After squeezing three tonne of luggage and bodies into a two tonne school bus we headed north again.
The skyline was full of massive new high rise units, some still under construction. We travelled across a bridge about 10km plus long - with the smog we couldn't even see the end of the bridge.
With the little Tojo finally on the open freeway our driver put the pedal to the metal for a 1.5hr drive to the Wilmar flour mill, we were above ground level for the entire trip just about.
We had a very productive meeting with the Wilmar team here in China. We talked about their requirements for different grades of wheat and had a long discussion about the problems they have experienced.
We were then taken on a very comprehensive tour of the mill - especially the testing laboratory, followed by a workers lunch provided by the company.
On the road again to Dongguan town with a mandatory stop for coffee to perk us up before the next meeting. Our bus driver even had to ask the local cops for directions!
Next was a meeting at the Ranick Food Company oat importing, processing and packaging plant. The management gave a presentation about their facilities where we learnt that Ranick use around 95% Australian oats for their products.
We were shown around the plant and saw the entire milling process including the drying rooms and packaging warehouse where there were machines automatically packing Quaker oats in one room and a group of ladies packing local brand oats in the other.
We were impressed by the hygiene standards at Ranick, we were asked to cover our shoes and wear dust jackets and caps for the tour and went through chambers to remove the dirt and dust.
The company gave us show bags which due to luggage space we were unable to accept.
Later that afternoon we headed for Hong Kong. Weather conditions are as they have been for several days now - grey, with what appears to be pollution.
We were dropped at the port terminal and walked through China customs, after a brisk walk across a bridge over the river we arrived at Hong Kong customs.
We found the train to the city and after 45min journey said goodbye to Wallace, our trusted (and good value) guide from CBH (Hong Kong office) who was off home to have dinner with his family.
We were left to our own devices tonight as we have a very early flight to Vietnam in the morning.
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