Home at Last

Travelling is one of the greatest activities available to mankind to enrich his knowledge of the world we live in. I should be a genius if this is the case. No doubt I've seen some great things. I'm not the back pack type guy that would expand my travel knowledge even more especially in Thailand, but still, I've had a great time.

Today Saturday I was up at 4:30am and didn't move physically but my brain was active. I went and got a haircut and now I'm back home. I'm just not 100% as I'm missing sleep and thus energy. Its the time problem. I arrived home Wednesday at 2:00am and went to bed at 3:00am and got up with my family at 6:30am. That night I had the boys over for card night. The last guy leaves at 2:00am and so I still haven't had 7 hours of solid sleep which would be great for me. The return flight does this. Going there is never a problem.

So even though travelling is my prime hobby, I love coming home. There is nothing sweeter than my wife picking me up and she has a hot Tim Horton's coffee in hand. Then my procedure is to down within the next few days, some Swiss Chalet chicken and the next morning some Frosted Mini Wheat's! I usually don't drink milk when I'm away. Something about foreign milk gives me a weird feeling. My head problem no doubt.
Chinese people have a reputation of eating everything. In this photo, my supplier ordered this Shrimp Snack and I just couldn't pick up a handful of these puppies and eat them like potato chips as she did. Very crunchy. I asked if they came in Salt and Vinegar, Nope? So I passed.

Anyway, for me this is the best time of year. The Masters Golf Tournament signifies that the golf season is upon us and warm weather is close. I love it.

I have the Lingerie Show coming up in April in Las Vegas. My wife will be attending this one which is great and then the next show is the industry trade show in July in LA. When I got home on Wednesday, the next day my wife told me she was going away with the girls this weekend, so I told her, "You have a Nerve!" She has a great sense of humour too.

So it was thrilling to see my assembly line at work in China making all of our Bullets. We sell Tons of Bullets.

Sawasdee

That means Hello in Thai. Wow, is all I can say about the golf courses here in Thailand. I took off with a colleague for a week of golf about a 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok and we played some amazing courses there. The weather is about 34 to 38 degrees, so really hot. Thailand is a place that is so full of tradition. Women are always caddies in Asia and most do not really know much about the game based on my experience here in Thailand. Basically its to provide a job. They get about $7.00 per round from the course and a suggested tip is the same or more. It takes 4.5 hours to play, so do the math. Few can read the greens but I try my best to make them feel relaxed and have a good day with us. They wear so much clothing and many people working the course look like they do it for religious purposes but no, they hate the Sun. I mean, look at those towels! Everything is cheap too. Four drinks for $2.00.

Anyway, we arrived in Bangkok late yesterday afternoon after playing golf in the morning. My friend who I can't mention his name here took me to a great Buffet last night. It was unbelievable. What is great is his girlfriend's daughter is actually on a backpacking tour in northern Thailand. She is having a blast now but her tour was almost cancelled due to fires and smoke there.

Once again, the fun must end and I'm back to China today to begin dealing and negotiating. At least it will be cooler. My colleague will fly home at midnight. Personally I can't wait to get home. I miss my wife's hugs and humour and my boys. One of my boys imitates me and I love it.

One more thing. I picked up some great art. Not your usual Thai stuff either. You have to see the detail in it to appreciate it. I'm out of here.

Well I could resist to add a little more to my Blog. Bangkok has a new airport as well. What a beautiful place. State of the art for sure. I've just parked my ass here in the lounge and will be preparing myself for tomorrows meeting.

China

Shanghai to me is the most gracious city with stunning views everywhere you look. I only see the new parts, but let me tell you I'd move there in a second if the conditions were right. Then again, maybe it will change if I move there.

I'm off to Thailand for a little golf with a customer for a few days. I will keep you posted. Thailand is the Mecca for golf in Asia.

Steve

Air Canada (AC)

Today I was suppose to leave for Shanghai. By the way, I'm really sure when I booked this trip it is a direct flight with no stops and all of a sudden there is a stop stop in Vancouver. Seems to me like a lie. Anyway we never made it off the ground and it took AC over 5 hours to tell me I will be on tomorrow's flight. Simply unacceptable customer service.

There was some good tings out of it. I met one of the worlds most amazing guys. He is very famous in his own country of Chile, but here nobody knows him. He is competing for the Mr. World contest in Sanya, China. Some exclusive place for the rich of China. He is tall had full of muscles, but now gross.

So tomorrow I will try again. The other great thing is AC gave Business Class all new seats, they looked good. Hopefully I will get to sit in them a bit longer this time.