Mandate Success!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10598590/BAYSHORE%20REPORT.pdf

And so it ends...

Saying good byes and waiting for flights. We started our journeys home this morning at 12 (Some of us at 4AM), and now we are waiting patiently in the Hong Kong International Airport for another 5 hours to be transferred to our transfer flight on to Toronto. Lots of pictures to show everyone when I'm home. Can't wait to see everyone. 

What an experience. 

Today was our first day in Malaysia. What a beautiful country. Palm trees scatter the city, and the people are humble and welcoming. Today we explored the city during the Kuala Lumpur 'Amazing Race.' We discovered the Batu caves, rode both the new and old train system, and witnessed the unbelievable Petronas towers. I expect we will experience more of Kuala Lumpur in the days to come. I will be home in 4 days. I am getting a little worn down from all of the activity, reports, and projects, but I am going to make it through. The entire JTC team reunited today after being separated into 3 teams for the last 10 or so days. This was refreshing and I look forward to spending the remainder of the trip with everyone. 

This picture was taken outside the Batu caves. Enjoy! 

Last night was insane in Hong Kong. Black markets and side streets in the entertainment district. Tourists and locals searching for most outrageous bargains.

Today began with a meeting at the Canadian  Consulate General of Hong Kong. Afterwards a few of us with mandates in education went to the Canadian International School of Hong Kong where we had the opportunity to introduce our schools and get a tour of their campus. I am in my hotel room right now, getting ready to go to the 'ladies market' before getting some dinner. The ladies market is the fashion district in Hong Kong, with both real and fake merchandise. Should be interesting. 

Tonight we go to Stanley peak hopefully. You must take a lift to the top of the mountain, where the view is apparently unbelievable. We hope to be there for the light show at 815PM - 8:15AM Ontario time.

I have attached a video of the ferry crossing in Hong Kong Harbour. The ferry is called the Star Ferry. Very cool stuff. http://www.starferry.com.hk/company.html

We have arrived in Hong Kong. What a city. This city is the future. The horizon is lined with hundreds of glimmering skyscrapers and billboards - Toronto on steroids. After unpacking my bags and setting up base at the YMCA Salisbury, my friend Shaaz and I put our suits on and walked next door to the Peninsula Hotel. This hotel is the 5th most expensive in the world ... A Rolls Royce was parked outside. Shaaz and I were unsure whether we would get in the door, but we made it all the way to the 24th floor where we had a drink and enjoyed the most incredible skyline I have ever seen in my life. 

Work starts tomorrow. At 8AM we have a meeting at the Hong Kong consulate for a briefing, followed by an education meeting with an education agency. Pictures soon. Camera needs to be unpacked and uploaded.

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is still following the blog. It has been many days since my last entry. The great Chinese Firewall, as I warned, prevented me from accessing this site. Unfortunately, there is a way to get around the firewall that I didn't know about until the day we leave China to Hong Kong. Im sitting in the hotel of the Four Points Sheraton Hotel In Guanzghou China, with my bags waiting to board the train. This is when I am told that vtunnel.com exists and allows you to bypass the firewall. I will be in Hong Kong soon - this afternoon- and I will spend a while updating and posting pictures! Great Wall ... Tiananmen Square ... Markets ... We will be getting on the train soon.

Off the plane - Waiting in Hong Kong Airport

Wow. What a flight. What an experience. My first time flying. Total flight time 14 hours + 2-3 hour transfer flight to Beijing. Lots of pictures, lots of video. We are now all waiting in a very empty Hong Kong airport.

Wrap your head around this. In China/Hong Kong time it is 5AM. According to the clock on my computer, it is 5PM at home. We are looking for breakfast... you may be cooking dinner. Global Vision is challenging us to stay up until 11PM tonight Hong Kong time to get our internal clocks functioning properly ... Lots of coffee and sightseeing.

I will upload the pictures. Have a great night everyone

Waiting .. in the airport.

The boarding gate. Dun dun dunnnnn

Airport WiFi @ Pearson!

On the internet in the airport. Another JTC delegate, Robert, and I are sitting in the waiting area. We are riding Cathay Pacific Airlines, which opens at 10 oclock. Just killing time until we go through the first gate. 

Mom and Dad drove us to Toronto this afternoon. We stopped to have dinner together at the Keg, and then Mom and Dad continued their own journey.  So far, I am still pretty anxious. Dad gave me a pep talk before we got on the plane - trying to get my head around being in a plane for 20 hours. Where is my chiropractor haha? I hope she reads this. 

And so we wait...

T Minus 1 Hour before I leave home. Just went out and picked up meds. Tylenol, Graval, and Melatonin (Helps to correct disrupted sleep cycle - Thanks Aunt Anita). I'm going to whip out the camera soon and take a few pictures with the fam. 

This may be my last post for a couple days until I am well adjusted in China, or I am able to access this site. If I can get WiFi in the airport, I will leave everyone with a pre-flight post.

Wish me luck!

=D

Home from our family reunion today. One last night at home! - need to be fully rested up for a big day tomorrow. Leave home tomorrow at 3PM to Toronto, and fly out at 1:30 AM. Stop over in Alaska for refueling, and then continue our flight. 20 hour flight ... How best to describe this? Anxious. Excited. Nervous. Stokeddd

I will likely be able to access this site while I am in Hong Kong and Malaysia. I will do most of my blogging there. Sweet. 

And so it begins...

Hello everyone - Friends, family, sponsors!

Welcome to my 'China and Malaysia' blog! If you are reading this, I have invited you to share in my experience while I make my trip to the other side of the world - or you have stumbled upon it. Regardless, thanks for stopping in.  I am so grateful for having so many people - friends and family - that believe in me. I cannot thank you enough.

Blogging is totally new to me and I am really excited to try it. As a disclaimer, my posts are going to be informal and fun. I will upload pictures, links, etc, whenever I am able to access the internet to keep everyone well up-to-date on my journeys.

Also, while I am in mainland China, I have been told I will not be able to access this (or facebook, or any other social networking sites) unless I am at a US or Canadian embassy. The 'Great Chinese Firewall' will forbid me from accessing this site. 

Today is Friday night. I feel prepared - totally prepared. Confident. Today I deposited the remainder of the sponsorship money, waved my wonderful girlfriend Ada goodbye, shaved my hair off, and read a million emails. Tomorrow I pack my bags...