Viva Shaghai

Back To Blighty

2006-06-13T06:54:00.000+08:00

Follow our English adventures as we return Back To Blighty

Zai Jian Shanghai

2006-05-06T18:07:00.000+08:00

Well, my Chinese adventure has finally ended and I am safely tucked away in suburban London.

The last year has been an incredible experience and one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I hope you have enjoyed these pages as much as I have - I'm a nerd at heart.

Local Chinese Beers

3D Map of Shanghai

Mandarin phrases at the market

Viva Shanghai!

BBC Radio

2006-04-23T01:50:00.000+08:00

The BBC recently posted my interview with Melvyn Prior on the web.

If you would like to here it, please click here

Expat Jim Jagger in Shanghai

Shanghai Home

2006-03-24T04:06:00.000+08:00

We spent our final three days of our Asian adventure at our good friend Alex’s house.

Day 20: Beijing

2006-03-20T04:05:00.000+08:00

In contrast to the rest of our adventure, our final day was spent in the relative comforts of an airport hotel.

A far cry from the ancient sites of the last few weeks, we certainly enjoyed a day of idleness before returning to Shanghai.

Beijing Photos

Day 19: Bangkok

2006-03-19T04:05:00.000+08:00

In an attempt to quell the disappointment of yesterday, Tessa and I indulged in a little retail therapy as we started the day at Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak weekend market.

Upon leaving the market, we bumped in to Jenny, a Canadian on a visa renewal from Taiwan.

Bangkok Photos

Sharing a taxi to Khao San Road, we exchanged stories of our Asian experiences before sharing a couple of drinks in a local bar.

It was at this point that Bangkok was beginning to look up but, unfortunately, we were soon to be let down by the blatant con-artistry of the Thai people.

After an illiterate Tuk Tuk driver and a lost taxi driver, I thought we had found the first good soul in Thailand.

In fact, I was so surprised that I was prepared to tip him 25% for good service until he deliberately charged us an additional 30%, claiming he had no spare change.

As we headed towards the airport for our return flight to Beijing, it struck me that it is behaviour such as this that makes me very happy that I am leaving this illicit city.

Day 18: Bangkok

2006-03-18T04:02:00.000+08:00

Still nursing our respective ailments, Tessa and I began the day slowly before venturing in to Thailand’s capital.

Starting at the Royal Temple, my first impression of Thailand was decidedly unimpressive.

Bangkok Photos

Perhaps anything would have been disappointing following the splendor of Angkor Wat but I can only describe the 200 year old temples of Bangkok as gaudy at best.

Moving on from the disappointment of the temples, Tessa and I decided to perk ourselves up by experiencing some of Thailand’s famous Thai Boxing.

However, after realizing foreigners are charged seven and a half times the price that locals are, we marched away in protest of the 1500 Baht price.

Although $40 could be a reasonable price to see a boxing match in the West, I refuse to be held to ransom in such a blatant act of racism.

I would not accept foreigners being charged more in the West, so why should I accept it here?

Distinctly unimpressed we left the stadium in search of liquid refreshment only to be taken the wrong way by the first taxi driver and then grossly overcharged by the second.

Unfortunately this behaviour typifies everything that I have experienced from the Thai people in my first 24 hours and, to be honest, I am already looking forward to leaving.

Day 17: Bangkok

2006-03-17T03:53:00.000+08:00

Unfortunately during yesterday’s relaxed day, I overlooked the need the bug spray, so I spent the majority of Friday resisting the urge to scratch my many bites, while Tessa continued to nurse her bad belly.

Determined to make the most of our last day in Cambodia, we wandered in to Siem Reap for a final exploration.

Siem Reap Photos

As we boarded the plane back to Thailand, I couldn’t help thinking about the fees that we paid to the Cambodian government.

The $20 visa fee, $40 temple pass (none of which went towards the upkeep of the temples) and $25 airport fee amounted to a staggering $85.

Compared against the $300 average yearly income of the Cambodian people, the disparity of wealth is incredible.

With thousands of tourists arriving every day, it makes you wonder what the government is doing with all of this money when people are without hospitals, schools and simple irrigation.

Cambodia is an incredible place but the government needs to step up and provide the infrastructure to help its own people escape the poverty that 20 years of civil war has produced.

Day 16: Siem Reap

2006-03-16T03:53:00.000+08:00

With Tessa’s cold now compounded with food poisoning, we chose to slow down our pace by spending the morning in the hotel pool.

Eventually mustering the energy to meander the streets of Siem Reap, we hired another Tuk Tuk and made our way to the town centre.

Siem Reap Photos

After stumbling across an internet café, we decided to burn our 2000 photos on to CDs, for safe keeping.

After dinner we stopped for a quick drink at the Crocodile Bar.

True to its name, real life crocodiles, lined the bridge to the bathroom.

One false move and these six foot beasts would devour their drunken prey.

Maybe this was the local’s way of keeping tourists in check?

Day 15: Siem Reap

2006-03-15T03:45:00.000+08:00

Unfortunately Tessa’s throat deteriorated on Wednesday but determined not to let it dampen our spirits, we still managed to see Banteay Srei and the floating village.

The lake and river system of the Tonle Sap, the largest in South East Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season.

Siem Reap Photos

The 160km long lake more than doubles its size during this period and progressively floods the rice fields and mangrove forests on the margins of the Great Lake.

On the way to the floating village, our guide gave us a fascinating insight in to Cambodian politics.

After waving goodbye to our guide and driver, we enjoyed a traditional siesta before clambering aboard a tuk tuk bound for the Old Market, a cross road of bars and restaurants.

Although the food was delightful, the disparity of wealth was never more apparent and left us feeling distinctly uncomfortable, especially when we saw young children and land mine victims, selling their wares.

Day 14: Angkor

2006-03-14T03:42:00.000+08:00

Waking for the best buffet breakfast that we have ever tasted, Tessa and I bought our Angkor passes ($40 each) and, led by our wonderful guide, made our way in to the Cambodian jungle.

Located in Northwestern Cambodia, the temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.

Siem Reap Photos

Starting at Angkor Thom, we explored a number of exquisite temples before scaling the precipitous towers of Angkor Wat.

Although in varying in states of decay, the ancient architecture was absolutely astounding.

My words just can not do this UNESCO site justice.

Day 13: Cambodia

2006-03-13T03:41:00.000+08:00

Flying out of Beijing on Monday morning, we arrived in the blistering heat of Cambodia’s Siem Reap.

Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire.

Siem Reap Photos

From our very first impressions, it was immediate that the people of Cambodia are some of the most kind and sincere people that I have ever met.

Although exhausted from the 2000 mile trip, we mustered the energy to borrow bikes and explore the streets of Siem Reap.

Stopping for a quick meal ($6 for 2 fried rice, 1 plate of dumplings and 2 beers), we returned to our hotel to find a gecko scurry across the bedroom wall.

Undeterred by out little friend, our exhaustion caught the better of us and we passed out within seconds.

Day 12: Beijing

2006-03-12T03:35:00.000+08:00

Determined to see more of Beijing, Tessa and I set out to explore a selection of the local sites.

Starting on the hip Dajong street, we browsed many of the trendy boutiques, before moving on to Beijing’s famous Silk Market.

Similar to Shanghai’s Xiangyang market, Beijing’s bazaar is flooded with counterfeit goods, ranging from Gucci and Prada to Nike and Adidas.

Beijing Photos

Our next stop took us south of Tiananmen Square to the back streets of Qianmen, where we meandered amongst the various street sellers.

To round off the day, we enjoyed a couple of beers at Beijing's hip HouHai Lake.

Swarms of different bars and restaurants line the shores of the man made lake, which marks a distinct contrast to the seedy Sanlitun Bar district.

Despite being told to the contrary, Beijing seems far more geared towards expatriates than Shanghai.

Day 11: Beijing

2006-03-11T03:35:00.000+08:00

Exhausted from the Beijing night train, Tessa and I collapsed in our hotel, rising only for food and football, for unbeknown to me; we were staying next door to a football bar.

Beijing is brilliant!

Beijing Photos

Day 10: Datong

2006-03-10T03:32:00.000+08:00

After buying tickets for the Beijing night train (91 RMB), Tessa and I ate a sumptuous lunch at a high-end local restaurant (86 RMB) where the staff were particularly keen to practice their English.

It is safe to say that whatever the people of Datong lack in English skills, they certainly make up for in effort and perseverance.

Datong Photos

Our waiter, who was teaching himself English via the radio, had a 3 year goal to save enough money and move to Beijing, where he would use his new skills to carve out a career in tourism.

After lunch, we tried, unsuccessfully, to find a bus bound for Datong’s stretch of the Great Wall, eventually opting for an 80 RMB return taxi.

The Great Wall at Datong is not as well maintained as the walls near Beijing but its very remoteness makes it all the more awesome.

Seeing people living alongside the ruins of such an ancient structure, completely untouched by tourism was a humbling experience.

Long may it continue.

Day 9: Hanging Temple

2006-03-09T03:30:00.000+08:00

On Thursday, Tessa and I fell back in to our full scale travel mode, rising at 8am in search of the Hanging Temple.

Unfortunately our thrifty travel efforts were thwarted by a lack of buses, so we were forced to stump up 160 RMB for a very bumpy return taxi ride to the 55 RMB temple.

Datong Photos

Constructed at the foot of Mt. Hengshan, the Hanging Monastery, has survived for more than 1400 years.

Terrifying beyond belief, this masterpiece of engineering was the most unique temple that I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, on our return to Datong we were stuck by a rather severe sand storm, which saw us hibernate in our hotel for the majority of the day.

After checking our email at a local internet café, we ventured out, into the blizzard, in search of a restaurant.

In our naivety, Tessa and I grossly over ordered by choosing cashew chicken, pork pancakes, Chinese spinach, a giant bowl of noodles with two sauces and a loaf of pumpkin bread, not to mention two large bottles of beer and a pot of tea.

Although embarrassed by our unintentional over ordering, we were staggered to discover the bill was only 78 RMB.

Day 8: Yungang Grottoes

2006-03-08T03:26:00.000+08:00

Waking late, for a second consecutive day, Tessa and I chose to spend a relaxed day visiting the Yungang Grotoes.

The Yungang Grottoes of Datong, Shanxi Province, house 252 caves and 51,000 statues, and represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Unfortunately due to our poor grasp of Mandarin, the 19km journey resulted in a merry-go-round of two taxis and a bus.

Datong Photos

Once there, we were overawed by the condition of the 1500 year old carvings.

Distinctly less touristy than the 60 RMB, Longmen Caves, and in a far superior condition, the Yungang Grottoes were a truly a site worth beholding.

Day 7: Datong

2006-03-07T03:25:00.000+08:00

Fresh from the success of our first sleeper train, Tessa and I decided to avoid Beijing’s expensive hotels by clambering aboard the all night train to Datong.

Unfortunately however, our second experience was woefully different to our first as after just 2 hours in to the 8 hour journey, Tessa endured a chronic sore throat while I was left hugging the “bathroom” sink with an unceremonious bout of food poising.

In hindsight, I should have known that wontons, dumplings, potato chips, Red Bull, pancakes, tofu, banana fritters, ice-cream and beer don’t sit together well.

Perhaps I was becoming too brave – or stupid.

Nursing our temperamental conditions, Tessa and I opted to spend the majority of Tuesday in one of Datong’s finer hotels (200 RMB), eventually surfacing around 4pm to explore the city’s treasures.

After traveling for seven days straight, we started to feel the strains of excessive journeying.

Datong Photos

Relieved by the kind hearts of and warm spirits of the Datongese, our pace slowed significantly.

In fact, after visiting a local internet café, we stopped for diner, before retiring to our rooms at a respectable 9pm.

Day 6: Beijing

2006-03-06T03:09:00.000+08:00

Awaking early, Tessa and I somehow found ourselves running along the platform in hot pursuit of our sleeper train to Beijing.

Quite how we ended up in this predicament, IÂm not quite sure.

Although cramped, the sleeper carriage was surprisingly comfortable and helped the 8 hour (168 RMB) train ride to the capital fly by.

Beijing Photos

Once there, we stowed our bags at the trainÂs luggage office before exploring a few of BeijingÂs Âsmaller sitesÂ.

Beijing was known as Peking by the Western world until 1949, when the city's name returned to Beijing, as it is known today.

China's capital city covers an area of more than 16,410 square kilometers (6336 square miles) and has a population of 15 million people.

Our first stop was Beijing's Military Museum, which exhibits more than 5000 years of Chinese Military history.

From there we moved on to Xizhengmeng where street vendors sold dishes from insects to bird's nest.

The tame dishes started with fried caterpillar and snake, while the weirder snincludingdeing baked cockroaches and cow stomachs.

Is there anything that the Chinese will not eat?

Day 5: Longmen Grottoes

2006-03-05T03:00:00.000+08:00

Arising for a second day in Luoyang, Tessa and I boarded the 40 minute local 1 RMB bus, bound for the Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The grottoes of Longmen contain the largest collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties.

Luoyang Photos

Spanning a length of over 1,000 meters, the grottoes were carved in to the cliffs of both banks of the Yi River.

Devoted entirely to the Buddhist religion, represent the high point of Chinese stone carving.

After spelunking the caves, we returned to the city of Luoyang where we caught a long distance bus to Zhongzhou.

Established more than 3500 years ago and with a population of six million, Zhengzhou is considered as one of China's smaller cities.

Once we arrived in Zhongzhou, we scoured the tour for a reasonably priced hotel.

Unfortunately, the term "reasonably priced" often meant flea ridden brothels, so we instead opted for a rather grand room in a pricey hotel by the station – 200 RMB.

Day 4: Shaolin Temple

2006-03-04T02:48:00.000+08:00

On Saturday, we hopped aboard a bus bound for the famous Shaolin Temple.

Founded in AD 496, the Shaolin Temple is famous for being the birth place of both Kung Fu(Wushu) and Chinese Buddhism(Zen).

Following an hour of comedic bus swapping and circle driving, we finally departed for the birth place of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Five minutes in the hour long journey, we stopped for gas and a toilet break and then 35 minutes later, we stopped for refreshments.

Luoyang Photos

Before arriving at the Shaolin Temple we were treated to stops at XuanZang, Zhongyue Songyang and Yongtai but unfortunately none of which lived up to the grandeur of the Shaolin Temple.

After wandering around the famous temples and pagodas, our tour culminated in an artistic display of Shaolin mastery from the latest generation of Shaolin monks.

Day 3: Luoyang

2006-03-03T17:46:00.000+08:00

Awaking to the shrills of frostbitten cockerels, Tessa and I had hoped to head for the small city of Hancheng but due to a shortage of trains we opted for Luoyang, the town at the beginning of "the Silk Road".

Although we have traveled by train before, the ¥36 RMB ($4.50 USD or £2.50 GBP), 4 hour train journey was a rather torrid experience.

With seats and luggage space at a premium, we were confined to the smoking section, which incidentally should be renamed "smoking, spitting and urinating" section.

Found in the west of Henan province, Luoyang is one of the seven ancient capital cities of Chinese history.

We were surprised to see a number of skaters in Luoyang and their skills drew a a street crowd of almost 200 people.

Luoyang Photos

It was in Luoyang that we tried our first Baijo (Chinese Moonshine).

Costing just ¥3 RMB ($0.37 USD or £0.20 GBP), this 56% proof concoction warmed more than just our bellies.

In fact, Tessa swore blind that it burned a whole in her esophagus.

Day 2: Huashan

2006-03-02T01:54:00.000+08:00

On Tuesday we boarded a train bound Huashan, one of China's five sacred Taoist mountains.

The name Huashan is derived from the flower that its five peaks(petals) are said to resemble.

Huashan Photos

Although some choose to scale the 2200 meter mount by foot but, the weather dictated that we take the rather disturbing ¥130 RMB ($16 USD or £9 GBP) cable car, which happens to be the longest in Asia.

It was evident from the moment we arrived that Huashan was unaccustomed to Western visitors.

Masquerading as a taxi, a kind entrepreneur took us to his friend's restaurant, where we were offered a room in the attic.

Fortunately we were able to bargain an incredible ¥200 RMB ($25 USD or £14 GBP) off the ¥280 RMB ($35 USD or £20 GBP) asking price but, had we known how cold the night would have been, we would have fought for even more.

Instead, we huddled, fully clothed, in one of the two single beds, vying for what little sleep we could muster.

As one of the most rural cities, Huashan gave us a new insight in to Chinese life although looking back at those death defying cable cars, we are in no rush to return.

Day 1: Xian

2006-03-01T23:53:00.000+08:00

The first leg of our voyage saw us fly to the ancient city of Xian in central China's Shaanxi Province.

With over 3,000 years of history, Xian was the age-old capital for the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties.

Xian Photos

With an overwhelming past, Xian is considered alongside Athens, Cairo and Rome as one of the four major capitals of ancient civilisation.

As a city of cultural and historical significance, Xian boasts "the eighth major miracle of the world", the Terra Cotta Army.

Costing a sizeable ¥90 RMB ($11 USD or £6.40 GBP), we spent the majority of the day exploring the 2,250 year old relics.

Discovered in 1974 by a local farmer, this site is without doubt one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century.

As the day drew to a close we returned to Xian, via our ¥4 RMB ($0.50 USD or £0.30 GBP) bus, and ventured in to the Muslim quarter where we browsed the many shops and markets before finally retiring to the comforts of our ¥220 RMB ($27 USD or £16 GBP) hotel room.

Our adventure is already in full flow.

Budget Trip

2006-02-28T18:45:00.000+08:00

In a last ditch effort to explore Asia, Tessa and I decided to spend a month backpacking through China, Thailand and Cambodia.

In an effort to keep the adventure affordable, we have budgeted ourselves to a measly ¥500 RMB ($62 USD or £36 GBP) per day.

This allowance must cover everything including travel, food and accomodation.

We believe this target to be realistic but we will arm ourselves with an emergency credit card, should we stumble in to trouble.

BBC Interview

2006-02-25T14:56:00.000+08:00

Last night, BBC Radio Lincolnshire interviewed my live on air to talk about my experiences as an expat living in Shanghai.

BBC Website

Pinpoint Location:
I live in the centre of Shanghai, along with 25 million others.

How long have you lived there?
Eight months.

What did you do in Lincolnshire?
I spent the first 18 years of my life in the small village of Welton, just outside Lincoln. After finishing school at William Farr, I moved to Bournemouth where I studied for three years to gain a BA (Hons) in Computer Visualisation and Animation. Armed with a degree, I moved to Manchester where I landed my first job in the games industry. From there I moved to Los Angeles, Edmonton and Montreal before finally ending up in Shanghai, China.

Why did you move?
The company that I work for offered me the opportunity to move to China because their Shanghainese studio needed help to develop a new video game ("Splinter Cell: Double Agent", Xbox 360). It was a relatively easy decision for my wife and I to make as we have always loved travelling and experiencing new cultures. To do so while working, makes it all the more convenient.

What do you do now?
For the past seven years I have been an animator in the video game industry. In a nutshell, I create the animations for the characters that people see on screen. I am entirely computer bound but fortunately, I'm not involved in the programming side of things. I leave that to the smart guys.

In our spare time, my wife and I attempt to learn Mandarin while exploring China's 4000 year history. We also sneak off to the pub to watch a few late night Premiership games.

What is the favourite thing about where you live now?
I love experiencing the world first hand. The People's Republic of China is a unique country and I am in the lucky position to explore it on a daily basis. From the language to the food, I love it all.

On top of that, Shanghai has a remarkably low cost of living, allowing me to try things that I could not afford to do in the UK. Add to that, Shanghai's geographical position within Asia, and it opens a whole world of travel opportunities that my wife and I endeavour to take full advantage of.

What do you miss about Lincolnshire?
I miss my Mum and Dad, my brother Edward, his lovely wife Susan and their adorable children, William and Emma. I miss the antics of the Imps and I miss celebrating their victories with a well crafted pint. I miss Lincolnshire sausages, Chips and Cheese and the good old English sense of humour.

Believe it or not, I miss the NHS, the Royal Mail and British Rail.

Additional Comments:
I wouldn't be able to travel as much if it wasn't for my wonderful wife, Tessa. She is a constant pillar of support and an incredible inspiration. I would be lost without her.

Don't Feed The Fish

2006-02-23T14:48:00.000+08:00

Shanghai, being a coastal city, is famed for its traditional seafood cuisine.

The Shanghainese pride themselves on freshness of their catch with many restaurants encouraging the customers to select their fish from the tanks in the kitchens.

Although the tanks are very small, the fish normally appear quite healthy.

However, that is not always the case, as can be seen in the picture above.

When I saw these tanks, on my way to work this morning, I had to pinch myself as every one of the fish was dead – and had been dead for a number of days.

At times like this, I am pleased I enjoy rice and noodles.

Westin Buffet

2006-02-20T14:47:00.000+08:00

Lavish and decadent are two words that spring to mind when describing the Westin’s Champaign breakfast.

From caviar to oysters, and acrobats to salsa dancers, the Westin had it all.

For ¥378 RMB ($47 USD or £27 GBP) per person, we were served an astonishing three and a half hour feast of unimaginable delights.

Too grandiose (and expensive!) to do every week, the buffet was an experience that we shall never forget.

The only thing they lacked was a vomitorium.

Antique Furniture

2006-02-19T14:42:00.000+08:00

Fresh from our plate excursion, Tessa and I decided to embark on a further shopping spree by hunting for Chinese antiques.

Based on friends’ recommendations we explored a number of Shanghai’s hidden enclaves for, what we considered, buried treasures.

Although good quality antique furniture was hard to find, we discovered a host of impressive Mao memorabilia ranging from posters to miniature statues.

Granted, most, if not all of these “antiques” were relatively modern but they almost all encapsulated the retro style that we were looking for.

Just when we thought we had seen enough, we chanced upon two large wooden carvings.

Antique or not, when cleaned up, these two beauties will become the crowning glory of our apartment.

Plate Shopping

2006-02-18T14:46:00.000+08:00

A few months ago, Tessa stumbled across a fantastic little shop in the old town of Shanghai that sold wholesale crockery at bargain prices.

Although impressed by the craftsmanship, having just bought a basic diner set from Ikea, we decided to resist the temptation of a second one.

However, on Sunday morning, we had a change of heart and an hour or two later, we became the proud owners of brand new crockery set.

At the modest price of $70 we were able to purchase everything we could ever need from cups and saucers to plates and bowls.

China truly is an amazing place.

Shanghai Snow

2006-02-17T14:48:00.000+08:00

Based upon last week’s weather, I had begun to think that Shanghai’s winter may have drawn to an end.

Unfortunately the heat wave turned out to be nothing more than an Indian summer for today, it snowed.

Indeed, Shanghai saw a light covering of snow, only a couple of days after the local meteorological station reported temperatures as high as 21C (70F) degrees.

Although the snow only lasted for about an hour, the people of Shanghai wasted no time in celebrating the rare occasion.

For many, the snow helped maintain the happy atmosphere left over from the Spring Festival.

Top 10 Shanghai Bars

2006-02-14T15:45:00.000+08:00

1. Windows Scoreboard – Contrary to most Shanghai bars, Windows offers ¥10 RMB drinks ($1.25 USD or £0.70 GBP), free pool and fun music in a carefree environment that encourages conversation. Did I mention the ¥10 RMB drinks?

2. The British Bulldog – The Bulldog provides the perfect retreat in which to watch England’s beautiful game. With live Premiership football, accompanied by complimentary Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings, how can they go wrong?

3. Kiwi Bar – Open until the early hours of the morning, this low key sports bar is a great place to chat with friends.

4. Goodfellla’s – Nestled on the notorious Julu Lu, Goodfella’s attracts a loyal clientele who love to swill beer while playing darts.

5. The News Bar – Used as a training ground for bar managers, this cozy Japanese after-bar has an incredibly laid back vibe.

6. House of Blues and Jazz – Tucked away on Maoming Lu, this villa is the home of American blues and jazz. With a quality house band and no cover charge, the House of Blues and Jazz makes for a great night’s entertainment.

7. Face Bar – The opulent Face Bar is hidden amidst the heart of chaotic Shanghai. Filled with ex-pats, Face Bar offers a relaxed and mellow environment, perfect for sipping expensive, but delicious, cocktails.

8. Yongfu Elite – The divinely over-decorated Yongfu Elite (former British Consulate) is more than just a bar. This romantic hide-away is one of the most picturesque, but pricey, houses in Shanghai.

9. Plan B – Perched at the end of Maoming Lu, Plan B thumps out Jon Bon Jovi until the early hours.

10. The Dragon Bar – If you emerge from this loud, yet cozy, after-bar before the sun rises, your night has gone awry.

End of the Year

2006-02-12T18:31:00.000+08:00

Last night’s fireworks finally marked the end of the 15 day New Year celebrations and the mayhem that has ensued.

The constant stream of firecrackers has subsided and, with the war zone now over, normal life can continue once again.

I feel truly privileged to have lived through, and survived, my first Spring Festival.

New Games

2006-02-10T18:49:00.000+08:00

And so, another of my friend’s games has been released.

This time it is Andy Tudor's “24: The Game” and in typical fashion, it took only six days to reach the pirated shelves of Shanghai.

Although morally questionable, who needs Bittorrent and Kazaa when you can buy pirated video games on the streets of Shanghai for as little as ¥5 RMB ($0.60 USD or £0.35 GBP)?

Guitar Hero

2006-02-09T17:03:00.000+08:00

Kiss your air guitar goodbye, for Harmonix have delivered the world’s greatest video game – Guitar Hero.

Developed by Harmonix, a relatively small Boston based studio, and designed by my close friend Rob Kay, Guitar Hero defies convention to deliver the best rhythm game ever made.

HARMONIX

The Rock n’ Roll masterpiece ships with a Gibson SG guitar controller, complete with fret buttons, a strumming key and a whammy bar for the long notes.

Featuring songs such as Franz Ferdinand’s "Take Me Out," and David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust”, as well as classics like “Iron Man” and “Smoke on the Water”, this is the ultimate party game.

Racing home, I strapped on the controller, plugged it into my PS2 and turned the volume up to 11.

I am a rock legend!

Note: This post qualifies for my Shanghai journal because… I played it in Shanghai.

Western Delights

2006-02-08T18:00:00.000+08:00

I realized today that Tessa and I have spent almost eight months in Shanghai.

Although we enjoy life here, I could not help reminiscing about all the things that we miss from the US and the UK.

Family
Deodorant
Cheese
Yorkshire Pudding
Cotton Wool Buds (Q-Tips)
Jaffa Cakes
Quavers
Shampoo with conditioner
Wine
Chocolate
Hula Hoops

Macau

2006-02-05T17:59:00.000+08:00

On Saturday, Tessa and I boarded a ferry bound for the Macau Peninsula.

Billed as the “Las Vegas of the East”, we had particularly high expectations.

But after spending 24 hours in the former Portuguese colony, I can categorically state that Macau is not Las Vegas.

Vegas boasts $1 tables and free flowing alcohol but in teetotal Macau, bets start at $100 HKD ($12.90 USD or £7.40 GBP).

However, the future of Macau’s entertainment industry is bright.

Set to open in 2007, US businessmen have invested an unprecedented $12 billion into future waves of hotels and casinos.

Until then, Macau has a lot to learn before their primary industry can be compared to that of Nevada.

We left, decidedly underwhelmed.

Fresh Kicks

2006-02-04T15:38:00.000+08:00

“A Bathing Ape” may be a little known brand in the West but it is a product in high demand in Japan.

Designed by the Japanese designer Nigo and popularised by Hip Hop artist Pharrell Williams, “Bapes” are carefully rationed to hype up demand.

Nigo, who refuses to divulge his full name and age, established the stylish streetwear company in 1993 and his designs retail for as much as ¥3800 RMB ($472 USD or £270 GBP).

Therefore, you can imagine our surprise when we stumbled across a stall in Hong Kong’s Ladies Street, selling them for ¥100 RMB ($12.40 USD or £7.10 GBP).

Fakes, I’m sure, but the quality and craftsmanship was remarkable, hence Tessa’s fresh new kicks.

Hong Kong

2006-02-02T12:06:00.000+08:00

As we bode farewell to Tessa’s parents, we hopped on board a flight bound for Hong Kong for a few days break.

The former British colony became a special administrative region of China in 1997, following the expiration of its 100 year lease.

Hong Kong Photos

With its own currency and democratic process, Hong Kong is a world away from life in Shanghai.

Britain acquired the island of Hong Kong in 1842, following the first Opium War and later added parts of the Kowloon peninsula as well as many of the smaller surrounding islands.

It was here, on the Kowloon peninsula, that Tessa and I spent the majority of our short vacation.

Needless to say, Tessa and I had an unbelievable time taking in sights such as Victoria Peak, Downtown and Ladies Street (another fake market).

Despite our inability to speak Cantonese, from our limited stay, Hong Kong appeared to resolve all of the issues that we have with Shanghai.

People were courteous, patient and very open minded.

Shanghai's Bund

2006-01-31T18:53:00.000+08:00

On Monday, we exposed Tessa’s parents to the mouth of the Huangpu River and the European architecture of Shanghai’s famous Bund.

Established in the 19th century, the Bund is a relative infant by Chinese history but set against Shanghai’s dominating skyscrapers, it is an impressive sight to behold.

Within five minutes of arriving we were twice encouraged to pose next to Chinese tourists, who were there to enjoy the New Year’s celebrations.

Although a little unsettling, many of the tourists had never seen white people before and were subsequently intrigued by our complexions.

Thankfully Tessa’s parents overcame their stardom and enjoyed seeing landmarks such as the Pearl Tower and the Jin Mao Hotel from the luxury of a Huangpu riverboat and for ¥35 RMB ($3.75 USD or £2.15 GBP) it was worth every penny.

Chinese New Year

2006-01-30T18:07:00.000+08:00

Shanghai ushered in the lunar New Year with a bang last night as fireworks engulfed the city’s skyline.

Popularly referred to as the Spring Festival, the Year of the Dog was welcomed in dramatic style.

Never before have I witnessed fireworks to the extent of last night for incredibly the cacophony of lights lasted a staggering seven hours.

By midnight even the nearest buildings were obscured by the clouds of billowing smoke, while echoing explosions shook the windows.

Firecrackers are believed to scare away evil spirits and attract the god of wealth to people’s doorsteps.

Judging by last night’s carnage, Shanghai will become a very wealthy city.

Rapid Development

2006-01-29T18:14:00.000+08:00

The pace of Shanghai’s redevelopment continues to amaze me.

Landscapes change dramatically as builders work around the clock to demolish and construct buildings in a matter of weeks.

Never before have I witnessed such rapid development as whole streets can be demolished with little to no warning to the general public.

In fact, many of my favourite shops and restaurants have closed in the last eight months, to be replaced by dominating skyscrapers.

For all of China’s inefficiencies, it is incredibly economical when it comes to construction.

Beijing

2006-01-27T15:26:00.000+08:00

Following the arrival of Tessa’s parents, we decided to take a few days vacation and visit Beijing, China’s capitol.

Beijing Photos

Taking in sites such as Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and the Great Wall made me really appreciate life on this side of the world.

Top 10 Shanghai Activities

2006-01-26T13:48:00.000+08:00

1. Urban Planning Museum – Located in Shanghai’s People’s Square, the Urban Planning Museum is a must see.

2. Maglev – With a top speed of 268 miles per hour (431km/h), the Shanghai Maglev takes just 8 minutes to shuttle people to and from Pudong International Airport (PVG).

3. The Bund – From walking tours to boat cruises, the cultural centre of old Shanghai has a great deal to offer.

4. Xingyang Market – Affectionately referred to as the “Fake Market” by most Westerners, this is Shanghai’s ultimate bazaar for fake goods. If you can survive the intense negotiations, serious bargains can be had.

5. Xujiahai – All your electronic needs are catered for at Xujiahai’s electronic market.

6. Go-Karting – Only in Shanghai are you encouraged to drink alcohol, before donning an optional helmet and racing at break-neck speeds on an indoor karting track. Brilliant!

7. VIP Cinema – At 100 RMB ($12.50 or £7.70) the cinema is a somewhat exuberant affair but one that you will never forget.

8. Shopping – From antique markets to designer labels, Shanghai offers some of the world’s best shops.

9. Swimming With Sharks – No Scuba experience is necessary to swim with the 3m sharks of Chengfeng Park.

10. People's Square – Complete with large gardens, museums and government offices, People's Square has become the political and cultural centre of Shanghai.

Great Firewall of China

2006-01-25T17:25:00.000+08:00

In a move that has been criticized by many, Google, the world’s largest search engine, has agreed to team up with China, the world’s biggest censor, to make it more attractive to the country’s 110 million online users.

“China is thought to have 30,000 online police monitoring blogs, chatrooms and news portals.”

Guardian Report

From personal experience, I can vouch that sites such as BBC, TheGuardian and Blogspot are blocked in China but I have also found ways of cracking each site.

Witopia’s Personal VPN, for example, tricks a computer in to thinking that it is based in California and thus bypasses all security checks.

How else could I get my football fix?

Fake Starbucks

2006-01-21T14:18:00.000+08:00

Starbucks has won a two-year legal battle after a court found that Chinese firm Xingbake violated its trademark.

Although the fine is small by Western standards ($62,000), the decision will become a landmark case for foreign companies who complain of piracy within China.

BBC Report

This decision will undoubtedly encourage others that legal redress can be found in China’s courts.

Piracy will not disappear overnight but it appears that Shanghai is beginning to take its stance against counterfeit goods.

A Marital Treat

2006-01-17T14:01:00.000+08:00

When Chinese couples marry, tradition requires that they treat their friends and relatives to two small parcels of chocolate, symbolizing their unification.

According to a recent survey, consumers are paying more attention to packaging than to price and are prepared to celebrate their weddings by presenting up-market chocolates.

Inspired by Japanese delicacies and Hong Kong packagers, Dove and Cadbury have stolen the market by offering special gift boxes.

Between 80,000 and 120,000 couples tie the knot in Shanghai each year, accounting for as much as ¥240m RMB ($30m USD or £17m GBP) worth of chocolate.

Not only is chocolate replacing traditional candy at weddings, Chinese are buying into chocolate-sweetened occasions from Valentine’s Day to Christmas like never before.

Top 10 Shanghai Restaurants

2006-01-12T18:21:00.000+08:00

1. People's 7 – Gourmet food in Lewis Caroll surroundings.

2. Napali Kitchen – Famed for its delicious cheese balls, Napali offers very reasonable lunch time specials.

3. Kaveen's Kitchen – The best Indian Restaurant in Shanghai.

4. Gintei – There are a number of “all you can eat” Japanese restaurants in Shanghai but Gintei offers the most extensive menu.

5. Shanghai Uncle – Although the logo resembles KFC, the comparisons stop there. Shanghai Uncle serves ribs so succulent that you can eat them with chopsticks.

6. Baoluo Jiulou – Affectionately referred to as the “Tardis”, due to its ever expansive interior, Baoluo Jiulou is a cheaper alternative to Shanghai Uncle.

7. The Tapas Bar – Soft seats and plentiful portions.

8. Element Fresh – Tucked away in the Portman Centre, Element Fresh serves hard-to-find gourmet sandwiches at western prices.

9. The Tea Room – For ¥18 RMB ($2.20 USD or £1.25 GBP) you are served soup, entrée, dessert and a bottomless cup of sweet tea.

10. Always Café – Always Café’s ¥30 RMB ($3.70 USD or £2.10 GBP) lunch is beaten only by its all day breakfast.

Expansive Metro

2006-01-11T11:01:00.000+08:00

On December 31, Shanghai added an additional line to its ever popular Metro system.

Opening on the last day of the year, Metro Line 4 will eventually provide Shanghai with its first circular line.

Unfortunately, due to a collapse during construction, the circular line is not entirely operational although it is expected to open shortly.

Although prices recently rose by 33%, with an average cost of about ¥4 RMB ($0.50 USD or £0.27 GBP), tickets for the service are still incredible value for money.

Top 10 Reasons To Hate Shanghai

2006-01-10T16:44:00.000+08:00

For every Yin there is a Yang, so following the “Top 10 Reasons To Love Shanghai”, I decided to write a “Top 10 Reasons To Hate Shanghai”.

1. Food Poisoning – Expect to suffer food poisoning at least once a month.

2. No Central Heating – Although some of the more expensive apartment buildings have central air conditioning, very few have radiators. Our living room is too cold to use in the winter.

3. Pollution – Los Angeles aside, Shanghai is the most polluted city that I have ever experienced.

4. Cash Only – Shanghai is a cash only city as almost nowhere accepts Visa or Mastercard.

5. Queue Jumpers – Being British, I like to queue. This concept does not exist in Shanghai.

6. Language Barrier – Although I have a very basic understanding of Mandarin, I am left completely isolated when events go awry.

7. Bartering – Never pay the asking price. People barter for everything from hair cuts to handbags.

8. Small Clothes – Chinese clothes come in three sizes. Small, extra small and extra, extra small.

9. Expensive Bars – Although bars and restaurants are open very late, they can be extremely expensive.

10. No English Books – Understandably there are very few English language books available in Shanghai.

I appreciate that it is impolite for a foreigner to criticise the country in which they reside and although I find many things peculiar based on my personal experiences, I must remember that I am still a guest in China and therefore my comments are not to be taken too seriously.

Top 10 Reasons To Love Shanghai

2006-01-09T18:15:00.000+08:00

1. Adventure – From grocery shopping to bar hopping, everything is an adventure in China.

2. Cheap Travel – Not only is public transportation within Shanghai very cheap, the city is perfectly situated to affordably explore the rest of Asia.

3. Amazing Culture – Beautiful architecture and steep history surround you at every corner.

4. Xiangyang Market – “The Fake Market”, has everything from Rolex watches to Diesel shoes at a fraction of Western prices.

5. Personal VPN – WiTopia offer a program that can be used to bypass the infamous “Great Firewall of China”, enabling unrestricted internet access.

6. Fake DVDs – At ¥8 RMB ($1 USD, 55p GBP) a title, many ex-patriots hibernate in a cocoon of Popcorn and DVDs.

7. Excellent Tailors – Shanghai is home to some of China’s finest tailors.

8. Pirated Video Games – Who needs Bittorrent and Kazaa when you can buy pirated video games on the streets of Shanghai for as little as ¥5 RMB ($0.60 USD or £0.35 GBP)?

9. Bar Hours – The bell never tolls in Shanghai as the customers dictate when bars close.

10. Live Premiership Games – On certain networks it is possible to receive South African TV that broadcasts live Premiership football, including games that are not even available in the UK. For a football nut like me, it’s paradise.

Shanghai's Maglev

2006-01-06T20:11:00.000+08:00

When Tessa and I normally travel to Pudong International Airport (PVG) we tend to take a 45 minute taxi ride, costing around ¥150 RMB (£10.60 GBP or $18.60 USD).

However, the next time that we make the trip we plan to experience the world's fastest commercial railway system.

Running every 15-20 minutes, and with an operational top speed of 268 miles per hour (431km/h), the Shanghai Maglev takes just 8 minutes to make a similar journey.

Costing just ¥50 RMB (£3.50 GBP or $6.20 USD), the service is relatively cheap but at $40 million per kilometer, the German technology is extremely expensive.

The term "Maglev" refers to magnetically levitated and propelled vehicles that can achieve very high speed performances because they essentially "fly" at very low altitudes.

At one point, the technology was to be used to create a high-speed link between Beijing and Shanghai but the cost would have doubled the $30 billion budget China had set for its five-year nationwide rail initiative so unfortunately the plans were shelved.

In time, maybe they can be revived.

Scaffolding

2006-01-04T15:37:00.000+08:00

With the exception of the most extreme high-rise buildings, almost all of Shanghai’s construction is supported by bamboo scaffolding.

Even among houses where the latest in design, technology and building materials are incorporated, bamboo scaffolding is the most common support.

Joined together by plastic strapping, bamboo structures are visible throughout the city and can be seen supporting buildings as high as 30 storied.

As bamboo is a grass, it is cheap, renewable and sustainable which makes it an ideal material for Chinese industries.

There is a definite art to bamboo scaffold that builders are required to master but once trained, they can erect huge structures in minimal time.

The only disadvantage of bamboo is that the shoots can vary in size and often protrude constructions, causing pedestrians unexpected obstructions.

Happy Gregorian New Year

2006-01-02T17:02:00.000+08:00

To celebrate the end of 2005, Tessa and I joined a large group of friends at a local Teppanyaki restaurant.

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese food that typically involves sitting on stools at a large hot plate while the chef prepares and cooks a variety of courses in front of you.

For 180 RMB (£13 GBP or $22 USD) we dined on a rather exorbitant buffet that ranged from sake to sushi.

Although a little apprehensive of some of the dishes, my confidence grew as the sake flowed.

We then toddled off to a small New Zealand bar where we waved goodbye to 2005 and joyfully welcomed in 2006.

Beijing Tickets

2005-12-30T13:56:00.000+08:00

In three week’s time, Chez Jagger will play host to our first guests when we entertain Tessa’s parents.

For two weeks we will treat the in-laws to the finest China has to offer.

Not only are we planning to explore the finer districts of Shanghai, our tickets arrived today for Beijing, where we hope to visit the Great Wall of China.

Needless to say, we are all very excited.

Hair Loss

2005-12-29T14:06:00.000+08:00

For the fourth consecutive day, we have had no hot water in our apartment.

A number of plumbers and gas men have unsuccessfully tried to repair the boiler but all left in vain.

Fortunately we do not rely on the tank for the general heating system as we use air conditioners to warm our glacial rooms.

On a somewhat related topic, it comes as no surprise that the BBC recently reported that underground water supplies of 90% of China’s cities have been polluted by rapid economic growth.

BBC Report

Not only is the water in our apartment a murky yellow, it smells distinctly earthy.

I have no idea if Shanghai is one of the cities listed by the BBC but the report makes me a little nervous as both Tessa and I have experienced dry skin and a degree of hair loss since moving to China.

Maybe we should invest in a Geiger counter.

Strike That

2005-12-28T14:06:00.000+08:00

Last night my friends and I visited Shanghai’s Orden Bowling Centre for a spot of late night tom foolery.

To my surprise, Shanghai has a number of quality 24 hour bowling alleys dotted throughout the city.

Even at 55 RMB (£4 GBP or $7 USD) a game, the alleys were surprisingly full with an eclectic blend of locals and ex-patriots.

Safety Concerns

2005-12-27T11:23:00.000+08:00

Due to British Safety Standards there are no light switches, plugs or sockets in an English bathroom.

While the policy in the US is slightly more lenient, there are no such rules in China.

With this in mind, imagine my surprise when I discovered a power point in our Chinese bathroom.

Not only is the socket bare, it is situated within 30cm of the shower head!

Although now concealed behind an obscene amount of duct tape, showering still makes me nervous.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

2005-12-26T17:26:00.000+08:00

Every month my company deposits my salary in to my Chinese bank account and every month I go to the bank and transfer the money from US dollars in to Chinese RMB.

Unfortunately chores like this are part and parcel of living life in a foreign country.

However, the frustrations of queuing in three different lines begins to grate after a while so as I wait, I think of ways of amusing myself and today was one of the better days.

At each counter sits a small device that is used to measure the quality of service provided by each bank teller.

Every time a customer concludes their business they are kindly asked to press one of three buttons to grade the assistant.

Clearly the bank has low expectations of its staff for the three choices read “Acceptable”, “Average” and “Dissatisfied”.

Should I be surprised that there is no way to actually commend the teller’s service?

Small amusements for small minds…

Happy Holidays

2005-12-25T14:30:00.000+08:00

Although we don’t have any holidays of our own, I would like to wish all of my friends and family the very best during this holiday season.

Whatever your religion is, I hope you have a great time.

Surprise Package

2005-12-24T16:32:00.000+08:00

At the beginning of November, Tessa’s parents mailed us a small care package, containing a number of home comforts that are hard to find in Shanghai.

To our dismay, the package never arrived so we subsequently warned our friends against the terrors of the Chinese postal service.

You can imagine our surprise when, battered, torn and almost two months late, the parcel appeared on our doorstep.

Thanks to the generosity of Tessa’s parents, we now have a selection of English language magazines (a very hot commodity in Shanghai), not to mention an ever swelling wardrobe.

Christmas Countdown

2005-12-23T04:17:00.000+08:00

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

Although we have a few trimmings in our office, Christmas decorations are noticeably sparse in the city of Shanghai.

However, as China is regarded as an atheist country, it comes as no surprise that Christmas is predominantly an ex-patriot affair.

Unfortunately work will not throw a Christmas party this year but they have generously given us Saturday off.

For the Chinese, the real celebrations come in a few weeks time when, for 15 days, they say goodbye to the Cockerel and celebrate the Year of the Dog.

Bleak Weather

2005-12-22T14:16:00.000+08:00

Following a glorious summer that seemed to stretch well in to October, the temperature in Shanghai has plummeted to an average of 1C (34F) in recent weeks.

Although the people of Shanghai braced themselves for the sudden drop, my ex-patriot colleagues and I were caught completely off guard.

Fortunately a quick trip to Xiangyang market helped me wrap up warm, courtesy of a rather fine, fake Canadian Goose jacket.

With me taken care of, I wish the “fake market” could do something about our apartment’s diabolical heating system.

Back Once Again

2005-12-21T16:34:00.000+08:00

After a wonderfully relaxing English vacation, I have finally returned to the frenzy that is Shanghai.

With more than a year passing since my last visit, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my UK friends and family and needless to say, I was very sad to say goodbye.

It was strange to arrive back in China as I am unsure if I will ever be able to call Shanghai home.

Four things have struck me in this, my first day back.
- Taxi drivers have lightning reflexes but are truly insane
- General Tao chicken exists only in the west
- Spring rolls are very uncommon
- I have yet to see an authentic rickshaw

Hopefully I won't leave it so long next time.

London Calling

2005-12-02T19:55:00.000+08:00

I am returning to the UK on Wednesday for a two week spell in which I will visit my friends and family in the run up to Christmas.

With China having no official religion, Christmas is overlooked by almost everyone except the most fervent ex-patriot bars and restaurants.

That being the case, I can not wait to fly in to a snow filled Britain bristling with Christmas trees and trimmings.

Not forgetting shops full of nice home comforts and my Mum’s wonderful home syle baking.

The Pearl Of China

2005-11-21T17:04:00.000+08:00

One of the great conveniences of Chinese life is the geographic location of Shanghai.

Simply put, China is a great hub through which to explore the rest of Asia.

Take, for example, last weekend when Tessa and I flew to the southern island of Hainan for a tropical break in Sanya.

Sanya Photos

Sitting close to Vietnam, China’s Hainan province is comparable to Hawaii and was renowned as “the remotest cape of the earth” in ancient times.

Meandering along the many golden beaches of Yalong Bay, Tessa and I banished the notion of work to the very back of our minds.

Shanghai can be a wonderful city but with tropical islands so close at hand, it’s hard to stay in one place.

Book Your Flights

2005-11-17T10:45:00.000+08:00

With the uncertainty surrounding our stay in Shanghai, I would like to encourage anyone who is interested in coming to visit, to do so shortly.

As our contracts end in February and December respectively, we are currently debating the merits of extensions.

Although nothing has been decided, I recommend anyone who is seriously considering a Shanghainese vacation to act upon it before March 2006, or fear the risk of missing the Jagger’s one time offer of free accommodation and tour guides.

Google Earth

2005-11-16T13:34:00.000+08:00

If you haven’t seen it already, Google Earth is a 3D graphics application that enables users to view aerial photography and satellite images of the Earth in great detail.

Combined with Google maps, it allows users to search for addresses, enter coordinates, or simply use the mouse to browse to any location in the world.

Download Google Earth

If you would to see where to spend your next vacation, install the program and import this marker file to pin point my house.

Ubisoft Are Recruiting

2005-11-13T10:50:00.000+08:00

Ubisoft, who are in the midst of a mass recruitment drive for the Shanghai studio, have just released a video aimed at enticing new recruits to China.

Although a little biased, it gives a nice insight in to the life of an expatriate in Shanghai.

Follow this link to see the feature in full (52 Mb)

Terrorist Threat

2005-11-10T10:56:00.000+08:00

According to the US, Canadian and British Consulates, Chinese four and five star hotels are at threat from terrorists in the coming weeks.

“The Embassy has learned that Chinese police advised hotels that Islamic extremist elements could be planning to attack four and five star hotels in China sometime over the course of the next week. Chinese authorities have assured the Embassy that they are taking appropriate security measures and investigating the possible threat thoroughly. American citizens visiting Chinese four and five star hotels should review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security, and exercise caution. Reports should be made to local police if one notices unusual activities in or around these areas.” – US Consulate

“Chinese authorities have advised that four and five star hotels in China, particularly in Shanghai and Hong Kong, have been targeted as possible venues for terrorist attacks in the weeks to come. We have been assured by the local authorities that they are taking appropriate security measures and investigating all possible threats thoroughly. Canadians in China should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, particularly in commercial and public establishments. Canadian government officials and colleagues from other diplomatic missions are in regular contact with representatives of the Chinese government, and we are taking every opportunity to stress the importance remaining vigilant with regards to your personal security and exercise caution whenever possible. While at present we have no information indicating the timing off these possible attacks, we are closely monitoring the situation as a precaution.” – Canadian Consulate

“We are aware of recent reports of a threat to 4 and 5 star hotels in China and Hong Kong from Xinjiang terrorists in the next two weeks. We take such reports very seriously. We have consulted all Chinese law enforcement authorities who have tolds us that they have no evidence of any threat. We have therefore not made any changes to our travel advice to China.” - British Consulate

Fortunately for me, I can not afford such luxurious hotels but I shall remain vigilant.

State Visit

2005-11-09T09:34:00.000+08:00

Chinese president, Hu Jintao, arrived in England yesterday on a three day state visit aimed at strengthening relations between China and the UK.

Take a look at how the media coverage varied in the two countries.

"President receives warm welcome” – China Daily

“Protests greet Chinese president in Downing Street” – Guardian Newspaper

Depression

2005-11-08T12:51:00.000+08:00

The decision on my future was made remarkably easier today when I received the following email from my current producer.

“In the next 2.5 months, which means until the submission, in default, we need to work till 20:00 as the earliest and arrive to office no later than 9:15.”

“Saturday is the default OT day but we can keep the normal working hours (9:30 to 18:30).”

I understand that “reasonable" unpaid over-time is to be expected in the industry of video game development but asking employees to work 62 hour work weeks for 14 weeks straight is simply ludicrous.

Five Months Later

2005-11-07T17:27:00.000+08:00

The 23rd of October passed with such remarkable speed that I was unaware of this milestone until today.

This particular date marked the mid point of my Chinese contract.

I have the option of extending my stay in Shanghai but it is daunting to imagine that potentially Tessa and I are more than half way through our stay in China.

In the coming months, we have some big decisions to make regarding our future.

Hangzhou Football Tournament

2005-11-06T19:47:00.000+08:00

The Long Bar Anzacs were on tour last weekend, playing a tournament in the southern city of Hangzhou.

Hangzhou is considered a relatively small city by Chinese standards so I was duly excited to escape to a city of only six million people for the weekend.

With the first game kicking off at 9am we boarded cars and departed Shanghai at the crack of dawn, bound for the capitol of the Zhejiang province.

Even at such ungodly hours traffic delayed our arrival by almost two hours, forcing us to miss our first game but against all odds we won our remaining games, qualifying for the knockout stages in the process.

However, it was to be short lived affair as we were comprehensively beaten by a very efficient German team in the following round.

Although the pitches left something to be desired the organization of the tournament was second to none.

From the free flowing beer to the BBQ buffet the weekend was a great success.

The Perfect Pint

2005-11-04T14:18:00.000+08:00

After several months of life in Shanghai, I have come to the conclusion that no one knows how to pour a proper pint of beer.

From high class restaurants to grotty bars, the inability of serving a good pint remains consistent.

Perhaps this is punishment for a crime I’m unaware of or maybe I am being victimized for breaking unknown rules of etiquette.

Until I discover my obvious faux pas, I shall confine myself to sipping tea – the one drink the Chinese always brew well.

A Shanghainese Halloween

2005-10-31T18:49:00.000+08:00

Halloween is one of our favourite holidays and this year’s celebrations proved to be no exception.

After tirelessly searching for fancy dress shops, Tessa and I hurried away to our first ever Chinese Halloween party.

From the luxury of our friend’s 13th floor apartment, we partied until the early hours of the morning, chatting with friends from all over the globe.

Debauchery ensued.

Far East Pirates

2005-10-24T18:55:00.000+08:00

Forget Bittorrent and Kazaa, China is the new haven for pirates.

Chinese piracy is difficult to police when the country has such lax laws on intellectual property.

Take the latest Tony Hawk game as an example.

Retailing for $50 USD, “Tony Hawk: American Wasteland” arrived on US shelves on the 22nd of October but by the 24th it debuted in Shanghai for 5 RMB ($0.60 USD or £0.35 GBP).

Piracy in China is so entrenched that even the pirates complain about it.

Chinese storekeepers who sell fake DVDs for 10 RMB gripe about street vendors selling them for seven.

Fast Food English

2005-10-20T16:40:00.000+08:00

After more than four months in a foreign land it is not uncommon to feel a little homesick once in a while.

Fortunately a quick fix of Western food often fills the void so Tessa and I paid a visit to a new Chinese phenomenon – China's very first Burger King.

Aiming to catch up with McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King plans to open more than 1000 Chinese chains by the year 2015.

The traditional menu is complemented by local tastes with items such as Whoppers using spicy sauce from the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Not only do the Chinese employees offer better service than their Western counterparts, they have a considerably better grasp of the English language!

Shanghai F1 Grand Prix

2005-10-17T14:29:00.000+08:00

Fernando Alonso won the China Grand Prix to cement his position as World Champion and to help Renault claim their first ever constructor’s title in the final race of the Formula 1 season.

Alonso, who began the race in pole position, finished ahead of McLaren rival Kimi Raikkonen in an incident packed Shanghai Grand Prix.

The safety car was deployed twice (the same number of times that Michael Schumacher crashed) and it certainly added to the excitement of my first Formula 1 experience.

My friends and I very were impressed with the circuit and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

It was only the second ever Chinese Grand Prix but judging by its popularity it will not be the last.

Long Bar Anzacs

2005-10-16T17:09:00.000+08:00

Last weekend I continued to live my double life when I turned out for the infamous Long Bar Anzacs.

A well deserved point on Saturday lifted us up two places in the league after drawing 1-1 with O’Malley’s Oranje.

In contrast to the team’s excellent performance, I received my first booking of the season when I committed a rather heinous “tackle” on the opposition’s full back.

Fortunately there are no video replays.

Grand Prix

2005-10-14T17:44:00.000+08:00

I finally managed to secure a ticket for my first ever Forumla 1 Grand Prix.

This Sunday my friends and I will descend on the Shanghai circuit for the final race of the F1 season.

I feel like I've won Charlie's golden ticket.

I Like Chinese

2005-10-13T13:24:00.000+08:00

The world today seems absolutely crackers.

With nuclear bombs to blow us all sky high.

There are fools and idiots sitting on the trigger.

It's depressing, and it's senseless, and that's why...

I like Chinese.

Chinese Vacations

2005-10-10T12:50:00.000+08:00

Now that Tessa and I have finally acclimatized to China we would like to invite our friends and family to visit us here in Shanghai.

Guests are welcome at any time and are encouraged to make use of our spare room.

However, before you book your holiday, be sure to plan your vaccinations and secure a tourist visa.

Chinese Vaccinations

Ideally, immunizations should be taken three months before departure but it is not impossible to take them at the last minute.

Chinese Visa

The same can be said for visas, providing you are willing to pay a $100.

Balmy Weather

2005-10-06T14:39:00.000+08:00

After four blazing months in Shanghai, the weather is finally starting to reflect the autumnal season.

Until last week, the average daily temperature never dipped below 27°C.

Weather Report

Thankfully the humidity is starting to evaporate and the temperatures are dropping to a balmier 22°C.

National Day

2005-10-04T18:37:00.000+08:00

Unlike the vast majority of Shanghai, Tessa and I chose to avoid the Bund on Chinese National Day, opting instead to celebrate the vacation on a smaller scale with our new friends.

Regarded as Shanghai’s “Wall Street”, the Bund is the most prosperous region in Shanghai, stretching along the bank of the Huangpu River.

By all accounts, the festivities ran all for three days as roads and highways were closed to accommodate the millions of descending people.

Chinese Oven

2005-10-03T16:42:00.000+08:00

Although China enjoys a rich culinary culture that dates back thousands of years, Chinese cuisine is traditionally cooked on an open stove.

In recent years, rice cookers have become common place but western ovens remain extremely rare.

Domestic washing machines and dryers are also scarce in China, as are freezers although refridgerators are becoming increasingly widespread.

Fortunately our apartment came with most of these appliances and last weekend Tessa finally found an oven worthy of her culinary skills.

Gone are the days of microwave popcorn and enter the era of chips and cheese!

Swimming With Sharks

2005-10-02T21:58:00.000+08:00

In appreciation of the circus, I surprised Tessa with an experience that she will never forget.

On Saturday afternoon I took her shark swimming at Changfeng Park.

With no previous scuba experience, Tessa and I were allowed to dive among many kinds of oceanic species including a number of sharks in excess of 3m.

Surrounded by such beasts, we swam for more than 20 minutes, coming close enough to touch the predators with our naked hands.

Little did we know that in the previous month, these very sharks had attacked two divers on separate occasions.

What did Tessa do to deserve such punishment?

To top things off, and against our better wishes, our friends ordered shark meat for dinner.

Circus Surprise

2005-10-01T19:45:00.000+08:00

On Friday night Tessa surprised me with a trip to Shanghai’s famous circus group and billed as “the nation’s first-ever super multimedia stage production”, the performance was truly amazing.

The show, entitled “Era – Intersection of Time”, successfully balanced Chinese and Western styles in the newly refurbished Shanghai Circus World.

With a budget of 30 million RMB ($3.6m USD), the show was co-produced by Montreal’s Cirque du Soliel.

From acrobats to trapeze artists, the production had it all - culminating with eight artists simultaneously riding motor bikes inside a “Sphere of Death”.

People Storm

2005-09-29T17:30:00.000+08:00

According to the Shanghai Transport Authority, about 83.48 million people will visit Shanghai during the week-long National Day holiday.

The busiest day will be the National Day, October 1, when about 13.42 million people will hit the city’s streets.

The authority expects 3.4 million people to use the city’s 40,000 cabs on the National Day and 2.24 million to take the city’s four Metro lines.

I think Tessa and I will buy a few DVDs, stock up the fridge and ride out the storm at home.

Reptile Rescue

2005-09-29T17:24:00.000+08:00

As we left the house on Saturday, we found a small reptile nestled amongst our shoes.

Being the brave husband, my instinct was to crush the little cretin but my darling wife urged me to be humane and release it to the wild.

Except for its desire to elude, I know very little about the lizard like creature.

Quite how they made it to the 11th floor, I’ll never know.

Newspaper Alley

2005-09-27T14:06:00.000+08:00

Newspapers are commonly displayed on China’s streets, giving the public a chance to stay abreast of the latest news.

Although unable to read the paper myself, I admire the city’s attempts to promote accessible media.

A State Visit

2005-09-26T16:12:00.000+08:00

Led by Jean Charest, the Prime Minister of Quebec, a delegation from Montreal visited Ubisoft Shanghai today.

The trip was planned to explore Chinese business development and potential partnerships with local universities.

This was obviously good publicity for Ubisoft as a whole but I hope that the company did not lavish too much expense on entertaining a foreign dignatory.

I appreciate how important such deals can be but perspective must be kept.

The company football team was recently cancelled because Ubisoft withdrew the $75 a month funding.

Return Of The Bites

2005-09-25T14:25:00.000+08:00

Following June’s incapacitating insect bites I thought my body had built up an immune system to mosquitoes but unfortunately that theory was dispelled at the weekend when I was subject to a raging attack.

Unconcerned at first, I became anxious as the reaction grew more severe, adopting the same symptoms as before.

Previous Bites

Unlike regular bites, this insect caused an allergic reaction with inflammation, swelling and numbing of my lower leg.

Fortunately a swift visit to the doctor set me straight and I am now well on my way to recovery.

Execution In Progress

2005-09-23T14:05:00.000+08:00

Translating a message from one language to another can be a complex process.

This sign recently appeared in our office lobby.

I hope they meant “Cleaning”.

Day In The Life

2005-09-21T18:34:00.000+08:00

Awaking to Rossini’s “William Tell Overture”, I hop in the shower and scrub myself clean before the hot water runs out.

Skipping breakfast, I jump in a taxi and head to work.

Being one of the first in the office, I give myself time to email friends and catch up on the latest football news before starting work in earnest.

At twelve o’clock my friends and I visit one of the many restaurants that surround the office – ranging from gourmet French to MSG laced Chinese fast food.

After lunch I don my headphones and spend the remainder of the day animating a second or two of animation, breaking only for meetings and Mandarin classes.

Leaving work at 7pm I go straight to football training before collapsing in front of a DVD or video game with Tessa.

Suntory Time

2005-09-14T10:47:00.000+08:00

In recent weeks, I have noticd a familiar blue logo on the packaging of my food and drink.

As it transpires, this logo is in fact the logo of Suntory, a Japanese food company that offers a wide range of products ranging from soft drinks and health food to beer and potato chips.

Suntory

Their dominance has not yet spread to the West but their brand is certainly making waves, as can be seen in Bill Murray’s 2003 film, “Lost in Translation”.

So dominant is Suntory that almost half of the food in my house is stamped by the famous Suntory logo – even cans of Coca Cola.

Suzhou

2005-09-12T13:03:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, along with a couple of friends, we paid a visit to the ancient city of Suzhou.

Renowned for its numerous gardens and canals, Suzhou is often reffered to as the “Venice of the East”.

Photos

Although beautiful, the comparison with its Italian counterpart is somewhat flattering.

Suzhou’s history dates back to 700 BC but it was not until the Grand Canal passed through that the city truly prospered.

The great waterway increased the concentration of silk manufacturing and Suzhou became a center of fashionable culture.

Suzhou suffered a decline in the last century but it is regaining its reputation through the restoration of its many gardens.

Genuine Wine

2005-09-10T08:44:00.000+08:00

Unlike its Western equivalent, Chinese wines are usually made from grains and herbs and distilled to high concentration.

With this in mind, you can imagine our delight when Tessa and I unearthed a 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon in our local supermarket.

A classic, it was not for the makers of this particular “brew” decided to store it in an aluminium can.

With an ash tray bouquet and pig blood body, this was truly some of the worst my palette has ever experienced.

In fact, the wine proved to be so sour that Tessa had to pay me to finish hers.

With one can left, we’re waiting for a “special” person to finish this beauty.

October Festival

2005-09-07T10:16:00.000+08:00

As much as I love living in China (which I do very much) the language barrier can be very frustrating at times and normal tasks can often take far longer than expected.

Take for example travel arrangements.

After New Year celebrations, October's Autumn Festival is China's most popular holiday and Tessa and I planning to fly away for a few days to a cheap destination.

Unbeknown to me, very few travel agents exist in China as traditionally all arrangements were made through government agencies (although this is slowly changing).

Sadly the few travel agents that we were able to find took an incredibly long time to reply to enquiries.

On top of this, it is very difficult to check the availability of hotels as very few are listed on the internet and those that are, are normally in Chinese.

With any luck we hope to finalise our plans in the next day or two and then we can look forward to a nice little vacation.

Fortunately our other Chinese experiences more than make up for these little frustrations.

Tony Hawk Pro Pirate

2005-09-06T15:52:00.000+08:00

Not wishing to condone them, pirated video games have existed for as long as games have but never have I seen them as widespread as in Shanghai.

Markets, shopping malls and street sellers all stock the latest games at prices as low as 6 RMB ($0.75 USD, £0.40 GBP) while the authorities happily turn a blind eye.

Even as a game developer, prices such as these make it hard to resist such temptations.

At such bargain prices, my perspective on games changes dramatically and as my attention span narrows, I become far more critical of their flaws.

A direct correlation can be drawn between my passion for playing video games and how accessibile they are and there is no doubt that counterfeit games have fuelled my love in the past.

With piracy as rife as it is in China, I expect that passion to grow once more.