Hey every one, it has been pointed out by a few people its been a while since I did a post. I've been super busy in Hong Kong hammering out a deal, so I haven't had much time to post. (more details on Hong Kong and the Deal later)
Just thought I would share a video from the top of "The Peak" in Hong Kong. Chris and I took an after noon off from the show and hiked up. Clearest day in both of the times I was there.
The video is taken on top of, from what we could tell, one of the highest points on the island located on the Western most side. Just a little clip of the view from the top.
Enjoy.
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
我回来了! (I am back!)
I’m back!
Home sweet home. (the entrance to my apartment complex)
And Xinglong road where I live
The travel here was pretty painless. I ended up taking a shuttle from the New Haven R.R. to JFK. It was easy, not to expensive, and I met some interesting people. One of the guys who happened to also be on my flight was named Frank. He has been going back and forth from China for 5 years now and gave me some great advice about a whole host of things.
I have found that Westerners who spend a lot of time in China tend to look out for one another quite a bit. Every time I meet one it as if they see a younger version of themselves and wish to take me under their wing to help me along. I can't complain their advice as been invaluable. I will have to remember this as I start to spend more time here.
My flight took off at around 4pm. It was just a hair over 16 hours. I am getting pretty used to them now. As long as I time my sleep for the right times, my jet lag is really limited to a few days of getting up earlier then usual. (which is actually nice when I have to start working tomorrow anyway).
My flight arrived in Beijing with the perfect amount of time for me to get through customs, navigate the massive maze that is Beijing airport, grab a coffee, and stop for a quick bathroom break. I boarded at 7:35pm and arrived in Xiamen at 10:30pm. Lindon’s brother and Lily picked me up right away and I was back in my apartment sleeping within an hour!
Here are a few pictures that where interesting from the plane.
This is the Mountains of Siberia
And here is the night view of Xiamen from the plane.
Flying over Beijing and Xiamen I could see Gold and Red fireworks going up EVERYWHERE to celebrate the last day of the Chinese New Year. At one point, I counted 11 different spots where good-sized blasts were going off independently. Wish I could have caught them in a picture!
This morning, after I unpacked a bit, I decided I would go for a walk in the park where I had my adventure looking for pizza. It is actually beautiful! (And not creepy at all during the day haha)
Here is a picture of one of the random creepy status that popped out of no where in the night.
I had to laugh at my self. As I walked around I realized I couldn’t have taken a longer path then I did that night! There is a short path right out in the open if I had just gone left instead of right when walking in! Ah well, to quote Douglas Adams “You live and you learn. At any rate, you live.”
This park is however, a magnet for interesting experiences for me! As I was walking, I heard some music being played in the distance, so I took a wander towards it.
Here are some pictures along the path I took. It was well decorated for Chinese New Year.
Only in China would someone’s laundry just be hanging in the park haha!
Here is a picture for Rach from the old amusement part here. I know how she loves old abandoned stuff. (Im not sure if it is actually abandoned or just neglected... Either way, you won't catch me on it!)
Once I got there, the players where very excited to see me and asked me to come join!(Well I am assuming they did, I just saw them wave their arms indicating to come over and then they handed me an instrument) I wish I had thought to ask someone to take a picture, but I was so focused on trying to keep a rhythm on my funky Chinese percussion instrument that I forgot!
I did however get some pictures of the Chinese Fiddle player after our jam session had concluded. (This is the instrument I brought home for Dan for X-mas)
And as a special treat, some video of the players in the park!
Home sweet home. (the entrance to my apartment complex)
And Xinglong road where I live
The travel here was pretty painless. I ended up taking a shuttle from the New Haven R.R. to JFK. It was easy, not to expensive, and I met some interesting people. One of the guys who happened to also be on my flight was named Frank. He has been going back and forth from China for 5 years now and gave me some great advice about a whole host of things.
I have found that Westerners who spend a lot of time in China tend to look out for one another quite a bit. Every time I meet one it as if they see a younger version of themselves and wish to take me under their wing to help me along. I can't complain their advice as been invaluable. I will have to remember this as I start to spend more time here.
My flight took off at around 4pm. It was just a hair over 16 hours. I am getting pretty used to them now. As long as I time my sleep for the right times, my jet lag is really limited to a few days of getting up earlier then usual. (which is actually nice when I have to start working tomorrow anyway).
My flight arrived in Beijing with the perfect amount of time for me to get through customs, navigate the massive maze that is Beijing airport, grab a coffee, and stop for a quick bathroom break. I boarded at 7:35pm and arrived in Xiamen at 10:30pm. Lindon’s brother and Lily picked me up right away and I was back in my apartment sleeping within an hour!
Here are a few pictures that where interesting from the plane.
This is the Mountains of Siberia
And here is the night view of Xiamen from the plane.
Flying over Beijing and Xiamen I could see Gold and Red fireworks going up EVERYWHERE to celebrate the last day of the Chinese New Year. At one point, I counted 11 different spots where good-sized blasts were going off independently. Wish I could have caught them in a picture!
This morning, after I unpacked a bit, I decided I would go for a walk in the park where I had my adventure looking for pizza. It is actually beautiful! (And not creepy at all during the day haha)
Here is a picture of one of the random creepy status that popped out of no where in the night.
I had to laugh at my self. As I walked around I realized I couldn’t have taken a longer path then I did that night! There is a short path right out in the open if I had just gone left instead of right when walking in! Ah well, to quote Douglas Adams “You live and you learn. At any rate, you live.”
This park is however, a magnet for interesting experiences for me! As I was walking, I heard some music being played in the distance, so I took a wander towards it.
Here are some pictures along the path I took. It was well decorated for Chinese New Year.
Only in China would someone’s laundry just be hanging in the park haha!
Here is a picture for Rach from the old amusement part here. I know how she loves old abandoned stuff. (Im not sure if it is actually abandoned or just neglected... Either way, you won't catch me on it!)
Once I got there, the players where very excited to see me and asked me to come join!(Well I am assuming they did, I just saw them wave their arms indicating to come over and then they handed me an instrument) I wish I had thought to ask someone to take a picture, but I was so focused on trying to keep a rhythm on my funky Chinese percussion instrument that I forgot!
I did however get some pictures of the Chinese Fiddle player after our jam session had concluded. (This is the instrument I brought home for Dan for X-mas)
And as a special treat, some video of the players in the park!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
It is Time to go Back!
Whoo hoo!
I leave to return to Xiamen tomorrow! Its about time!
It was great to be home and see everyone, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but it is definitely time.
It started to sink in the other day after the trade show. I realized I had seen just about all of the family and just about everyone I REALLY wanted to see. Then I started seeing a group of people it was still really nice to catch up with on a regular basis. Then there where a few surprises of people I didn't think I would be able to see.
But recently it has gotten to the point where I go into town and see people that I just need to make small talk with because I know them... then I see them again 5 hours later at the bar and need more small talk. It makes me feel like a townie. This is why I left in the first place!
I also came to the realization just now, as I was thinking about what I wanted for dinner, that I couldn't remember what I wanted my last dinner in the US to be! I had to go back and check the blog to see what I was missing before I came home! haha
So it is time for sure.
I also realized I haven't posted the good news! It's official, Chris Lombardozzi (my college roommate) will be joining us at ENRY starting March 4th! More elaboration on this later since it deserves a post all in it self.
Be expecting more regular posts and pictures to come soon!
I leave to return to Xiamen tomorrow! Its about time!
It was great to be home and see everyone, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but it is definitely time.
It started to sink in the other day after the trade show. I realized I had seen just about all of the family and just about everyone I REALLY wanted to see. Then I started seeing a group of people it was still really nice to catch up with on a regular basis. Then there where a few surprises of people I didn't think I would be able to see.
But recently it has gotten to the point where I go into town and see people that I just need to make small talk with because I know them... then I see them again 5 hours later at the bar and need more small talk. It makes me feel like a townie. This is why I left in the first place!
I also came to the realization just now, as I was thinking about what I wanted for dinner, that I couldn't remember what I wanted my last dinner in the US to be! I had to go back and check the blog to see what I was missing before I came home! haha
So it is time for sure.
I also realized I haven't posted the good news! It's official, Chris Lombardozzi (my college roommate) will be joining us at ENRY starting March 4th! More elaboration on this later since it deserves a post all in it self.
Be expecting more regular posts and pictures to come soon!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Trip Home Extended
Interesting news.
Turns out my 3 week vacation home has been extended, significantly.
The trade show I came home for was a blast and more of a success than I expected.
After talking to a close friend I was informed that there is ANOTHER show at the same place (Javits center in NYC) on January 30th - Feb 3rd. Lindon has decided that it is worth while to send us BACK.
So the team (Chris and I) will head back down to the city to do some more damage.
Our factory then closes for the Chinese New Year on the 6th so it is hardly worth going back at that point.
We have decided I (and maybe Chris! Cross your fingers for us) will go back on Feb. 19th!
Looking forward to seeing the people I didn't get to see in the first three weeks.
Here are a few pictures I think are worth posting from the trip home!
I don't usually like to take photos on the air plane but I thought sun rise at the North Pole was worth it.
The Fam on our annual X-mas tree hunt.
Decorated
Building Cameron's (my 3 year old second cousin) first Snowman!
Dad and I working hard to make the toboggan run for *ahem* Cameron
Not exactly China related... but I hope you enjoy them.
Turns out my 3 week vacation home has been extended, significantly.
The trade show I came home for was a blast and more of a success than I expected.
After talking to a close friend I was informed that there is ANOTHER show at the same place (Javits center in NYC) on January 30th - Feb 3rd. Lindon has decided that it is worth while to send us BACK.
So the team (Chris and I) will head back down to the city to do some more damage.
Our factory then closes for the Chinese New Year on the 6th so it is hardly worth going back at that point.
We have decided I (and maybe Chris! Cross your fingers for us) will go back on Feb. 19th!
Looking forward to seeing the people I didn't get to see in the first three weeks.
Here are a few pictures I think are worth posting from the trip home!
I don't usually like to take photos on the air plane but I thought sun rise at the North Pole was worth it.
The Fam on our annual X-mas tree hunt.
Decorated
Building Cameron's (my 3 year old second cousin) first Snowman!
Dad and I working hard to make the toboggan run for *ahem* Cameron
Not exactly China related... but I hope you enjoy them.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Some pictures from the first night
Good morning!
Just a quick post of some pictures I took last night to go along with all this text.
First my hotel room, quite literally. One room.
There is about a foot and a half between the bed and the wall on the side you cant see.
and the bath...closet. That's the end of the bed in the picture.
And here the desk. Anyone who is more then 10 lbs larger than me would not be able to work here.
And that's it. Haha. Some interesting differences, the key goes into a slot in the wall and the hot water, elec, and A/C won't work with out it. The room comes with a water boiler because because you cant drink tap water. Brushing your teeth with boiling water takes getting used too.
And some pictures from my wondering.
Stay tuned.
Just a quick post of some pictures I took last night to go along with all this text.
First my hotel room, quite literally. One room.
There is about a foot and a half between the bed and the wall on the side you cant see.
and the bath...closet. That's the end of the bed in the picture.
And here the desk. Anyone who is more then 10 lbs larger than me would not be able to work here.
And that's it. Haha. Some interesting differences, the key goes into a slot in the wall and the hot water, elec, and A/C won't work with out it. The room comes with a water boiler because because you cant drink tap water. Brushing your teeth with boiling water takes getting used too.
And some pictures from my wondering.
Stay tuned.
Finally! The Eagle has Landed!
I'm here! In Hong Kong that is.
I have to say, much of my nervousness for the processes has turned out to be silliness! I couldn't have asked for this to work out much smoother!
I landed in HK at 10:05am on the dot. The flight from Taipei to HK was a cinch after the first 2 flights. The "stay up on the first and sleep the second" strategy worked quite well for all practical purposes. Too bad the two seats on either side of me where empty while I was awake but full while sleeping. It would have been nice to stretch out but now I'm nit picking.
I met two nice Russian guys who own some sort of IT company in the US and spend lots of time "shopping around for stuff" in China. They gave me some tips on what to see and do. Too bad I'm not traveling on the salary of the head of a company, maybe I'd actually be able to do 1 or 2 of the things they suggested! haha
Customs took about 5 minutes and my baggage had already been pulled off the rack because it had come 2 hours before me. Then I walked out the door and there was an money exchange place right in front of me that also happened to sell the train ticket I needed. Then I walked about 50 feet to the train station. It really couldn't have been easier.
The hotel was a little trickier to find and I spent a good 20 minutes looking and feeling ridiculously lost but a nice policeman gave me directions and then checked up on me when I managed to botch them up. Knowing the numbers, a big smile, and a few Xie Xie's have been indispensable. Mostly because I haven't run into anyone yet who doesn't understand at least basic English sentences.
After I checked in and showered I met up with a family friend named Tom Keanen for lunch who has been absolutely incredible in helping me get this whole thing off the ground. I can't thanks him enough. I can only hope I can be as helpful to someone else wanting to do this as he has been too me.
We had a great U.S. style lunch at in his building that has a pretty fabulous view. From one window alone I counted 38 building cranes. If you wanted you could just sit around and watch the city transform, its pretty crazy!
Well anyway, I think its time to do some exploring and picture taking. This post is getting pretty long.
Until next time.
I have to say, much of my nervousness for the processes has turned out to be silliness! I couldn't have asked for this to work out much smoother!
I landed in HK at 10:05am on the dot. The flight from Taipei to HK was a cinch after the first 2 flights. The "stay up on the first and sleep the second" strategy worked quite well for all practical purposes. Too bad the two seats on either side of me where empty while I was awake but full while sleeping. It would have been nice to stretch out but now I'm nit picking.
I met two nice Russian guys who own some sort of IT company in the US and spend lots of time "shopping around for stuff" in China. They gave me some tips on what to see and do. Too bad I'm not traveling on the salary of the head of a company, maybe I'd actually be able to do 1 or 2 of the things they suggested! haha
Customs took about 5 minutes and my baggage had already been pulled off the rack because it had come 2 hours before me. Then I walked out the door and there was an money exchange place right in front of me that also happened to sell the train ticket I needed. Then I walked about 50 feet to the train station. It really couldn't have been easier.
The hotel was a little trickier to find and I spent a good 20 minutes looking and feeling ridiculously lost but a nice policeman gave me directions and then checked up on me when I managed to botch them up. Knowing the numbers, a big smile, and a few Xie Xie's have been indispensable. Mostly because I haven't run into anyone yet who doesn't understand at least basic English sentences.
After I checked in and showered I met up with a family friend named Tom Keanen for lunch who has been absolutely incredible in helping me get this whole thing off the ground. I can't thanks him enough. I can only hope I can be as helpful to someone else wanting to do this as he has been too me.
We had a great U.S. style lunch at in his building that has a pretty fabulous view. From one window alone I counted 38 building cranes. If you wanted you could just sit around and watch the city transform, its pretty crazy!
Well anyway, I think its time to do some exploring and picture taking. This post is getting pretty long.
Until next time.
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