For Chinese food culture, fruits are very important part of it. You need to have different kinds of fruits available all the time. And it is very nice part of the food culture because nearly everything is fresh and most of them are locally grown. Here is a nice selection of fresh (same-day) watermelons, two kinds of cherries and apricots. Together with dried jujube.
I didn’t know that one can eat these small sea snails as well, always thought that only some bigger species are good for eating but I learned something new. Very delicious.
Some time ago I was writing about going to the other side of the world. Well, this time I am now on the other side of the world again and not the same side as last time.
Travel to China was pretty uneventful this time and no major things happened. Some smaller delays though on our way and we got to test the new Airbus A380, which was more exciting to me than to Fangfang. It is very impressive airplane and really does everything it was supposed to do. Too bad the Lufthansa didn’t invest on the top-notch entertainment system but decided to stay with the reasonably good system. I was missing few options I had seen already with some other airlines, such as USB connectivity (according to some information, it is coming later) and much bigger movie collection (some of the competitors have basically over 100 titles in their selection).
The new experience was any way worth the extra travel time and we arrived safely to Beijing where we enjoyed some complimentary lunch with Air China before continuing onward (they had also re-made their WiFi and this time it actually worked, also with iPhones). Always nice to get some good lunch before next flight and also this time wasn’t exception, well prepared lunch will always beat the airplane food although I am some kind of weird fan of airline food. Bonus was to get some ice cream to celebrate the vacation.
After arriving to Beijing, it already became quite clear that the temperatures are higher than in Finland and it also applies to Jiaonan. I am of course the only one who is wearing bermuda-style shorts and everyone else seems to be considering this as good but not too hot weather (and for me, this is something I consider hot). It is nice to enjoy some warm weather and sunshine and just relax.
Photos about different things start to appear during our vacation so stay tuned!
Here we go, it is already waiting for us at the gate.
Now, bag to the belt
Drink the last cup
Soon from the top of the clouds
I can remember this country
I don’t have exact direction
I will go wherever the destiny will take me
I have pictures with me
but eyes do not meet
Father, I’m here on the other side of the world, singing pappadaduda pa duda dapa
Mother, don’t worry, yes, I will take care of myself, singing pappadaduda pa duda dapa
Above is rough translation from a new Finnish song, which has been played quite often in radio these days. It is called Maailman toisella puolen and it is from a group called Haloo Helsinki! Somehow this exactly describes my life sometimes.
And once again, about this time I have started my voyage. First to Tampere, then to Helsinki and then soon … I will drink the last cup of coffee and I will look at Finland from the top of the clouds. This day will be very long as it starts so early and it will last longer than the day in Finland, I will be going to West.
Joy can be small things – after a flight without food, after seeing lounge closed, then you come across with an old friend. Starbucks saves the evening.
My first flight for 2011 is about to depart.
How cool is this? Octoberfest beer with proper glass sold in a package at the airport shopping area. 
I am flying with Austrian airlines to Prague via Vienna (flight operated by Tyrolean) and I am very happy to see that not all things get worse all the time when traveling.
Some magazines were offered on thus flight and those were nicely put inside plastic folder, quite nice idea making them last longer and easier to handle in the small airplane.
And there are still some drinks available and not just a boring can but a real bottle. How nice is that!
And when traveling, it is important to eat well. How about some chicken salad, shrimps with rice and nice traditional Austrian apple dessert? I am certainly happy that I didn’t choose one of those airlines, which make you pay for a sandwich.
I have been traveling quite many years now and certain things are happening every time. I pack on the last evening and almost every time, I also prepare everything on the last evening (ironing etc.).
For this kind of short European trip, I of course need to pack my suit but then I also need some other important stuff such as my Airport Express, which will help to create WLAN in my hotel room if there is only a wired Internet – hopefully there is as today most of the hotels will only allow one computer and I need connection also for my phones. Need to get online you know.
Otherwise it follows the same usual path, check-in and print the boarding passes as soon as the check-in opens (try to catch boarding number 1 if possible; today I got 1 for the first flight and 2 for the second flight). Update relevant applications on the phone (make sure I have up to date itineraries with me and lounge locations etc.) and check that I have updated my music (and videos) for the iPod.
That’s it, pretty simple. Most of the stuff I take with me are always the same and some of those are already packed even between the trips. Just waiting for the next trip.