Most of you probably know one of the world's largest skateparks is in Shanghai. Being that I am only a stone's throw away from China here in Taiwan I thought I should really check it out.

The opportunity arose when my friend Haidee told me she had to go and do some work there. Her company had offices there in Shanghai. What a great reason to visit. I get to see my long lost friend from the UK and skate the park. My girlfriend and I were sold on the idea. Shanghai get ready to be Shawn Allenated!

My girl booked the flights for the end of last year, sorted out the hotel and got her visa. (Being that she was from Taiwan she had to get a landing visa for China)

When we arrived at the airport Joyce scratched her head and looked at me as we queued to show our passports.

"Do you need a visa for China"?
"Of course not, I'm from England. I get a landing visa for 30 days".

"Excuse me sir, where is your visa for China"? Said the angry woman at the counter.

I then get told because I live in Taiwan I have to apply for a visa. I then get the good news I can stop over in Macau (A small island just off Hong Kong). Next time I should not be so obnoxious when it comes to my British passport. It is not actually the key to the world like I used to think!

The flight to Macau is short, just an hour and a half. We jumped in a cab and got to the visa office in Macau.
Macau is cool. It was occupied by the Portuguese so everything had a very European feel. The roads were cobbled and the signs were in Portuguese.

The visa office was open even though it was a Saturday. We had an hour to go before it closed for lunch. When we got there I had to quickly get some passport photos and fill out some forms. I could pick them up at the end of the day.

"Impossible" was the reply from one of the rudest office workers I have ever met. Even though the office was open. It was not open for visa processing. Only collection! I would be able to pick it up on Monday!

Thanks for that then! So Joyce and I had to find a hotel for two nights in Macau. That was going to cost us about $200. Nice. Half my spending money gone then!

Macau is basically the Asian version of Vegas. Although it doesn't have any of the atmosphere! Gambling is big business. It is just a job to the tourists there. Plus it is expensive.
The skate spots are just as random. I found some rad places. My favorite was a little undercover spot. It had banks, ledges, drops and manual pads. All under these huge tents. Bizarre.

Another place which gets hit up by travelling skaters is the Macau tower. It has a crazy bowl. You have to skate it to believe it.

Would I ever go back to Macau? Probably not! It was fun though. Another check on my places to skate list. My pit stop was over. Shanghai here we come.

When we arrived in Shanghai it was so different from what I expected. It is really a tale of two cities. Poor working class to rich business types. They saw my white face and pounced on me. Fake watches, designer bags, DVDs and anything else they thought I would want. These guys would sell me their Grandmother if I offered them the right price.

They would also get so angry if you didn't give the right price. The mainland Chinese are out for the dollar more than anyone I have ever met.

The scariest thing was when we actually went to the SMP skatepark. We decided it would be fun to travel by motorcycle taxi. We hopped into the undercover carriage attached on the back of the bike. It was so freezing but what the hell. We were only going to do this once.

My girlfriend bargained the price with the driver and he was cool with it. We were off to the world's largest skatepark and I was stoked.

It is an epic journey to the park. You have to catch a train out of Shanghai. Then grab a cab to the park. Most drivers don't even know where it is. Our man knew. We got there in about twenty minutes.

That's when the drama starts. The driver said the price he gave us was each, not for both of us. Basically he was trying to scam the foreigners. My girlfriend was taking none of his sh#t. She basically told him "you have this or nothing". You go girl! Well he snatched the dollar and starts cursing us down. He even followed us into the park. All this just to get some more money from us. Not a good start to my epic journey. Enough with this! I want to skate!

I got to the park and was shocked. The place is huge. Vert ramps, bowls, rails, steps, ledges, a full pipe and a street course. I had forgotten the taxi drama. I paid my seven bucks and entered 'the Sex, Money, Power ' skatepark. It was a Tuesday around midday. AND THE PLACE WAS EMPTY!! The place was all mine to myself. Amazing!

It is actually a tough park to skate. The concrete is pretty gnarly. Some of the bowls are massive too. It was scary to say the least. I had a go at everything though. I had the most fun on the street course. I know I travel all this way and I just skate street. Well, I have never been a park dog. I'm the first to admit that.

All in all, looking back at my little adventure, it was all worth it. From being stuck in Macau to skating the park. I'm glad I did it. From the good stuff to the bad. It all makes the memory of a visit. If you are out this way it is worth a visit. I just warn you, you may get a bit more of an adventure than you bargained for!