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Got an early start today so that we could get out to the Expo site near the Airport before the crowds got too big. We caught the MTR from Wan Chai station into Central Station - only a couple of stops, but it took a while because we bought tickets (40c) and then got lost in the morning rush and came out of the station again!!!!!! Had to buy another ticket and then found the right level and line to get our train!
Being 8am the train was packed and once at Central we walked what seemed like miles to another platform to catch the Airport Express which is a dedicated train to the airport with only 2 stops. The train was extremely modern and zipped out to airport and then on one more stop to the Expo station where we got our registrations done and then started off on our quest to see everything we could! The main hall is huge - at least as big as Burswood Dome and it was crammed full of rows of booths (over 3,200) displaying every kind of electronic gadget you could imagine! We started at one end and slowly worked our up and down each aisle with Jase stopping and getting info from those he was interested in - it took nearly 4 hours to see just that one hall! The products are nearly all made in China and have no retail names - buyers order quantities and then sell them badged as their own!
It was amazing to see the latest products, with Ipad type tablets being in abundance, all very light and trendy, also lots of in-car PC, DVD and sound systems, with touch screens and fully integrated into the dashboard of the local cars.There were more computer mouses, thumb drives and mouse mats in every style, colour and shape you could imagine, as well as Smartphone accessories and other computer hardware. Just SO MUCH to see!!!
We stopped for lunch at about 2pm and then spent another 3 hours doing the other two halls, and by the time we caught the train back to the city we were totally spent!!!
Jase came away with a huge bag of stuff, the sales staff only too pleased to hand out glossy brochures and leaflets as they fought for your attention as you walked passed. Mostly youngish Chinese girls, a lot could hardly speak English which made for some interesting conversations about tractors and agriculture - quite often I was splitting myself laughing as Jase tried to explain what he wanted and they had no idea what he was saying!!!
A lot the gear was of really good quality and was very well made - it hasn't taken China long to get their stuff up to standard.
We had a shower and got changed, then caught up with Jase's old boss Ole and his wife and had a few beers before going to a Thai restaurant they knew of where we had a fantastic meal. Ole's wife left us at a bar afterwards and went home while we stayed on late for quite a session. It was well after midnight before I finally hit the sack, stuffed after a long day (and numerous ales!!!)
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