Business trip to Beijing, China for a 2 day workshop on Nokia's internet services
2 months, 2 weeks ago in Saitama, Japan.
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
2 months, 2 weeks 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
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
I bought a ticket from the ticket checker onthe train.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Arrived at Narita
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Money exchanged heading through security.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Through security now time for immigration
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Through immigration heading for boarding gate for the Air China flight
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Onthe plane window seat, in about 3 hours will be in China.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Landed taking a long bus that is having a hard time making a sharp turn.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
@cybette or anybody else can recomend an easy way to get from the Beijing airport to Swissotel?
2 months, 2 weeks 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
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by PanuK.
Thanks @cybette and @panuk I read on WikiTravel to beware of fake taxis
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Got through immigration now waiting for baggage.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Got my bag, it was totally searched, the zipper wasn't even all the way closed.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Off to the taxis. WikiTravel makes it sound like there are bogus conartist taxis all over. Guess I'll see soon.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette.
Thanks @cybette ! Headed for the taxi area now.
2 months, 2 weeks 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)
2 months, 2 weeks 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 :)
2 months, 2 weeks 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)
2 months, 2 weeks 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..
2 months, 2 weeks 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)
2 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette.
LOL, Finnish language contains such long words.......
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
But I don't have detailed street maps for China so I can't see what street we're on. :-(
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
We found Swissotel!!
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Big thanks to @Cybette, @panuk, and @kevanv for the help!
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
anytime :) so what was the final fare? (just curious). hope you have a portable oxygen tank handy! ;)
2 months, 2 weeks ago by cybette.
It came to 72 total. No I didn't bring any oxygen. :-/
2 months, 2 weeks 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
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks 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
2 months, 2 weeks 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..
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Slept well. Time for a big breakfast buffet. (one of the nice things about staying in a big hotel.)
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Opening speech about to start.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Coffee break and then Widsets, Widgets, and Nokia Maps guys are going to present.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Walking around Beijing using Nokia Maps to find the nearert sightseeing place with the workshop group
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Back at the hotel time for Lunch. It's hot and dusty out.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Now Nokia Music store presentations
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Next presentation is on advertising.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Selecting music from the Nokia Music Store to be played during dinner.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Workshop Dinner time!
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Post dinner xbox 360, Wii, and PS3 gaming.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks 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..
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Heading down for Breakfast buffet before the 2nd day of the internet workshop begins.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Start of second day of Nokia's internet services workshop.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Todays workshop is mostly about demos and teamwork.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Demos are great so far. Now time for a Lunch break.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Demos are done. Now back to team idea presentations.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by KevanV.
The 2 day Nokia Internet services workshop is done. Heading back to my room to rest.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Watched afew episodes of StrangerThings.tv now time for dinner.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Beijing/Peking Duck on spring roll and Sweet and sour shrimp with a Coke for my last dinner in Beijing.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Reading a Mass Effect MobiPocket E-book before dozing off. Early morning flight back to Tokyo tomorrow.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Time to checkout of Swissotel and take a taxi to the airport.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Arrived at the airport. Cost this time 63. Traffic wasn't bad at this hour in the morning.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Grilled Chicken sandwich, french fries, and a Coke from Burger King for breakfast.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Checked in luggage. Got an aisle seat this time. Heading to security gate.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Had to take my belt off and go through metal detector twice to get through security, glad my pants stayed on. ;-)
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
About to board the Air China flight. Good bye unclean air and dust.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Time to submit my fingerprints and portrait photo to Japanese immigration.
2 months, 2 weeks 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.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
After my 3rd attempt, item claims checker finally let me out, still with nothing to claim.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Last stretch, take bus to TokyoDome, take subway to Saitama, then take cab to my apt.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.
Inthe taxi now headed home, the tripku is almost over. Going to rest at home this afternoon.
2 months, 2 weeks ago by LonelyBob.