Renaissance in China

China - Every where I go there will always be some article about China. China's development and growth has been more than phenomenal. In November, I went to Sydney and everyone is talking about China. Why? because China is now Australia's largest export market and it is the real reason for the strong Australian dollar and booming economy. Sydney taxi drivers talk about how China has made Western Australia a booming state and made many people there rich.

In such a short period of time, China has become an economic Juggernaut:
- World largest mobile phone subscribers and still growing...
- 3rd largest economy in the World - by end of 2007, China will overtake Germany to be the 3rd largest economy in the World
- Bringing more than 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years

World's Largest Steel Producer - China surpassed the US to become the World's largest steel producer in 1997 (10 years ago). China's mills have increased their output five fold over the decade, to about 38% of the world's total.
Reference:
IHT

World's Largest Exporter - In September 2005, OECD stated that China could be the World's largest exporter by 2010, but during the first six months of 2006, China has surpassed the United States as being the world's largest exporter. Only five years ago, the United States exported more than double the amount of China.
Reference:
Manufacturing News
OECD press release

World's biggest CO2 Emitter - The International Energy Agency has predicted that China's carbon emissions would not equal those of the US until 2010 . But in 2006, accordingly to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, China has already overtaken US as the world's biggest CO2 emitter.
Reference:
IEA Press release
Guardian UK
NY Times

Widest varieties of cars

Singapore - Having travel to most parts of Asia Pacific, I find that Singapore has the most varieties of car brands. There are 49 brand of cars being sold in Singapore. The largest are European made with twenty-four (24) brands, next nine Japanese made brands, five are made from China, six are USA made brands, three brands are Korean and three from our neighbour Malaysia.

Alfa Romeo - Europe
Aston Martin - Europe
Audi - Europe
Bentley - Europe
BMW - Europe

Chery - China
Chevrolet - USA
Chrysler - USA
Citroen - Europe (France)

Daihatsu - Japanese
Dodge - USA
Dongfeng - China made

Ferrari - Europe (Italian)
Fiat - Europe (Italian)
Ford - USA

Geely - China
GM - USA

Ha Fei - China
Honda - Japan
Hyundai - Korea

Jaguar - Europe
Jeep - USA

KIA - Korean

Lamborghini - Europe
Land Rover - Europe
Lexus - Japan
Lotus - Europe

Maserati - Europe
Mazda - Japan
Mercedes Benz - Europe (Germany)
Mini - Europe
Mitsubishi - Japan

Nissan - Japan
Naza - Malaysia (new introduction in 2007)

Opel - Europe

Perodua - Malaysia
Peugeot - Europe (France)
Porshe - Europe (Germany)
Proton - Malaysia

Renault - Europe (France)
Rolls Royce - Europe

Saab - Europe
Skoda - Europe
Soyat - China
Ssangyong - Korea
Subaru - Japan
Suzuki - Japan

Toyota - Japan

Volkswagen - Europe (Germany)
Volvo - Europe

Le Meridien Cyberport

Hong Kong - Today, we will be checking out of Grand Hyatt Hotel. So, the kids want to stay in the Hotel to rest and watch their favourite cartoon programmes from Cartoon Network. So, me and my wife just walk around till it is near time for check-out.

Our next hotel is Le Meridien Cyberport - located @ 100 Cyberport Road. This hotel is not on any popular Hong Kong tourist map. Upon arrival via taxi, the fare was quite expensive because it was far. The reception at the Hotel was unpleasant for a 5-star hotel - only 1 staff manning the reception and it took so long to check us in. The Le Meridien Cyberport is a modern ultra sleek hotel but it does not give you a cosy feeling. The rooms are ultra modern - with a 42" LCD TV and a naughty shower that you can bring the shower blinds up and down. So, if you are in the mood for some extra sexy and modern feeling - you can bathe with the shower blinds up.

Walking around the hotel and a small shopping centre was quiet and nice - just the correct tempo and pace for tommorrow we head back home.

Hong Kong famous Ladies market

Hong Kong - After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to the MTR for our next adventure into the heartlands of Kowloon. Our 1st stop was Mong Kong station, because we want to visit the Ladies market (also called Tung Choi Street) that we hear so much about. This is a place to find good bargains, inexpensive ladies clothes, jeans, bags, watches, etc. Opens daily from noon till 11:30pm. We walk up the down the street a number of times - spent lunch at a local eatery.

After lunch, we walk a distance to the Goldfish market - this place is located at the further end of Tung Choi, crossing 3 roads - and this is where you can find ornamental fishes. Walking around is quite an eye opener for the children.

We then walk back to Mong Kok station and hop onto the MTR for Jordan station. This location is where the Gentlemen market is location (also called Temple Street or their night market). This is also famous for their numerous fortune tellers all lined up along Temple Street.

After much walking, bargaining and shopping - we hop onto the MTR to head back to Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong room is nice and comfortable - the ambiance is great and you really want to come back again.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong - We took the MTR from Wan Chai station all the way to Sunny Bay station, and then hop on the Disney train to the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Throughout the trip it was pleasant but never expected to have such a huge crowd on a monday morning. We started our Disneyland tour at around 11.30am and left at 9.30pm.

I was told by many Kong Hong friends that Monday is a good day to visit HK Disneyland as it is not a HK school holiday and many parents are back at work. They were correct to an extend as many of the visitors were foreigners and Mainland Chinese.

We had to queue at popular stations about 30-45 minutes. This HK Disneyland is smaller to the ones I have been to at Tokyo and California - but to my kids there is no difference - this is a paradise of fun and play. We paid HK$ 295 (S$59) for adults and HK$ 210 (S$42) for children.

There are 3 fantasy lands ( Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland) and it would be best to plan your route around the Resort.

Tomorrowland - My kids love the roller coster rides (Space Mountain) at Tommorrowland and went twice - once for me is fine. There are no 360 degree turns so my 6 year old can also take the ride - it is very safe. We did the Buzz lightyear Astro Blasters 3 times - it was really fun. We manage to completed all the 6 stations.

Fantasyland - There are 11 stations here and did not mange to complete only 1 - The Golden Mickeys because of the crowded showtimes. The most fun stations were Fantasyland Train station, Mickey's Philharmagic and The Mad Hatters Tea cup.

Adventureland - There are only 4 stations and all are really fantastic and fun.

At around 7.30pm, we have to quickly make our way back to the evening finale - Disney in Stars Fireworks which will start at around 8pm. There were so many people already seated at choice locations - there are only standing spaces left. It was worth the standing as the fireworks display was spectacular.

Once the show is over, hundreds of people were making their way back to the entrance to take the MTR. It was so crowded - unbelievable.

I was totally exhausted having spent more than 12 hours out....but it was a child's fantasy even for myself.

Back to Hong Kong

Macau - Since it is our last day in Macau, my wife together with my youngest son decided to tour around Taipa.

Taipa is one of the smallest city of Macau. The three bridges connecting Macau to Taipa are Nobre de Carvalho (2.5 km long), the Friendship Bridge (4.5 km long) and Sai Van Bridge (2.2 km long). The longest one (Friendship Bridge) leads directly to Macau International Airport located on the Island of Taipa. Also located on Taipei is the famous Macau Jockey Club.

After being dropped off by the Westin Macau shuttle bus, we walk around for a few hours and had breakfast at a neighbouring Macau chinese restaurant. Quite surprising on a Sunday morning it was crowded.

In the afternoon we took a dip at Westin Macau Resort's heated swimming pool. Spent about 2 hours in the pool and then it was check-out time. We have already bought the tickets one day earlier so we zip through immigration quite quickly. The only hic-up was that Turbojet insist that I pay a fee for my hard-case luggage. When we arrive from Hong Kong to Macau via another ferry company, they had no such ruling.

Turbojet Sea Express manage the ferry services from HK International Airport and Hong Kong island, whilst New World First Ferry handles ferry services from Kowloon.

It took just one hour on the jet foil to reach Hong Kong. We will be spending 3 nights at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. This is a beautiful luxurious hotel that I have stayed many many years ago.

Walking up Guia Hill

Macau - There is a hill just behind Royal Hotel and so early in the morning after breakfast, we set off walking up to Guia Hill. On this Guia Hill stands the Guia Fortress and Lighthouse. The Fortress was built in 1637 and the Lighthouse which is still in use, in 1865. This Lighthouse when it was built was the first of its kind along the China Coast.


There is also a small and simple chapel - Chapel of Our Lady of Guia. This chapel was originally established by the Clarist nuns, who resided at the site before establishing the Convent of St. Clare. The chapel's elaborate frescoes depict representation of both western and Chinese themes, displaying motifs of religious and mythological inspiration that are a perfect example of Macau's multicultural dimension.


Walking up I found an interesting sign board....



This is a great morning walk and the Guia Hill has many exercise equipments along the pedestrian path, and is popular with joggers, birdwatchers and lovers alike. The weather is cool and very nice. Up ahead on the winding road, is the Guia Cable Car (operating from 7am -6pm, the ride takes 80 seconds). I took a round trip back to the hill and then walk down a series of stone steps to the Flora Garden. This Flora Garden used to be the site of a mansion which was destroyed in a factory explosion in 1928, it contains an aviary, small zoo, botanical gardens and original fountain. Leaving the Flora Garden, turn left is just a 30 minutes walk back to the Hotel.