[RayfieldsWRX]

So..I spent last week in China, specifically, the Shanghai area for the first part, and Hong Kong/Shenzhen for the latter. I was there on business, but did get some time to snap some shots in a few interesting places. We had hoped to go up to "The Peak", to get a real look at the Hong Kong vista, but weather didn't cooperate..oh wellz. So anyway, here are some iPhone shots that I took. I didn't want to lug the Nikon, which, in retrospect, was the wrong call. If you're my friend on Facebook, you've already seen these, so move on. :tongue:
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Large plane in San Francisco. What a smooth ride...
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Dinner. But not for me. Great entertainment value in this menu, though...Sauteed bullfrog, etc.
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Some machinery at a supplier's factory. The old-skool textiles stuff made for good photographic fun.
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Random building along the highway.
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The Jade Buddha Temple, in Shanghai. Beautiful place, though they've made it into a tourist trap.
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The "Oriental Pearl Tower" in downtown Shanghai. 1500 feet high. China's tallest structure, until 2007.
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Walking around old Shanghai. Really interesting smells in the market.
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The streets of Hong Kong. Your basic, high-density concrete jungle. We stayed there and commuted north into Shenzhen, China, to talk to another supplier.
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[Sasquatch]

Nice pics! You did fine with the iPhone. Any good American take out there (opposite of Chinese take out here)?

Glass floor, eh? Look at those wittle feet ...

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

LOL, not everyone can be a Sasquatch!
I'm not great with heights, and being out on that floor scared the bejeezus out of me. Had to get the picture, though.

 

[Mikie13]

That looks awesome Ray!

It's funny seeing the same things: Adidas, 7-11, North Face, etc...in a completely foreign land.

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

The biggest surprise for me was the number of Buicks rolling around Shanghai. GM apparently got there early; I saw more Chinese versions of the Lacrosse and other models than any other make.

Also, Hong Kong is a huge center of commercialism in Asia. Gigantic shopping malls filled with brand name goods from all over the world.

 

[Mikie13]

That's crazy. Buicks??? Especially considering they are generally larger cars too.

 

[Sasquatch]

Goes back the the early days with Chairman Mao. All the party elite loved the post war Buicks for some reason, and it has stuck since. I seem to recall reading that Buick sells more in China than the US.

 

[EJ257]

Nice pictures!

Nope. Never. Photo op or not, I wouldn't be able to do that...

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

That's crazy. Buicks??? Especially considering they are generally larger cars too.

I went expecting micro-cars...Charlotte has more tiny cars putting around than Shanghai or Shenzhen did. I think we as Americans tend to lump in China with our expectations about Japan.

 

[Rambo]

I went expecting micro-cars...Charlotte has more tiny cars putting around than Shanghai or Shenzhen did. I think we as Americans tend to lump in China with our expectations about Japan.

That's true. I know Taiwan isn't really part of China, but I was suprised at how many people drive Mercedes and BMWs there. The Japanese love their kei cars, although all of the people I worked when I was there drove Subarus.

Those JDM Legacy's are nice cars.

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

Yep, there were many BMW's in Shanghai, and I saw a Bentley within minutes of leaving the airport. Communist country my ass. :rotfl:

 

[06wrx4me]

The biggest surprise for me was the number of Buicks rolling around Shanghai. GM apparently got there early; I saw more Chinese versions of the Lacrosse and other models than any other make.

Also, Hong Kong is a huge center of commercialism in Asia. Gigantic shopping malls filled with brand name goods from all over the world.

That's crazy. Buicks??? Especially considering they are generally larger cars too.

Goes back the the early days with Chairman Mao. All the party elite loved the post war Buicks for some reason, and it has stuck since. I seem to recall reading that Buick sells more in China than the US.

Goes back to the 1930's actually...

Buick is the Mercedes of China and China is the only reason GM kept buick after the economy imploded. They sell vast numbers there, and they are sought after.

GM hits two million Buick sales in China

Buick sells 3 millionth car in China... since 1999

nice pics Ray

 

[TheJ]

Goes back the the early days with Chairman Mao. All the party elite loved the post war Buicks for some reason, and it has stuck since. I seem to recall reading that Buick sells more in China than the US.

That also helps explain why Buick had Tiger Woods as a spokes person. I beleive both golf and Tiger are big in Asia and Tiger is half Asian (Thai/Chinese).

 

[zax]

Ray, don't start a war.

 

[TheJ]

Nice pics Ray

 

[Sworks]

Great pics, takes me back. Spent time there when I was in the Marine Corps. Victoria Peak is a great view of the island. Not sure what the exchange rate is these days, when I was there the rate was 10 to 1. Electronics were cheap

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

Exchange in Hong Kong was around 8 HKD to 1 USD, and 7ish Yuan to 1 USD. Lots of things were indeed cheap, there, though not everything. Bartering is king on the street, there; thankfully our translator was really good at it. We did, however, feed 3 of us pizza and pasta, with beers all around, for $10 (US) in a HK restaurant.

 

[oceanwater48]

hey, me used to live there!!!! it was hard with the cantonese, since i spoke madarain, but i also miss the bartering with the street vendor. Here the only place i get to barter with is small businesses and when i get a car.... which was 8 days ago

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

Yeah, just about the time I was starting to get okay at saying "thank you", etc, in Mandarin, we traveled to the south and I had to start over again. :tongue:

 

[mangostick]

Exchange in Hong Kong was around 8 HKD to 1 USD, and 7ish Yuan to 1 USD. Lots of things were indeed cheap, there, though not everything. Bartering is king on the street, there; thankfully our translator was really good at it. We did, however, feed 3 of us pizza and pasta, with beers all around, for $10 (US) in a HK restaurant.

Korea was like this too.. if you couldn't haggle a deal.. you didn't belong buying things. Pretty much went for all things but food. I dont remember every having to haggle about cost of food. Goods though, oh man there was never a walk in and pay like we do here at home.
I loved it though. Not sure about how the Chinese are, but Korean's really enjoy a good haggle Their sarcasm is also unmatched.. but only if they like you.