Life by Moments not by time: My oriental vacation

Part 1 - Schenzhen,China
It was not in any which a way a Peaceful weekly off. Thanks to my to-do list I did not leave behind anything I would require during my vacation.The most primary objective was to be away from being accessible to the world .Phone calls, office mails, chats, Facebook and Twitter.These were part of me .I wanted to feel the pleasure of being invisible to everyone.Our tour operators “Thomas Cook” chose Thai airways to fly us to Hong kong Via Bangkok.
The day at Chennai was quite foreseeable. It was a normal day from peak summer. Cooking in stuffy kitchen,packing, cleaning, 2 hour long Power failure, last minute shopping, making copies of passport and other travel documents and more. The cab arrived promptly at 9pm.We arrived at the Chennai International airport in half an hour’s time. The Luggage was checked in and we would receive it at Hong Kong though we had a 2 hr stop over at the Bangkok Swarnabhoomi Airport.

Thai airlines welcomed us with the most pleasant and well groomed staff. The men wore smart Red coats and the women in a Mauve-pink number. It synced well with the colour of the seating.Though we were together travelling as a family my Dad had to sit in a seat 38 mom at a 46 and me at a seat 70.But I am not complaining because I was at the rear of the aircraft and besides me I had the Cabin crew.

I was way too tired so I plugged on some spa music and tried to sleep.Before I could catch some sleep alcohol and food was served.I decided to stay away from Drinking preparing myself for the hectic day ahead.
Food was an elaborate meal of white rice thai chicken salad and dessert with croissant.
Back to sleep and its time to touch Bangkok.I also had a sneak peak at the Chinese book a Chinese man seated next to me was reading .
I so wished I had carried a Malayalam book and he would have had good fun trying to see what the script was like.

Bangkok airport is vast and had to do a midnight walk to reach gate C- 9 after the Super fast Security check.

Travelling with family is way too different from travelling with friends. They will always worry, create chaos and mothers will carry the passport even after being the one who forgets to take extra copies of the travel tickets.

We reach Bangkok at 5.30 their time which is 4 am in India.The next flight is scheduled at 8 am which Is 6.30 Indian time.We get to walk through the length of the airport to see an array of luxury brands from Hermes ,Gucci, Fendi ,Coach ,Tumi. There are sushi bars and big statues of dragons and the Churning of the Milk sea.Thai airlines again with yet another competent staff flew us to Hong Kong.My mother and myself managed to get seats together whereas dad was few rows away but again he did not complain he got to sit with young pretty Hong kong natives

We reach Hong kong with a lot of excitement and hope but all the feelings were shortlived!.

We were welcomed by a member from the Thomas Cook team saying we were to wait for other fellow passengers from other destination and then to proceed to the China border for group immigration. We spend four hours doing absolutely nothing at the Hong Kong airport.Its 4.15 pm Hong Kong time and its a coach journey to the border. We enjoy the blend of Scenery and big tall buildings,Harbour, ships and containers. We reach the Schenzhen Immigration for yet another long queue in this dreaded day. The day goes without lunch because of the delay. At the second checkpoint we have our immigration with the baggage too, We have to Carry the entire luggage over the passenger flyover walkway. There is small ramp and our suitcases went on slipping off the ramp. And to top it all it was raining .By now the passengers were tired sleepy hungry and agitated. Just the wrong time for the tour guides to teach us the three P’s of Thomas Cook which they don’t follow

Passport Patience and Punctuality .

Dinner was served in an Indian restaurant there were no proper replenishments no seating and post dinner continuing forward with our luggage we reach the Louhu mall at 9 pm and wanted us all to return post shopping by 10.00.We reach hotel shower and hit the sack.
We visited the Louhu Market and got a glimspe of the Louhu Financial centre in the night.

Day 2

After a nice pleasant American breakfast we were taken to the imperial museum of China as They dealt with Jade.Jade is still given as a part of trousseau by the groom to the bride.

We shopped the best quality jade at best prices and also bought a Pi Xiu.

The myth of Pi Xiu tells that the creature violated a law of heaven, so the Jade emeperor punished it by restricting the pixiu's diet to gold, and prevented the creature from defecating by sealing its anus. Thus, pixiu can only absorb gold, but cannot expel it. This is the origin of this creature's status as a symbol of the acquisition and preservation of wealth.
Pi Xiu is also a fierce creature. The large fangs visible in the creature's mouth are used to attack demons and evil spirits, draining their essence and converting it to wealth.Pi Xiu also guards against disease caused by these same evil spirits.

A pi xiu a dragon couple made entirely in jade.The female has the right foot forward and the male has the left foot forward .It is believed to bring in money.

The male brings the money and the female keeps the money.

Schenzhen mineral museum is the most genuine place to buy jade.The value of the ornament is in the design and not in weight so dont be surprised if you get a chunk of gold in half the price in india.

We also shopped at the bamboo market where they sold a variety of by products of Bamboo. The charcoal toothpaste brush towels, hair dyes ,Quilts.

The roads are a blend of modern tall bulidings and greenery.Schezhen is the most busiest container ports in China.It also experiences humid sub tropical climate.

We ended the day by visiting windows of the world or the miniature world.
It was divided area wise or continent wise and all the famous monuments and buildings of importance were made in miniature forms.Representing India we have Taj mahal.