Wednesday, August 30, 2006


Danny's BBQ in Cary, NC

BBQ and Cary

I wouldn't feel like I was in North Carolina without a good meal of BBQ. Well, I finally got to it Monday in Cary. Visiting with my Decca associates at Virtual Systems to kickoff a new computer software system, our hosts took us to nearby Danny's BBQ for lunch.

Danny is a Floridian with a different twist on BBQ. You couldn't call it Eastern nor Western style. But it was good pork. It's like Danny couldn't decide on what he wanted in his style, so four or five types of sauce were available on every table. I tried most and coudn't pick a favorite. All were good, but no Hickory Log or Lexington winning flavor.

My Hong Kong associates were new to BBQ, but they found good options in chicken and vegetables. I still need to get them to Lexington or another "real BBQ joint".

Danny's did have some interesting paraphernalia on the walls and throughout the restaurant. A wall of hot sauces advertised an offer for a free sandwich if you brought in a brand of sauce he didn't already have displayed. We didn't find any Chinese flavors, but of course, we didn't have any with us either. Kinda hard to travel with liquids right now, even if we had known we were coming here for lunch.

More BBQ soon. Photos from link at right.

Monday, August 28, 2006


Ahh, the beauty of those mountains! It's been a nice visit to Western North Carolina! The Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains were magnificent! So nice to see again!

Another Phone Number!

Sorry bout that, but I had to get another phone number for the USA ............ again! I know: "What a pain!" Seems I can't keep one if I don't use it, and only returning every few months requires me to get a new one each time.

This week my new USA number is:
336-508-0676

Thursday, August 24, 2006

On the way HOME!

On the way Home! Yes! There were many times this week that I thought my trip might be delayed …….. or worse. But I head to Hong Kong and on to the US tomorrow.

One of our associates, who is important to the meetings I will be attending in Cary, has had difficulty in getting her Visa for travel to the US. We got word it is imminent that she will receive on Friday, ………. so off we go.

I’ll be in the US on Friday night and traveling to Waynesville for the weekend as planned.

Let’s go!

Friday, August 18, 2006

Upcoming USA Schedule

Okay, my schedule is shaping up some. I head to the USA next Friday, August 25. It is somewhat amazing that a 15 hour plane ride only eclipses about 2 hours in a day, but that’s how it goes when ya cross the Time Line. I leave on the 25th at 12:45 PM in Hong Kong and get into Chicago at 2:17 PM. Of course, that assumes no travel problems…. something not so consistent right now. I am supposed to then get into Charlotte at almost 7 PM.

After a night around Charlotte, I plan to go to Waynesville, NC on Saturday the 26th to see my father, relatives, and friends. The 27th, I traverse NC to Raleigh to be ready for the seminar I will be attending the next three days. Staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Cary, I will catch up with my daughter at nearby Chapel Hill.

On Thursday the 31st, I will be visiting HBF in Hickory, and on the 1st, I will be at Decca offices in High Point, NC. I return on Monday the 4th for a two day return. (You loose coming back across the Time Line!) I’ll try to make other contacts along the way, but as you can see the schedule is a little tight.

Summary:

August 25

Hong Kong to Charlotte

August 26

Waynesville, NC

August 27

Waynesville to Cary, NC

August 28-30

Cary, NC

August 31

Hickory, NC

September 1

High Point, NC

September 2-3

Winston-Salem Area

September 4-5

Charlotte to Hong Kong

Thursday, August 17, 2006

View from new apartment looking down street and over additional complexes. Posted by Picasa

Living area looking with chaise and sofa and TV entertainment center, along large balcony. Posted by Picasa

Big new bathroom with Jacuzzi bathtub and show with eight outlets! Includes glass block window strip and a frosted glass entry door. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

I Moved!!

A return just in time for another busy weekend!  Yes, I did get back to China!  Nice to be back in my old bed……  Ooops!  Only two nights for that!  I moved again!

Yep!  On Sunday, I moved into a new apartment!  And an apartment with a big mirror in the bathroom, hot water, and a big balcony!  It’s not much bigger than my last apartment, but ohhhhh so much better!!

I finally got the approval a couple of months ago to make a change.  I negotiated the deal with my company for the upgrade, when the noise was getting louder at the construction site behind my old place.  But then I had to find something suitable.  I found it with the help of a friend in the rental business here in Dongguan.  It barely costs more than my first apartment, with so many more extras!  

The living room is well appointed with tall ceilings and a large balcony from this sixth floor location, looking out over the street and onto Qifeng mountain – actually some trees there!!  The bathroom is heavenly!  It has a Jacuzzi bathtub and a shower with eight showerheads.  The kitchen is very upscale, but small.  The refrigerator is actually in the dining area of the main room.  I think that is a common Chinese style.  No use having a refrigerator in the kitchen, because they only use fresh foods to cook.  

The bedrooms are nicely done too.  The master has a king size bed and another television.  Okay, it has great wardrobes, although the sizing doesn’t seem to fit me.  I guess my size clothes are a little longer than for most Chinese.

The second bedroom has a computer desk and setup for workspace.  So it gets me out of the main area some.  But of course, I still haven’t gotten the internet connected yet.  Still working on that transfer.  I hope it isn’t the hassle I first had with China Telecom!!

At first glance of the location for this new apartment, I was a little concerned.  I don’t guess I am too sure yet.  The sign out front says “Hotel.”  Not exactly where you expect to find a home is it?  But that sign is for “service apartments” which are also available here in the building.   It does make for a pleasant lobby to enter through.  

I’ll get some pictures posted soon.  I’m still working through boxes and organizing.  More later!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Finally

Back to China! Yes! Finally! It's been over a week, and I'm ready. Weather and Thailand are great! But I need to get back to my base!

Assuming security not so bad, I should be on ferry from Hong Kong airport tonight and into Dongguan by 10 PM. It will be good.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Thailand Contact Info

Okay, I finally got to my Thailand factory. AND WOW! The weather is great! I expected extremely hot, but it is really pleasant. Very warm, but a great breeze all the time.

And my hotel is right on the beach! I look out over the Sea of Thailand, across palms and beaches that stretch endlessly to the sun! Okay, the room is lousy, so don't think I have it too easy. I'm expecting cockroaches to carry me out for a swim anytime.

BTW, I am using my Thailand SIM card, so for contact info, it's:
+66 015785451
Not sure you use the "0" for all calls. May have to try without it.

And oh yeah, I'm at the Bang Saen Beach Resort.
Sawatdee!

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Bangkok - At Last

Well, I finally made it to Bangkok! And even have my clothes again! I was getting a little tired of that same shirt and pants!

It took three days, but I arrived in Bangkok Saturday night. So nice to come in and get in one of those English style taxis for a ride across this vast city, and then to arrive at a wonderful and gracious hotel. They really how to do style and grace at hotels here. You would think you are back in Siam.

I even walked into the Montien Hotel last night here for my first visit ever, and without ever mentioning my name, I was greeted at the Registration by the beautiful Thai clerk, with "Welcome Mr. Bryson!" ........................ I was astonished!! My head was spinning. When did I give my name? How did she know that? How could she know me? ............. Nothing comes to mind as to how she knew. All I can figure is: I was the only American expected at that hour. Got me!

But oh is that ever nice. To be greeted personally is always a treat, but in such a surprising and recognizable way!

And what a hotel. Just spectacular. Old and gracious. Big wonderful rooms. Comfortable lobby bar with a pleasant jazz trio.

I think a night or two here will make me a little more comfortable!!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Typhoons and Missed Flights

I'm stuck in Hong Kong. Okay, I know there are worse places to be stuck, but this ain't easy. Seems typoon Pratwhatever..... is causing real havoc with my travel plans, and thousands of others with me.

Over 600 flights were cancelled yesterday, in and out of Hong Kong International Airport. That left the airport in chaos. I should know, I was in the middle of it. And hated every minute.

When I arrived, I couldn't believe how easy it was to get through security. I should have known that was not a good thing. I think most other folks were at check-in counters being delayed. Since I had checked in early Thursday morning in Central Hong Kong, I didn't know it was such a mess until I got through the Security area and started looking for my flight. It wasn't even listed. All you could see were big DELAYED and big CANCELLED symbols.

So at that point I tried to get help at the Airline Services Desk. But one was closed for construction. So you should have seen the mess at the only one open: two people trying to help thousands with no organization whatsoever. It was just a pushing match between everyone to the counter and he who yelled loudest was getting help. The poor agents didn't even help themselves much by having a whiteboard behind them with some ambiguous message that there would be "More information later." When???? Everyone was livid.

They don't know how to queue over here, so it was just a big pushing contest. I literally saw people shoved to ground and pushed out of the their positions. And Cathay Pacific was paralyzed. They put out people with water bottles and blankets but couldn't answer any questions. After a couple of hours of trying to wait out the mobs, I finally pushed my way up to the counter to hear the constant verse: "Call this number at 10 PM" ......... That's all??? Are you kidding me???? Now wouldn't you think they coulda announced that over the intercom or put on that whiteboard. But no, they just kept getting the crowd angrier.

But that wasn't the end of Cathay's ineptness. Finally getting through this provided phone number after a couple of hours of trying, the phone agents just told me that this wasn't even the right number. No, "you need to call another Cathay Pacific phone number!!" Can you believe it!?! And this is rated the Best Airline in the World!! Well, forgive me.... it's not in my book!

To top it all off, hotels were, of course, booked by this time. I ended up on a sofa at a friend's home. At least I got a shower.

But it got no better today. After hours of waiting for phones to get answered at the service center, Cathay then just recommended going to their counter in Tsim Tsai Tshui!! At least they had a number waiting system there. But so what. After finally getting to counter, all they would do was book me on a flight two days later and say that if I wanted to go to airport (chaos) again, I might get on an earlier flight!! Pathetic!

To say the least, I don't get to Thailand now until Saturday night. I'll extend my stay until next Friday now. At least I get a hotel room tonight . Of course, I still don't have clothes. Hopefully I'll see them Saturday night! But I don't have much faith in Cathay Pacific right now!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Vicky and some of her Decca friends at a recent dinner together. Posted by Picasa

We'll Miss You Vicky

Monday was a sad day here at the Decca factory. There were some long faces and a few tears were shed. My first translator, colleague, confidant, and friend, Vicky Leung left the company.

Vicky has endured the tough life of coming to the factory in Dahlingshan weekly for almost 10 years. It is no easy life for anyone, but must have been particularly tough on a single woman from Hong Kong. Getting up every Monday to get on trains and busses for a couple of hours is no easy commute. But then you work long hours for six days a week just to return to your home in Hong Kong for only two nights a week.

But Vicky has been what most everyone considered the “heart and soul” of Decca. Not only did she do her daily job - several different roles over the years – but she also was the “go to” person for everything! She organized the daily lunch with guests. She assisted with visitors daily. She was translator. She was support. I don’t even know where to sit in the dining room anymore. Before I could always count on her to organize the seating and let me know where to sit. Now I have to figure out the Chinese hierarchy to understand where I am supposed to sit – or hopefully someone else will just let me know.

When I came here to Decca, Vicky was in charge of finishing, and one of my first tasks I was given was to improve our capabilities in that area. We spent much time together planning and changing operations. She was also my primary translator and served very ably in that role through discussions from Mandarin and Cantonese with ease and efficiency.

It’s tough to know that she has left. The dust, heat, and smog of Dongguan were affecting her throat, and a change of environment was desired. She is planning to spend a little time relaxing before returning to her former home in Toronto. Then she will consider new career plans.

I will certainly miss her smile, easy personality, and efficient support. But I’m happy she is doing what she wants in life.

Good luck Vicky!!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

BREAKING NEWS

I’m headed back to the USA!  And Raleigh too!!  Just in time for Wolfpack football!!  

Seems I need to go for some training for a new software we’ve purchased that happens to be headquartered in Cary.  So I will be back for a little over a week.  Don’t know my precise dates and schedule yet, but I should be in Cary the 28th – 30th.  I know I’ll be seeing family and try to see as many friends as possible.  But with my health situation, I may need to see some doctors too.

More later.