May 23

Hello, once again from China! We started the second to last full day of our trip by heading to a fish farm about an hour and half south of Guangzhou. Everyone on the bus seemed to be getting ready to be home, but still ready for two last days of adventure.  As we were driving through the rain we noticed that there were not as many scooters here in Guangzhou.  Our tour guide Jocelyn informed us that in the majority of this city, motorized scooters are banned to help with air pollution. One out of four people own a car here so 75% of the 17 million people have to use public transportation.

Once we arrived at the fish farm, we were escorted to their conference room, where we were briefed by a representative of the farm. We learned that it is a research farm that uses genetics to produce a superior tilapia, which is mainly exported to the U.S. They do this by cross breeding two different types of tilapia and selling the offspring to the local farmers as young fish. These farmers will then raise them until they are harvested for their meat, since the crossbreed is infertile and will not reproduce. This research institution also has another major area of production among their greenhouses. In these greenhouses they raise vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes.

For lunch today, we went to a cool little restaurant that was built on top of a pond. We had our own private room where they served a delicious Chinese meal. Tyler, however, showed a little more courage than the rest of the group, choosing to taste a carp's eye ball and brain. In his opinion, they tasted "slimy and salty." After dinner we stepped outside and observed the scenery of the pond. The restaurant raised their own food right along the pond. We were able to see the vegetables, fish, ducks, chickens, and even a lone rabbit that will be served by the restaurant.

After lunch, we again boarded the bus for yet another two hour trip to the Chinese-Hong Kong border. There was not as much farm land along this drive. It was more tropical mountain range, in fact, our latitude is equivalent to that of Mexico City and further south. We were reminded of the unique relationship between China and Hong Kong as we had to go through two immigration systems, not only a Chinese departure gate, but also a Hong Kong arrival area in customs. The British influence on Hong Kong is very unique, and we are excited to see what our stay on Hong Kong Island will bring us.

We are checked into our hotel in Hong Kong Island, and waiting to go out to a group supper.  Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places to live since land is so scarce.  An apartment can cost $1 million.  Not much wasted space here.

This is our final stop of our over-seas travels. We are all eager to be home in the United States with a broader understanding of agriculture on an international level; however, it will be a bitter sweet end to a phenomenal trip. Don't forget to keep checking in on our blog these last few days of the trip. We have over 5000 views thus far, and the record from last year's class was 6,300!  It is great to know our family and friends back home are following us.