A few days ago I had to go up to China to Maizou Island just off Shekou, Western Shenzen. The whole island is one big shipyard with apartment blocks for the workers, office blocks for the admin and a HUGE shipyard facility. They do not build ships here, only repaint and repair, mainly interior and exterior refurbishment. Well getting out to the island was a real pain, my 3 year multiply entry L visa does not allow me to work in China, only ‘touist’.

So arriving to the ferry pier to go out to the island there is security checkpoint, but the permits are not ready. So we wait and there is alot of palava going on with my assistant and the nice admin lady and the security desk back and forth. Finally seconds before the ferry departs (next ferry 2 hours) we  get our permits and rush on board the ferry.

Arriving at the island we are greeted by our official host Mr. Hoi (named changed to protect identity), who guides us to the office block. We sit and wait, because although we made it to the island we are still not in the shipyard… we have to now clear China Customs and Immigration to actually enter the hallowed grounds of the work area. Very tight security.

Finaly after much waiting we are allowed into the ship…