Alright, all packed and ready to go. This time, will take us to Jakarta for 4 1/2 days, Bali to 2 1/2 days and Singapore for 2 1/2 days. Bali is a station stop rather than flying back to Shanghai and then back to Singapore. At Bali, this is where we will be staying. Audrey used to work at this place for about 9 months in the last 90's. And no, we are not part of any China delegation to the UN's Climate Change meeting in Bali. I am bringing only a small suitcase. Traveling to a tropical place is so easy specially when you don't have to work in front of people; just the computer, Internet and youself. But I do have locks on all compartments; going to Indonesia, you have to be "careful". ;-)
Tonight, we went across the street to a restaurant we were so curious about. The name of the restaurant was/is "Onion Restaurant". It served Cantonese food; Yuck. The food was quite disgusting. I prefer instant noodle than eating there; now we know. Surprising that place was quite busy every night except when the typhoon hit this Summer. Food was not that cheap. Our regular Taiwanese vegetarian restaurant was cheaper and "cleaner"; "cleaner", two meanings... cleanliness and "feeling after you eat" - not the scrap off the MSG, grease, cooking smell from my body and clothes.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Before Jakarta
Alright, I am back in Shanghai. It took a long time getting back. Started at 530am! Replied emails, showered, the usual.... Then headed out the door at 7:15am. My ferry was at 8:15am; but with no taxis in town, I just couldn't take a chance; you could wait for an hour and nothing came. But I lucked out this morning; by 7:16am, I got one; by 7:28am, I got to the ferry terminal; here lied delima, should I chance an earlier ferry and got stuck to the "back of the bus" along with all the gamblers - "hecking" from their throats, listening to their gambling experience the night before in a very rough Cantonese local slang? In the end, I decided just to start quieting down from the running around to HK the last two days.
Everything was pretty much the quiet down, from slow walk to the Hong Kong Station, to the checking in, to the walk getting a coffee, to wait for the guy picking up some documents for me, to the Airport Express, to thru immigration and finally, sat down in the lounge overlooking one side of the runway. Got over an hour and a half, just read. And I had discovered that I am not a beer drinker. 1/2 a can.... Max. Too early for Scotch, Doug!
The Dragon Air flight was packed to the hill. We got delayed on the ground at HK due to Shanghai traffic control; u see, the military takes over everything in the air, so you get this tiny little corridor for the ever growing flight services into China. Just wait until Olympics and the 2010 World Expos.
Alright, signing off; my head begins to spin either from the sloshing around at the HK harbour after boarding ferry to Macau, or not enough coffee. It would have nothing to do with flight; Do u know Dragon Air has air filter that can filter things out as small as 0.3 micron?
Side note: There was a Lo's Board of Directors meeting in Macau two nights ago; due to the share structure, the two most senior directors have decreed the "no-host" lunch on Feb 4/08, will be a "hosted" lunch. Promised, this lunch will have a "meat" component! ;-)
Everything was pretty much the quiet down, from slow walk to the Hong Kong Station, to the checking in, to the walk getting a coffee, to wait for the guy picking up some documents for me, to the Airport Express, to thru immigration and finally, sat down in the lounge overlooking one side of the runway. Got over an hour and a half, just read. And I had discovered that I am not a beer drinker. 1/2 a can.... Max. Too early for Scotch, Doug!
The Dragon Air flight was packed to the hill. We got delayed on the ground at HK due to Shanghai traffic control; u see, the military takes over everything in the air, so you get this tiny little corridor for the ever growing flight services into China. Just wait until Olympics and the 2010 World Expos.
Alright, signing off; my head begins to spin either from the sloshing around at the HK harbour after boarding ferry to Macau, or not enough coffee. It would have nothing to do with flight; Do u know Dragon Air has air filter that can filter things out as small as 0.3 micron?
Side note: There was a Lo's Board of Directors meeting in Macau two nights ago; due to the share structure, the two most senior directors have decreed the "no-host" lunch on Feb 4/08, will be a "hosted" lunch. Promised, this lunch will have a "meat" component! ;-)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Tour of Hong Kong
Man, been to HK daily for the last 2 days; today, I am heading back there early to catch a flight back to Shanghai.
The ferry ride from Macau to Hong Kong was busy and chaotic at times. 8am. It's rush hour traffic for the Hong Kong gamblers rushing back to work. I have seen some ugly behaviours in the waiting areas; enough for me to say "yuck". These people have no regards for anything. Saw two women kicking those massage chairs for over 15 minutes, swearing because the chair malfunctioned and "ate" the coins. They kept kicking and kicking....
Dealing with banks. You would have thought HK being taunted as the world leader for ease of use in the finance part; yeah right; at least from the bank I am dealing with - HSBC. Seem the staff do not know how to think outside the "tiny little" box, have "their" interpretation of rules or not knowing enough English to communicate even though they were adamant about it! A little bit frustrated... But life goes on.
The ferry ride from Macau to Hong Kong was busy and chaotic at times. 8am. It's rush hour traffic for the Hong Kong gamblers rushing back to work. I have seen some ugly behaviours in the waiting areas; enough for me to say "yuck". These people have no regards for anything. Saw two women kicking those massage chairs for over 15 minutes, swearing because the chair malfunctioned and "ate" the coins. They kept kicking and kicking....
Dealing with banks. You would have thought HK being taunted as the world leader for ease of use in the finance part; yeah right; at least from the bank I am dealing with - HSBC. Seem the staff do not know how to think outside the "tiny little" box, have "their" interpretation of rules or not knowing enough English to communicate even though they were adamant about it! A little bit frustrated... But life goes on.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Flight from PVG to HKG
Because I need to get some work done on the flight from PVG to HKG, I have purchased a Biz class tix. Good thing, as my body type and the seat configuration in the "back of the bus" would not allow me having a laptop on my lap (no punt intended) even though for this trip I have my Sony sub-compact w/me. Price for the Biz tix was not expensive compared to AC; yes, never compare anything to AC as everything looks better, much better.
Service was good on the flight; roomy seat allowed my body to stretch and work. Got two seats all by myself just before b'fast was being served. The guy sat next to me got the boot. He purchased an econo seat but decided to upgrade himself. Hmm... Wonder where he got this idea from? His excuse was he read the wrong seat number; 31H compared to 17H. And if you have flown before, wouldn't you know the difference between classes?
It's going to be busy in HK. Getting all the final papers done for SchroederLo Associates. The name just rolls off the tongue isn't it? And then head over to HSBC giving my 3rd degree - no response for any inquiry. My account manager is on leave; the backup is virtually, no backup. Then to St John's to run some errands for my wife-to-be; yes, she has class. St John's, officially endorsed by Angelina Jolie and Wu Yi, the Chinese vice-premier.
And finally my wedding or "monkey" suit has arrived at the Zegna store. Funny, I got the email yesterday; very timely for the arrival. Let see if it fits me since I have not been exercising that much the last month and a half. And while in HK the last 2 weeks, I had been consuming large quantity of Chinese bakery stuff. Last look, still fitting into my size 34 jeans with some extra room - about an inch or so. BTW, wedding attire for guests is business casual or island casual. I plan on putting something on, "island fitting", after the wedding ceremony. ;-) Flip flops and shorts if I am allowed. :-P
As to the wedding, the only thing left is the dinner menu and the lunch the day after the wedding. Still working at that with the wedding planner; island time.
Service was good on the flight; roomy seat allowed my body to stretch and work. Got two seats all by myself just before b'fast was being served. The guy sat next to me got the boot. He purchased an econo seat but decided to upgrade himself. Hmm... Wonder where he got this idea from? His excuse was he read the wrong seat number; 31H compared to 17H. And if you have flown before, wouldn't you know the difference between classes?
It's going to be busy in HK. Getting all the final papers done for SchroederLo Associates. The name just rolls off the tongue isn't it? And then head over to HSBC giving my 3rd degree - no response for any inquiry. My account manager is on leave; the backup is virtually, no backup. Then to St John's to run some errands for my wife-to-be; yes, she has class. St John's, officially endorsed by Angelina Jolie and Wu Yi, the Chinese vice-premier.
And finally my wedding or "monkey" suit has arrived at the Zegna store. Funny, I got the email yesterday; very timely for the arrival. Let see if it fits me since I have not been exercising that much the last month and a half. And while in HK the last 2 weeks, I had been consuming large quantity of Chinese bakery stuff. Last look, still fitting into my size 34 jeans with some extra room - about an inch or so. BTW, wedding attire for guests is business casual or island casual. I plan on putting something on, "island fitting", after the wedding ceremony. ;-) Flip flops and shorts if I am allowed. :-P
As to the wedding, the only thing left is the dinner menu and the lunch the day after the wedding. Still working at that with the wedding planner; island time.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Go figure
I did on online air ticket purchase via Dragon Air (now partly own by Cathay Pacific Airline). It was painless and fast. Even had "verified by Visa" which was good. One thing lacking was the pre-assign seating. O well. The confirmation and notification of my e-ticket were instantaneous. I thought, wow, that's Asia. But then again....
I wanted to leave a day early, like this afternoon rather than tomorrow. Call the Shanghai reservation number to change; first, the Dragon Air phone was disconnected; even though it was on the website. OK, tried the Cathay line, it was disconnected to with blunt English - "Sorry, number no longer in service; click". Alright, tried another Cathay line. This one went thru. After waiting for about 3 1/2 minutes, I got thru. Well, I could not change the ticket from this reservation number; I have to call a special line in HK, a long distance, to change since I had purchased the ticket online. Go figure. Who cares whether I purchased online or not. It was on the darn computer system. This seems there are some "Chinese" version of computer systems that could not cross over from one system to another; well. Darn it. Is this progress or just dumb implementation? Don't say.
I wanted to leave a day early, like this afternoon rather than tomorrow. Call the Shanghai reservation number to change; first, the Dragon Air phone was disconnected; even though it was on the website. OK, tried the Cathay line, it was disconnected to with blunt English - "Sorry, number no longer in service; click". Alright, tried another Cathay line. This one went thru. After waiting for about 3 1/2 minutes, I got thru. Well, I could not change the ticket from this reservation number; I have to call a special line in HK, a long distance, to change since I had purchased the ticket online. Go figure. Who cares whether I purchased online or not. It was on the darn computer system. This seems there are some "Chinese" version of computer systems that could not cross over from one system to another; well. Darn it. Is this progress or just dumb implementation? Don't say.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Brrr.....
It's cold here in Shanghai; even though it cannot be compared to the bitter cold I had experienced over the last 24 years in the Prairie, the not so insulated and brick construction make the cold a bit more difficult to bear (sometimes when u r alone :-P). With the type of brick construction and the original single pane windows (1940's), sometimes, the place is colder than outside. When the wind wipes up at night, the street outside is quite deserted.
Start walking around in my neighbourhood again. Man! One block where shops were vibrant once, gone! Boarded up and being dismantled from inside out. Not just one block, there are other sections along my street, the Nanjing Xi Lu. Google Earth may still have some old record of those tear down places. Bill, if you were reading this, about a block south of the street are being demolished. So much "de-structions" Some buildings were only less than 10 years old. Scary. For once, yesterday I truly felt how dirty the city was.
I walked from my apartment to Hilton for my gym session. All I could see was thru a shroud of something - dust kicked up from all the constructions and the exhaust from all sorts of vehicles (manual or powered). Not good. Maybe it was just a bad day or it is showing its true colour - city advancement.
Well.... Our tickets are in hand for the first half of December traveling. We are actually going to join the United Nation conference on climate at Bali - NOT; but we will be there when it is still going on though. Our travel, this time, will take us to Jakarta this Sunday until the following Thursday. Then Thursday to Sunday @ Bali - Audrey is going to show me where she used to live and worked for 9 months at Sacred River. Then on Sunday, we head to Singapore; no, it is not for a 40th b'day follow-up; it is for work. She will need a bell boy carrying all those extra outdated video equipment one of her clients want to use. :-P Hence my Hilton gym sessions. The from Singapore, we are HOPING to be able to go home on the 19th. Or is that 20th. After that, I am happy reporting that we will be in Shanghai for about 4 days. Anyone who likes to visit, please plan now. :-P Hee hee....
I have just spent the whole morning mapping out the second part of the December and January trip prior to our wedding. I believe from Dec 25, we will fly to SFO then to MSP, to ORD, to RDU, to PDX then back to PVG. I believe, we would have complete the world's circumference at least one and a half this month? Anyone has an exact distance? ;-)
Then with the physical limitation of the Earth as well as airline schedule, we best fly to SYD from PVG rather than going thru OGG/HNL. We would have lose 2 days flying from HNL to SYD. So, my honey will have to make a station stop at PVG (Shanghai Pudong airport in case you have not figured it out yet). Drop off winter clothes and re-pack with better air-flow and lighter clothes for SYD. We should be "home" again by January 20. This will give us exactly 7 days before heading back to OGG from HKG. Our route will be PVG->HKG->HNL->OGG. Keep this up, I might join Phil to take up flying lessons.
That's about it..... Have to buff up my physique; lots of bags to carry in airports....
Start walking around in my neighbourhood again. Man! One block where shops were vibrant once, gone! Boarded up and being dismantled from inside out. Not just one block, there are other sections along my street, the Nanjing Xi Lu. Google Earth may still have some old record of those tear down places. Bill, if you were reading this, about a block south of the street are being demolished. So much "de-structions" Some buildings were only less than 10 years old. Scary. For once, yesterday I truly felt how dirty the city was.
I walked from my apartment to Hilton for my gym session. All I could see was thru a shroud of something - dust kicked up from all the constructions and the exhaust from all sorts of vehicles (manual or powered). Not good. Maybe it was just a bad day or it is showing its true colour - city advancement.
Well.... Our tickets are in hand for the first half of December traveling. We are actually going to join the United Nation conference on climate at Bali - NOT; but we will be there when it is still going on though. Our travel, this time, will take us to Jakarta this Sunday until the following Thursday. Then Thursday to Sunday @ Bali - Audrey is going to show me where she used to live and worked for 9 months at Sacred River. Then on Sunday, we head to Singapore; no, it is not for a 40th b'day follow-up; it is for work. She will need a bell boy carrying all those extra outdated video equipment one of her clients want to use. :-P Hence my Hilton gym sessions. The from Singapore, we are HOPING to be able to go home on the 19th. Or is that 20th. After that, I am happy reporting that we will be in Shanghai for about 4 days. Anyone who likes to visit, please plan now. :-P Hee hee....
I have just spent the whole morning mapping out the second part of the December and January trip prior to our wedding. I believe from Dec 25, we will fly to SFO then to MSP, to ORD, to RDU, to PDX then back to PVG. I believe, we would have complete the world's circumference at least one and a half this month? Anyone has an exact distance? ;-)
Then with the physical limitation of the Earth as well as airline schedule, we best fly to SYD from PVG rather than going thru OGG/HNL. We would have lose 2 days flying from HNL to SYD. So, my honey will have to make a station stop at PVG (Shanghai Pudong airport in case you have not figured it out yet). Drop off winter clothes and re-pack with better air-flow and lighter clothes for SYD. We should be "home" again by January 20. This will give us exactly 7 days before heading back to OGG from HKG. Our route will be PVG->HKG->HNL->OGG. Keep this up, I might join Phil to take up flying lessons.
That's about it..... Have to buff up my physique; lots of bags to carry in airports....
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Pasti not so tasty
Went to Pasti for supper last night; that little "our list of restaurants" to eat. The service wasn't that good; seemed there was a whole crew change; no one seemed to know how to take order, they were just standing right behind you in a row chatting. Wine was good; an Australian Wolfblass - Merlot. Audrey's pasta, she tried choking it down. My thin crust pizza, so so.... Slightly better than Domino's. Didn't know what happened. Ordered desserts, never came despite asking for them twice. Finally had to cancel; then we were being charged for "missing" orders. Won't be going back there.
But tonight, found a nice hamburger place; yes! Hamburger place.... It served vegetarian stuff as well; but the "real" meat hamburger was good. Lots of varieties. And all the patties were home-made. Nothing greasy; after you ate, you felt good and not feeling that huge bloc of grease somewhere between your throat and your belly button. The salad was huge and light. So excited about the place, completely forgot - this new place is called "Gourmet burger" on Shaanxi Bei Lu. "Shaanxi" is a province - literal translation is "west of mountain", "Bei" is "north". "Lu" is "Road". It is about 10-min leisure walk from our apartment. There are other nice shops next to this burger place; very high class Italian shops. O, English friendly place.
But tonight, found a nice hamburger place; yes! Hamburger place.... It served vegetarian stuff as well; but the "real" meat hamburger was good. Lots of varieties. And all the patties were home-made. Nothing greasy; after you ate, you felt good and not feeling that huge bloc of grease somewhere between your throat and your belly button. The salad was huge and light. So excited about the place, completely forgot - this new place is called "Gourmet burger" on Shaanxi Bei Lu. "Shaanxi" is a province - literal translation is "west of mountain", "Bei" is "north". "Lu" is "Road". It is about 10-min leisure walk from our apartment. There are other nice shops next to this burger place; very high class Italian shops. O, English friendly place.
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