Great Firewall of China

Behind the GFW now. I cannot access Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Wiki, etc. And I can't access blogger.com, too. I can't imagine to live here. I knew it always, but I always forget until I'm blocked. There so many FB applications developed by companies in China, but I can't open www.facebook.com. Do every Chinese know some trick to pass through?

 

At least I got email. I can email to my blog and email to twitter via twittermail, I hope. Let's find out when I get home.

Glory for China, Shame on London

I ate well in this trip, thanks to J.J., whom I'm traveling with. But, I'll leave that in another article. I'd like to record a few things I read today on my way to Shanghai. My plane to Beijing was using the latest terminal opened one month ago, the Terminal 3 (T3) of Beijing airport. I read on a magazine saying that they recruited a "golden tulips" task force to actively serve travelers or local people who visit the new terminal. T3 occupies over 10,000 square meters, and is the largest single air transportation facility in the world. Beijing airport now has three runways and three terminals in operation, which can serve over 650 million travelers this year. Besides Beijing, Shanghai Pudong Airport also has a new terminal (T2) and a new runway joined the service last month. What I noticed is that besides the hardware construction, China is now emphasizing their software (service) in these recent developments. For example, the Golden Tulips team was trained by senior instructors from the Hong Kong Airport and is determined to impress the world in the year of Olympics at the new front door or China. And from my experience in this trip, they are really getting there. How hard is it? Just compare it to the new terminal of London Heathrow Airport, the Terminal 5. T5 has been a complete disaster since the opening day, and the chaos is still getting worse. Oh, by the way, T3 in Beijing only took half the time of London T5, and spent half the money.

Qing Jing, the Tranquil Fields

Last weekend Allie and I joined my company travel to Qing Jing Veteran Farm. Last time I went there was over ten years ago. It was a very beautiful place to visit, although there's some dispute over the developments and constructions of resorts and villas in recent years.

Great food in Seoul

Mulnaengmyeon 물냉면 (cold noodles)

Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 (kimchi pot)

Samgyetang 삼계탕 (ginsin chicken soup)

Haemulpajeon 해물파젼 (seafood fried pancake)

Yukhoe 육회 (raw beef)

Seolleongtang 설렁탕 (beef bone soup)

Pi Gung Ma Ma

"Gung" is probably the biggest hit in Korean drama 2006 so far. The leading characters and supporting roles all received huge attention. A newly opened shopping complex in Myeong Dong used the price and princess in the drama in their opening events.

Time Flies

Five days passed fast in vacation. Improved my Korean a little. It's more expensive an inconvenient to go by ourselves, but definitely better if you want to really know the place.

Day 3, great shopping!

Found a great place for shopping -New Core Outlet, which also has a Kim's Club in the complex. The outlet is located at Jamwon dong, Kangnam, near Banpo station of line #7 or Jamwon station of line #3.

Day 2 in Seoul, wandering around

Walking all day. Found a famous jazz pub many Korean dramas shot in. CheongGaeCheon is really beautiful. Also saw a car same as mine.

Trip to Seoul, day 1

Okay, it's day 2 now. Had a rough start yesterday. A trip with no plan at all is not a good idea. To be continued.