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we were met by our driver to take us to the obligatory shopping at a pearl factory. Tourist bureaus must get a cut when their guides take their clients to these facilities. |
These are just mini factories and show rooms to show how their cultured pearls are produced. . . and to sell the product to those brought in by tourist buses. |
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the number of pearls produced by one oyster is determined by the number of "seeds" placed in an oyster. The numbers can go up to as high as 30, but that will affect the size of the pearls. |
MANY salewomen attend to every visitor. Our guide - on left with backpack - has been through this routine many times before : ) |
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the surface is not smooth, and if two are rubbed together they will produce a fine white powder. They also grind up some pearls to make facial products. How many of you remember the commercial by Chinese actress Nancy Kwong of World of Susi Wong fame? I can still hear her rolling her tongue around the words "Oriental Pearl" with a Chinese accent ;-) BTW, I didn`t spend $185.00 for the 6 jars and get 2 free! |
we headed to our next destination. The following are examples of some of the highrises. The building construction is on-going, with old buildings and some of the farm land being replaced with modern high rises, while many farmers are being moved into nearby condos to free even more farmland. |
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all the buildings placed like dominoes in a row, all identical in colour and size. The next block would be of different colour and design. There are building cranes on every horizon. |
Really makes you understand why inhabitants escape to parks such as the Summer Palace whenever possible, and makes us appreciate the spaciousness of the open prairie. |
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small in comparison to some of the newer facilities. |
on our way to the Beijing Zoo. |
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near the zoo entrance. |
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many would never get to see them in the wild and must visit the zoo to see these fuzzy "teddy bears". |
but ended up sticking out like a sore thumb. Was it my hat? ;-) |
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weren't utilizing the play structures. |
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before I have to entertain... |
Gotta pay for my fresh bamboo somehow! |
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