HONG KONG is a natural stopover for many overseas travelers and, as such, I decided to stay for a few days just over a year ago on my way from Australia to Thailand.

　　My stopover was just as a matter of interest. But I soon learned that Hong Kong and the rest of China was experiencing a cult interest in learning English. I was told that there was strong demand from people wanting to learn English and the best places to teach would be Beijing, Taiwan, Shanghai or Hong Kong.

　　I went back to Australia, sorted out more information, tossed in my job and returned to Hong Kong in search of an opportunity to teach English.

　　I wasn’t sure where exactly would be the best place for me to live and teach. But I heard about Shenzhen through some fellow travelers. Although put off by a lot of negative talk about Shenzhen by Hong Kong people who said Shenzhen was full of pollution and crime. I decided to take a five-day tour to see for my self.

　　To my complete surprise and contrary to what I had heard in Hong Kong, Shenzhen turned out to be a green thriving metropolis and her people were a lot more friendly than their Hong Kong cousins.

　　So I decided to stay.

　　I love gardening and was immediately won over by how green Shenzhen is. Everywhere I travel in Shenzhen I see parks, trees and beautiful gardens. My hometown Adelaide also pays a lot of attention to the environment and I immediately fell in love with Shenzhen’s devotion to hers.

　　Finally, the food here is amazing, you can eat food from all over China. I only intended to stay for a year, but I’m sure I’ll be here a lot longer. Shenzhen is the city of the future.