Our trip to Shenzen and Hong Kong

We just got back from our first trip while living here in Shanghai. We accompanied Dustin on his business trip to Shenzen and Hong Kong.

To work in China and stay longer than a visit, you must leave the country and apply for a license. Once this is obtained, you can re-enter the country and continue the process of obtaining a work visa. This is the main reason Dustin had to travel to Hong Kong. We left last Wednesday and flew into Shenzen. (This is still within mainland China, but is north of Hong Kong.) There is a lot of businesses located in Shenzen.

The flight to Shenzen was fairly uneventful. When we arrived we quickly went to eat at a restaurant near our hotel as it was already past our lunch time. We quickly found out that not all hamburgers are the same, or should really be allowed to be called hamburgers as I am not sure what was between the bun and under the cheese tomato and lettuce. Let’s just leave it at the fact that the “hamburgers” remained mostly on our plates and that the boys and I had a lunch consisting of French fries. Dustin had to run to a meeting, so the boys and I headed to our room for naps. After naps, Dustin was still stuck in his meeting, so we took a short walk. After the walk, as Dustin was able to text me that he was not sure when he would be able to leave the meeting, I took the boys to an early pre-dinner meal at the hotel restaurant. Danny enjoyed the pizza I ordered, but unfortunately, Josh would not have any of it and settled on eating the fries that came with my meal. The staff at the hotel were very sweet and we also met two nice men in on business from Nashville, TN. After our pre-dinner, we met up with Dustin for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. The food was delicious and we were finally able to fill up. As it was way past their bed times we got the boys to bed quickly. This of course always proves to be fun for me, as I sleep with Josh and Dustin sleeps with Danny. Sleeping with Josh really just translates into me wrestling with him until he finally succumbs to sleep. Danny and Dustin are usually snoring away long before this happens.

Our second day we headed from Shenzen to Hong Kong. To get there we took a ferry, which was exciting and fun, but a lot of exercise for Dustin and I. I cannot remember if I mentioned before but there are not many elevators in China or escalators—at least that go down. Therefore, I was in charge of taking the boys and poor Dustin was our human pack mule. We had limited our bags to one large suitcase and two carry-ons, Dustin’s briefcase and the large backpack that I use for the diaper bag. Let’s not forget the two strollers (a necessity as Saturday we are taking the boys to Disneyland). So needless to say we had our hands full. To get from Shenzen to Hong Kong you are considered to be leaving the country even though technically Hong Kong is under Chinese authority again at this time (was previously run by England). Since you are leaving the country you must go through customs and security, etc.
So you can only picture us—Dustin with all the bags either strapped to him and pulling one, and me with the two children and the backpack diaper bag, as we stand at security and customs. Each time it is your turn, you have to smile and look at them as they compare you to your passport/visa picture. This goes for the children as well. It is not an extremely fast process, but usually they take one look at us with all the gear and kids and put us in the shortest line (thank goodness).

We finally made it to the ferry. This is only after going up two flights of stairs to the security and then down two flights to the actual ferry (this was loads of fun let me tell you). The ride on the ferry takes an hour and the boys had a great time looking at the boats that went past us. By the end I was feeling a little green around the edges and Josh had decided I was his personal jungle gym (all moms know this feeling well—and dads too). Dustin finally saved me, and I focused on the buildings as we came into port. We of course had the same fun time climbing out of the ferry as we did entering, and by the time we got to the taxi Dustin and I were exhausted. We made it to the hotel which was just gorgeous inside. We stayed on the business floor, which was wonderful, as they definitely pamper you here. It has its own private check in and lounge area. The continental breakfast was served in this location for this floor alone, and actually most of the time during the day they had some sort of food out for people to enjoy. The staff on this floor was just fantastic and so sweet to the kids. One glorious benefit of being in Hong Kong is the staff speaks English (goes back to being an English colony). The only small pain about this floor is that the elevator did not go directly to it. Therefore, we had to carry the boys up and down each time we came or went.

Unfortunately, as we were running late from the ferry, Dustin had to go later than he wanted to to get the work permit paperwork started. The boys took naps while we waited for Dustin’s return. Thankfully they both fell asleep, but awoke early when Dustin returned. We all headed to an Italian restaurant for dinner that Dustin eats at whenever he is in Hong Kong. To get to the restaurant, we took the subway. This is easy to use, but yes, involves numerous stairs to get to it. After our meal we took the kids to see the light show that is really famous in Hong Kong. You look across at Hong Kong Island and the buildings there light up at different times to music. The show starts at 8pm, so it was a late night, but a lot of fun. I thought surely the boys would be fast asleep soon after our busy day and short naps. Unfortunately, Josh had other plans. He did not succumb to sleep until close to 2 pm. I got a nice tour of the lobby, but eventually ended up in the lobby for our floor as the lobby downstairs was too busy and loud. (Apparently, nothing starts until well after 8pm and goes late into the night). Josh finally fell asleep and I snuck back into the room and just crawled into bed with the clothes I had on.
The next day worked out great as Dustin had meetings all day, and this gave the boys time to catch up on sleep. I took them back to the KFC for lunch (as I could not find anything else they would eat). (There is a mall attached to our hotel and the subway is attached to the mall—it is all very convenient) After lunch we enjoyed the park that was attached to the mall. After naps Dustin came back and we decided to just eat right there in the mall. We actually had a great time and picked up some purchases we all had been wanting. We headed back for an early bedtime as Saturday we planned on taking the kids to Disneyland.
Saturday worked out just perfectly. The park did not open until 10:30, so Josh was able to get his morning nap. After nap we were able to take the subway directly to the park. Danny was so excited (he knew we were going to Disney before the trip began, so he had been anxiously awaiting this day). The subway involved two switch overs, but it really was quite smooth and easy to get there. The last train only goes to Disney and it was really cute. The car windows were all shaped like Mickey Mouse.

We were all excited to go to the park as this was our first time to ever take the kids to Disney or really any park for that matter. Danny’s face was so cute to see as we arrived. Everywhere you go in the park the staff gives the kids stickers with the characters on them and this was a huge hit with Danny. (By the end of the day his shirt was covered). The funniest part of Disneyland was actually watching the Chinese people go through the park. (Even here you are still quite the minority, but at least there were more foreigners than we have previously seen). There were grown men and women standing to get their pictures with the characters and riding such rides as Dumbo. (I actually saw an elderly man riding one of the rides and laughing like he was three years old himself). It was neat to see, but not at all like what you would see in the States.
Danny to our great joy enjoyed all of the rides (for the longest time he was extremely timid, so it is nice to see him enjoying things such as this now). The park is smaller than the US ones, but still has all the same great features. Our funniest moment was after we got off the “It’s a small world” ride and ran into a women and her family that I had met here at in our community in Shanghai. Talk about a small world.

We spent the better part of the day at the park—10:30-5:30 and all of us were exhausted by the end. Overall, the trip was so enjoyable and such a delight to see their faces light up with each new experience. The best was when we met Mickey Mouse. Danny ran up and gave him a big hug. He then pulled back and asked where Minnie was. Then he asked him where Pluto was. The staff taking the pictures got kick out of it, as you could tell Danny was totally into the characters and believes with the pureness that all children have. Pluto was taking pictures in the booth next store, so Mickey pointed over there and we headed on after many pictures and hugs with Mickey. Danny was most thrilled in that Mickey gave him a nose kiss (touched his nose to Danny’s nose). He thought this was great and very funny.
The day went fast and we are all hoping to possibly return some time in the future. One nice thing compared with the US, is the prices are extremely reasonable. Of course, you have to add in the cost to get here, but not bad if you live close.

Sunday was reserved for us flying home. The staff at the hotel had told us we could take the subway to Shenzen and avoid the Ferry. This was great for a couple of reasons. First, no sea sickness for me, second, it is much cheaper and finally, it involves a lot less stairs. Overall, Dustin and I were thrilled with this option. We arrived in the airport to be greeted by really long lines, so we were only able to grab some Chinese food (KFC was outside of security and we did not have time to get it) before getting on the plane. Josh of course had gone straight through his diaper and I had to change him immediately. Thankfully, I always travel with a second pair of clothes for all of us in one of the carry-ons. We were happy to find out that the plane was not full and hence Josh was able to get his own seat. (Interesting fact—China airlines do not allow you to have a seat—i.e.—you cannot even buy one—for a child under 2 years of age). However, since the plane was not full, we were able to take over the seat next to Dustin and give Josh his own space. This worked great, as he fell asleep before the plane landed in Shanghai.

It was great to see our Driver and get into our own van. Even though it was not like walking into our home back in Indiana, it still felt wonderful to walk into our house. Tomorrow is a holiday here in China, so we can all use it to relax and unwind.

Overall, the trip was a great experience. We didn’t get to see a lot of the two cities, since this was mostly a business trip, but it was nice to be together and I will never forget our time at Disney. It may have only been one day, but it was time away and filled with watching the boys’ faces light up with pure joy over and over. What a blessing.