I Am Off To China

[Gord]

Leaving for Zhuhai, China on May 6 and not returning until 39 days later on June 13.

Business calls. I am off to participate in an Application Development Effectiveness (ADE) study for a major Chinese bank (communists need banks?). So not only will it be a great learning opportunity for me (I have recently changed jobs in my company and have a new role!), it will be a real cultural eye opener for me. I've never been the Far East before.

A couple of major downers to me though:


I will miss riding for 39 days
I know I will miss my wife and kids. In the 30 years I have known my wife (24 married!) I have never been away for more than 2 weeks. So this will be a totally new experience for her and me.
I return on June 13 and leave for my Run To The Rock ride on June 17. I am worried about my ability to recover form Jet Lag and be fresh and crisp for 8-10 hours of riding per day for 2 weeks
I may need to return to China from July 17 to end of August again cutting into family time and riding time


The good news is, it appears that my wife may be able to fly over on the company dime and spend a week with me.

So has anyone ever been to the Zhuhai area of China? It is near Hong Kong.

[arkline]

Gord,

Travel is a great thing. Being away from the family is a major pain, but the things you'll see and experience...

And if your wife gets to go over too, what could be better?

I understand from the motorcycle mags that Korea and China are going to be the next big thing in motorcycles, so if you can pick out the Honda of 2020 and put some money in stock, you might make it rich...Probably only 500 or 600 hundred businesses to pick from...

Have fun and be sure to take some sunscreen...

[jamais]

Gord,

Congratulations, you are going to have a great experience. I fly to China three times a month and I never cease to be amazed by that country and its marvelous people. They are kind and generous individuals.

On the street you'll see animal drawn wagons loaded with cylindrical shaped coal and the next moment you'll see the biggest Mercedes sedan flying by you. These folks are some of the wildest drivers I've seen except for Houston idiots.

When you return you'll sleep well the first night just because you're tired from the trip. Its the next day when you feel goofy followed by the next night when I guarantee you will awaken at 2:00 am. So to preclude this madness, prior to retiring do yourself a favor and take an Ambien tablet or a Tylenol Pm tablet. You will sleep through the body's China clock time and you'll be into your local time by the following night. You'll be ready for your ride, albeit only barely.

Good luck, you are lucky to have this experience.

[LesKoh]

Just for your info: Not sure if you'll have the time, but if you're interested in doing a track day or two at the Zhuhai Racing Complex, there are a few places at the circuit where you can rent bikes and get instruction. Having your own gear will be best but if you're not at the extreme ends in sizing, gear is available, and you can ride a range of 400, 600, and 1,000cc bikes. You can contact any one of the following to make arrangements: Jimbo (James Dawson) at kwiktigi@hotmail.com, or Steven at info@bg-performance.com, or Ah Yuen at ace-motor@icare.com.hk . They all offer various services and deals for getting on the track at reasonable prices. The Zhuhai circuit is a great facility and the regional bike and car races are still held here.

Do try and make that short hop over to Macau when the missus joins you. This small former Portuguese enclave is buzzing with the casinos and tourist attractions. Great food and a nice place to spend a day or a weekend. Hong Kong is only one hour away so that should also be on the list of things to do if time permits.

[supermotoC]

I hear fireworks are cheap there, too.

[Ed K]

Application Development Effectiveness

Hmmm...:102:

It'll be great... send us some pics!

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

Nihau Gord,
Have fun on your trip. China is an amazing place. I am a little spoiled being in japan because it is actually clean here. There are many places in China that aren't so clean. Take a pocket sized bottle of Purell gel alcohol hand cleaner. You can thank me later. Don't take me wrong though, the place and people are fascinating, just not too hygenic.

At least for me Ambien or Tylenol PM method doesn't work. This method makes me groggy and doesn't really help with jet lag, although you probably won't wake up at 2 am if you take them. Lots of people swea5r by the Ambien though, so if you are OK with sleeping pills, you might want to give them a shot.

I've been travelling for more than 15 years and I finally found a solution that works well for me.
The day you return, you will be tempted to take a nap. Don't do it. Stay up until 10 or 11 pm. Right before you go to bed, take a melatonin or even two,. You can get them over the counter and they are not a sleeping aid or drug, they are a natural enzyme that your brain makes on a normal day to tell your body to sleep. There are no side effects. All they do is reset your internal clock. Take them at least two nights in a row.

Jeff

[BobFV1]

Gord -

Enjoy China. I have spent quite a bit of time there over the past several years, some of it down in the Southern province where you will be. In Guangdon province, basically every manufactured item with "Mad in China" is made. It will be hot and steamy - the air will be thick and polluted. There is a track at Zhuhai where you can do track days but unless things have changed there in the past year, I would not partake - there is no 911 medical system in place and no trained medical personnel standing by, so if you were seriously injured the chances of you getting quick and competent medical care would be remote.

If you have a triband GSM phone it should work there. Not too much English is spoken on the street or outside the context of your business, so find a good "guide" for you off-work days. Great that your wife can come out - try and get her over to Hong Kong for a weekend. Guangzhou also has its high points, including the charming old cantonment area, a must for visitors.

Well - have fun - keep us posted!

[Gord]

Up at 4:15 this morning and at Pearson Airport in Toronto by 06:15. A quick check in (flying Executive Class sure does help!), through security faster than I have ever been, off to duty free to buy a good bottle of scotch, and then to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge to kill time until boarding.

I am more nervous than excited at the moment. The tearful goodbye from my wife and kids was the worst part of it all. They have been brave knowing I am leaving for a prolonged period, but they could not hold it together this morning. It broke my heart to see them crying, but they at least realize this is something I have to do. I am sure the 39 days will go by quickly. I am also a little nervous about finding my way from Hong Kong airport to Zhuhai. Let's see, I need HK dollars for this part of the expedition, Yuan for this part, I need the train, the ferry, the taxi...Holy crap, where am I? But again once I am there I think my jitters will disappear.

I will be living vicariously through your posts for the next while, so please keep me entertained. You can bet I will be looking in from time to time despite the work I have to focus on....

[BobFV1]

Gord -

Have a great time over there, my brother. Let me know if you need anything while you are there, I have quite a few contacts in the country, Enjoy yourself and visit the board often, WE want to live vicariously through YOU!

Bob

[DJ Down Under]

Have a good one Gord...did you hide the keys to the mini...:003:

DJ

[fganger]

Gord,

Have a great trip, only one caution. DO NOT miss riding your bike so much that you are tempted to buy a Chang Jaing. As you probably know it is a copy of the Russian Ural, which is a copy of the BMW the Nazi's rode into Russia during WW-2.

Sort of reminds me of the words to an old song, “It was a genuine copy of a fake Dior.”

Have a great trip, and as someone used to say, on a site far, far away, “Pictures, we need pictures.”

Frank

[DJ Down Under]

So...has he gone yet....:104: ....good.

Just thought I would let everyone know that Gord took the cheap option to China (by boat) so he can afford his new office desk for when he gets back...:081:

DJ

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2369.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2370.jpg

[DarthRider]

DJ, you are a "piece of work"!
If they don't use that expression down under, I promise it's a good thing.
"Titan Uranus" indeed!

Dave

[BobFV1]

Think our man Gord is having a good time over there???

http://www.epochtimes-bg.com/epochtimes_articles/pix/2005-8-31-chinese_beauty52640685.jpg