Sunset in Mumbai

Life has been busy with a lot of travel over the past month, including three weeks in Mexico and the US.  I’ve got a bunch of photos that I need to upload when I have some time, in a case of ‘Where was Matthew’ instead of ‘Where is Matthew’.  But for the moment, Matthew is in Mumbai for the week.

We’re staying in a different hotel than we normally do, located much closer to the centre of the city and many of the historic landmarks.  They’ve managed to arrange waterfront rooms for all of us, affording us some beautiful views over the water at the Mumbai skyline.  Despite forecasts for heavy rains (it’s the beginning of the monsoon season), the weather has remained mostly dry and the sunset last night was spectacular, with the sun hanging low in the sky.  Like so many cities, the dusky light hides the reality of the dirt and grime, transforming a grubby collection of buildings into a picturesque skyline.

I’ll be here all week conducting workshops.  We’ve got a big team dinner this evening, but the rest of the week is free, so we’ll hopefully be able to do some sightseeing this time.  Despite my many visits to India, I’ve rarely had the time to venture out of the hotel.  Now that I’ve got some fellow travelers with me, maybe that will change.

Never has German sounded so sweet: Ab Donnerstag, den 22.04.2010 gilt der reguläre Flugplan. Damit bietet Ihnen Lufthansa wieder die gewohnte Planungssicherheit.

Or, in other words, flights are back to normal and I should be able to fly home tomorrow.  It’s only been two weeks, but the uncertainty of the return journey and squeezing in three cities means that it feels like I’ve been away much longer.  I know I was in Taiwan only a week ago, but it seems like ages.

It’s definitely been a trip of new experiences.  New foods, new friends, new massages.

I don’t know if it was a sense of adventure or just sheer boredom that encouraged me to try an ear massage, but I can add it to the list of life’s more bizarre experiences.  It wasn’t particularly unpleasant, but I can’t say that it will be at the top of my list on my next visit to the spa.

One more day, one more banquet to get through tonight (Peking Duck, so I can’t complain too loudly), one more sleep…  then home.

Time to hit the local grocery store to try a few of the local products. 

Mangos = good. Fermented mangos = ???

Fruitery Jelly. Because no one can resist "fruitery"

Tsing Tao beer. Because you can (almost) never go wrong with beer. China produces more beer than anyone else in the world, so they must know a thing or two about what they're doing...

Chinese receipts, neatly stacked in a single pile

After waking up early this morning, I thought I’d try to sort out some of my receipts.  They’re all written in Chinese, so this was easier said than done.  But I’d just about managed, and had them each sorted into little piles by expense type and date.  I hadn’t labeled anything yet, figuring I’d label them when I came back from breakfast.

I switched the Do Not Disturb light on, afraid that housekeeping might clean the desk.  As I walked down the hall, the housekeeper asked if she could clean my room.  Against my better judgment, I let her clean my room – with the inevitable results.

All my receipts, neatly stacked into a single pile!

Taipei 101 tower at night

The view over Taipei from Shin Yeh 101 restaurant at Taipei 101

The view over Taipei from Shin Yeh 101 restaurant at Taipei 101

Time for a few thoughts now that I’ve had a little time in Taipei.  Having a great trip so far, making good progress in our meetings.  As always in Asia, our local hosts have rolled out the red carpet for us and are showing us everything the city has to offer.

Taiwan reminds me much more of Singapore than of mainland China – modern, clean, efficient and with a real business focus.  The hotel is superb, and there is a huge variety of food on offer here, reflecting the many Chinese immigrants that bring with them culinary traditions from around the country.

Spiny lobster with yam puree on fresh tomato

Sauteed crab with spring onion and fried noodles at Shin Yeh restaurant

We were treated to a ten-course seafood banquet at Shin Yen 101 restaurant the top of the Taipei 101 tower (until recently the tallest building in the world).  It was a great meal and an even more amazing view.

Neil will probably criticise me for not including pictures with this entry, but sometimes you have to let your imagination do the work.  My bag was stuffed full, and I was too lazy to pull out my camera.

I’m currently on my way from Switzerland to Taipei, by way of Bangkok, where the “red shirt” protests are in full swing. I’m delighted to report that I made it in-and-out of Bangkok with no problem.  I managed to have a couple of massages at the airport, part of the pleasure of flying through Asia.  It’s never a burden to have a few hours to kill at Bangkok Airport.  Between the massages, the great lounges, the good food, and the excellent shopping, there’s plenty to pass a few hours without too much pain.  I know everyone raves about Singapore Airport, but for me, BKK takes the cake.

There are so many things about Asia I enjoy.  Little things, things I forget about until I’m reminded of them again.  Delicious minced pork buns at the Thai lounge, washed down with a Meh Kong and soda.  Rose apples, something I’ve never seen outside of Asia, being served for dessert.  The wonderfully warm, welcoming smile of the Thais.  It’s not by accident that I ended up with Asia as my responsibility.

I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks.  A week in Taiwan, a country I’ve never visited, should be a great excuse to explore.  And then I’m back to China, to Beijing and Dalian, with a colleague who knows both cities well, so I’ll have a guide of sorts.