Hong Kong Vietnam

So I landed back in Nurnberg this morning, went into the office, and now Im home, at the apartment. Its really strange being here without Julia. I missed her a lot while I was gone, but now ten times more now that Im here and shes in LA. But soon enough Ill be seeing her in sunny California. Not soon enough.

So to pass the time, and hopefully inspire my brother-in-law to post more pictures of my niece, I decided to spend sometime tonight putting up the photos from this last trip. Especially since I know if I dont do it now, itll drag on forever. Like the Prague and Berlin posts.

So first things first. Hong Kong.

Oddbjorn, Otto, Ulf, Carl, and I went to HK for a few days before our factory trip to Vietnam. I love this city so I was super excited to get back.

Soon as we got off the plane. Dim sum. Cant get this in Nurnberg...

(You can click on all these photos to make them larger)

I dont know if this falls under a religion, and Im not super cultured, but Im not familiar with any organization that asks you to wear dish rags on your head. Even if they did, it wouldnt be half as silly as Scientology

In 3 days we managed to cover that city up and down and back again.

Ulf

Carl

This city is amazing in the day, but at night it comes alive more than any other Ive ever been to.

Maybe cause during the day its too hot to do anything, much respect to these guys, and their hats

Always good to run into some old friends

I usually try to use the subway as much as possible, cause its the most impressive and organized Ive ever been to. But the guys insisted we use the fairy from Kowloon to HK and Im glad they did. 

Met up with an old friend Tiffany, from the Reebok HK office. She took us out one night to a cool little street with some nice spots.

After that Ulf stopped in a 711 and came out with 2 beers for both of us. I asked "Why 2 beers?"

"One for your hand, and one for your back pocket"

Thats German ingenuity.

Otto

Oddbjorn

He always color coordinates his beer to his lighter, can be a bit tricky

Off to Vietnam. 

Hong Kong was great as usual. We saw a lot of really inspiring product and people as always. I was really fortunate to have a super great travel team again. And it was great to see Tiff.

We left for Vietnam on Sunday. Monday morning it was off to the development center. An hour long van ride each way. If the seats werent so small I would have enjoyed this more, but I guess people in Vietnam dont have knees.

Those 2 hours a day were a great opportunity to see Saigon. The traffic situation is insane. I understand why people get drivers. I couldnt do it. There are thousands of motorcycles, scooters, and bikes zooming all around you with really no cause or direction. Gave me a lot of great chances to take pictures though.

This guy had flair, respect.

We were staying on the executive floor, which offered free beer in the lounge. We joked that next year they probably wont still have that offer. With no need to go out, we spent every night out on the porch, that over looked the city. It will definitely be a memory for life.

The Reebok team was there as well, which was so amazing to see them. The only problem is I seem to not have taken pictures while they were around? Heres one of the few with Rebecca.

On our last day in the DC Ronnie asked a few of the security guards to line up. I was pretty surprised when they did. He said hell give me the photo he took, with all of his other ones.

He spent most of the van rides hanging out the windows snapping away. Ill post a best of when I get them from him. It was a bit discouraging cause I knew whenever we went for the same shot that his was going to be better.

Heres one of the Development Centers. I was really really impressed by it. Its a beautiful factory. Spotless and really well run. I never really knew what to expect from a footwear factory. Theres all these horror stories out there about production in developing nations, but I couldnt see an ounce of it here. It was nicer working conditions than most HQs in the states. Wish I could post more photos, but Im not sure if I should even put this one up.

Here are some odds and ends photos of things I just liked. Unbreakable? I almost tried.

View from the lounge patio. That road went beyond eye vision.

My fathers an electrician, and as I walked around the city I could help but think about how much he would freak out if he saw this. This one wasnt even the worst.

Vietnam was an amazing experience. Id be lying if I said it was beautiful, but I dont know how much that matters. I really liked it there. I liked, from the little I learned, the locals views one life vs. work. They may have a different set of global values, but I think they have the personal values and personal priorities spot on. To be very honest, the only thing I wasnt so keen on was some of the polution I saw happening in the streets. Other than that I think its a pretty incredible and raw place, and thats what matters to me.

PS> Im going to add and edit the text in the morning better, but Im just too tired now