KNOCK-OFFS OF THE WORLD

SCHENZHEN, CHINA

WINDOWS OF THE WORLD:

SHENZHEN, THE NEW CITY IN CHINA, WITHOUT A HISTORY. THIS CITY IS IN SOUTHERN CHINA AND IS A RELATIVELY NEW CITY, BECAUSE IT WAS PLANNED AND CREATED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, NOT 4000, LIKE SOME CHINESE CITIES. SHENZHEN IS NOW A LARGE METROPOLITAN CITY, WITH A MODERN SUBWAY SYSTEM, LARGE AND SPACIOUS OFFICE BUILDINGS AND MILLIONS OF GOVERNMENT BUILT APARTMENTS...FOR SEVERAL MILLION INHABITANTS.

WE VISITED A THEME PARK ENTITLED: "WINDOWS OF THE WORLD" WE TRAVELLED TO THE EXHIBIT BY SUBWAY AND TOOK THE MONORAIL AROUND THE PARK FIRST TO RECON THE AREA. THEN WE SET OFF TO SEE EVERYTHING IN ONE DAY...A TOUGH TASK. IT IS A VERY LARGE PARK.

WE SAW THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT,

VARIOUS COUNTRIES HISTORICAL AND FAMOUS BUILDINGS,

THE TAG--MA HAL FROM INDIA,

HOLLAND, WINDMILLS, AND MANY OTHERS ALL IN MINIATURE... THEY ARE CLEARLY COPIES OF THE LARGER, MORE IMPRESSIVE, ACTUAL BUILDINGS...BUT STILL QUITE IMPRESSIVE.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND NAME THEM...

CAN YOU NAME ANY OF THEM?

JAY SEES THINGS ON A MUCH SMALLER SCALE...NOW.

HE GOT A DRESS UP OPPORTUNITY TO BE A CHINESE KING...FOR A WHILE AND DANA GOT INTO THE ACT TOO...

NOTE: THIS ELEPHANT WAS NOT REAL.

THE COLISEUM? ENGLAND?

WHERE?

RECTANGULAR TREES,

JAY EVEN GOT TO RIDE A REAL, NOT A FAKE CAMEL OVER TO THE PYRAMIDS. GIDDY UP!

QUITE AN ADVENTURE IN SHENZHEN, CHINA.

WE SAW A NIAGARA KNOCK OFF ... A COPY. IT ACTUALLY SPRAYED WATER ALL OVER YOU THOUGH WHEN YOU GOT THIS NEAR.. PRETTY GOOD JOB I WOULD SAY, JUST SMALLER IN SCALE.

OH, AND CYLINDER TREES,

AND FOUNTAINS OF FAME...

AND RESTED AFTER A SEASON AND COOLED OUT HEALS WATCHING A REAL ICE SKATING RINK WITH REAL FIGURE SKATERS.

REAL IS REALLY WELCOME WHEN MOST OF WHAT YOU SEE SOMETIMES IS FAKE OR SIMPLY COPIED. GOOD ADVICE: ALWAYS REMEMBER TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OR ARTIST. THAT WAS NOT DONE WELL HERE...

LAMMA ISLAND TRIP

FERRY RIDE TO A SMALL ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF HONG KONG...CALLED LAMMA ISLAND. WE LOVED THIS PLACE.

WE HIKED THE LONG LOOP TO THE OTHER END OF THE ISLAND AND THE OTHER FERRY DOCK...AND RETURNED TO HONG KONG AFTER A GREAT DAY OF ADVENTURE ON A TROPICAL ISLAND. ATE SOME LOCAL FARMER'S BANANAS. WE WALKED SEVERAL MILES OVER THE MOUNTAINS ON A TROPICAL TRAIL. WE ENJOYED THE HIGH MOUNTAIN VIEWS AND BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AND SCENERY.

AT THE FAMILY BEACH, WE FOUND A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS HAVING A CHINESE "HOT POT' MEAL ON AN OUTING AT THE BEACH. WE SANG FOR THEM, WOLF WHISTLED, AND GENERALLY ENTERTAINED THEM FRO QUITE A WHILE AND THEY WANTED TO TALK WITH US FOR A LONG TIME. THEN WE HAD A GROUP PHOTO AND THEY SANG US THEIR SCHOOL "FAMILY SONG". WE SANG TOO.

A LARGE GAS POWERED ELECTRIC PLANT WAS VISIBLE FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP. IT PROVIDES MOST OF THE ELECTRICITY FOR HONG KONG.

THE LITTLE FISHING VILLAGE WHERE WE ARRIVED IN LAMMA ISLAND AND WHERE IN A TANK, DANA SAW, CRAVED, AND THEN ATE A BABY LOBSTER.

BAMBOO FOREST.

JANET DEMOND ACCOMPANIED US ON THIS TOUR. SHE WAS A REAL TROOPER AND A LOT OF FUN. SHE HIKED THE MOUNTAIN LIKE SHE OWNED IT. WE REALLY ENJOYED SPENDING THE DAY WITH HER WHILE HER HUSBAND, JERRY, WAS FEELING ILL AND STAYED BACK IN HONG KONG TO REST.

THE HONGKONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CLASS T-SHIRTS (SEVEN FAMILY) REALLY IMPRESSED THE VALUE OF FAMILY ON US AND WE GAVE A LESSON ON THE VALUE OF FAMILY SO THEY KNOW WE HOLD THAT SAME VALUE AND CULTURE. THEY REALLY ENJOYED THEIR OUTING AND THEIR TEACHERS SWAPPED INFORMATION CARDS SO WE CAN EMAIL PHOTOS TO EACH OTHER LATER AND KEEP IN TOUCH.

WHAT A WONDERFUL GROUP OF KIDS.

BACK AT KOWLOON AND HOME AT THE YMCA -SALSBURY.