Taiwan and THANK YOU

I am so sorry to be not so much on these days.  But like the name says, business trip, means to do some business ;)

But today I got up a little earlier, so I am able to give you a short look in to Taiwan. It is an amazing country with much more amazing people. I told you about the kind and helpful people in Hong Kong, it is nearly unbelievable, but the people over here seem to me even more polite and kind. Or maybe I think it's this way, because I have more time here and that means I can experience it more.

Today I will show some random pictures from Taiwan...

I headed to the southern city Tainan with the Taiwan High Speed Rail.

the hinterland of Taipei

Tainan City 

this is a god for education (good to know for the next exams)

old traditional roofs

two towers in Tainan 

one of the two towers (the dutch lived here a couple of hundred years ago)

I dont know what they did, but it looked like a kind of a parade or procession 

this seems to be a palanquin (I could not see whats in side)

(just) Tainan 

So now I have to hurry to the next appointment. I hope I can show you some pics from business over here next time, but it is not so easy and I think also not so much interesting!

I also want to take the opportunity to welcome all the new followers and and thank all the "old" followers for there loyalty. It is also nice to see all the comments for Seren and her adorable dolls. I really appreciate all your comments and it makes me really happy to see all the nice, caring and interested people. I hope it will help all the 'Etsians'.

So I am off now for the real reason of my trip. I wish you all a very nice day!!

thankful greetings

mElinus

Taipei International Floral Exposition

After a long day in Hong Kong and a late flight to Taipei, I visited the Taipei International Floral Exposition yesterday. It is a huge exposition and usually you need 3 days, but as I do not have the time, I made a very short and hurried 'run' around the huge area.

 One of the many entrances was a wooden pavilion with different levels and a lot of friendly helpers/volunteers.

One pavilion has an observation deck and is greened. Also they show how you can use green energy (solar panels). 

It was amazing to stay on a roof and look over the city, but with the feeling of staying in a garden. 

During the exposition they had a lot of international competitions, one of them was about allotment gardens in city to use old structure. I liked the little old green house, reminds me of fairytales.

In the evening there was a parade for families, kids and all those who feel like kids. A lot of funny animals and fantasy friends sang along the street and waved to the people. This was lot of fun. 

Also the Museum of Art was involved in the exposition. They showed many artists and arts which have the nature as a main topic. Here you can see whole walls made of recycled cardboard.  

The last stop in the fast run on the exposition area was the dome. A huge stadium transformed in a sea of flowers.

It was a lot to walk, but all the beautiful and colorful flowers have been a good reason.

Now I am off to bed, tired and overwhelmed.

colorful greetings

mElinus

Hong Kong

Yesterday I had some time to visit Hong Kong. It is an amazing city. I really like it. The people are so kind and helpful. And it is such a vibrating and vivid city. You can see so many different people from different countries and you hear so many languages. It's just so exciting!!!

Hong Kong IFC

We ate very good Dim Sum. If you ever have the chance, try it. It tastes fantastic!!

near Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong

The most impressive thing I had been lucky to enjoy, was the service from the airport and the city. At the main stations in the city you can check in and leave your luggage, they bring it to the airport. Means, you can enjoy the time in the city and don't have to worry about all your stuff. You just have to take the air train  2 hours before boarding and go straight to your gate at the Hong Kong airport. AWESOME!!!!

Hong Kong CBD

After an exciting day I flew from gate 1 (thats very seldom, told us the captain) to Taipei. I am a little behind the events, 'cause I am already in Taipei, Taiwan. I will tell you about my first day later tonight (it's already after 7pm on April 9th over here) or tomorrow. 

The people over here are even more polite and kind.

lively and fantastic greetings

mElinus

Hong Kong and China

Shenzhen (China)

I have to tell you that it is a huge problem with all these time zones. I mean, I remembered to change the time on my iPhone, but did not changed it on my Mac. So please, be aware that I am maybe a little in front of you with the time, and my yesterday may be your today.

on the way back from the factory (China)

Yesterday I was my first time in China, Mainland China. I met up with a business partner in Hong Kong (it was hot and humid), we managed some stuff about banks and accounts and than we drove with the car from Hong Kong to the New Territories and parked the car, 'cause it is way easier to go by train to China. 

near the train station (China)

You need to know that in Hong Kong (I mean all areas from Hong Kong), the cars are like in the UK: right hand drive. But the traffic in China is left hand drive. And you are only allowed to drive with your car from Hong Kong to China and and vice versa if you have both license plates (really expensive to get both, only really rich people having both license plates). There are tree border crossings, two for cars and one for pedestrians. We took the one for pedestrians. 

apartment buildings in China

We drove from the New Territories to the border crossing, 'checked out' in Hong Kong and walked over a bridge (no-mans-land) and checked in to China. 

China (shops with 'fake' electronical devices)

It was a huge difference to Hong Kong, even the people looked the same, but the buildings, the shops, the advertisement and the cars. Everything looked different.

how people life (China)

The driver from the factory picked us up and we drove to the factory. It was very interesting but also oppressive. In the late evening we went back to Hong Kong. It was very impressive and I was so tired.

our way back to train station (China)

OK folks, I have to pack my stuff and go to the CBD. Hope you all enjoy your day. Please remind me to show and tell you about my host, where I stayed during I was in Hong Kong, it was/is amazing. You wouldn't believe!!

warm and humid greetings from Hong Kong

mElinus

First Stop: Dubai

My first stopover was Dubai. We had 10 hours and a hotel room to get some rest. I did my best to get some sleep, but wasn't easy. Unfortunately I arrived at night time and had to go back to the airport early in the morning. But as promised here are the first pics:

Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport 

Dubai Airport 

you can see down town in the background 

you will find construction zones all over the city

you can see the highest tower in the world in the background

Burj Tower Dubai

On the link above you can find more informations and pics if the tallest tower in the world. Dubai was just a very short stopover, but he people have been so nice and it was absolutely stunning to see all this architecture.

Now I am in HongKong. Tomorrow, I will post some pics and informations about todays experiences. Right now I need some sleep. I just slept 6 hours during the last three days.

I am sorry for writing so late, but the internet is not always available and it's so much to do.

Hope you all doing good.

Wish you a great day

sleepy greetings from Hong Kong

mElinus

up and away

I told you already about my business trip to Asia and today it will start. I packed most of my items yesterday, but all the make-up and bath room stuff is what you need until you passed the security check  :)

I hope to get time and internet/wifi to show you, how beautiful Asia is and to take you literally with me on this (hopefully) exciting trip. First, I have to finish my coffee and get dressed. I trink my coffee first 'cause you never make a mess, but if you are dressed for something important, you will, or better I will. I travelled a lot and I know what I can wear on a long flight. So here is what I will take:

Sorry for the bad pic (iPhone and bad light) 

*a long shirt*

*a pair of black comfy leggings (but with shiny finish)*

*a scarf, 'cause you can hide yourself and it keeps you warm in cold airplanes*

*a super cosy hoodie jacket, it keeps you warm as well*

*a hat/cap because on long trips your hair may look a little disheveled, and so you can to hide it* 

And here you see my pre-packed suitcase.

So I am on my way now to get the last things done and prepare my apartment to be alone a couple of days. Then I will be on my way to the airport (I love airports!!! I love the coming and going!!)

Oh and please be patient with me, but I will do my best to take you with me!!

jittery and passport-searching greetings

mElinus