410 days 40 minutes 300 seconds

Long flight to Mexico and longer on the way back. Flight was notable for a number of things, one good and the rest disappointing. Good - each time I went through the immigration and security checks in LAX and San Francisco, the process was quick, efficient; so much so the time between arriving at gate to getting to next gate was less than 40 minutes. Remarkable. Disappointing - many, many with United airlines. Not allowed a bottle of water on the plane. The video screen is smaller than that of a Blackberry. The stewardess would not lift bags into the overhead becasue of a bad back. A bit fo a challenge for the small chinese ladies. However english gent on hand to save the day. The seats in front reclined to take your space and completely stop you using the storage pockets on the back. To cap it all in Mexico my return flight started at 6.30am. So had to be at the airport at 4.30am. Checked in and was told the lounge did not open till 5am. So found it and thought for 10 minutes I can wait. I waited and waited, more people came to join me. By 6 am we were partying in the corridor as I rushed off for my flight.

Didnt really see much of Mexico city, another, hotel -office - diner - hotel airport trip. People were great as usual.

Back in Shanghai and the removal company came and packed our stuff. 34 cartons, 27 of them filled with tea pots, 4 for the golf clubs, 2 for books, and one for the clothes we might need. Last heard the package was on a boat heading for the pirate capital of the world.

Company graciously moved me into a hotel - lack of bedding etc makes staying in the house challenging. So had a pleasant walk into the office each day. The house check and key handover passed with flying colours.

Received some nice gifts form my colleagues, and even nicer words and so left China on Thursday 22nd December, having lived in China for a wonderful 410 days.

The regular flying has a few benefits - I was upgraded between Dubai and Manchester and so able to try out the shower on the Emirates A380. It was Ok as showers go, the water pressure not too high, but warm enough, and shower as good as some top hotels. The water is on a timer that counts down in front of you, to make sure you dont soap up at the wrong time and run out.

Back to rainy northern england, and then left my coat in the chauffeur car. Fortunately the wonderful people at Professional Chauffeur Services returned it later today.

so Christmas is coming...enjoy and let the goose get fat, not you.

Missing China already

Central African Republic

Whilst we were in Dubai - for two nights we had the President of the Central african Republic in the room two doors down. and his security detail in the corridor. Bit unnerving walking past these armed guards in a morning. On one occasion we were made to wiat as he came out of his room and walked in front of us down the corridor.

Two towers

As I type this my wife is on her way back to the UK, her tour of China ended. Two weeks left for me before we move on to Dubai.

We have been making the most of our time. Visited Wuxi, Taipei and Dubai in the last month, as well as playing around in Shanghai.

Wuxi is a tier 3 city an hour north of Shanghai on the high speed train. Pleasant little place which has yet to be corrupted by western influence. The locals still find westerners intriguing, but are not as brazen as those in the larger cities; photos are taken without asking you first. The usual trick is when they see you, one of the Chinese will turn and walk backwards towards you and they take the picture just in front of you. They get embarrassed or laugh when you notice and pose for them.

We stayed in a Sheraton hotel where the service was excellent. The young staff had big smiles, spoke good English, and responded positively each time. Wuxi is a tourist destination as it has a large lake on one side. Pleasant in the autumn sunshine. Two notable features on our trip.

We went to the “old town” which was 10 minute taxi ride from the hotel. When we arrived at 10.30 in the morning, the place was swamped with locals, all trying to leave. Apparently we had missed the temple worship and street entertainment. Given the hordes of people streaming out, I think arriving after it finished was a lucky break.

Our taxi pulled up and before we could get out, the car was surrounded by people. Two people were pushing and shoving over getting into the front seat.  Others were arguing over the door handle, and others were getting in the other side. This was in the middle of a main road! We paid and left them to it.

We walked against the tide; it was a bit like walking the wrong way down Wembley way after an England game has just finished. Still when we got to the main street it was a bit quieter, and so we could see what this place was. Apparently it used to be a trading centre between 1100 to 1700AD. Then it was abandoned. The local city have decided to preserve it and rebuild it. So some of the bits are being rebuilt. 

Elsewhere we came across this cat, in a park. Why I have no idea however it was fun and the locals were enjoying it as well.

Looking for food we went to a local shopping mall and came across this men’s clothes store. Obviously a year in China and I am starting to have an effect on the culture.

Taipei is 90 minutes from Shanghai, and for UK passport holders no visa requirement. It is worth a trip. There are the normal historical monuments and temples like any country, the third highest building in the world.

It is a relaxed place to visit, Chinese, but with more western influence. Plenty of fast food outlets, so the population has a noticeably higher density of overweight people than China. We also spotted a lot more begging and homeless around.

Whilst visiting Chang Kai Shek’s mausoleum we came across what looked like Taiwan has talent. A large concert stage set up with lights and huge speakers, in front a separate stage and seats for the judges. Around were fixed and mobile cameras filming the action. We found a seat and sat down. After the first act, found it was a talent show for the mentally disabled of Taipei. There must have been 20 or 30 acts on the list and 500 people watching. Amazing and what a stunning idea.

We went up Taipei 101 – it has 101 floors – but you can only go to the 91^st floor and outside on the viewing platform.  The Taiwanese still retain the Chinese sense of humour. This sign was on all the window sills. Didn’t see any cleaners though.

If you go to Taipei go to the night markets. Basically they are small open fronted shops and cafés, with street stalls in between. They come alive after dusk, and everyone goes there. Bit like Camden market but after dark. You can buy everything, some fakes obviously, some top brands, but mostly it is normal stuff at cheaper prices. First night we went to one near the hotel, which was a pleasant stroll. The second night we got the metro to Shilin night market, which had been recommended. It is enormous and attended by thousands and thousands of people. The metro going to it was like leaving Wembley on the tube after a game. You move through at the crowds pace – you can’t barge through – too many people.

 We had weekend in Shanghai where we hadn’t planned anything. The wind was up so we ended up by the river, and walked along the prom.  There was a lady selling bubbles. I haggled and pleased with my skill bought a tube. Walked to the downwind end of the prom letting bubbles blow across the other people walking along. The kids playing loved it, chasing bubbles. Some of the adults did, I think, as they kept taking my picture.

I am still looking for my image on Chinese websites, Facebook. If any one finds it send me the link.

We had eight days in Dubai, getting my work permit, looking round and trying to work out where and how we were going to live there. A place is very different in appeal between tourist or business visit and having to live there. We went at the end of November, and the day time temperature did get as low as 32C!.

The place is spectacular, bright sunshine, blue skies, stunning modern buildings including the Burj Khalifa. It has a mix of the westerner on summer holiday and the Indian / Pakistan moslem community, and the Emirati Arab owners. At the Palm with Atlantis hotel, the sandy beaches and blue sea attract the bikini / trunk clad westerners. Once toasted they adjourn to the bars and restaurants on the beach front.  These are upmarket from the traditional  English seaside café’s.

At the other end around the creek the old part of Dubai has the souks, which are dominated by the Indian and Pakistan communities, trading and bargaining, with a mix of other Middle Eastern nationalities.

In between you have the malls, where you go if you don’t want the previous two options. These are massive.  Trafford Centre, Bluewater and Metro centre would fit easily within each one in Dubai. In addition each has distinctive features within them. The emirates mall, has a ski slope inside. In addition a  3 storey waterfall . The Dubai mall has an Olympic ice rink, an aquarium you can swim in, as well as the dancing fountains. They all have massive food halls, with massive portions.

The biggest contrast – you have to put you jumper on to go inside – the change from out to air-conditioning is huge and chilling.

Will be an interesting time there – next step to find a place to live.

Tomorrow fly to Mexico on business, then home, then Singapore…Happy Xmas