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Christmas in China is really somewhat special. In spite of the ubiquitous Christmas decoration, Santa’s, Christmastrees and lights it just won’t feel like Christmas. Maybe it is the snow and the cold that is missing, maybe the "Glühwein" at the Christmas Market or is it just the yearly holiday Christmas reunion that lets the whole family gather once a year. Most likely a mix of all…

Since we had to stay in China and could not fly back to Germany we made the best of it, fleeing the big city once again. Xiamen (厦门) in the south of China is a great escape of the hectic, fast paced and loud Shanghai. Xiamen is a very interesting and clean town just across from Taiwan. Even better, if you get sick of traffic is to take the ferry to Gulangyu (鼓浪屿) a small islet that allows no motor vehicles. Lot’s of old clononial architecture, beaches and best of all: tranquility (at least at best as it gets in a country of 1.3 billion people ). However I do not recommend to stay on the island since the hotels are overpriced and nothing special and there are almost no decent restaurants. I can recommend the Gem Hotel (金后酒店) that is in Xiamen city center (very good value for the money and free internet in the rooms).

Ok so much from Xiamen for today. Photos you can see later here when I get back to Shanghai.

Till then Zaijian and Merry X-Mas!  再见和圣诞快乐!

Christmas is already near again, so it was time for me to organize another X-Mas Geocaching Event. I feel I am making a habit of this, were ever I am in the world to organize a Pre -Christmas Event. Last time it was in Paderborn, this time Shanghai. As I wrote the entry for geocaching.com I was not even sure anyone would show up at all. But a few days before the event some people actually registered and most of them also came last Friday to the Captains Bar. It was a really nice evening and I finally got to know some Chinese geocachers here.

So I am already looking forward to the next event, were ever in the world I will be then…

Changchun, Jilin Province, China, -15°C

As you can see I am in Changchun right now on my first business trip. Also it is the first time for me in Jilin and the furthest north in China I have been so far. I can tell you it is bloody cold up here, as the British would say. In American I normally rather use the term "f***ing cold"  Anyway it is not as bad, since the the air is really dry. The Shanghai winter however gives me the creeps. Though it is about 25°C warmer there right now, the rain, the fog and the wet air make it feel a lot worse. Almost as the weather right now in Germany.

Here it kinda reminds me of Ottawa. Also really cold but still comfortable. The first thing I did after checking in was to go to Walmart to buy a hat and a scarf.

The hotel here is quiet nice. The first time with free Internet on my room and international TV, including CNN and Deutsche Welle. Ok before I have always stayed 3 stars only. They even have a fitness center with pool, but of course I did not think of bringing my swim pants.

Hotel Lobby

Acutally today was even a third premier for me: I could fiiiiinaly ride the Maglev Train (In Germany they call that thing "Transrapid"). I was looking forward to that like a little child. I have flewn out of Shanghai quite often already but always from Hongqiao Airport. I was very pleased that this time I got a flight out of Pudong Airport. I tell ya that thing is bitchin’ fast. 432 km/h tops. 30km in 5 minutes. I know it is corny and not really original, but I also had to take a photo of that display that shows the current speed for evidence Here ya go:

I almost forgot, yesterday we spend a day in Nanjing. Just to mention, because maybe I don’t have time to write a full post on it. But I will upload lots of pictures when I am back in Shanghai.

That’s all for now from Changchun, see you soon!