Aviation Nightmare

The spirit of adventure strike again recently, I am determined to search for a cheaper way to get to Hong Kong from main land China. The flight in China going there went up tremendously in the past year. I suppose is the fuel cost or perhaps something else. Whatever the reason is the flight are getting a little expensive for frequent visitors.

My friends suggested that I should fly either with the discount airlines, you may be mistaken as cattle, or try fly to the last out post, in this case is the city of Shenzhen just a river away to separate the land from the Island. But going to that city for most mainlanders, they will need a permit just like a visa is needed for them to go to Hong Kong.

Yes booking flights, we have many choices back home, but it is entirely another taboo here, there is only one inter net booking site, and it is a monopoly, your other choice is to book directly from the airlines.

Secondly if you do not know Chinese and you are booking ticket on their English languages section, get ready for the big shock that the price quoted to you is more expensive than the same flight and schedule quoted on the Chinese language section. Deepen the insult, a lot of the domestic flights available in the Chinese language site may be blank on the English site, and flights were limited as well. Why didn’t that surprises me when I found out? Never mind.

Back to the story; check out the airfare it was less than half if I were fly to the Hong Kong international airport. No wonder so many of my friends chooses the Shenzhen route.

Logistically, flying to Hong Kong is consider as international flight, that means three hours before the flight schedule to take off you must check in at the airport and wait. There is always unspoken delay from 1-2 hours to 4 hours and up. Upon arrival of Hong Kong International airport, I need to either take an express bus directly to the hotel, public buses, the metro, or the airport express tram. In any case you will be about another hour before I can get to my destination on Hong Kong Island, and the cost is about the same as going from Shenzhen to Hong Kong.

If I flew to Shenzhen instead, right off the back I save two hours waiting time, because the flight is consider domestic flight. There is the usual delay like all the Chinese airlines, no matter what the situation is, I am still getting there with the two hours advantage, plus the flight is about 45 minutes shorter.

The transport at the Shenzhen airport cross border to HK is like a well oil machine, there are more just a couple of bus line, but an army is more like it. I purchase ticket and was hurry into the bus within 5 minutes they were on the highway speeding to ward the border crossing. There were no problem going thru security check and immigration, it is like just the formality for doing that, no one really care. Unless you are a Chinese passport holder than they want visa and documentation. For me that was a rather present experience for this first half of my adventure.

On my return flight 2 days later, we were told our flight was delay by the agent at the gate, no reason was given, just told us the flight had not arrive yet. I knew there was a storm up north. In the three hours we were waiting, it was quit a scene, the passengers were treated like a flock of chickens, we were told to go to the second level at a certain gate at some point, then an hour later everyone is picking up their luggage’s like a bunch of refugees hurry down the stairs again. Finally the flight arrives and we got on it. The plan started taxi on the runway. We are not home free yet, just yesterday, my friend call from her flight at the airport that they had been on board for two hours finally had to return to the terminal, the flight was cancelled, because of heavy frog. Really, I thought all flights were computerized, are they flying manually? Hard to believe… I do not know. I just found it strange.

We waited on the runway for another hours before we took off. Thanks god we finally lift off, no change of being grounded now, I should be home in an hour and a half after four long hours at the airport.

I have to give Chinese airlines a lot of credit, because they fly very high above the weather in general, therefore their flights are generally very smooth flights compare to the US domestic flights you can usually feel every air stream and bumps, especially when you flown west or up to the Rockies.

When we were approaching the destination of Shanghai, the plan start descending through the heavy storm, I thought for sure we were going to crash, we heard the thunder outside the plane, and the rain was pouring so hard I can’t even see out the window, once in a while you can make out the wings of the plane it was flopping like a birds. Is that wing going to break apart? I thought…

The noise of the plane sound like the plane was coming loose, the steward came on the intercom told us to remain clam, it is very safe when she can even standing still struggling to hold to the back of the seat. So that was really comforting. I gave her a lot of credit for telling us that, personally I am not sure if we were really save to land on violent storm condition. It is no danger of course and it is normal too, until the wings breaks apart. You be the judge.

I had experienced similar flying condition once in Texas, when I was in my 20’s and think it was cool, feels like a real life roller-coaster ride, When the flight finally landed in Dallas, everyone claps. Remember, I am not riding Russian airlines, they claps every time the flight landed. A clap for good luck, we live thru another flight is what they are thanking the Captain for. Never the less, someone on the flight did claps when we finally touch down in Shanghai.

It took us forever to taxi to the terminal; in the end we never reach there. There were no gates available, they were not allowed to take off in the heavy fog, but landing is another story. “SOS control tower, we are running out of fuel”. I suppose they do not want that to happen.

Our flight stop in the middle of the concourse, after another 45 minutes standing still, then they decided that we needed to be off the plane. I saw a bus came in close to the plane and let the first class passenger got on. It was pouring outside they were passing out newspaper for you to cover your head, that was really a joke. Come on can I have an umbrella instead?

The big bus came to get us was park about 30 feet away. I stood at the end of the stair hoping they will come closer, but that is not the case, they pushes me off the stair rail into the rain, left me no choice but dash to the bus, while down pour with thunder and lighting above.

Absolutely everyone was totally wet by the time they reach the bus, inside the air condition was in full blast over us. It was a ride from hell. I am thinking to myself, I am strong, I can get thru this just think good thought of a dry home will soon be reality, Until we went to luggage claim and see no moving part on the belt. They told us that it was raining too hard to unload any luggage. Come on, I am speechless.

No one was happy at that point, but then most Chinese were use to it, no one complains, just waited in silence. I think Chinese are resilience people, they really do take a lot of “CRAB” better than we are, we foreigner do not encounter this kind of horrible treatment in our own countries. If we were, you can be sure that some words will be exchange. Have you ever watch the TV series call airlines or airport? Not to sure, but if you have you know what I meant.

The Chinese aviation totally disregard of the waiting time (or wasted) time for their passengers at the airport is legendary, especially for foreign visitors, it is harder to get use.

The gate agent will give you no reasons for the delay just announced that you needed to wait because there was a delay. Come to understand from my friend later what causes the delay beside the weather is because the air traffic in China is controlled by military, every time when there is an official need to land some where, all commercial traffic had to wait. Secondly there are not enough flight paths to accommodate the demand of the commercial air traffic growth. Why aren’t they doing something about it, they may have, I do not know, but so far, you just wait. So make sure you have a lot of patient, water and snack while you are at the airport and I hope you downloaded movies to watch because you will need it, unless you like airport shopping, but that is only limited to International terminals, local terminals, you got nothing.

So is my adventure worth it. You may think I am a little crazy, but it is still worth it for me.

What do you think?

Chance Encounter Hong Kong, Shanghai

Adventure in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Cambodia, a gate way to the Angkor region, where the world’s 8 wonder Agnkor Wat stood, I had an adventure fill couple of days, so this may be a long blog.

We were very grateful a long waited trip actually materialized, our only flight from Shanghai to Siem Reap was cancelled a week before the trip due to low reservation, this kind of irresponsibility’s from the airlines to their customers can only happen in China.

As soon as we step off the plane we were greeted with a beautiful sight of an international airport in traditional Cambodian style of architecture, the smell of the tropic fill the air. It was such a relief, until our flight finally took off, we were uncertain if the airline will cancel the flight or not.

At the immigration line to get our visa processed seamlessly, of course we were a little early to be optimistic. We presented the passport and papers on one end with the processing fee, at the other end our visa was issued. Wow, what a treat that was we all thought, until we get to the second window of the Visa checkpoint.

The officers behind the window seem reluctantly to stamp the passport looking at it over and over again, checking information on the computer screen and keep murmuring “tip, tip.” at first I had no idea what she was saying, until she push some paper aside and underneath there were US dollars bills. She glanced at me again, and then I realize she is asking for tips. Thanks God I have one-dollar bills but I founded it ought and ask our guide later is it customary to give tips to immigration officers? Then I realize that was my first encounter of corruption in this tropical paradise. I suppose that is real life trouble in paradise?

On the other hand we were greeted everywhere by extremely polite people, we were given lesson on the bus on how to do the greeting, but the bowing and hand gesture proven to be hard for most clumsy foreigners. The Cambodian in general were all very soft spoken and gentle mannered people. Compare to all the loud mouth foreigners. Our group is usually the loudness, no matter where we go doesn’t matter if it is in the pool, in the shower, at the restaurant at the visiting temple, or in the lobby waiting for the bus to arrive, we were loud.

We all knew the experience of shopping in local market in China is like going to the torture chamber compare to that in Cambodia. In China, the frantic bargaining, the grabbing and pulling by the vendors and the big race on the hallways to avoid them only were being cornered at the next turn because they knew all the short cuts to out ran you. Like and hide and seek game. Ha ha I got you.

In Cambodia we found the local market were clam, an amazing place of smell and color the feast of the eye and senses. Lots of beautiful handcrafts arts and colorful silk products, not to mention the herbs. More amazingly in the center of it all is a wet market, that including “Dead animals everywhere for the least” food stalls and lots of vegetables. Never the less it is still much better than all the knock offs in any Chinese local markets.

The merchants were all very polite, even though some of us turn their booth upside down pulling out all kind of merchandizes and then walk off without any purchase and they still thank you for stopping by, and please come again. I think some one must have play a joke on these poor soul taught them to say “the hell with you, and get out of my life” means “ Thanks you very much for stopping by and have a good day.” Lost in translation I suppose, otherwise, where is their patient came from. I would have personally escorted some of the women from my group out of the market.

Besides many historical sites we visited, I am not going to bore you with those details, you can Google it better; we understand why the French so attached to their Indocin. Besides the lust vegetation, the beautiful French architecture that was painstakingly persevered and restored by the local governments, there were also those open-air transport calls tut tut, everyone use it to go all over town. Tut, tut basically is a four-seats open-air trailer with a canopy hinged behind a motorcycle. A modern day horse drawn carriage, you can wave one down, or you can call on their mobile and they will come within minutes. We race along the dusty road as if we were in a chariot race. Shooting pictures along the way, the driver seems to enjoy our childish behavior regarding the tool of their trade.

Being a part of the former French Indocin, the reminder of the by gone era are still visible all over town from street name to style of the romantic architectures, many outdoor cafes. Amazingly we found that there were more English speakers than French, especially among the young people. Even more amazingly the currency use, with the exception of small change, are actually USD. Even from ATM.

However the American influences stop there (a very good ways). There were no McDonald’s or even Starbuck. I saw one KFC store but many Coca Cola signs. I cannot speak for the whole Cambodia my encounter stop at Siem Reap.

To be honest, none of us really miss McDonalds at home unless you love process food, somehow whenever we travel aboard, the sight of the golden arch seems to spell security and home. It is our temple we must make an offering, dig deep into our pocket make an offering at the alter. We also feel as soon as we step inside the store, we are entering the unofficial embassy of the safe haven. “Home is never too far, have a McDonald”. I think I should sell this campaign slogan to McDonald. LOL

Now move on. We must complete this amazing race in record time. Close your eye imagines on a cloudy day, first causality my teammate from Canada got sunburn just being outdoor for a half day. What is this lily white doing in the Jungle? He was force to wear this long sleeve torture sport jacket in 90-degree temperature with humidity as high as 70% the entire time he was there. He also claims that the masseuse bruise’s both of his arms, God help me.

The story gets better, the second casualty another Canadian felt victim to a twisted ankle while trying to climb the temple and spend the rest of the trip limping around without a walking stick. Beauty trumps comfort is the term.

Third casualty, my friend from Switzerland with a bad back was carrying so much camera gears it weights close to 40lb, all over the jungle and temple complex finally feel the pain on the message table, the scream of pain shattered the tranquility of the jungle birds flew from their nest.

Other teammates from Greece, Australia, Germany, China and of course me the American were more practical travelers. We wore funny hats and drank gallon of water like camels, not an elephant, because they need too much water. Then we were introduce the term happen room, that we had to visit often. Witty. Fortunately, local Beer call Angkor beer were inexpensive at the end of the day, have a dip in the pool with a cool drink, made it worth it, really heaven on earth. Yes they allow drink serve to the poolside or even in the pool.

There we a lot of climbing, I am not talking about that few steps from the ground to the air-conditioned bus. These were pyramid height steps and very shallow. They build that way; as I was told was to ensure that anyone visiting the temple pay respect to the God. The entryways were very low; as well to ensure anyone enters must bow their heads. With or without the help of the extraterrestrials visitors, as many people believe there were; these majestic people were very clever people. They also left behind documentation on these temples within the on site libraries, part of the planned complex.

An eye-opening discovery on this trip, we visited some orphanages, the product of the years of civil war. These children were being care for by various charities from around the world. They were being fed, clothed and educated on very basic open-air facilities. They were also being taught to create the arts and crafts for the tourist trade. Was this exploitation or help? What is their future like? A tinted spot on this color fill trip.

I also got caught by surprise on some of the candid moment by these well mannered   little angles roaming the street selling souvenir, We had been warned to toughen our heart not to buy from them, because the government wanted these children to go to school, not selling merchandize. Therefore when they approach us, we often told them “We will buy on our way out”, or we told them “We already got it”. Basically we just a bunch of liars. To our surprise, they were very polite, they will not insisting on following you, instead, they will always say “That is OK, thank you, have a good day’. Or “Enjoy the temple”. In fact I am sure that most of them had never visited their own heritage ever, because they simply cannot afford the fee for the entry ticket, with that thought my heart sunk lower into the ground. Perhaps they may wonder why these foreigners came from all over the world to see a pile of crumbling stones on their backyard.

Back to the children and their smiling faces, near the end of our tour, we encounter another group of children on a very remote location, the rain cloud beginning to gather, we can even heard distance thunder, a drop or two starting to fall, a tropical storm is fast approaching. While we were getting off the bus the children were waiting for us there. Instead of ask us to buy immediately, they ask us where we came from all so innocently. Taken by surprise, we all stop for a minute to chat; we were impressed by their marketing skill, where did they learn this from, UC Berkeley of the Jungle I ask myself? When we told them eventually that we might buy their goods later because we do not have the change now. One of the child said in a very ambivalent tone “Miser, you have money, you just do not want to buy from me, that is Ok, Thank you.” I was shocked to my foundation…

How can anyone have answer to that statement? These kids can carry on a simple conversation, in German, Italian, always English and French. Their response put a nervous smile on my face. I was lost I do not know how to react to it. I wonder if these children given the opportunities could they be better than a lot of the children in the western world, at their age?  The only concerns of children at home were how to spend their weekly allowance. Not making one. Unfortunately for these little angles their future go no further than the edge of their hometown. That is a bittersweet moment for me.

There were so many moments on this trip I will not be forgotten soon. One top it all is a Kamikaze ride that I was on. This is not one of those mild thrill of the tut tut ride. Instead it was a ride from hell, in the tropical rain storm with two expats with the combined weight over 350 lb. on one motorbike normally with the capacity of carry two people, now carrying three, operated by a small shinny Cambodian waiter weight no more than 90 lb. (got the picture?)

It was 9pm we were riding on dirt road without streetlights, trying to found our way back to the hotel, after all of our teammate deserted us; the only bean of dim light we had were from the headlight of the bike. It was pouring hard, flashes of lighting in the night sky, the wind was blowing and the thunder was so loud that I swear god had forsaken me. But that is not the worst; the fact that we have no idea where our hotel was? The driver was on the cell phone talking to someone giving him direction on where to go. Can you imagine in this condition driving with one hand, and two giant Xpat at the back that weight over the 5 of him, one little slip we would have been ship home flat on our back.

If I am in my 20s that could be exciting, in my 30’s could be a little risky but sexy, anything over 40that that was a Kamikaze suicidal mission. Why we did it, there were no tut, tut, they gone home from the rain. Even monkeys knew they need shelter in tropical storm. Never the less, we got to live and laugh about it. We have no business eating dinner in some remote places in town just to eat dinner anyway. It was a group decision.

As you can see, without even talking about the amazing temp le we visited while we were there, these human encounters made our trip more exciting than ever.

Happy travel everyone

Chance Encounter Siem Reap

In the Suburb of Shanghai. It is a different world.

There are many time I wrote on the blog that shanghai is not China, when you visit you see this sparling metropolis, and thinking wow chain is really the future of the Eastern country, really think about, this country only been developing for about 25 years. There are anything on the surface seemingly sophosicated, like many of the upscale restaurant or hotel, especially in the tourist district. However take a spin on the metro on different lines you will see the immediate different even for the riders, the behavior and their attitude.

Last weekend the first time one and a half year after I move to China, was the first time I saw all the security guards in action in the metro station. For the longest times I though they were just being there to be seen, just figurehead served no purpose. I had never seen them stop any one or search anyone. How wrong was I.

On this rainy cold mid Sunday afternoon, I pass by one of the business metro exchange station. There it was right in front of me, 5-armed securities surrounded 6 passengers with light luggage search and asking for ID. That coincidentally reminded me that I really should carry some kind of ID while in China. What ever they doing and why investigating, I do not know. But that just one thing reminds me that we are being watched at all time. My friend told me later that they might be from the border provinces. My response is that I thought citizen of China are allow to move freely within the country. They only require visa, if they wanted to go to Hong Kong. Besides how can the securities knew they were from the border provinces and restricted to travel here. The answer was, “ How they dressed”.

So when I get on the exchanged metro toward my suburban destination. I can immediately see the different on the way the rider where dresses. I saw no designer bags, no expensive clothes. If they wear knock off, they were the worst kind, because it is so fake that you immediately that could not be the real thing.

No one will ever wear a peacock color tights with short booth with fake fur lined rings and a bright color short jackets that is too light for the weather and yet carrying a huge Gucci bag; if it is the real deal will cost an upward thousands in dollars. Some man were earing sunglasses in a dark rainy day in the metro.

Young on the train all had the reddish brown hair color by the low quality dye their head looks like cover by haystacks. Fake color rubber shoes in bright colors, and tight jeans on the skeleton legs. I hate to be stereotyping, but it is all so true, they do not know what fashion means, they just try to copy of “the copy” that people wear in the center city.

I also beginning to see a lot more traditional clothing from the bygone era that I usually do not see people wear on the metro that is going around more on the shopping and business district. As soon as the train came to a major stop, the entire cart is almost empty. What is left there are all looking like factory workers and farmers.

I may be a little over reacting, until another encounter later that same day.

After a out of the was amazing museum visits, there is no way getting back to the metro but to get a Taxi. While we were waiting on the sidewalk, a woman in her 40’s dress in the communist era cloth started screaming at my friends and me in Chinese.

We have no idea what she was talking about. My friend thought she was trying to give us direction of the bus stop. I thought that it is kind of strange that suburban people be so friendly and enthusiastic trying to help us waving hands high and screaming on top of her lung, pointing finger at all directions, I started paying a little more attention, came to realize that she was actually cursing us. May be directing to me since my two other friends are obviously foreigners.

This is not the first time I encounter hostile attitude toward foreigners. I recall I mention one time one late evening when two of my female companion and myself wave down a taxi to take up to a private club, since they were all in 6” heals that made it difficult to walk on un even ground. The driver refuses to take us, and we refuse to get off the Taxi, in the end he just scream as us saying that he hate foreigners. I scream back at him in Chinese that to him tell him stop driving if he does not like us, because foreigners are the only one taking late night taxi home, the majority of the Chinese when the metro stop running, they stay home. If they wanted our cash, then don’t give us attitude.

Never the less, back to the crazy lady, I finally can make out some word she said. She was curing us that we Americans are here to take advantage of the country, driving the price high, and make them had a hard living. We should all pack our bag and go home. She blames the American invading China during the revolution and helping Republic of China. My God isn’t that really old history? I am not sure what American really did back in those days. I thought the world were involved. Plus my poor friends they are Europeans.

When I told her I do not understand Chinese hoping to shut her up, she scream louder that when we are in her country we should learn Chinese, so she can give us a lesson of what kind of evil our country did to her. My friends all thing it was so funny and looking at her. I told the to ignore even though there was no end in sight.

Finally a flash of green light a Taxi going to the opposite direction saw us, dis regarding all road regulations, she mad a U turn in the traffic to pick us up. We all jump in thought we were finally saved.

Not that fast, nothing is that B&W in China. The Tax driver had no idea where we are going, and my other friends had no idea the name of the Metro station is, she he just stop there without moving. Provided a perfect opportunity for the fierce crazy woman came up to the window of the car and continue to yell at us. That was a totally hopeless situation.

I finally with my less than efficient Chinese to tell the driver go the nearest metro station, he pretended that he does not understand, and I knew dame well he does, because I knew with may days and hour spend on metro riding back and forth practice my metro announcer Chinese. I knew my “Chinglish” is pronounced perfectly. But he still refuses to drive on; until I finally told him to go to the nearest line number 3 then he realized that I am not a totally infantile in the matter of directions.

Just when we thought we were getting out of the whole crazy encounter the final episode still awaits, when we came to the metro stop, and everyone were happy that we did not get lost, I paid the fare, and say thanks to be polite, the Taxi driver gave me an insulting hand gesture that I finally confirm that it was an insult because they look down on you and wanted dismiss you like a servant. I told me friend that at the station, they told me it was my overactive imagination. But I had it confirm what it meant in the morning with my Chinese friends.

Does this worthy of a blog? How many of you have ever encounter crazy thing Like did all the time. If you think Shanghai, and every one is nice, and everyone seems to understand you. I will take you to the suburbs leave you there, see if you can find your way home. I may even film you for the amazing race. Happy exploring.

Chance Encounter Shanghai

Clayfires

http://clayfires.blogspot.com

Where did computer store hire these staff?

I consider myself rather tech savvy. I know a lot about computer programs and well connected on the Internet. However come to computer hardware and software I usually left it up to the expert, that that is the way it should be because I believe unless I am in the tech field, there is too much to kept up with. You do not have to agree with me, I know a lot of you rather spend an entire day looking for new gadgets on line, while I rather spend my time in the spa. Much better for my inner health I believe.

A few year back, I went to a well know tech place in the city because I want to take advantage of the employee discount my company have agreement with the company. At that time they already sold me a piece of software that was not I was asking for, I finally get an upgrade from them without any problem without know that they wanted my original software back during the exchange that left me without any possibility of upgrade. I did not realize that until a year later. Well then it was my lost. No need to even argue with them at that point.

A few weeks ago I am again to purchase the latest and the most advanced computer system on the urge of my IT consultant that it was indeed a better buy in the long run, and I always believe in that. Little did I know that this new generation of computer is like your flat screen TV, once you upgrade, everything you own became obsolete. That is progress I accept it. My point I am trying to make here is that these stores should have better trained staff to inform their customer what is going to happen when you buy the new toy. In this case a very expensive computer.

While I was in the store, I that I was told the computer is how much faster, better store and performance etc. without ever mention there was no CD drive with the set.

Lets face it, CD is on it’s way out, music and movie are stream from the cloud, if you know where your cloud is, but there are still chances that we may need them for some old music. Just to mention the fact to me, will not deter me from buying the set that I already ordered, but will save me from a lot of frustration. Worst yet, they also sold me wrong software again require a CD drive to install, and it a version for student use only.

First I may not look anything near my real age, thanks to the of million dollar of face cream I had been pile on my face day and night, but I certainly looks older than a student without photo retouching as a real life person standing in front of them. (I meant them, the very excited staffs making their first expensive computer sales they like to take home themselves).

Once again, I thought since I ordered the purchase from the store in advance, they had plenty of time to prepare for my arrival especially they also knew that I am from out of town for a limited amount of time they will make sure everything in proper order. That was not the case. I end up with an expensive computer that I have to buy an extension drive, just to install or use other software. I admire the company genius that came up with the idea. Great Marketing. I wish it was me that is on the receive end instead of the spending end.

Yes, I told when I call the store, they told me no problem you can stream that on line for installation. However for the wrong version unless I can bring it back to the store, there will be no refund.

Lesson learned here, they may look intelligent and talk intelligent, but they are not attentive to detail and will not tell you anything unless I am smarter next time. I will continue to make mistake.

Did you have the same encounter in a computer or phone store they gave you so much nonsense that you go not which way is the exit to the store, for the time being was credit card already went thru the limit?

Chance counter NYC