Our Last Day in China

For our last day in Zhaoqing, Matt and I went to the Seven Star Crags Park, which was just across the Star Lake from our hotel. It was much cooler and bigger than we thought it was going to be. We could have spent a lot more time there, even though it was really crowded. It was sort of a cross between an amusement park and a nature reserve. There were caves with stalactites and stalagmites in them, but the lines were so long we didn't see any of them. There were a ton of Buddha statues and lots of lakes and trees. The "Seven Star Crags" refers to seven karst formations like the ones found in Guilin, only less dramatic. There were also lots of food places (it was China after all...they love to eat!), and even an archery range. Also, there was a giant koi pond with a phenomenal amount of fish.

We had to rush through the park and didn't see it all because there is only one ferry per day that goes back to Hong Kong. We made it to the ferry terminal an hour early, only to find out that it was sold out! Oh no, we were stuck in China! Luckily, we rushed over to the long distance bus terminal and caught a bus leaving for Shenzhen. The bus was pretty nice and even cheaper than the ferry. I would definitely take a Chinese bus again...there was a "stewardess" that handed out bottles of water, a Karaoke video playing, and regular bathroom/snack stops at gas stations. It took us to Shenzhen and since we were there, Matt and I decided to go shopping. When we were driving through Shenzhen, I decided that it is nice city. It sort of has a bad wrap in Hong Kong because people just go to the border to buy cheap stuff and designer knock offs. Driving through on the bus we passed a nice coastal area with a big grassy lawn, a boardwalk, and people flying kites. If I didn't know better I would have thought I was at Mission Bay!

It was a tiring but very exciting and fun weekend. I am so happy that Matt likes the same kind of vacation as I do. We both aren't ready for the relaxing, 5 star resort type of vacation.


The Iron Bridge 


Meagan flaring her nostrils with the statues 


Archery 


Meagan Walking through Seven Star Crags Park 


Feeding the koi 


Lo Wu Shopping Center in Shenzhen