Business trip to Beijing, China for a 2 day workshop on Nokia's internet services
1 year, 9 months ago.
74 comments so far
Up early, taking the subway. Then transfer to an above ground trainline until arrive at Tokyo station. Then transfer to Narita Express, aiming for arriving at Narita airport at 7:30 for the 9:10 flight
I made it to the 6:30 Narita Express that will take 1 hour to arrive at Narita. But .. I don't have a ticket for this train hope they don't kick me off.. I either need to buy a ticket from the guy checking tickets or when I arrive at Narita
Many years ago, i took a black (a bit more expensive) taxi in the official taxi queue. At least i was always advised not to take any cabs whose drivers were waiting inside the terminal.
the buses don't seem to go to Swissotel (at least it's not among the stops listed). the airport extension to the subway isn't ready yet (supposed to be for the olympics). So yes, only option seems to be Taxi (or limo which is more expensive). as @PanuK said, better to get one from official taxi queue, and the cost should be around 60 yuan from airport to Swissotel.
yeah i suppose it could be close to 100 yuan, i'm just calculating based on the "price table" and distance (21km). just make sure it's not way way more than that :)
damn, and i thought finnish road names are long. your hotel seems to be on "Chao Yang Men Bei Da Jie". if it helps, tell him it's near "Dong Si Shi Tiao Zhan" (name of subway station) or "Zhong Jie Zhan" (name of bus station)
I found my hotel on Nokia Maps and saved it as a Landmark before I left. I'm watching my GPS pos and we're headed towards the hotel, that is a good sign.
The hotel has 2 reservations under my name and refuse to cancel one of them without the travel agency that booked it confirming the cancel and guess who gets to pay forit if it's not cancelled..me. Calling the travel agency eventhough it's Japanese holiday
Finally got intouch with someone at the travel agency that was able to cancel the reservation. But there will likely be a cancellation fee. Grr.. Heading down to the pool to try and relax.
Well some good news, I checked at the checkin desk, they didn't see it as cancelled yet but when I gave them the cancellation # they said they would make sure it's cancelled and wouldn't charge me anything extra for cancelling. Now to the pool
Had a big buffet dinner with crab, shrimp, and delicious dessert. Now reading the Mass Effect book on MobiPocket's reader before dozing off to sleep. It's been a long day..
Long presentation and q&a but one of the topics brought up was that user generated content is big in China. Lots of interest in user photos, videos, comments, reviews, etc. This trend is also growing around the world.
about the pollen... I though the same about pollution (but thought it was odd how it started at the same time all over the city) So I asked my g/f about it.
Arrived at Narita Airport. It's funny how people rush to standup in the aisles when the plane lands. I prefer to sit in my chair and wait for the crowd to file through.
74 comments so far
Up early, taking the subway. Then transfer to an above ground trainline until arrive at Tokyo station. Then transfer to Narita Express, aiming for arriving at Narita airport at 7:30 for the 9:10 flight
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
I made it to the 6:30 Narita Express that will take 1 hour to arrive at Narita. But .. I don't have a ticket for this train hope they don't kick me off.. I either need to buy a ticket from the guy checking tickets or when I arrive at Narita
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
I bought a ticket from the ticket checker onthe train.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Arrived at Narita
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Money exchanged heading through security.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Through security now time for immigration
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Through immigration heading for boarding gate for the Air China flight
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Onthe plane window seat, in about 3 hours will be in China.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Landed taking a long bus that is having a hard time making a sharp turn.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
@cybette or anybody else can recomend an easy way to get from the Beijing airport to Swissotel?
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
it seems the best way is by Taxi. I don't think the subway goes to the airport. let me see if i can find something more
1 year, 9 months ago by cybette
Many years ago, i took a black (a bit more expensive) taxi in the official taxi queue. At least i was always advised not to take any cabs whose drivers were waiting inside the terminal.
1 year, 9 months ago by PanuK
Thanks @cybette and @panuk I read on WikiTravel to beware of fake taxis
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Got through immigration now waiting for baggage.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Got my bag, it was totally searched, the zipper wasn't even all the way closed.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Off to the taxis. WikiTravel makes it sound like there are bogus conartist taxis all over. Guess I'll see soon.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
the buses don't seem to go to Swissotel (at least it's not among the stops listed). the airport extension to the subway isn't ready yet (supposed to be for the olympics). So yes, only option seems to be Taxi (or limo which is more expensive). as @PanuK said, better to get one from official taxi queue, and the cost should be around 60 yuan from airport to Swissotel.
1 year, 9 months ago by cybette
Thanks @cybette ! Headed for the taxi area now.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
offical taxis seam to cost about 100 yuan from where I'm in Beijing to the airport... (I'm leaving tomorrow morning)
1 year, 9 months ago by KevanV
yeah i suppose it could be close to 100 yuan, i'm just calculating based on the "price table" and distance (21km). just make sure it's not way way more than that :)
1 year, 9 months ago by cybette
Well I'm in an official taxi (I think). But the driver wasn't sure of the address. He asked another guy that tol him the address (I Hope)
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
There was only one big taxi line that all the foreigners were waiting in. So it's either a real taxi or all of the foreigners are getting ripped off..
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
damn, and i thought finnish road names are long. your hotel seems to be on "Chao Yang Men Bei Da Jie". if it helps, tell him it's near "Dong Si Shi Tiao Zhan" (name of subway station) or "Zhong Jie Zhan" (name of bus station)
1 year, 9 months ago by cybette
LOL, Finnish language contains such long words.......
1 year, 9 months ago by Cityrat59
I have the name of the hotel and the address written printed and I showed it to him. Other issue is he doesn't speak english.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
I found my hotel on Nokia Maps and saved it as a Landmark before I left. I'm watching my GPS pos and we're headed towards the hotel, that is a good sign.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
But I don't have detailed street maps for China so I can't see what street we're on. :-(
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
We found Swissotel!!
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Checked in and resting in my room. Now what the hell is all of this dust floating around? I mean I heard it's polluted but this is ridiculous.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Big thanks to @Cybette, @panuk, and @kevanv for the help!
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
anytime :) so what was the final fare? (just curious). hope you have a portable oxygen tank handy! ;)
1 year, 9 months ago by cybette
It came to 72 total. No I didn't bring any oxygen. :-/
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
The hotel has 2 reservations under my name and refuse to cancel one of them without the travel agency that booked it confirming the cancel and guess who gets to pay forit if it's not cancelled..me. Calling the travel agency eventhough it's Japanese holiday
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Finally got intouch with someone at the travel agency that was able to cancel the reservation. But there will likely be a cancellation fee. Grr.. Heading down to the pool to try and relax.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Well some good news, I checked at the checkin desk, they didn't see it as cancelled yet but when I gave them the cancellation # they said they would make sure it's cancelled and wouldn't charge me anything extra for cancelling. Now to the pool
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Had a big buffet dinner with crab, shrimp, and delicious dessert. Now reading the Mass Effect book on MobiPocket's reader before dozing off to sleep. It's been a long day..
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Slept well. Time for a big breakfast buffet. (one of the nice things about staying in a big hotel.)
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Had a mix of Chinese and Western breakfast with coffee. Heading to the start of a 2 day workshop on Nokia's internet services.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Opening speech about to start.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Coffee break and then Widsets, Widgets, and Nokia Maps guys are going to present.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Walking around Beijing using Nokia Maps to find the nearert sightseeing place with the workshop group
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Back at the hotel time for Lunch. It's hot and dusty out.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Now Nokia Music store presentations
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Now a presentation about internet trends in China, current estimates show China as #2 in the world by number of users and continuing to grow.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Long presentation and q&a but one of the topics brought up was that user generated content is big in China. Lots of interest in user photos, videos, comments, reviews, etc. This trend is also growing around the world.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Next presentation is on advertising.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Selecting music from the Nokia Music Store to be played during dinner.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Workshop Dinner time!
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Post dinner xbox 360, Wii, and PS3 gaming.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Watching my co-event attendees make fools of themselves on the Wii and PS3. Apparently I'm the only one that plays videogames in the group.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
All that "Dust" is pollen from the trees... it all started about 2 days ago. Straight after a thunderstorm and a downpour of rain.
1 year, 9 months ago by KevanV
@kevanv pollen? So you're saying that this is natures air pollution? I thought it was from the polluted air or due to all the construction ongoing..
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Heading down for Breakfast buffet before the 2nd day of the internet workshop begins.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Start of second day of Nokia's internet services workshop.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Todays workshop is mostly about demos and teamwork.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Demos are great so far. Now time for a Lunch break.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Demos are done. Now back to team idea presentations.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
about the pollen... I though the same about pollution (but thought it was odd how it started at the same time all over the city) So I asked my g/f about it.
1 year, 9 months ago by KevanV
The 2 day Nokia Internet services workshop is done. Heading back to my room to rest.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Watched afew episodes of StrangerThings.tv now time for dinner.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Beijing/Peking Duck on spring roll and Sweet and sour shrimp with a Coke for my last dinner in Beijing.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Reading a Mass Effect MobiPocket E-book before dozing off. Early morning flight back to Tokyo tomorrow.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Time to checkout of Swissotel and take a taxi to the airport.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Arrived at the airport. Cost this time 63. Traffic wasn't bad at this hour in the morning.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Grilled Chicken sandwich, french fries, and a Coke from Burger King for breakfast.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Checked in luggage. Got an aisle seat this time. Heading to security gate.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Had to take my belt off and go through metal detector twice to get through security, glad my pants stayed on. ;-)
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
About to board the Air China flight. Good bye unclean air and dust.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Arrived at Narita Airport. It's funny how people rush to standup in the aisles when the plane lands. I prefer to sit in my chair and wait for the crowd to file through.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Time to submit my fingerprints and portrait photo to Japanese immigration.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
They have my fingerprints and photo now they won't let me leave without filling in a declaration form claiming Nothing! Talk about anal.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
After my 3rd attempt, item claims checker finally let me out, still with nothing to claim.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Last stretch, take bus to TokyoDome, take subway to Saitama, then take cab to my apt.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob
Inthe taxi now headed home, the tripku is almost over. Going to rest at home this afternoon.
1 year, 9 months ago by LonelyBob