A look back on 2008

27.12.2008 von Jean Jacques.

Happy New Year

A year marked by my move to Shanghai in April. More than 300 hours (that’s 12.5 days) sitting in planes (mostly at weekends I have to add) but still less than previous years. I hate to think how many days I have spent at airports and in transit.

January

New Year eve in London at Gary’s followed in the middle of the month by an introduction week in Shanghai with Carole. Spent the time there looking at possible apartments as well as going through the obligatory medical. All I remember is that is was damn cold there that week.

 

February

First trip ever to India, Mumbai. Very hot there but more importantly very poor and dirty. Not too impressed with India.

The hotel however was nicely situated on the beach and I did take the time for a swim in the pool between a couple of gin & tonics.

 

Had to make a day trip to Berlin to pick  up a new passport at the French Consulate as mine was full. I really wonder why they do not make bigger ones!

Looking for a bit of sun towards the end of the month so a week in Egypt on the Red Sea was more than welcome.

 

Took the time for a day trip to Cairo to see among other things the pyramids. Very impressive.

March

A busy month starting with another flight (1st class via Bangkok) to Shanghai

for a week’s of business meetings.

From there a relatively short hop (via Macau) to Taiwan (where I should really spend more time) for a couple of days work. Always a pleasure to stay at the Landis Hotel in Taipei.

From there a longer hop to Tokyo for 3 days…

  

Back to Europe after the long flight from Japan a few days before Easter where we took the grand children to France to see my father in Breves before my final departure for China…

  

quite a change from modern and buzzing Asia …

and as luck would have it, I was able to see Christian and Valerie who were spending the weekend in their country residence not too far away near Chablis

On the 29th, I am on my way to Asia yet again. This time however, armed with 2 suitcases, I am going to Kuala Lumpur

Not the usual hotel but quite a good location for a 4 days meeting and not too far from the office either.

April

Directly from KL I am on my way to Shanghai on the 5th for The Big Move. A couple of nights in a hotel and then I can move in my new apartment.

 

It is not far at all from the office which I can reach on foot under 15 minutes (in the meantime I have found a couple of shortcuts and I get there in 10 minutes).

(Click on pic for a larger view)

The area is very nice in particular Dagu Road on the south side of the compound…

It takes me less than a day to meet up with the right crowd…

 

and I immediately have some new great friends.

May

First visit from Carole in Shanghai. Thousands of people on the street celebrating May 1st.. We walked for miles that day.

  

As soon as the 1st of May week of celebrations is over, I am off for my second trip to Mumbai this year.

Same hotel…

same mess…

    

but somehow full of surprises and contrasts and colours

and I am beginning to like it…

Back in Shanghai for 1 day in order to change shirts and it is off to Australia for the first time. First Melbourne and then Sydney. I really like the place

  

No time for holidays unfortunately,so it is straight back to Shanghai for 2 days and yet again a change of shirts and yet again back to the airport … direction Malaysia for a week in Kuala Lumpur

 

June

June was European month. I took the opportunity of a work meeting in Hannover to fly back and extend my stay for the whole month a some well deserved holidays which started by a great 24h race at Le Mans

 

with the usual crowd…

   

… followed by a couple of weeks in the South of France.

 

By the end of June I have lived officially 13 weeks in Shanghai. I have in fact spent only just over 5 weeks physically there.

July

Back in hot Shanghai. The  month I finally took up golf…

A relatively quiet month interrupted only by a week’s business trip to Australia. Winter there at the time in Melbourne and I certainly was not prepared for it…

August

Started with a week in Malaysia. The usual work routine, a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur followed by a couple of days in Alor Setar before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

Last week of the month I had to go to Thailand (Bangkok) for the week. Met Carole there at the end of the week. Really like the hotel there (Sukothai).

  

and of course Bangkok has a lot to offer…

  

September

Quite a busy month.

We were supposed to have a week’s holiday in Phuket but due the riots in Thailand, the airport there was closed. So we changed our plans and flew to Kuala Lumpur instead…

… and spent the week in Penang. Not a bad alternative.

 

  

A quick business trip back to Germany in mid month for 3 days

 

before returning to Shanghai where my friend Toto was on business and spent a few days with me. Good fun and plenty to drink too.

Finished the month with a short business trip to Tokyo which I like very much. Carole was waiting for me there as we planned to take a few days off in Japan.

  

October

We took the bullet train to Kyoto

and spent a few days there. Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto is an older town with plenty to see.

  

Anyway back in Shanghai for a few days before flying down to Australia for the 3rd time this year. It is now spring time there and much nicer. Paid a visit to my favorite restaurant in Melbourne (St Jude). I could have stayed there longer I have to admit.

  

I did look forward going back to Shanghai though as I did have the visit of my friend Chris from the UK for a week at the end of the month. Had a great time with him meeting all my new friends and hoping from one restaurant / bar / massage to the other. Great fun.

 November

The month started with a week in Kuala Lumpur followed by Carole visiting me in Shanghai for a week. She saw lots of changes there as I now know my way around quite well. She even made a couple of friends and I think she is beginning to look forward to move over there early next year.

Apart from that, the month flew by. Managed a few rounds of golf…

  

Somehow there were a few unplanned parties / aperitifs… with the gang..

and a few new people too…

December

A few more parties in Shanghai, slowly the Xmas mood is coming…

Last business visit this year to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur).

A short week there before the flight back to Europe for Xmas and New Year directly from Kuala Lumpur on the 20th.

Good to catch up with family and friends…

  

All in all quite an exciting year. The big move to Shanghai which went more or less perfectly and was much easier than I had anticipated. Plenty of new friends which made the transition much easier. Lost touch with a couple of friends on the way though…

A few new things too like golf. I intend to persevere in 2009.

Big decisions too, Carole has now stopped worked and will join me in China early next year.

I am wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2009

JJ

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Merry Christmas everyone

23.12.2008 von Jean Jacques.

From Otsego to Paris via Hannover, Oslo, Hyeres to Shanghai etc etc,  Merry Christmas to all. 2008 has been quite an exciting year and I bet 2009 will be even better. Cannot wait.

Thanks to everyone.

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Xmas trees?

20.12.2008 von Jean Jacques.

Spent yet another week in Kuala Lumpur before flying back to Europe for the festive season and a couple of weeks well deserved holidays.

Wanted to buy those but they did not fit in my hand luggage.

Anyway, I tanked up with some hot weather expecting the worse in Germany, but it is not as bad as I thought and it is unlikely we shall have a white xmas.

I have a lot of catching up to do with family and friends over the next 2 weeks. Need to relax too.

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Cold in Shanghai

15.12.2008 von Jean Jacques.

Back in Shanghai for a short week before heading back to Malaysia on me way to Europe.

Planned a little “aperitif” towards the end of the week to thank everyone here for a great welcome and help during my first 8 months in Shanghai.

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Halfway through my week in Malaysia

3.12.2008 von Jean Jacques.

Spent Sunday afternoon and evening in Kuala Lumpur as well as Monday in the office there before flying up in the evening to Alor Setar.

Flying back down tomorrow evening late to catch the red eye flight back to Shanghai.

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