Great Firewall of China

Just found this great site

http://www.greatfirewallofchina.org/

China lifts block on BBC site

Agree with this article ... bet the BBC site redesign has thrown the censors off-balance a bit.

China lifts block on BBC site

* Tania Branigan in Beijing
* The Guardian,
* Wednesday March 26 2008

This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday March 26 2008 on p16 of the International section. It was last updated at 00:03 on March 26 2008.

Chinese authorities appear to have lifted a block on BBC's English language news site after years of restricting access.

Internet users realised during last week that they could read the news coverage, although not the Chinese service.

Previously users in China who tried to access the news site were redirected to an error message stating: "The connection was reset."

Beijing has never acknowledged blocking access to the news site and has made no comment on the apparent change in policy, which appears to have taken the BBC itself by surprise.

"It comes in with no problems or proxy ... even with a rather large report about his holiness [the Dalai Lama]," wrote one web user.

Others suspected its availability might only be temporary, with one noting: "I doubt it will last, but refreshing to see."

The timing is intriguing given the anger of officials - and many Chinese web users - at the way the western media have portrayed the unrest in Lhasa and provinces with a large Tibetan population. Even articles about the protests are available from China.

M

News from Tibet? What's happening there then?

I'm currently in Beijing.

Joss and I are/were thinking about having a vacation in Lhasa in October this year, so I've been asking my Chinese, educated, worldly-wise, English speaking colleagues what they think about the current situation in Tibet.

Not one of them knows what's going on out there. Yes, they're aware of some degree of 'unrest', but they know no details.

I'm surprised and I'm not. Surprised because they can access English-speaking media websites from China, (well at least the website home pages -- the Govt stops you looking beyond the home page of major sites such as bbc.co.uk and The Times) -- and these folks are normally up to speed on this kind of thing.

Not surprised because of the above ltd access, and also because the news reports I've seen on CNN and BBC World here get censored (black screen) each time Tibet is mentioned in the news bulletins.

The Govt has the rights to limit info I guess to its populace, but I would not like to live in this regime permanently.

M

Shanghai - monthly home from home

With my new job, I've been travelling to Shanghai more than before - and will have to spend about a week there every month. It's a bustling place - more human in scale (despite the skyscrapers) and more Western than Beijing I think. But similar to Beijing, it's busting with skyscrapers - including a few of the tallest in the world - and one thousand new building sites (like the huge one next to our office in these pictures). I've yet to visit Pudong where the majority of the skyscrapers are -- on one of my next trips, I'll go up to some of the 100th floor observation platforms and will take a few snaps.

Like I said, it feels quite 'Western' -- some areas feel very parisien. In fact, the Downtown streets, with the Universal familiar brands everywhere (coke; nike; starbucks; pepsi etc are all ubiquitous) ... mean you could be anywhere.

M

Cathay Pacific NEW first class back from NYC

Cor

Have flown CX First Class a few times recently (using Air Miles to upgrade myself and normally on one of the long flights back from USA). But this was my first time in First Class flying in one of the new cabin configurations. It's FANTASTIC! They've got it about right I think. I slept for 10 hours solid! The mini cabins ("cocoons") are about the size of Archie's bedroom back in Chiswick! And great attentive service as ever.

The New First Class seats are fully adjustable with massage function. The new seats can be easily converted into a 36” x 81” (90cm x 205cm) bed, believed to be the largest provided on any commercial airline. Additional stowage space and a personal closet will also be provided as well as an Ottoman for others to visit. In total, the seat can seat up to three people, and can also be used as a chaise. The new First Class will also feature a new extendable meal table and an enhanced personal entertainment system with a fully adjustable 17" 16:9 TV screen.

From the CX site:

"Our luxury 'suites' in First Class guarantee the utmost level of comfort in subliminal surroundings where the ambience is truly blissful. Designed with exacting attention to detail, the elegant interior is geared towards maximising your personal space, relaxation and convenience. Special panelling creates spacious individual cocoons, while rigorous ergonomic testing ensures that our new seats provide maximum comfort in every position. The luxurious new design encompasses a new range of features designed to make long-haul travel a momentous occasion."

Back down to earth 36 hours later when I flew to Bangkok economy class - middle of a row of 3 @ the back of the plane. Boiling hot and poked in the ear by elbows all the way. Thank goodness it's only a 2-hour flight.
M

Times Square, NYC, in the snow!

Something very special about NYC in the snow.

M

Bryant Park, NYC, in the snow!

The agency team went out for supper on the Thursday night. People were asking when I was flying back to HK - I said "tomorrow". Lots of weird looks: "are you sure, the weather's about to break". That night, there was no sign of what was to come ... but 05:00 next morning, the snow started to fall. Next to no time, we had 8" on the ground. Now if this was London, the City would be at a standstill. But NYC is geared up for it and the City was mving by the time I got out of bed. 2000+ snowploughs/gritters on the New Jersey Turnpike for example.

I've been to New York many many times before - (including several times in the Winter) - but I'd not been there when it was actually snowing. I had a couple of hours to burn before I had to leave Manhattan for the airport (and was being warned of 5+ hour delays) .. so I headed off nowhere in particular. I ended up in a magical snow-covered Bryant Park - a place, by coincidence which a colleague had told me the night before was her favourite place in the City. Was kinda cool.

I enjoyed walking round for a while. Until, that is, my "Toys R Expensive" bag full of Power Rangers and Star Wars paraphenalia (for the boys natch), burst open mid road crossing (falling in the slush). The shop idiots had given me a paper bag which turned into mache within 3 blocks of leaving the store. grrr.

M

Typical breakfast in New York

One of the good reasons to visit New York is the Corned Beef Hash breakfast (Corned beef; half a field of potatoes; plates of toast; unlimited coffee and 1,000 eggs) to be had at Bloom's Deli - an institution - and just across the road from the McCann office. Cool. My colleague, Tom, thought he'd chose a light breakfast of French toast. Seems like he ended up with two loaves of bread (plus 1/2 a pig and an ocean of maple syrup).

M

Venetian Macao/Macau for Chinese New Year

Joss and I went to Macau to see 'The Police' in concert one night over Chinese New year. I must fess and say I was grumpy; tired and not feeling too hot (man flu) ... but I thought the group were rubbish. Not a show at all. Nothing like ELO or Sir Cliff R or Pink Floyd would put on. Joss thought they were good though (as did 14,998 other punters. Sting was looking in good shape for someone aged 55 I must admit.

We stayed at the new Venetian Hotel - HUGE place and, this particular time, full of over-excited heavy smoking Chinese gambling away their New Year bonuses. Not nice. Hotel is a ghastly affair. The worst of Vegas. Hate the place. Unfortunate really given I was back there a week later on a business trip. It's so big, you can see it lit up @ least 20 mins before you land @ HK airport -- as Joss would say, "it's vulgar and gopping" - I think they proudly say something like 80+ Jumbo jets could fit in its gambling halls.

Here's what wiki says:

The Venetian is a 40-story, $1.8 billion anchor for the 7 resort hotels which are under construction on the Cotai Strip in Macau. The 10,500,000-square-foot (980,000 m²) Venetian Macao is modeled on its sister casino resort – the The Venetian in Las Vegas – and is the largest single structure hotel building in Asia and the second-largest building in the world.

The main hotel tower was finished in July 2007 and the resort officially opened on August 28, 2007. The resort has 3000 suites, 1,200,000 square feet (111,000 m²) of convention space, 1,600,000 square feet (149,000 m²) of retail, 550,000 square feet (51,000 m²) of casino space – largest in the world – with 3400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables and a 15,000 seat arena for entertainment/sports events.

M

Beijing - horrible hotel

I was in Beijing recently during the really cold temperatures/snow storms that caused all the trouble.

Boy was it cold (minus 17 degrees when I was there).

For a change, I stayed in a "business man's" hotel near to the Agency. Mistake. Cheap. Clean. Spacious. Yes. Savoury? No.

My room was the best in the hotel (top floor and MASSIVE). But heating did not work (minus 17 outside). I accidentally pulled the curtains off the wall. I was accompanied by a lady of the night in the elevator up to my room (hotel's famous for that type of shennigans I subsequently heard -- supported by the large assortment of condoms and lubricants on display for sale in the bathroom). Red tap gushed out cold water - blue tap, hot. Shower window was open permanently. (Note sign in shower "beware, floor might be wet" no kidding). I like Nescafe, but coffee sachet was a mix of Nescafe, milk powder and x2 sugars (no choice). Yuk.

And a view to die for. Literally. Depressing.

Back to the Kerry Centre Shangri-La next time I'm over (2 weeks' time).

M

Goldfish buying - Hong Kong

We recently acquired a fishtank, so thought it was high time we bought some fish for it. As you may know, having fish in the house is very auspicious -- good luck -- positive Feng Shui, so not suprisingly, there are whole sectors of Hong Kong devoted to selling the creatures. (This, coupled with the fact that most apartments are so small it makes having a warm blooded pet unpractical - does not stop folks owning Husky dogs ).

Where was I?

Oh yes, so we took a trip up to the dark side (Kowloon) to get us some fish in the big fish market there. We had a great deal of fun choosing which fish & which in-tank ornaments to get. Then we had a very local lunch of BBQ pork; goose and rice. There were not many gweilos around - v. local ... Joss and I realised we don't do enough of this type of thing with the boys. Will try to do so in future.

Two weeks later and 5 of the 16 fish still survive! (One's looking ropey tonight mind you)>

M

Thank you Mary Norton, now I feel really old - cheers

I'm feeling distinctly middle aged at the moment. Not helped by the kids to be frank. I've had enough of:

"Dad, what's a typewriter?"
"Dad, what's a record player?"
"Dad, what's a video player?"
"Dad, what's an 'ice cap'?" (I made that last one up - but their Grandchildren will be asking the same you bet)

Came to a head tonight, thanks to bloody Mary Norton.

You know when you read something of-period in the original English ... like Pepys ... like Robinson Crusoe ... and there are continual footnotes describing ye olde stuff?

Well, tonight I was reading Mary Norton's 'The Borrowers' with Billy, and found myself having to explain and describe nearly every artefact mentioned.

"Dad, what's a ...

"....safety pin?"
"....Crochet needle?" (OK, I'll give him that one but ....)
"....Postage stamp?"
"....Cotton reel?"
"....Shoe button?"
"....Gas lights?"
"....North West Frontier?"

And this book was written in the Fifties! I consider it to be a contemporary, even a modern book. Soon it will have to be published with explanatory footnotes (if Kids bother to read @ all that is). Wonder if people in the Fifties thought the same of books published in Victorian times? Doubt it somehow. Sigh ... the pace of change (now I know I AM middle aged).

M

Chinese New Year (CNY) party - Kowloon

Our friends Terry and Lucinda invited us and 20 or so other grown ups (plus kids) to a Chinese New Year party in Kowloon. They'd booked the entire Presidential suite overlooking the main harbour - right opposite the barges from which the fireworks are blasted from. This suite was HUGE! The garden terrace alone was bigger than our apartment. Apparently, the Chinese President stayed in the same suite when he came over to administer the handover back in 1997. Massive. As was the lavish spread (lobster & champagne & vodka shots .... OUCH).

M

A few worse-for-wear folks during the CNY party

No need to say much about these pix really!

M

Way home from CNY party

Vodka and Tsing Tao inspired light-shots. I quite like them!

(We were in a taxi, I was not driving). ;-)

m

Laisee & year of the rat 鼠

Can't think where the year's gone. Seems like only yesterday that mum & dad were staying with us for Chinese New Year. We've done so much and been to so many countries and cities in the past year/year and a half:

Working our way round the region - South to North to East to West

* Sydney
* Perth
* Bali
* Borneo
* Seoul
* Tokyo
* Manila
* Beijing
* Shanghai
* Siem Reap (Cambodia)
* Luang Prabang (Lao)
* Bangkok
* Malaysia
* Singapore
* Bintan
* Delhi
* Agra
* Mumbai
* Rajistan
* East/West coast USA
And UK a few times.

No wonder we're exhausted. Carbon footprint-wise, feeling v.guilty. I've completed 200,000+ miles with Cathay alone.

So this year is the year of the rat .... 鼠 ... Hong Kong has been plagued by rodent imagery and effigies for the past few weeks (some of it too Disney-fied for my taste). And the demand for Laisee was as strong as ever this year! Here are a couple of pix of my personalised red envelopes. The writing says 'Mark' in Chinese which sounds like 'Horse' ... a popular and strong surname!

M

Archie-Angel-Not

Looks like butter would not melt in his mouth.

But Lurpak Angel he ain't.

M

Bali culture

I was really looking forward to going to Bali - bit nervous about the potential terrorist threats of course (but we steered well clear of those areas) - but I was actually quite disappointed.

Waiting for nearly two hours in an un-air-conditioned sauna of an immigration area with two very tired (but amazingly well-behaved kids) did not help. And at the end of the week's holiday - sorry, 8 days apparently - I had a major run in with the Indonesian immigration office because we'd all outstayed our visa by a few hours. Majorly unimpressed was I - especially after bribes were suggested as a way to get out of the fix. After the Head Honcho threatened us with an overnight stay "where you sleep is not my problem", I coughed up the £40 or so he was asking for (as a fine, not a bribe). And then they did not take credit cards and we had no cash ... aaaagh nightmare ... 10 mins before take off etc etc. In the end, I realised I had some misc. foreign currency in my briefcase -- enough to pay the fine.

We went on a tour of a few of the temples. As you can see from Archie's reaction, they're a bit of an anti climax. Over-touristed and you get hassled. Boys were surrounded by street meat vendors - only to be wanting something from our frien Mr Wall's. One temple was famous for monkeys ... a heavy foul-smelling alpha male-ape-beast landed on my shoulders and gave me a bit of a shock. Nasty things.

Then the one good photo I thought I'd taken all holiday -- when I got home and looked on the computer, I realised I'd shot it with water squirting out of Archie's left ear!

I'm sure Bali MUST have some nice bits and I'm told the mountains etc are beautiful and serene. But I won't rush back to vacation there (going there on business in April so maybe my opinion will change?).

M

Bali Club Med

We like taking the boys to Club Meds for holidays. Club Med are really geared up to look after children and the employees definitely care about the service they give. Not cheap mind you, but good quality.

Entertainment for the kids is all part of the deal - circus school and evening concerts etc. NB Billy going thru the actions of YMCA on stage.

M