Open house!

Posting that you are leaving the house / country BEFORE you leave is dangerous. I don't understand why people broadcast to the whole world that they are on vacation for 2 weeks and hope that everything will be alright since the friend has no time this time to look after the place. May as well post a note that the key is under the mat, as always.

During our recent stay in Germany we went to Hamburg. Imagine that: in broad daylight! The Reeperbahn was not only empty, but non-happening. Guess 3pm is a bit too early for all the birds to come out and prey. But then again, it was a great day to just walk around and explore the city. Starting from the old "Speicherstadt", we made our way to the Alster, had a look at a Japanese brand store (Sure, as if we don't have any Asian brands here in KL...) and onwards to the Rapper Bahn.

Next I want to head to anything with a beach again, or to Vietnam.

Asian Invasion

Currently I am in Germany, visiting the IAA in Hannover. A bunch of friends from Kuala Lumpur joined. It feels a little like an Asian Invasion with 3 of them wondering around the town of Bad Muender trying to order stuff in English, which no one understands here.

The visit to the IAA was good so far as we have met with lots of clients, people that we know from Asia and new folks that we haven't met before. Some exhibits are exciting. All in all, one can see a lot of very functional booths. I thought the Daimler booth (entire hall) was a bit over the top, but hey!

The weather is a blast, temperatures around 17 Degrees and sleeping with the window open.
Lots of Schnitzel is being consumed. I need a beer now.

Doomed?

"Klank" it goes this morning. The sound is familiar. It is the sound that you hear when you accidentially drop your motorbike when standing at the traffic light (Embarrassing yourself. Typically happens to those 1,50 tall folks that think a KTM off-road bike is a good idea). Anyway, when I look out of the window, there is a big on the street (In the yellow box, on the far right). I see no rider. I am waiting, scanning the area for the driver to limp out behind the car at the traffic light. Takes me several minutes to see that there is a body about 75 meters back on the road (where the group of people is gathered). It took me to take the wide-angle lens to get the scene in. Driver died while waiting for the ambulance.

Two rapist (having had sex with 13 year olds) were let go in Malaysia. The judges ruled that the fellons had "a bright future and should be given a chance..". Aha. Here is the thing: if you want to commit murder then, it is ok, just make sure you have a seemingly bright future. You'll be alright.

Condoleeza Rice (Acklowledged, I didn't check the right spelling of her name. You know who I am talking about) was on TV giving a speech. In essence about how great the US is. Sure lot's of good things. But then she talked about how amazingly strong the people were and how they overcame the difficulties of the 2008 WFC (World Finance Crisis). Yeah right! We had this "amazing experience" BECAUSE OF THE US! Don't tell me how great the people were in uniting and working their way through it...

Ha! And the funny thing: In seventh grade we had a drawing competition: "how do you think the new European currency will look like?". I failed that assignment as I did not take it seriously. Today I am having a bit of a giggle when I read about the efforts to rescue the Euro. We are heading to Germany in 2 weeks time and for the first time since I am out in Asia the exchange rate isn't giving me rashes and a Curry Wurst is actually somewhere near the "affordable endulgence" bracket of things.

Robert de Niro seems to have lost the ability to pick great movies to play in...

And "Oppa Dunnam Style" (again not bothering with correct name) is a hit.

Why?

And the winner is....

me! During the media trrip to Japan, organised by Isuzu Malaysia, 18 journalists had a go at being the most fuel efficient driver. Must be some Scottish blood in me as I was the one using the least fuel on the test round. We drove the Isuzu 8 x 4 Giga. Actually, except for the punch when you hit the accelerator, it is pretty much like driving a car.

Liked Hokkaido in Japan. Very much like Germany in Summer with farmers tending to their fields, long evenings and rolling hills. Just that the volcanos gave me a bit of the creeps. After all, they do erupt every now and then...

A differnt view of Hong Kong

This week I was in Hong Kong to speak at an event, organised by the Government, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China. Thanks to HKTDC I was flying Business class on Cathay Pacific. Now the problem is that I won't want to fly Economy Class again. The lounges were really cool: uninterrupted internet. Not to mention the free flow of coffee (and chanpagne of course).

The Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai offered an amazing view (see above) and easy access to the conference where I was speaking. The only issue was my delayed flight. Had to spend 10 hours in the said lounge on the way to Hong Kong.

Now back and working my way through tons of mail, email and things to do...
Ready for the next vacation!

German and what?

I have had several people poking me because the German team lost in the Semi-finals. Wasn't it the same with the World-Cup? The Germans play great all the way, just that they fail when it counts. A bit like erectile dysfunction, no? All good until the moment when it get's really exciting.

Actually, I haven't see a single minute of the championship. Who wants to get up at 2 in the morning to get depressed?

Man! Hole

What I liked most about our Japan trip (Besides the obvious: it being a vacation and spending time with the better half??)? Well, interestingly I think it were the manholes in different cities, accessing the sewege systems. Every city seems to have a different, unique one. Which makes it exciting to sometimes look down as well. here the one from Osaka.