Zhuhai, China

Across from Macau is Zhuhai, China, one of the 3 regions specially designated as Special Economic Zone by late Chairman Deng in 1978. From a small sleepy fishing village, Zhuhai is home to more than a million people today.


With the prosperity boom, how does one spot a rich man in Zhuhai? By the car he drives? By the clothes he wears? Nope. There are actually 2 simple ways. First, by the number of children one has. Second, by the fact that one has a DOG! Why? Cuz BOTH cost $$$$$$ to "maintain". (Fyi, the penalty is RM150,000 for a second child.)


I was told Zhuhai has a unique population anomaly - the ratio of man to woman is 1:5!!! So what is the odd of 2 men together?!


Typhoon Neoguri, a Category 2 hurricane packing winds up to 97mph, hit southern China while I was in Zhuhai, the earliest arrival of a typhoon since 1949! So what is the odd of THAT?!!


So part of the trip was done under incessant rain & high wind...


Which resulted in some unscheduled stops... like this great looking historical home of a warlord... WRONG! This is actually an upscale foot massage center :P


Zhuhai (珠海) is literally "Pearl Sea" in Mandarin. And indeed pearl production is a major industry here. There are major factories here producing pearl jewelries and pearl related cosmetic products.


In fact, the symbol for Zhuhai is this "Pearl Lady". There is a beautiful legend behind this lady... too long for me to elaborate here but the story is something like "The Little Mermaid"...


But my interest in oyster or clam is only limited to the type u can eat one ;)


This is one of the most famous night street in Zhuhai. Both sides of the street are dotted with small drinking stalls. As u walk along, the bar ladies will constantly SCREAM & SHOUT trying to get u to come over for a drink.


And as the night gets darker, u will see other illicit business activities all along the street. Scantily dressed ladies chasing men around soliciting for "business", at the same time, woman beggars with dirty toddlers running around begging for alms... Very very sad.


Praise God my flight wasn't delayed coming back home. Macau airport was closed the day before due to the typhoon. O home sweet home.