2007 looks like it is off to a blazing start for me. It’s only the first month of the year and I already have at least four major trips on my radar screen. Two of them look like they are definite, two look pretty certain but not guaranteed and more are emerging with every passing week. Many may wonder why this is worth writing about as so many people travel for business. The explanation is quite simple, this is the first time in my career that required such extensive travel so it both new and exciting for me.
My first trip, which I will be leaving for on Sunday, is to Hong Kong. The trip I took last November to Santiago was both the first international trip I have taken and my first trip to South America. Needless to say it was a pretty daunting experience. Needless to say, it was a transformational experience and I enjoyed it tremendously, but it doesn’t lessen my excitement and apprehensiveness about this trip.
On Sunday evening, I depart Philadelphia International Airport and fly to San Francisco. Fortunately for me, I am meeting a close colleague in Philly who will be along for the entire trip, so it gives me someone to chat with. The only downside of the trip is the layover in San Fran (5 hours), otherwise, I am imagining a pretty smooth trip. In San Francisco we are meeting up with our manager and two other colleagues who will be with us for the remainder of the trip. From San Francisco we take a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong. The time zone differences and the fact that we cross the International Date Line puts us into the Airport around 7:00 AM local time.
It’s a lot of time to be flying…but I hope to use it to catch up on some long overdue reading and hopefully sleep, although I don’t sleep well on planes so that is doubtful. Regardless, I am pretty excited to head to Asia for the first time in my 32 years of life.
The purpose of this post and the next few posts in this series is to share the information I found in my research about Hong Kong. I am doing it as much for my friends and family so they can gain an appreciation for where I am heading and what I will be experiencing as I am for myself as a personal travelogue.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 1 – Overview I will share a brief overview of the location, climate, geography, history, population, government structure and economy.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 2 – Government and Economics I will provide a more indepth exploration of the government, including a governmental overview, the principal governmental officials and political conditions, and the economy and foreign relations.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 3 – People and Culture I will describe some of the cultural aspects Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 4 – Business Tips and Etiquette I will share numerous tips for doing business in Hong Kong including making a good first impression and describing various aspects of the business culture (negotiations and meetings, dining and entertainment, dress, gifts and compliments).
Finally, in Hong Kong Trip – Part 5 – Touring, FAQs, and Resources I will share some of the top tourist attractions and address some frequently asked questions and provide some additional resources for further research.
Hong Kong Trip – Introduction
2007 looks like it is off to a blazing start for me. It’s only the first month of the year and I already have at least four major trips on my radar screen. Two of them look like they are definite, two look pretty certain but not guaranteed and more are emerging with every passing week. Many may wonder why this is worth writing about as so many people travel for business. The explanation is quite simple, this is the first time in my career that required such extensive travel so it both new and exciting for me.
My first trip, which I will be leaving for on Sunday, is to Hong Kong. The trip I took last November to Santiago was both the first international trip I have taken and my first trip to South America. Needless to say it was a pretty daunting experience. Needless to say, it was a transformational experience and I enjoyed it tremendously, but it doesn’t lessen my excitement and apprehensiveness about this trip.
On Sunday evening, I depart Philadelphia International Airport and fly to San Francisco. Fortunately for me, I am meeting a close colleague in Philly who will be along for the entire trip, so it gives me someone to chat with. The only downside of the trip is the layover in San Fran (5 hours), otherwise, I am imagining a pretty smooth trip. In San Francisco we are meeting up with our manager and two other colleagues who will be with us for the remainder of the trip. From San Francisco we take a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong. The time zone differences and the fact that we cross the International Date Line puts us into the Airport around 7:00 AM local time.
It’s a lot of time to be flying…but I hope to use it to catch up on some long overdue reading and hopefully sleep, although I don’t sleep well on planes so that is doubtful. Regardless, I am pretty excited to head to Asia for the first time in my 32 years of life.
The purpose of this post and the next few posts in this series is to share the information I found in my research about Hong Kong. I am doing it as much for my friends and family so they can gain an appreciation for where I am heading and what I will be experiencing as I am for myself as a personal travelogue.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 1 – Overview I will share a brief overview of the location, climate, geography, history, population, government structure and economy.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 2 – Government and Economics I will provide a more indepth exploration of the government, including a governmental overview, the principal governmental officials and political conditions, and the economy and foreign relations.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 3 – People and Culture I will describe some of the cultural aspects Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong Trip – Part 4 – Business Tips and Etiquette I will share numerous tips for doing business in Hong Kong including making a good first impression and describing various aspects of the business culture (negotiations and meetings, dining and entertainment, dress, gifts and compliments).
Finally, in Hong Kong Trip – Part 5 – Touring, FAQs, and Resources I will share some of the top tourist attractions and address some frequently asked questions and provide some additional resources for further research.