Wow!

So, after a few disappointing experiences, I had a beatiful weekend here in Shanghai. Saturday was sighseeing day. My colleagues picked me up in the evening and we first had a delicious dinner in a traditional Hunao-Restaurant, which means that the food is quite spicy, with lots of peppers, chilli and garlic! Excellent! Afterwards we went to the Bunt to have an night view on the amazing skyline of Shanghai! Perfect finale of the day.

Sunday I first tried a small Golf course in the city center. First time I played with a caddy. Funny experience since you don't have to carry/push your bag and you'll always be handed out the club you want. And the clubs are always clean after the shot. Was a nice small 9Hole Golf course.

Then for the afternoon I was showed around by my colleague Cecilia to some typical Historical and very touristical places in Shanghai (unfortunately I can't remember the names). Did the fake watch experience including the obligatory being screwed ;)! A very memorable afternoon, where I got to know the traditional character of Shanghai.

I'm really amazed now by the size, the beauty and the atmosphere of the city. Well, Shanghai is definitely not a poor place. I counted now at least 3 LV, D&G, Prada etc. shops in different parts of the city. The cars you see is almost like in the Emirates, but as well old memories from the 80s come up by seeing all the Volkswagen Santanas. 

Today was seeing 2 customers. We booked a Limo for the day as both locations of the meetings were far from each other. And it took us at least 1 hour to get to each place. For the evening my colleague James and I went to dinner and afterwards afain a little sight seeing tour through the french quarter followed by a traditional chinese foot massage. My feet never felt so light, and the skin of my feet feels like I'm 12 again! 

Even though I had a rather tight schedule here in Shanghai, I enjoyed it very much so far. It takes some time to get used to China, the atmosphere and the customs/habbits. But then, it is really fascinating. And still a lot of business opportunities, as the Chinese population is getting more wealthy and demanding! 

Let's see how Vietnam will be...

Asia is different...

Well, so far I'm still full with new experiences. I now tried almost all possible modes of transport in Shanghai. Yesterday we went to meet our colleagues in Ningbo. Went there by Bus. A three hours ride, quite comfortable. Even though Ningbo and Shanghai look pretty close on the map, it's a distance of 300km. China is huuuuge. 

Yesterday i ate chinese food for the first time. Tastes rather different from the asian food in Europe, but very delicious. Nevertheless you have to be careful in China. Food quality in general is lower than in Europe, since the basic ingredients might be contaminated or not pure. Still people do not buy local Milk powder, but only imported one. 

My host James (a HongKong Chinese) at least knows where to eat, and he rather enjoys european food than asian food.

Today I had a bit of time to get to know Shanghai better. Amazing and huge city. I did a hop on - hop off bus tour,  just to get a little look around. Very impressive, especially the view from the Bund towards the skyline. 

Still the chinese culture resp. the people are behaving a bit more rude than in Europe. But that's obviously the way to go here. Secondly it is a bit difficult to navigate here. Even though many signs are in English, the content is often not understandable. At least I managed to take a taxi and made the driver clear where I wanted to go. 

I think after a certain period of time one can adapt to the environment here. Don't want to make it bad, it is in many ways beatiful and very very interesting, but it just different from Europe. 

New experiences

First day in Shanghai successfully finished. First time in my life that I feel tall. 

I met my colleagues from the Shanghai office, visited a Chinese freight forwarding company, where the VP for the international Business is a German (must be from Baden-Württemberg, since he had his apprenticeship with Willy Betz in Reutlingen), went for lunch with an American in a french Restaurant and had Dinner with a customer from Switzerland in an italian Restaurant. I would call that a very international day. Hope to get real chinese food as well one day here.

I didn't see too much of Shanghai yet. The city is massive and the traffic absolutely chaotic. A bit comparable to New York. But somehow I couldn't "feel" the city yet. But I guess this will come, when I have time for a bit of sightseeing.

Sorry for not posting any pictures yet, but this will come soon.

Even though I'm very impressed about Shanghai, how modern this city seems to be, it is still unbelievable that there isn't an unregulated internet yet for example. You don't have access to google, youtube, facebook etc. Bing however works fine (since Microsoft made a deal with the chinese government). At least I found a workaround via mobile apps or VPN connection (otherwise I couldn't write this blog since it's google based). 

And did you know, that if you have more than one child in China, the second child doesn't get a passport and birth certificate?

This reminds me again, about the freedom we have in the Western World and that we take it for granted every single day, whereas there are still countries with, let's say, different customs. 

Tomorrow we have only one appointment, so maybe there is time for a bit of sight seeing or shopping in the evening. Just heard that you get taylor made suits and shirts for ridicoulus prices here in Shanghai...

Safely arrived

So, now I finally arrived safely at the Swissotel in Shanghai (with all of my luggage :)). As it was already dark when we landed, I didn't see much of the city yet. I can only say, that it is huge. My colleague Cecilia from our Shanghai office picked me up and brought me to the hotel.

The next days are full with appointments with customers and partners. I hope I can get a glimpse of the city during this week. Weather is pretty poor. Yesterday a taifun went over Shanghai, and that's why the flight was delayed.  Now I try to get some rest. Still can't believe I'm in Asia...

Bumpy ride

Our flight was 2 hours delayed. Obviously too much traffic and a little thunderstorm. I had a chinese seat neighbour who was clearly wearing the latest haute couture. 

The entertainment system at Vietnam Airlines is an iPad, which they hand out when arriving cruising altitude. Not the worst solution. 

The flight was very bumpy, as if the pilot wanted to hit all possible pottholes. 

Anyway, I'm now in Hanoi and waiting for my connecting flight to Shanghai. Weather here is 25 degrees centrigrade and pretty humid. 

The connecting flight to Shanghai is now more than 3 hours delayed, due to severe weather conditions in Shanghai. I'm waiting in the lounge and try to stay awake.

Chris goes Asia

Well, well, well... Now I'm sitting in the airport lounge in Frankfurt and I'm waiting for my flight to Asia (Shanghai via Hanoi to be exact).

It's been a few months ago, when my boss asked me, if I would like to take over our branch in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Well, after a very short decision phase, I agreed. That was in February 2014. Now 6 months later I'm already almost there. First stop will be Shanghai, where I will meet our Chinese colleagues.

My company is a medium sized freight forwarding company based in Basel, Switzerland. During the last 10 years, the company saw business opportunities in far east, and that's why we already have 4 overseas branches (3 in China and 1 in Vietnam).

So much about the facts, which normally are pretty boring :)!

I've been only once to Asia before (Seoul), which was amazing, but I guess Vietnam might be a bit different. Same here in Europe if somebody would say Italy and Finland are the same.

I would like to share my impressions and adventures with you during my time down in Asia. I'm pretty sure, there is much to tell. Plan is, that I will stay for 2-3 years, so I hope I can entertain you a bit during this time, and that you enjoy reading this blog.

Time's up now and I need to go to boarding! 

Here you then from Asia

Chris