A Bryson in China: July 2005

My place? No, actually it's a fast food restaurant at the Victoria Peak, at the top of the Peak Tram ride! But maybe I should franchise this in the U.S.

Addresses and Phone Numbers

Where are you? How do I call you? What is your address? I get these questions frequently…… and you know, I’m not always real certain how to answer myself. I’m having hard enough time figuring out how to call out from here, much less how anyone should call in to me! Let me try to clarify with what I do know.

First, I finally have a cell phone I can read!! I’ve been here for almost three months, and up to now, have had a cell phone that only had Chinese symbols, with English only for names. Think about it: Every time I missed a call, I could tell that I had, but I had no idea how to look it up! Anyway, my cell number to call from US when I’m in China: 011-86769-486-8935

Second, I learned it was worthwhile to have a separate number and phone when you are in Hong Kong. I entered the ranks like everyone else with a new phone a couple of weeks ago (that also has a great little camera to catch those quick unusual shots I’ve always missed before). So for whenever I’m in Hong Kong (you have to watch this site for info on my travels), my cell number to call from US when I’m in Hong Kong: 011-852-6535-7553.

Address for my apartment in Dongguan:

Dongguan New World Garden

Dong Cheng East Road

Fu Cheng District

Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, P.R.C. 523129

Address of Hong Kong office to send anything for safe, efficient service:

Decca Furniture Ltd.

2/F Decca Industrial Centre

21 Cheung Lee Street

Chaiwan, Hong Kong

Now the legal disclaimer:

DO NOT BLAME ME if I have some of this wrong! Your service provider may require different access codes, etc.

Last request EMAIL ME!! I love to hear from you! It’s easy:

brccbryson@aol.com

or use the link for “Email Me” on the right column

Ms. Fung's gets another cake!

Happy Birthday

Ms. Fung

I’m wearing down! Must be old age really getting to me. Because all the partying this bunch likes to do is wearing me down!

If you read about the recent Decca Celebration, you will remember there was birthday cake for Ms. Fung. Well, one birthday celebration is evidently not enough here. I keep accusing Ms. Fung of just continuing to celebrate every day. Anyway, we decided to honor Ms. Fung again on Tuesday night with another celebration.

So off we went in our new van that seats about 14. Of course, we had 15 and William had to sit on the console for being last. Very nice van though - real good for a group this size. Next thing I knew, we were passing right by my place and headed down the street, and pulled in a couple blocks away at the Ole´ corner, where I frequently shop for groceries and home goods (I’ll have to post some pics of the incredible supermarket there sometime). Finding our way to the seventh floor of the corner building, we entered into Dongguan Old Restaurant.

Soon the choice of red or white wine was offered. The plates started spinning with all kinds of great Cantonese dishes. And then the small sake style cups were passed out and filled with hot Chinese yellow wine. What a delicious treat! Sorta like sake, but with a different taste.

Of course, the wine glasses meant we could start toasts for Ms. Fung! (Like we hadn’t done enough of that at the Celebration.) “Gom bui!” Or “Dry the cup” in Cantonese! Here we go again! It was great. Ended with a special Chinese pizza that was more like a sesame covered desert bread. And then we were off to head home……..
WRONG! Passed right by my entrance again, and soon pulled up to the Touch Bar! Now we frequently pass the Touch Bar along bar row every night on the way home to work, and I always figured it was a “men’s bar” with a lot of scantily clad women. So I was more than a little surprised to find all of us heading into this place for Ms. Fung’s birthday! Okay, I admit, I would probably have already known what kind of bar it was, but I haven’t been exploring too many of these bars by myself! It was good to be with a crowd.

But more surprising about the place was the fact that we headed away from the noise of the front entry and made our way to a private room. I sure wasn’t expecting this: a nicely attired room with big wrap-around seating, large cocktail tables that lit up through the glass tops, and a large TV media center in the middle wall. Soon, I found us requesting a karaoke setup, and thus I then understood the layout of the room better.
Wouldn’t you know it, though? We couldn’t start singing until 11 PM. By now it was already 10. I knew then we would be here a while. So why not until 11? What a story: Seems the local government has been on a crackdown of these bars, and eliminated escorts, and limited singing until after 11 PM. Okay, I can understand the escorts, but singing? You got me.

Several of us made our way back to the bar for a look. What a place: beautiful room with three levels and huge wall of multiple dancing lights. And very loud music. Really pretty good place though. Several girls were sitting inside the bar. It was explained to me that they would be happy to talk to me, but it would cost me money just to talk with them! Back to the private room.

And the party had begun in earnest now. Whiskey was poured for all, and a huge game of dice ensued. Only the loser had to “Gom bui” or “bottoms up” their drink! What a scam for drinking! And it was being played in earnest! I think most folks lost whenever they got a little thirsty.

By midnight cake and champagne recognized Ms. Fung’s birthday officially…. Again! Maybe for the last time, but I also hear her real birthday is Friday, and that the last celebration was for here lunar Chinese birth date. How many celebrations do ya get?
Edmund and Tony started serenading with the karaoke. And everyone was soon into the singing. Even I found a deep enough song to join in one time.

By 1 PM we were finally headed out. I was sure glad my apartment was only about a block away! This was Tuesday night! How do I keep up with these folks!

Tony (upper left) and Edmund (right) seranade during Karaoke time.

Let the dice games begin!

Notes on a Hot Day

(written 18 Jul 2005 – not posted until now due to other news)

I am always amazed at the unique and unusual that shows up in Hong Kong. Today I was returning from across the harbor (retrieved new visa), and decided to take a new turn out of the subway. Now I’m certainly not to used to subways. The closest thing to a subway in North Carolina is the Amtrak and it only runs between a couple of cities. Certainly doesn’t operate in Rulfton nor underground anywhere more than a short tunnel.

But I’m getting pretty good with this subway stuff. I hopped right in with the masses to get around today. And I do mean masses! I set off this morning around 10 AM, and it musta still been rush hour. I sure wouldn’t have wanted to be there any earlier if there were more people. Even with my big frame – I’m definitely bigger than most here – the folks usually make a little room for me to squeeze in. Today was certainly “a squeeze”. What a crowd.

Well, getting adventurous on arrival back at the Wan Chai station near my hotel, I decided to take another exit from the underground maze to ascend to Hennessy Road for my route to my temporary home. Rising up a long stairway, I began to question my decision. About a third of the way up the long climb (where was the escalator anyway?), I got hit. Hit like a rock. No, I didn’t fall. But I almost withered on the spot. A wave of heat hit me like I hadn’t remembered in a long time.

You see, ya get underground in the cooling of the subway, and the exits get to be a real awakening. It sure was this time. I remember a hot summer on my boat in the Susquehanna River, when even turning up the speed only made it seem like you were driving deeper into an oven. Well, that was a little like this felt.

I had little choice but to move on now. So ascending, I noticed my next mistake was that I was on the wrong side of the road. Now usually that isn’t so bad. But you see, Hennessy Road is a little bigger than most, and has few pedestrians crosswalks. Instead, it has these nice overhead crosswalks. And there was one directly overhead. Next problem though: how do you get up there? These are not always so easy to figure out. Seeing an escalator nearby I decided to follow a crowd up a flight, which seemed to be near the crosswalk. Surely I would be able to just round a corner at the top and get to my destination. Wrong! Not only was there no exit to the crosswalk, but I had made my way into what my son and many computer geeks would call “heaven” There were more stores of computer equipment and supplies than I had ever seen. The ceiling was low, and the aisles as narrow as the Stanley Market. It was like weaving through a crowd trying to get to the ACC Tourney at game time. And there were two floors like this. I have to admit, I enjoyed seeing some of the items, but it wasn’t exactly my goal today. And as much as I looked for an exit, all I kept finding was another maze or floor that got me no closer to my destination. I feared I would soon be in North Point (or next subway station), and would have to take the subway back to Wan Chai all over again.

Seeing a window to Hennessy Road, I spied the crosswalk I longed to cross. It was right out the window, almost in range to touch. But the only escalator nearby just went up! That wasn’t going to help! Asking a store attendant nearby, I was directed to go down and back to the opposite direction of Hennessy Road. I don’t think I was the first to be lost asking for such advice.

So off I went again. Finally exiting, I took his advice and headed down an escalator hidden in a corner. Spying the subway exit that I had originally ascended, I turned to go behind it away from Hennessy Road. And there it was, finally, an escalator to climb and crossover.

I made it. In fact, when I alighted the stairs from the overhead walk, I was back at my usual exit from the Wan Chai subway. Oh well, I did enjoy seeing the computer accessories market.

Dinner party sign. All pictures from the event (over 200) available to right under Links.

The Decca Celebration

Now these folks know how to celebrate! A couple of weeks ago, I had a dilemma of sorts. I had received an invitation from our Hong Kong headquarters office to attend a dinner for Decca management. Now, I just thought, well that would be nice, but it sure wasn’t working very well within my visa schedule. To attend a party on the 16^th of July would mean having to reapply for my visa about two weeks earlier than I really needed to otherwise.

But soon I found it was in my “best interests” to accept the invitation. It seems the event was something pretty special, and I believe my presence was more than “just invited”. So I accepted and made plans for a long weekend renewing my visa and handling other business while in Hong Kong. Little did I know what a great celebration this would be!

I arrived right on time. I had been advised not to be late. I wasn’t. But I was far ahead of most of the crowd. I was quite surprised to find though that more managers and staff were attending than I could have ever expected. There were Paul and Eric Li, two of my key interpreters from Dongguan. Alice and Myra were here from headquarters. As more arrived, I could see that most everyone in the management and staff would be here. It was going to be a huge party. By the looks of it, the whole restaurant had been booked, and place settings totaled well over 200.

Then the partying began. Ms. Fung was celebrating a birthday, and a huge cake was brought out. As the celebrating got heavier, I was pushed right into the foray to give Ms. Fung a birthday kiss. That just seemed to ignite the crowd to further celebration.

Soon, some organization ensued, and everyone started finding seats. Edmund Lei then welcomed the crowd, with Roy’s assistance in translation for me and the few other English-speaking souls in attendance. A roar went up on the announcements promoting Richard Herbst to Deputy Managing Director and to Ms. Fung as new Chief Financial Officer. That was the main reason for the event, and we were all happy to be having the chance to gather to congratulate these two pillars of the management team.

And congratulating began in earnest! Now I had been to the wedding reception of Mr. Zhang’s son in March, and I had seen the Chinese tradition of toasting. Well, it sure got strongly endorsed on this night. Groups of employees kept finding their way to Ms. Fung and Richard respectively to toast their success. All seemed genuine in their admiration and expressions, but there was surely a large share of this toasting being conducted just to drink more wine. And boy did they drink wine.

Edmund had selected a special Australian red wine for the occasion. He soon not only had to be responsible for the selection, but also had to purchase an extra supply to quench the thirst of the party goers. Wine glasses were filled regularly and repeatedly.

As I was taking hundreds of photos at this time, I realized this was a pretty good excuse to keep from having to drink so much. I enjoy a good toast and to knock back a drink or two from time to time, but I’m not a fan of heavy drinking of red wine. I think I made a wise choice.

In between toasts, we would assemble back at our table for a course. Then it was time to go toast. Then we returned for another course. Then it was time to toast again. And on and on this went.

The food was unbelievable, as usual here. We started with appetizers, many of bean curd served in varying ways. We had “thousand year old eggs”. That’s a speciality I had recently partaken. It’s hard to describe, but its like a boiled egg, but the white part looks like a colored jello. Well, ya eat the whole thing wrapped in ginger, and barely taste the egg anyway.

Next came the famous soup of weddings and parties all over China: shark fin soup. Now I hope this doesn’t cause any uproar against my blog site. I was just a guest. You see, there has recently been a little stink about shark fin soup in Hong Kong. Disneyland Hong Kong opens on September 5, and with many weddings booked at the famous “Magic Kingdom”, many Chinese expected shark fin soup. And Disney had planned in recognition of the culture. But then the shark protectionist stepped in and threatened boycott! Disney held firm… until a week ago. Then they relented and offered lobster soup as an option instead. Many Chinese are enraged.

But that’s another story, we were eating shark fin soup, and it was delicious. Pictures of the preparation in the middle of the dining hall are attached.

As the eating and drinking continued, we went through eel, chicken, and I don’t know what. But it was delicious. Of course, all the red wine helped make everything taste great.

Soon some heavy toasts and challenges were being made. Glasses were filled to the brim, and I mean large glasses. Before long a few didn’t feel so well. But as one gentleman in attendance told me: “It’s and honor to the hosts for guests to drink merrily and have a good time”. There were many of us doing that!

Another great night! And again, CONGRATULATIONS to Richard and Ms. Fung.

Shark fin soup is prepared

Edmund joins in the toasts!

Toasts of congratulations for Richard and Ms. Fung.

Happy Birthday Tony!

Korean Night

Sorry to have another posting about food, but the other night was another first, AND a special treat. For Tony Tia’s birthday, a small group of us went to dinner together. The selection turned out to be a restaurant near my new apartment. It was a Korean restaurant. And why not, I hadn’t done that yet!

Unique in style, we sat at a long table with two cooking barbecues built right in. From there the cooks prepared delicacies of beef, fish, and you name it. We started with many small dishes of appetizers. I was informed the kimchee was very special. Evidently, it is a must at every Korean meal. And women that aren’t so good at preparing it, will have a hard time finding a husband.

I wonder if that also goes for the other dishes. I’m not so sure that all women must know how to prepare the likes of our other specials: ox tongue, and salmon head.

Another unique meal. Happy Birthday Tony!

Celebration at the Korean Restaurant.

Preparing the ox tongue.

Salmon head. A special preparation.

Rocky Mountain News

Okay, why would I be writing about news from the Rocky Mountains? Well, as many of you know my sister lives in Denver, CO. She just sent me a link that I have to share. It seems the Wal-Mart in Dongguan showed up in the Rocky Mountain News on last Sunday! Cool picture too! Check it out at:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/business/article/0,1299,DRMN_4_3931124,00.html

Jessica, Paris, and Ziyi with Gene at dinner table

Hoi King Seafood Restaurant

Seafood Night at Lei Yue Mun

It was Friday night, and I was almost back to Hong Kong. Suddenly an invitation came that I couldn’t believe! I was invited to dinner with three beautiful women riding on the train from Shenzen. How could I turn down three women! How could I ever refuse such a great opportunity? WOW! Here I was figuring I would head to the Outback in Causeway Bay to sit by myself at the bar and have a filet mignon. The invitation was for just me to join these three ladies for dinner at a special “insider” location, known best only to residents of the area.

But then came the “stipulation”. Ah hah! I shoulda known! What’s the catch? Back to thinking about steak again! ………… Oh…. That’s all? I guess I can live with that. …. My requirement is that I not divulge their names nor use their pictures on my website. But I have to tell everyone about this: a night with three gorgeous women, and a meal that was sooooooo unforgettable!

Okay, I’ll put it this way: I was invited out to dinner with Jessica, Paris, and Ziyi.

And what a night it was! Now I’ve had fresh seafood, but nothing quite like they do it here. This country really loves the freshest seafood. And there I was sharing some of the best in the world in an area known as Lei Yue Mun with three wonderful ladies.

Jessica, Paris, and Ziyi were very famaliar with our destination, but at times I wondered where we were going. We twisted and made our way along from the train to the waterfront on the east shore of the Kowloon side of the harbor. We traveled by cab to this former fishing village, which now featured incredible seafood markets.

The wharf was a beautiful long walk that led to several outdoor vegetable and seafood market stands. Surprisingly, we proceeded right in among them, through an opening that resembled more of a hidden tunnel than it did the entrance to a grand seafood market. Then we started weaving through a long narrow aisle that proceeded on past tank after tank of fresh fish and other sea specialties.

Not till we had walked for close to a mile, did we come to Hoi King Seafood, evidently a rather famous seafood restaurant in Hong Kong. And I can see why. It was packed too. Turned out the Hong Kong China Bank was having a private dinner in the main dining room on the second floor, overlooking the harbor. We would have to wait for a table, and be secluded to the first floor dining area. Now waits are something rather rare here. With the plethora of restaurants, there never seems to be a problem finding a seat, and when you do, most patrons stay long into the night. Everyone just bides their time, enjoys the experience, and never rushes the activity. It’s dining at your leisure. .

But with the wait at Hoi King Seafood Restaurant, there was an added treat. We were invited back outside! Okay, not just outside to a bench. No, we were invited to visit any of the local seafood stands to select our dinner! Kinda neat, huh?

As we headed off on our search, Jessica seemed to know exactly the right one for us. She led us right to a neighboring stand rich with many seafood delicacies in numerous tanks.

And it was truly amazing. Tanks and tanks of fresh seafood. Before I knew it, the operator of the stand had a lobster out for me to hold for pictures. They had done this before. I was told exactly where to stand and how to hold it for just the best picture. Of course, that meant getting their sign in the background.

And what a lobster this was. It was no ordinary crawfish. It musta been two and a half feet long and weighed in well over 15 pounds. Not only was it great for pictures, it was our first selection for dinner too. Paris had them prepare it immediately for transport back to the restaurant’s kitchen.

On to more pleasures. So let’s see, what is desired next: crab, snails, abalone, scallops, tuna, eel, you name it, if it swam, they seemed to have a version here. We selected scallops, crab, oysters, shrimp, and bamboo scallops. Somebody was hungry. I couldn’t believe these three women were selecting so many items.

One attendant at the market was immediately cleaning and preparing the scallops. The bamboo scallops looked like sticks of bamboo, but when opened there was a wonderful large mixture of beautiful white meat. It looked great. And soon it tasted great!

Back in the restaurant, Ziyi secured us a table. So we didn’t have the view to the harbor, we could settle for the main entry dining room. It had about ten very large tables. One table looked to have about twenty fishermen dining and drinking the week’s profits away. Other tables were full with many pleasure seekers out for the night.

Soon the plates started filling our center turntable. First came the bamboo scallops. It was cooked and tasted much like squid: tough but tasty. And the plates kept coming. Lobster, shrimp, fried oysters, lobster sushi – complete with wasabi soy sauce for dipping. Boy did we eat. They had a picture of a famous Sumo wrestler that had eaten there. I felt like one before we finished. Jessica, Ziyi, and Paris still looked slim and beautiful!

They really know how to do seafood here! What a treat!

P.S.: For you Westerners, the real Ziyi Zhang is a famous Chinese actress (see Newsweek cover May 9, 2005)

Lobster for dinner

Bamboo scallops prepared for dinner

Gene with the wine hostess.

The plates keep coming with lobster sushi in the middle

A BIG Island

Bigger than I ever imagined……. “To Repulse Bay Beach”, I told the cab driver. He nodded and started down the street from the hotel. Slowing in traffic, he said, “Aberdeen tunnel okay?” A tunnel, I wanted to go to the other side of the island, not off the island over to Kowloon. Oh no, our communication was off to a troubled start.

So, pulling over, there we started back and forth looking at maps and trying to converse on where to go, he in Cantonese, and me in English. He pulled out a book that showed Repulse Bay Arade. Whatever that was, it sounded like it was close enough. So I agree, and off we went again. Racing through the streets, I was happy to see him pull eastward near the Hong Kong Central area. I knew the beach was on the east side of Hong Kong Island.

Then I saw a sign that made things clearer. A road sign indicated a tunnel to Aberdeen ahead. I had thought the only tunnels were under the harbor. Knowing I wanted to go to the beach on the other side of Hong Kong Island, I knew I didn’t need to cross the harbor, so a tunnel puzzled me. But now I realized this tunnel was through the mountains to the east side of the island after all . So I relented: “Tunnel okay”, I said. The driver nodded and seemed relieved.

The tunnel was well over a mile long. This is some island. The mountain ridges shoot up from the sea, leaving very little level land along the shores. I don’t know the altitude reached by the mountains, but it is certainly high enough, and plenty steep. All that couples to make much of this island uninhabitable.

And, man is this A BIG ISLAND. We were soon skirting the east shore roads, and weaving, (and I do mean weaving) through beautiful apartment and condominium complexes. Rounding a curve, suddenly huge, impressive hotels shot to the sky.

And then a sweet smell struck me! What, how could it be in this hilly area? But make no mistake, my nose was right! I’m pretty good at recognizing that smell! (J) There at an impressive entryway was a sign for the Hong Kong Golf Club. It looked like there was relatively little space before the mountains rose steeply again. And it didn’t look like it was a layout climbing into the hills either. Several golfers were out in the heat, walking and carrying their own clubs.

But my destination was just ahead across the street: a huge, and widely popular beach. And boy was crowded on this hot and sunny Sunday. I was at Repulse Bay Beach. Very nicely outlined with trees along the street, it then was heavily crowded with masses of sun worshipers. A deep bay, it swept to the South China Sea with a wide beautiful panorama of numerous islands to the east.

I took a short walk around in the heat, but passed up staying in the sun for long. I just hadn’t packed for a day on the beach, and didn’t desire laying in the sun by myself either. So after a quick ride, I proceeded a little further around the island to Stanley, the site of my first visit to this side of the island.

It was another enjoyable visit to the quaint fishing village turned into shopping mecca. Stanley was very busy on this Sunday. The Market was a little too crowded. But the bars and restaurants along the beach were a treat.

For the return trip, I rounded the other side of the island in another cab. As we proceeded for the long ride over the hills and skirting more bays I was caught up in amazement of this wonderful island. It is much bigger and bolder than I could have ever imagined. I can only believe that Hong Kong has got to be bigger than many countries, not only in population but in scale too. I was only on the Hong Kong Island, and this wasn’t even close to being the biggest land mass. Always a joy and surprise, I’m certainly enjoying the visits to this BIG ISLAND.

Repulse Bay Beach

On a Clear Day

Hot, but clear. That wasn’t something I had seen in Hong Kong before today. Absolutely beautiful. The buildings rising up and down the harbor seemed to go on even further than the eye could see.

So up to the Peak again! I couldn’t pass up such a chance. My first trip had been on one of the hazy days so prevalent here. Now I knew I would be treated to a better view.

And I was not disappointed! It was great! I could see so clearly the buildings all the way to Lei Mu Yun where I had just had dinner the night before. I took advantage and got several photos. I’ll post several.

The skyscrapers of Hong Kong on a clear day!

Hong Kong, with triangles of famous Bank of China building and "chop sticks" on the top.

Tram returns down from the Peak.

Tram arrives over Hong Kong.

On the other side, looking to the East and the South China Sea from the Peak.

To Hong Kong

What a week! This has been a busy one! Plant has been busy with many activities and tests, keeping me virtually non-stop from arrival to departure daily. And I arrive around 8:30 AM and usually don't leave until 7:30 or after dinner. Add the hour for driving back and forth and the days are getting compressed. I even stayed at "hotel" on Monday, since we were leaving for an early plant visit on Tuesday (and, okay, I admit, it also got me a chance to schedule another massage).
The apartment is great, but it is missing one important thing: NO INTERNET. So sorry for fewer postings. Hopefully I will find a little time over the weekend. But then again, I am beginning to really like Hong Kong. I'm staying at the Novotel again. I have to renew Visa once more. So I don't return until Tuesday.
Everyone have a great weekend! More news on the way soon.
Gene

Hi dad

Just wanted to show you how to post a link on here. In the text area click the link buttom on top, it's to the right of the italic button (has a chain link on it). Then type in the link with http://www.whateverlink.com. The code it posts is known as a hyperlink. Before the /a type in some text. And you have your link.

Link Text Here

Dongcheng Cultural Center, in foreground with Moon Bay Plaza, the Disney looking department store to the upper left

A Bryson in China

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Addresses and Phone Numbers

Friday, July 29, 2005

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Notes on a Hot Day

Friday, July 22, 2005

The Decca Celebration

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Korean Night

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Seafood Night at Lei Yue Mun

Monday, July 18, 2005

A BIG Island

Saturday, July 16, 2005

On a Clear Day

Friday, July 15, 2005

To Hong Kong

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Hi dad

Monday, July 11, 2005

About Me

My Time

Fellow Bloggers

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