First Time to Shenzhen

It would be my first overseas trip by myself, and it came real soon.

This my first job after graduating in university back in 2005. It wasn’t really my plan to work in KL as I preferred Penang, to be nearer to home. But, it was the only offer I got because it’s the only one I applied.

The very first day I joined this Chinese telecommunications company which was based in KLCC, I was told I would be sent to the HQ for intensive training before I could start working independently. And it will be in Shenzhen, China.

There are some colleagues who left for Shenzhen within a week from the day they joined. So for 2 weeks, I waited for my chance. Waited, and waited anxiously. Everyone’s asking when I’ll be leaving. So, I asked my manager but he couldn’t confirm the dates. In fact, I was getting really excited for this trip, but no one could let me know when my turn will be.

The next Monday, my manager came over and said, “Bring your passport tomorrow, then go and apply your Chinese visa. You’re going to Shenzhen this Saturday, for 6 weeks!”

Finally! Called my parents and said I’ll be leaving, and this Saturday it will be!

But I had lots of things to be done before that. Most importantly, the visa and air tickets.

The visa application process was really easy. I gave the secretary my passport and the filled-up forms, waited until Thursday and my visa arrived!

Being almost a first-timer for overseas trip (my previous overseas trip was to Singapore twice, and once to the southern of Thailand), it was really exciting to see my passport pages being used up. It was my first time seeing this sticker on my passport called VISA. And it’s on the…2nd page!

I was all ready to go. Visa’s ready. Got my air ticket on Friday and I’ll be flying with Cathay Pacific into HKIA before going to Shenzhen by land. Mum and sis was excited as well. After all, no one in our family has been that far.

They helped to pack my bags. I chose to bring only a cabin size luggage which I could later on regret the decision. Mum asked to bring some medicines, so I ended up bringing tablets for fever, headache, purging, flu and cough.

My Luggage's Ready to Go

Then she said, bring some food in case I’m hungry at night. That explains all the packs of Milo and Nestle oats. And they’re like half of what mum initially put into my luggage.

It was already past midnight and I’ll have to leave for the airport quite early the next morning for the 9am flight!