I hadn't posted in a while it seems. Over the past two weeks, I have started to get settled in. I ordered some furniture for my apartment (including a 37 inch full HD tv) and was involved in a two day Global Capital Markets meeting. During the two days I had dinner with Randy Anstine from the Columbus, OH office, who is currently in the middle of a three year rotation in Tokyo. I also met some new people from South Korea, Singapore, China, and the Philippines.
Outside of work, I continued to do a little sightseeing. I went to Victoria Peak two weeks ago, which is the tallest mountain on Hong Kong Island (but second tallest in Hong Kong). From here I took multiple pictures of the mountain side and the Hong Kong skyline. (I went to the Kowloon side and took some pictures of the night time skyline later in the day) I took a bus up the mountain, which was considerably easy to figure out which one I needed. However, there was a lot of traffic on the way up. (big torist attraction) There was a big shopping center with an overlook of the south side of the Island and then the huge observation tower for viewing the downtown side and the Harbor. Within the observation tower was a shopping mall, restaurants, and a Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, which I went to. On the way down, I took the mountain tram, which is a cable car running up the side of the mountain.
One week ago I went to Stanley. Stanley is on the south east side of the Island and is a big ex-pat area as well. (I took a bus through a tunnel and across mountain sides) It is not as crowded there, which I liked, but had many things to see. I went through the Stanley Market first, where one can purchase a bunch of chinese memorabillia or other items for a haggled price. Then I walked alongside the coast, to the pier. I went to the mari-time museum, which was supposed to be the nicest in Hong Kong. Well, it was nice, but small. There were a lot of model wooden ships, and history of colonization, the Olympics, and commercial freight carriers.
After the museum I went to a German restaurant with authentic German food, cooked by authentic chinese. :-) I got the all you can eat lunch buffet and it was great! Following lunch I visited three small temples and then headed to the beach. I didn't go swimming as this was more of an exploratory trip, but I was excited to see it. One girl from the office had said it was like Miami Beach, so I was pumped. Of course when I got there, I saw that the beach itself was small, probably about that of which you would find at Dillon Lake near Zanesville. The people were not as good looking as those you might see on Miami beach either. (just average people) and the sand looked pretty course as well. However, there were a lot of people wind surfing, which seemed like fun. (maybe another day) Needless-to-say, I have made note not to listen to anything that girl has to say int he future.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
New Pics
I am getting behind on Pics. Click on the new Flickr link below for pics of Central, Lan Kwai Fong during the day, and Macau.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Week 1 Recap
Ok, so after the first week... I frickin love this place. I began work on Thursday and went to lunch on Thursday and Friday with the people in my group. The majority are ex-pats from the U.S., Canada, France, Taiwan, South Africa, and Singapore, with some locals thrown in as well. They seem really cool. I am one of only two seniors in the group as there are about 10 Managers, 10 Senior Managers, and 5 Partners in the Capital Markets Center here.
On Friday we ate Dim Sum for lunch. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is usually served with tea. There were multiple types of food that we ordered family style, in which everyone can simply have a little of everything. I ate quite a few things that I would never order on my own. An interesting experience but not a type of food I will eat on a regular basis.
On Friday evening, Jackie Chan, his cousin, and I all went to Lan Kwai Fong for drinks. Lan Kwai Fong is a block of multiple bars and clubs, and the largest ex-pat area in Hong Kong. Jackie said that locals will come to that area just to see British people. I met a few people there from Spain, France, and the U.S. I even had a little luck with a local girl using my newly learned Cantonese pick up lines. (Thanks to Jackie Chan) I am sure I did not do it justice, but she started a conversation with me in English. (They appreciate you just for trying) We left that bar and went to another, so I didn't speak with her for too long.
Now for Saturday. During the day I went to Kowloon (the pennisula portion of Hong Kong) While there, I went to the flea market. (that's what I call it at least) Here there are tents set up throughout this one street and it runs for at least 6 blocks. In these markets you can find a little of everything, mostly clothing items. (everything from belts, watches, purses and jerseys, to toys and chinese decorations) The items are not very expensive but they also expect you to haggle with them. (Dave Wagner would love it) I went into a video store in which I saw DVD's on sale for about $2.50 USD. Supposedly you can get them in mainland china for less than a dollar, but the quality may not as good.
On Saturday night I went to dinner with a manager, senior manager, partner, and their spouses, in SoHo. I had Indian food for the first time and I actually enjoyed it... the night before. (today is a little rough) After dinner we went to Lan Kwai Fong and had a couple of drinks. We went to this Filipino bar in which there was a live cover band. The band was Filipino as well, but were singing in English. It was great. They actually sounded really good. They sang mostly 90's American songs, but also some newer ones like Maroon 5 and Fergi. There was a girl and a guy who sang. The guy looked like a Filipino Enrique Iglesias (hilarious) and the girl was great. She could be my little Tia Carrere. Her voice was awesome and she was cute. But as the saying goes, "Don't fall in love with the first Filipino, English speaking, Cover Band singer that you see". And therefore I didn't. According to my co-workers, almost every bar in Manila has a live band every night, with equivalent talent. (can't wait until I visit the Philippines!) Also, they told me of a midget bar in which all of the servers, bouncers, and bar-tenders are midgets. (also in the Philippines)
Well, if that wasn't enough, then came the best part of the evening... Wan Chai. Wan Chai is full of what is called "sailor bars". It is every American with an Asian fetish's dream come true. (Sean and Dave, you will love it when you come visit) There is one section of Lockhart Rd. with girly bars. (strip clubs) Here, the strippers are not actually stripping. They are in bikinis just dancing on the front stage. At these bars, the girls will literally try and pull you in from off the streets. (a lot like Bourbon street in New Orleans) Because, even though the girls on stage aren't stripping, they are trying to get you to buy some over priced drinks and perhaps a little "something else" from the girls that aren't on stage. We didn't go to any of those bars.
We went to some other bars which were dance clubs. However, all of the girls are still "working". It is great place to go and dance with / talk to some of the hottest asian girls you have ever seen. If you have some cash on you, you can even do more with them. Of course, me being me, I talked to the girls as if they weren't "professionals". I met girls from the Phillipeans, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and even some from South America. I told them that they don't need to do what they are doing and they should move to America, where they can get real jobs. They said they can't get visas for America and while drunk I might have told some of them that I could get them visas. :-) The one girl actually said she is going to America in May and will be working as a nurse's aid as she just finished college. However, she needs the money to get there and that is why she is doing what she is doing. Interesting people at these places, and all of them speak English pretty well.
On Friday we ate Dim Sum for lunch. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is usually served with tea. There were multiple types of food that we ordered family style, in which everyone can simply have a little of everything. I ate quite a few things that I would never order on my own. An interesting experience but not a type of food I will eat on a regular basis.
On Friday evening, Jackie Chan, his cousin, and I all went to Lan Kwai Fong for drinks. Lan Kwai Fong is a block of multiple bars and clubs, and the largest ex-pat area in Hong Kong. Jackie said that locals will come to that area just to see British people. I met a few people there from Spain, France, and the U.S. I even had a little luck with a local girl using my newly learned Cantonese pick up lines. (Thanks to Jackie Chan) I am sure I did not do it justice, but she started a conversation with me in English. (They appreciate you just for trying) We left that bar and went to another, so I didn't speak with her for too long.
Now for Saturday. During the day I went to Kowloon (the pennisula portion of Hong Kong) While there, I went to the flea market. (that's what I call it at least) Here there are tents set up throughout this one street and it runs for at least 6 blocks. In these markets you can find a little of everything, mostly clothing items. (everything from belts, watches, purses and jerseys, to toys and chinese decorations) The items are not very expensive but they also expect you to haggle with them. (Dave Wagner would love it) I went into a video store in which I saw DVD's on sale for about $2.50 USD. Supposedly you can get them in mainland china for less than a dollar, but the quality may not as good.
On Saturday night I went to dinner with a manager, senior manager, partner, and their spouses, in SoHo. I had Indian food for the first time and I actually enjoyed it... the night before. (today is a little rough) After dinner we went to Lan Kwai Fong and had a couple of drinks. We went to this Filipino bar in which there was a live cover band. The band was Filipino as well, but were singing in English. It was great. They actually sounded really good. They sang mostly 90's American songs, but also some newer ones like Maroon 5 and Fergi. There was a girl and a guy who sang. The guy looked like a Filipino Enrique Iglesias (hilarious) and the girl was great. She could be my little Tia Carrere. Her voice was awesome and she was cute. But as the saying goes, "Don't fall in love with the first Filipino, English speaking, Cover Band singer that you see". And therefore I didn't. According to my co-workers, almost every bar in Manila has a live band every night, with equivalent talent. (can't wait until I visit the Philippines!) Also, they told me of a midget bar in which all of the servers, bouncers, and bar-tenders are midgets. (also in the Philippines)
Well, if that wasn't enough, then came the best part of the evening... Wan Chai. Wan Chai is full of what is called "sailor bars". It is every American with an Asian fetish's dream come true. (Sean and Dave, you will love it when you come visit) There is one section of Lockhart Rd. with girly bars. (strip clubs) Here, the strippers are not actually stripping. They are in bikinis just dancing on the front stage. At these bars, the girls will literally try and pull you in from off the streets. (a lot like Bourbon street in New Orleans) Because, even though the girls on stage aren't stripping, they are trying to get you to buy some over priced drinks and perhaps a little "something else" from the girls that aren't on stage. We didn't go to any of those bars.
We went to some other bars which were dance clubs. However, all of the girls are still "working". It is great place to go and dance with / talk to some of the hottest asian girls you have ever seen. If you have some cash on you, you can even do more with them. Of course, me being me, I talked to the girls as if they weren't "professionals". I met girls from the Phillipeans, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and even some from South America. I told them that they don't need to do what they are doing and they should move to America, where they can get real jobs. They said they can't get visas for America and while drunk I might have told some of them that I could get them visas. :-) The one girl actually said she is going to America in May and will be working as a nurse's aid as she just finished college. However, she needs the money to get there and that is why she is doing what she is doing. Interesting people at these places, and all of them speak English pretty well.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Macau
Yesterday, Jack and I went to Macau for a little day trip. If you don't know what Macau is, then I would recommend checking it out on Wiki. Basically. as Hong Kong is a Special Administrative region of China, so is Macau. Hong Kong, however, used to be a British province, while Macau was ruled by the Portugese. Today, Macau is the Las Vegas of Asia. It brings in more revenue than Vegas, has the world's largest casino, and the casinos are a lot nicer / newer than that of Vegas. (oh, did I mention it is on a penninsula / island, as is Hong Kong.
Ok, so we took a ferry over to Macau, which took about 45 minutes. We then took a free shuttle to the Venetian Casino, which is the world's largest. It was pretty gigantic. We ate there, which had tons of different types of restaurants (perhaps 35 in the food court alone) There was a huge shopping mall there as well. In the middle of the mall was water with Gondolas for which you could ride around under bridges and be serenaded by Gondoliers. I have never been to Vegas before, but perhaps this is the same there. The walls around the mall resembled Venetian architecture and the ceilings were painted like clowdy blue skys.
They had a Manchester United Experience (for Chris Peters), which was a store with everything you could ever want that is Manchester United. (sandles, key chains, mousepads, jerseys) We did see a jersey that was number 7, Ronalod. Yes, it was spelled incorrectly. On a side note, let me add that Hong Kong is huge into the EPL (English Premier League ) soccer. There is no place in Hong Kong which shows NFL games live, and perhaps only a couple that will shows some recorded games. (minus the Super Bowl) (no college football shown here at all)
So, I did some gambling, but did not take much money. You gamble in Hong Kong dollars or Macau curreny and therefore I lost about $520 HKD (only $68 USD). We then left and went to the oldest casino on Macau. I would say that it simply looked like a regular casino, but there was something interesting about it. Around the Macau casinos are "professional" women, trying to get you to spend some of your winnings on their "services". I didn't notice any at the Venetian, even though Jack said he saw multiple ones. Well, at the oldest casino, they're extremely obvious. They walked back and forth down a single hall way, so that you passed them on the way in and out. I will say this, they were dressed appropriately for their line of business. (you know, like most girls in the States)
We walked the old city and had some signature beef jerky next to some sweet antique stores. We walked up some stairs to the ruins of St. Paul and then to the Mountain Fortress, or such. (cannons and all) The Portugese influence could be seen in some of the architecture of the old city. We ate at the Wynn casino before departing, in which there was definitely an older European Hair band, rock star present. I just couldn't tell who it was. (he sounded swedish but wasn't Yngwie, I don't think)
We capped off the day by having a Stella Artois at a pub near our apartment. This could become a new hang out for me. Would compare to the Union in Athens, but with a slightly older crowd than college students. (mostly english friendly locals with a splash of ex-pats)
Ok, so we took a ferry over to Macau, which took about 45 minutes. We then took a free shuttle to the Venetian Casino, which is the world's largest. It was pretty gigantic. We ate there, which had tons of different types of restaurants (perhaps 35 in the food court alone) There was a huge shopping mall there as well. In the middle of the mall was water with Gondolas for which you could ride around under bridges and be serenaded by Gondoliers. I have never been to Vegas before, but perhaps this is the same there. The walls around the mall resembled Venetian architecture and the ceilings were painted like clowdy blue skys.
They had a Manchester United Experience (for Chris Peters), which was a store with everything you could ever want that is Manchester United. (sandles, key chains, mousepads, jerseys) We did see a jersey that was number 7, Ronalod. Yes, it was spelled incorrectly. On a side note, let me add that Hong Kong is huge into the EPL (English Premier League ) soccer. There is no place in Hong Kong which shows NFL games live, and perhaps only a couple that will shows some recorded games. (minus the Super Bowl) (no college football shown here at all)
So, I did some gambling, but did not take much money. You gamble in Hong Kong dollars or Macau curreny and therefore I lost about $520 HKD (only $68 USD). We then left and went to the oldest casino on Macau. I would say that it simply looked like a regular casino, but there was something interesting about it. Around the Macau casinos are "professional" women, trying to get you to spend some of your winnings on their "services". I didn't notice any at the Venetian, even though Jack said he saw multiple ones. Well, at the oldest casino, they're extremely obvious. They walked back and forth down a single hall way, so that you passed them on the way in and out. I will say this, they were dressed appropriately for their line of business. (you know, like most girls in the States)
We walked the old city and had some signature beef jerky next to some sweet antique stores. We walked up some stairs to the ruins of St. Paul and then to the Mountain Fortress, or such. (cannons and all) The Portugese influence could be seen in some of the architecture of the old city. We ate at the Wynn casino before departing, in which there was definitely an older European Hair band, rock star present. I just couldn't tell who it was. (he sounded swedish but wasn't Yngwie, I don't think)
We capped off the day by having a Stella Artois at a pub near our apartment. This could become a new hang out for me. Would compare to the Union in Athens, but with a slightly older crowd than college students. (mostly english friendly locals with a splash of ex-pats)
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