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| Trip to Asia 2007-2008 (Part 1- Hong Kong) |
Hong Kong is the paradise for shopping... that's all I can say!
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| Part 2 - China |
So many lessons learned in China... So many stories and experiences...
1. The taxi drivers don't know where we want to go!!! Either they really don't know because of the fast rate of road changes and growing buildings.... or they simply want to know if the tourists know where they are going!
Lesson learned: always ask for intersection streets and the main streets or buildings near where you are going. If they ask you which "way" you prefer taking... simply say "the fastest one".
2. We went to a club to drink. When we opened the drink menu, there were no prices. We asked the waiters (there were like 4-5 of them). They simply talk loud and hesitate to tell us the prices. We left the place, cuz it doesn't feel right.
Lesson learned: always go to places like this as a group to avoid being intimidated by the waiters gang whenever possible. Always ask for prices before you start to party. We heard a story from one of Edison's uncle: he paid something like $800US a glass of orange juice or something!!! imagine!!! And he said that if you don't pay, then you'll have to fight them! So the uncle actually paid for that juice!
3. Be careful for fake stuff. There are fake eggs, fake Johnny Walker, fake alcohol, fake brand, fake silk... everything! and they charge you for the price of a real one. One day, we went to the famous "silk street" where they manufacture and sell silk. It is supposely cheaper because you buy everything at the manufacture price.
We were told to always bargain at least 1/2 or 2/3 of the price... So Judy and I saw this pyjama that i wanted to buy at y$288 and we bargained for y$100 each. We thought we were pros and were all proud of ourselves for having paid almost 1/3 of the original price. So I bought 3 of them. On our way out, Edison's aunt came to see us to see what we bought. We were all proud to show her the pyjamas. And guess what?! She said it's fake silk! it's worth only y$20 each !!!
So the aunt went to "argue" with the guy who sold me the pyjamas... He refunded her, and she went almost next door to buy the exact same pyjama, but this time, it's real silk. She bought it for y$85...
Lesson learned: Always bargain for less than 1/2... if you feel that the person is giving in too easily, something is wrong. Either you bought a fake, or there is more to bargain.
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| Part 3 - Judy's Wedding |
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| Part 4 - Back to Hong Kong |
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| Part 5 - Taiwan and Vancouver |
