There was something very Monty Pythonesque about the whole experience.
Then you don't need to submit a photocopy of a blank page.
Seriously....we just left that section of the form blank or did I write N/A?
Wow! I wondered why you weren't around and posting on your day off. Obviously you were dealing with much more pressing issues than TRs and other silly things like that.
We just watched Monsters Inc. the other night so I can totally hear Roz....You didn't turn in your paperwork!
Sorry that she didn't turn out to be a government spy working on your behalf to get you into China!
It's all good. It made the 50:50 decision about going to Shenzhen firmly in the 100% not going camp.
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
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- Mar 24, 2008
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- 79,816
so sorry for such a bad experience... Glad it is over.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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- Feb 8, 2010
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dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
- Messages
- 79,816
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New 'May the Force Be with You' Spirit Jersey
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Mead Hall in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk at Epic Universe
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Fun Facts About Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
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New 5-Day Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Disney Springs
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Spit Fyre Grill in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk at Epic Universe
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