A Bryson in China: October 2005

Thailand

Well, I'm in Thailand. But it ain't Bangkok! No, this plant is way out in the swamp. And we are staying "close" - hard to call an hour away 'close'. We are at the Mercure Hotel in what I believe is known as Chumberry.

Not much else to tell right now. Email limited. Cell phone = more limited. Best to still reach me in emergency at the hotel or by email.

More later.

Halloween Travel

If it’s Halloween, it must be Bangkok! No, I’m not talking about some Haunted House with a Thailand theme run by a bunch of Chinese young businessmen called Jaycees. No, I’m off to Thailand. And yep, I do mean that Thailand.

Just when I thought I would get a taste of Halloween in China, I’ve been commanded to Thailand. You see, we manufacture some goods there (no use doing high tariff items here), and I’ve been asked to look at some production and quality situations. Wouldn’t ya know I have to go over a weekend and miss out on a round of golf.

And I’m also missing several Halloween parties at the local ex-pat bars. Signs have been popping up all around about the events recently. I wouldn’t have known where to begin to find what to wear anyway. I don’t have a closet full of extras to choose from. And I’ve not seen a Goodwill to pick up some ideas.

You don’t see much about Halloween otherwise around here either. They tell me Hong Kong is decorated heavily and has become a special holiday. From what I am gathering, there may be some Halloween like activities on Monday, but otherwise its limited to the ex-pats.

But Bangkok….. How exciting is that? And from what I hear from everyone, it is really great. So off I go Friday afternoon. Look out for special reports.

Headline article regarding new Mall in Here! Dongguan - a great local magazine for expats (http://www.heredongguan.com/)

Worlds Biggest Mall

As you may have noticed by some of my postings, they like to do things big here in China. Well, they are topping them all now! Believe it or not, right here in Dongguan City, opening soon, will be the World’s Biggest, and I mean the very Biggest……. Shopping Mall!!

Yes! I do mean bigger than the Mall of the Americas. Even bigger than the mall in Edmonton, Canada that supplanted it as the world’s biggest. But actually there are already two other malls in China bigger than either of those. And this will be the biggest yet. This mall will be over 430,000 square meters in size! I didn’t say square feet!! I said square meters!! That is three times the size of the Mall of America! Three times!! It will be huge!

It will have replicas of Arc de Triomphe, and other French landmarks. There will be a little Venice. One area will be Disney-like. Read more about it at this article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/24/yourmoney/mall.php

So yes, right here, within five miles of my apartment, will soon be the biggest mall in the entire World! Now maybe this will get the interests of some of you to come visit me in China!

Ah.. for a New Comb

You know those little things that really annoy you?  Well, I’ve just had one of those.  As simple as it may sound, it isn’t when you are in China:  my hair comb broke!

Now that doesn’t sound like much.  If I was home, I would just open the drawer and pull out a second one that I would have somewhere nearby.  If I were in Hong Kong, I would just walk down to the nearest drug store, be it Watson’s or Mannings, and find one.  Of course, it would be much larger than I prefer – I almost bought a backup there a month ago but didn’t because they only have really big combs.  I wish I had bought one now.   At least I would be able to comb my hair.

No, I’m now in Dongguan, and for whatever reason, a simple fine hair comb is not readily available.  There are no Watson’s or Mannings drug stores here, like there are on every corner of Hong Kong.  Those are not close to the big box CVS or Eckerd’s in the States, but at least they have most supplies. We do have several pharmacy stores in Dongguan, but the stench of dried root or whatever spice kills germs wafts down the street to any passersby.  Inside you can get most anything without a prescription, including a lot of things I wouldn’t touch.  The in house “medicine man” will of course say it’s a Chinese medicine known to be exactly what you need.

For other toiletries you have to go to Wal-Mart or some other department store.  And they don’t have too much on combs and brushes.  Okay, big brushes are easy to find.  Maybe that is really the problem. The Chinese have hair that is generally very dark, and very thick.  They don’t have fine hair.  Why would they want a fine comb?

My good friend, Judge Kelly, spent a couple of years in Africa in the 70’s in the Peace Corps.  I often hear from him, telling me he understands my plight in such simple things.  Like how much an English newspaper can mean to a deprived foreigner.  But I also can tell he had it a little tougher in the wilds of Africa.  I don’t think the waterfalls he saw there were on golf courses.  I’m sure he will understand how important a hair comb can be to me now.

Maybe I will find one of those large ones somewhere.  In the meantime, I’m glad my hair brush hasn’t broken.

Western Food Week

I’ve written a lot about eating eel, octopus, chicken feet, stomach innards, and other delicacies of the Chinese culture. Well, this week has been a real “western-food” bonanza! What a change! I’ve actually found two restaurants – not just one – that have great western food right in my backyard! What a great week!

Steak being carved for Claudia.

Brazilian at the Royal Lagoon

First, after our golf game last week, Lucas was mentioning how he enjoyed good steaks and had just been to the Brazilian at the Royal Lagoon the night before. Well, it didn’t take much coaxing to convince him to return. We were there by 6:30 after our round of golf! How had I not been here before?? I’ve eaten at the Royal Lagoon several times, and have mentioned their great food in other restaurants. But for whatever reason, I had not gone to the Brazilian. For six months here, I have missed the best!!

I could tell before that it was a very impressive dining room from walking through the corridors of the Royal Lagoon in the past. It sits on the huge, and I mean HUGE, swimming pool at this Sofitel Hotel. Decorated in a modern theme, it is very comfortable and spans a long section of the first floor of the hotel.

But it’s the service that is the treat. You get a taste it will be something special when you arrive and find at every place setting, a yoyo with a green label “Yes Thank You”. Turning it over, you see that the back says “No Thank You”. Claudia explained to me that it was to let the wait staff no when to stop serving you!! Oh yes!! Bring it on!! (She also mentioned that couples were known to unscrew and reverse them to have “Yes” and “No” yoyos. She immediately started making a set for herself.)

We first partook of a great buffet of salads! Green salad! First time I’ve seen that in Dongguan! And then the food started coming!! The waiters just show up at your table with a skewer of steaks and just carve slices down into your plate until you tell ‘em to stop!! Skewer after skewer of different steaks! REAL STEAKS!! Honest to good beef! In China!! Here I was in the home of chicken and fish and finally having a meal of beef!! Okay the skewer of chicken hearts did remind me where I was! - I passed on them.

Mitchell, Claudia, and Lucas seemed to know everyone in the place. The staff was all coming by to say hello. And Lucas got us a special dish of scallops. It mixed with the beef deliciously!

Back to the buffet to end the meal, we found the typical Chinese array of fruits, and ICE CREAM!! YES!! ICE CREAM!! I’m in heaven!!

Claudia altering yoyos to make one "Yes" and one "No".

Home Western Restaurant at the Grand Oriental

Well, on Thursday my associates at the plant decided a night out on the town was the way to end our day. We headed back to the home of the crocodiles (see previous post “Where’s Dundee”), the new Grand Oriental Hotel, nearby in our Dahlingshan town. But this time we opted for the buffet side in the Home Western Restaurant.

What a buffet!! I thought I had seen great all-you-can-eat setups in Vegas. This had as much and more. And most was “western” style. Okay, a lot was still Chinese. But they still had waffles, salad bar, steaks, and ICE CREAM! Twice in one week! Steaks and Ice Cream! A new first there!

Charles, the head chef, took me all around the place on arrival. He wanted to show me every dish and every offering. I thought I would never get to eat. Every time I got excited about another offering, he wanted to show me another bar! Over here it’s the salad bar; over here, the dim sum bar; back here, the soup bar; over here, the steak and meat counter, where they would grill to your liking; in the middle, a sushi bar; and of course, an enormous desert bar.

It did take a little coaxing to get the wait staff to find me some iced lemon tea. That seems to be the only way to get iced tea – stuffed with several slices of lemon. And accompanied by a small pitcher of sweetener. Not the best, but at least a different from the typical green tea.

The dim sum was a special treat. And the desert bar – oh my!! A chocolate fondue that was certainly popular with the kids. Then a huge array of fruits of all kinds. Ice cream being hand dipped!

I’ve got not just one, but two great new restaurants to visit regularly now!!

The steak and meat bar.

Charles shows off the dim sum.

Hillview Masters 2nd Hole

2nd Green at Hillview Masters Course over lake with waterfalls framing the hole.

A Great Day for Golf

There is nothing like a great day for golf. Even when the scores aren’t! Well, last Sunday was such a day! Great company, beautiful course, and ideal weather. What a day!

I met a kind Englishman at a local bar last week, and found out he played golf. Conversation turned from one thing to another, and next thing I knew Lucas invited me for a round on Sunday at the nearby Hillview Golf Club. And we weren’t just going to play the A & B course that I had played before. No, he was a member inviting me to play the exclusive Masters Course.

I called on a Texan friend, Mitchell, and Lucas brought along his wife Claudia for a 1:30 tee time. It was a great foursome. Lucas hit the ball long, and Claudia was a joy. She may have not hit like Michelle Wie, but she looked like her, and laughed and smiled the whole round – with a few pars to boot. My golf game was forgettable, but who cares. This course was great, and we had a good time.

The Masters Course is special. Impeccable condition. It’s molded into a beautiful layout. Okay, so it probably isn’t very natural, and the skyscrapers in the background don’t make it the most beautiful in the world. But it is sculpted to a beautiful layout. You know you are in for something very special at the second hole. It is a short par 3 over a fabulous little lake with the green sitting over two waterfalls. What a beautiful hole!

Then you get to the third and its decision time. It has a split fairway. Go short route, and you must carry a long shot over the sand to the fairway, or play safe to the right with a shot over water to the green. It keeps getting better on every hole. But there is sand everywhere! I’m glad I Love Beach Music. Thirteen bunkers on one hole. And oh are there waterfalls! The ninth has a beautiful tall waterfall right off the green. Then the 18^th seems to float over an enormous wide waterfall.

We went on for a wonderful dinner at the Brazilian Restaurant at the nearby Royal Lagoon. They seemed to know Lucas and Claudia well, and it probably helped with some extras. But I’ll have more on that meal later. In the meantime, pictures to the round can be viewed at link at right or from:

http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=abrysoninchina&p=1A55&AID=2931587

Hillview was slated for the European Masters tour stop, but Shanghai stole it away. A new hotel is rising between the 17^th and 18^th fairways. Coupled with the A & B course being lighted, it makes quite a resort. It will certainly be a great tournament venue at sometime in the near future.

Our Foursome

Mitchell on the 9th

Mitchell preparing to putt on the ninth green at Hillview Masters Course.

"Hotel"

Entry to the Decca "Hotel"

The Decca Hotel

It’s been a while since I wrote much about the Decca “Hotel”.  It is still one of the most impressive places here, and one in which all visitors to Decca are truly amazed.   The décor and beauty of this place is great, but to be at a factory is just unbelievable.  My local friends that have been here to visit still talk about the “Hotel” as being the most impressive facility in China.  It is just unparalleled for housing visitors at a factory.

The chandeliers are impressive in the VIP Dining Room.  But then you walk in to the swimming pool area, and its size and styling just amaze you.  And of course, you’ve already been awed by the three story fountain and pools in the front garden.  Walk up to three and there’s the indoor golf range, wood floor badminton court, and table tennis room.  Not to mention, when you go to the top of the “Hotel”, you find not only a vegetable garden, but also duck and chicken pens to make the place pretty much self-sufficient.

Our owner, Mr. Tsang, told me a very interesting story this week.  A guest was asking where the talking myna bird was now.  Evidently, there used to be a popular one in our bird aviary in the garden.  Mr. Tsang told us they bought a peacock, but as soon as they put it in the aviary, it killed the myna bird.  Needless to say the peacock didn’t stay around much longer.

Our guests are frequently more interested in the “Hotel” than most anything else they encounter here at Decca.  So I’ve decided to add a new album of photos from the “Hotel” in my other website.  The link will be posted on the right and can be reached by pasting this into your browser:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=abrysoninchina&p=1A55&AID=2917698

By the way, you can’t check into the “Hotel” without doing some business here.  It is really our dormitory for management and guests.  Nicest dormitory I’ve ever seen.  Enjoy.

Home for Thanksgiving!!

Put another shoulder of pork on the pit! Let Hickory Log, Sam’s, Speedy’s, Monk, and Nobles all know that I’ll be there soon! I want all the non-Chinese food I can eat!!

Yes! I’m coming home! Finally! It’s back to the States for two weeks! And over Thanksgiving too! I can’t wait. I get to take home leave a couple of times a year. I’ve already been in China for over six months, so it’s certainly time to head home.

I do have to do a little business while in the US. On Monday, November 14, I am going to visit our Chicago Decca Contract showroom in the Merchandise Mart. It recently won a special award for best showroom at NEOCON, in our first attendance. Anyway, since I arrive on Saturday the 12^th (by gaining a day across the International Time Line), I plan to visit Grand Rapids for a night or two.

I then go to Atlanta for a day with our Hospitality organization, before getting to North Carolina late the 15^th. I’ll also have some business in our Bolier furniture office in High Point the 16^th or 17^th.

But otherwise, I’m gonna be home to see family and friends! So crank up the band. Order the BBQ! And sweeten that iced tea! I can’t wait!!

Tentative Schedule:

November 12	Hong Kong to Chicago	Arrival in US at 11:40 AM
November 12	Chicago to Grand Rapids	Arrival at 3:08 PM
November 14	GR to Chicago	Arrival at 8:10 AM CST
November 14	Chicago to Atlanta	Arrival at 6:44 PM EST
November 15	Atlanta to Charlotte	Arrival at 8:32 PM EST
November 16	Waynesville
November 17	High Point
November 18 – 23	Triad Area
November 24 – 26	Waynesville
November 27	Charlotte to Hong Kong	Depart at 9:20 AM EST

The Eiffel Tower of Dongguan.

Dongguan's Eiffel Tower

Tall and majestic.  Reaching to the sky.  Strong and bold in design.  The lower arches brace the base of this magnificent structure.  The steel beams are riveted in place.  The name on the outside is not necessary.  But right there along Highway 107, is the unmistakable name - half way up the tower:  Eiffel.

Did I say highway 107?  Yep, there is no view of the Seine from here.  But there are sure some imposing buildings that would look right at home on Avenue des Champs-Elysees, even though we’re thousands of miles from Paris.

This is the Eiffel Tower of Dongguan.  An entry arch to the grounds isn’t quite the Arc de Triomphe, either.   Massive trees line the lane back to the French Baroque style buildings.  They would certainly be home on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

What is this complex?  Since Highway 107 construction ended recently, and it has become a common route to my apartment, I’ve grown more and more interested in this Eiffel Tower complex.  But with drivers that speak little to no English, I have been at my wits end to find out.  Finally, Tony took me home the other day to New World Garden.  I had a chance to ask and find out more about this Parisean village near Dahlingshan.

To my surprise, it was not a resort or tourist park.  No this is a factory!!  And I thought Decca had exquisite grounds.  This tops even our finest.  It turns out that this is a factory for Eiffel ladies handbags.  They picked the theme to go with their title.  They did a good job with it.  And I understand the bags are rather popular too!

Eiffel of Dongguan. Notice the model on the billboard clutching a handbag.

Main Eiffel factory entrance, with Tower to the left.

The kid riding this was cute enough, but this is being advertised in many Hong Kong stores as an exercise machine!

But Where's Krispy Kreme?

Right there in the entrance to a Park’n’Shop?  I couldn’t believe it!  I thought I was in Pennsylvania!?!!  Guess what I found in Hong Kong!?  It was an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel!!  It wasn’t even close to being as big as the one I knew in the flea market in Lewisburg, PA, where Auntie Anne had one of her first locations.  But it still had great cinnamon sugar pretzels!

The world is really getting pretty common.  There are Body Shop stores everywhere in Hong Kong.  Ben & Jerry’s ice cream stands are plentiful.  I’ve even found Bert’s Bees products in Watson’s stores.  You would think you were in Chicago.  But you don’t smell gyros on the corners.  The dim sum shops have a distinctly different smell.

I’ve said for a long time that all malls in the US look alike.  Well, they look different here, but not so different.  I went to the Pacific Place mall on Saturday, and found Polo, Nautica, Gucci, Ferragamo, and Seibu stores.  Not exactly typical of most Middle America malls, but not too much difference either.

I ate Thai on Friday night on arrival.  Sat on the floor and had wonderful mootay saytay and other delicious treats.  On Saturday I found a great burger, and finished the weekend at a dinner with Mr. Tsang and guests at the Lei Garden on Sunday night.  What a fabulous meal.   I’ve been entertained there before, and I continue to be impressed.

Walking was a little difficult this weekend with another bout of plantar faciitis in my foot.  It was even more complicated with the location of the Rosedale Hotel.  You have to go over a steep crosswalk to get to anything.  And on Sunday, the area was packed with Phillipino and other immigrant women sitting in any space available in crosswalks or sidewalks.  You see, these are housecleaning ladies with no home of their own.  They live with their owners, but Sunday is their day off, and they all gather like this all over the city.  I understand they total over 350,000, all scattered in along the walks on Sundays.

But I found Auntie Anne’s.  Now if I could only find Krispy Kreme!

Piano for sale in shop in Times Square of Hong Kong.

How many workers can you count climbing this bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong?

I'm back!

I’m back! Yes, it’s another Hong Kong weekend. Four weeks have passed, so I’ve had to come back to get my Visa stamped. I’ll be here until Monday. Staying this time at the Rosedale Hotel in Causeway Bay, website: http://www.rosedale.com.hk/

My Hong Kong phone is in effect: (852) 6535 7553.

Entry to the Grand Oriental Hotel.

Crocodiles at the Grand Oriental Hotel.

Where’s Dundee?

Of all things, I never thought I would see this in Dahlingshan. But sure enough right there in between the pools were two, not just one! Two crocodiles!! Yes, I said CROCODILES! Well, I have seen amazing things in restaurants in this country. This was setting a new high mark!

A major new hotel, The Grand Oriental, opened here last week. We visited the other night for dinner, and it was another unique dining experience. It was certainly the most noteworthy that I have had in this town.

Now you must recognize that Dahlingshan is the industrial town of Dongguan. There are billboards tooting the fact that this is the biggest furniture center in the world. It has a right to that claim. And it is growing in furniture output daily. But it is not renowned for accommodations. Nor much of anything with taste!

But the new Grand Oriental Hotel is trying to capitalize on the businessmen visiting the area with new and better accommodations. It was certainly needed. The owners have even laid the groundwork for a new Hilton Hotel at a lake nearby in the industrial park at the Technical University of Dongguan.

The new Grand Oriental hotel is quite a gem. Impressive entry of high ceilings and multi-colored lights to catch your attention. Huge arrangements of flowers throughout the lobby. Attendants everywhere to open doors and assist in everyone’s visit.

We made our way to the Chinese restaurant. The décor was gracious and yet comfortable too. Heavy accents of wood and wide spaces made it very comfortable and entertaining. Bars for sushi and buffets were along the outer spaces. Massive glass display cases were ready for new decorations, not yet arrived. And the washrooms were as unique and up to date as any Kohler showroom. The urinals were even large pots. Not your typical Asian setting.

Like so many Chinese restaurants it also had a massive fish tank area. But this one topped even the best of Hong Kong. It was in an outdoor setting among trees between slate walks. Most tanks were like large wooden buckets. Massive pools behind the buckets were available for larger fish and “other”.

And “other” was the real surprise. There behind the tanks were two crocodile. Or maybe alligators. Who knows the difference. And I’m in Asia. Which do you have here? Whichever, these were huge! I mean really huge. They were at least six feet long!!

And nearby in a bucket, you could get your choice of beetles. Big, ugly black beetles. Who eats those things??

We passed on the croc and beetles………… Thankfully. Gator is good though. These crocs were just too big for our small group!

My guest, a designer from New York, on my second visit here, felt this was as fine as any restaurant in Las Vegas. It’s that good! And that beautiful! Come visit Dongguan. There is always a treat.

All photos available at:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=abrysoninchina&p=1A55&AID=2900669

Beetles anyone?

The urinals in the men's washroom.

Dongguan Cultural Center from my apartment. That is a big TV screen in front of the stage for National Day events.

Dancers on stage at National Day events at Dongguan Cultural Center.

中华人民共和国五十五周年

Did you see that Saturday was a holiday? Well, it was here anyway. October 1, the 56th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China or National Day. And that is a big deal. There were a lot of events happening everywhere.

I could easily tell it was a special holiday from my apartment. The Dongguan Cultural Center is just across the street. There are events frequently. None have been bigger than the ones held there over the last week. I could not hear my television for the entertainment across the street. There were singers, dancers, and major light demonstrations. It has been quite a display.

On Sunday night I ventured down to watch some of the show up close. Of course, I couldn’t understand any of the introductions. But the shows were entertaining. Dancers were very colorful. The gentleman singing had a nice tenor voice. He couldn’t get the crowd to be very cooperative in applause though. I have never heard such weak recognition of a performance.

Events were numerous all around the country. In Beijing the crowd in Tiammenen Square totaled over 200,000. They had a flag raising and speakers from government. Friends told me they could get no closer than across a street from the Square.

In Hong Kong they had a major fireworks show. Now I love fireworks shows. I figured I would see a bunch in the country that invented fireworks. Ironically, they don’t allow fireworks very often in the country. What a surprise.

Good thing I didn’t go to Hong Kong for that show last weekend. On Friday night our bus got stuck in a traffic jam in Shenzhen and the usual three-hour trip took over seven hours.

Many of the mainlanders (folks from China proper and not Hong Kong) travel to Hong Kong for this week. Many businesses close and there is much anticipation that this will be the biggest spending week of the year.

Crowds exiting Wal-Mart on National Day.

Mopeds and motorcycles in front of Wal-Mart.

Check out lines at Wal-Mart..... as far as you can see.

There is a KFC inside Wal-Mart. This isn't it. Look closely. This is China, and that's a KLG.

A Bryson in China

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Thailand

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Halloween Travel

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Worlds Biggest Mall

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Ah.. for a New Comb

Friday, October 21, 2005

Western Food Week

Brazilian at the Royal Lagoon

Home Western Restaurant at the Grand Oriental

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Hillview Masters 2nd Hole

A Great Day for Golf

Our Foursome

Mitchell on the 9th

Saturday, October 15, 2005

"Hotel"

The Decca Hotel

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Home for Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Dongguan's Eiffel Tower

Monday, October 10, 2005

But Where's Krispy Kreme?

Saturday, October 08, 2005

I'm back!

Friday, October 07, 2005

Where’s Dundee?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

中华人民共和国五十五周年

Sunday, October 02, 2005

About Me

My Time

Fellow Bloggers

Links

Photo Links

Previous Posts

Archives