Contents
04
04
AN AMAZING ADVENTURE Letter from our Readers
08
A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Meet Vijay Poonoosamy
14
DALIAN IN A DAY A Quick City Tour
20
RENDEZVOUS OF FRIENDS A Wine Tasting with a Difference
24
A TO Z OF HOSTING Summer Davos without a Hitch
34
FLOURISHING ART Featuring Four Dalian Artists
40
A MANY DIMENSION HOLIDAY Malaysia - Truly Asia!
PAST EVENT 42 BEST A Perfect Evening in Dalian & WHERE TO EAT? 46 WHAT Eight Gourmet Dishes ON WHEN 48 WHATS Dalian Update
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X FACTOR OF EXPAT LIFE 52 THE Expat Confession
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Haijun Liu *** General Manager
SINO OCEAN WORLD VIEW
Welcome
to the City of Warm Hospitality Dear Readers, Even though the beginning of summer in Dalian was a long, dismal, foggy affair, the end of summer turned out to be warm and wonderful. Long sunny days are turning into the golden days of autumn, before autumn itself will be rudely interrupted by the freezing Siberian winds that will turn Dalian into a refrigerator for the next four months.
Patrick Wong *** General Manager
ETON PROPERTIES
But why dwell on what is to come? Instead, let's enjoy every last ray of sunshine as it envelopes Dalian in its sunny embrace, reminding us of why we love our adopted city. It is the city of sunshine and romance - remember? Anyway, back to Dalian Today and the contents of its September issue. Business as usual, as we continue our support for the community! Actually, talking of which, we have firmly resisted the temptation to join the multitudes here in Dalian who are viewing the approaching Annual Meeting of the New Champions, or Summer Davos as it is popularly known, as just an opportunity. We at Dalian Today are keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground, and refuse to be sidetracked into writing glowing reports of either undeserving businesses or WEF celebrities, thus using the event to rake in additional advertising revenue. Instead, we brain-stormed on how we could help the delegates of Summer Davos and came up with an idea of giving them some practical help for when they arrive in the city. Therefore, we have compiled some valuable information on Dalian in a nutshell. Knowing that Summer Davos guests will be here for a very short period, we have highlighted what to see, where to go and what to eat. We hope this will be of interest and help them explore Dalian and find its many treasures.
Zhiwei Yang
***
General Manager
Sino - Ocean Technopole
While on the subject of Davos, it was great to conduct an illuminating interview with Han Qiang, Deputy Director of the Dalian Summer Davos Coordination Office, who took the time and the trouble to talk at length about the great pairing of Dalian and Summer Davos. Another interesting interview was one with Vijay Poonoosamy. He is a pathbreaker with so many milestones to his credit. His achievements would find him an assured place any day in any publication that enjoys profiling outstanding people. Naturally, for all the obvious reasons it is a big moment for Dalian to host for the third time a major WEF event. We know that Dalian is very capable of the seamless organization of such large forums. While WEF has solid experience in coordinating its events, it still has many critics. To quote a major publication, "WEF continues to be praised and derided in equal doses," and many still do question what it has really achieved. Our take on this matter is that WEF has been around for 40 years and its very continuing existence proves that in spite of the annual civil demonstrations in Switzerland, dissenting voices and accusations of being talk-shops of the powerful and glamorous, at the very least it is fulfilling a very major and basic need in today's society and that is no less than the need to communicate. So, good luck to Dalian, to the Summer Davos meetings, and to all us ordinary people going about our ordinary business and contributing daily to the community. It is our job and we shall do it, without praise, power, political or economic persuation. Until our next exciting issue,
Sumi Seissinger
Live life large and keep smiling...
****** Managing Director
LINK INTERNATIONAL
Sumi Seissinger Editor-in-Chief
Dalian Today Publications
Publisher *** *** Masters Publishing & Media Co., Ltd. ****************
General Manager *** Minghui Liu ***
Managing Director ***** Sumi Seissinger ******
Feature Editors **** Sumi Seissinger ****** Michael Paul Hogan **
Regular Contributors Philip Sage Mia Seissinger Jing Hao Liong Jess Kummerlin Brandon Ballara Wendy Zhao
Executive Copy Editor **** Michael Paul Hogan **
Typo Editing **** Mia Seissinger Jing Hao Liong
***********
Chinese Translation & Editing ****&** Wendy Zhao *** Calie Sun *** Zhaohui Guo *** Liuxin **
Studio **** Concept & Visualization Sumi Seissinger ******
Production Manager **** Danny Jun ****
Designers ** Mary Ma *** Lizzie Li ***
Photography ** Maciej Wolaniecki *** Sumi Seissinger ****** Studio Photography ******* Do Do **
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Cover Photograph **
Public Relations ** Calie Sun *** Susan Hogan ***
Executive Office **** Calie Sun *** Wendy Zhao *** Lily Zhang **
THIS SPECIAL ISSUE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF DAVOS DELEGATES WILL BE FOUND IN THE HOTEL ROOMS OF MANY OF FIVE STAR HOTELS OF DALIAN
The Dalian Today City Gazette is published monthly and copies are distributed free of charge in ***Five-star & select Four-star Hotels, Expat Frequented Bars, Restaurants & Coffee Shops, Multi-national Companies & International Schools. *********************** *********************** *************
Articles contained with the Dalian Today City Gazette are under copyright to the publisher and cannot be reproduced or transmitted in any form, without first obtaining written permission. *********************** *********************** ********************
*********************** ************************* ************************* ************** ******************************** ************************************* *************************************** ***************** ************************************* *************************************** **********Vijay Poonasamy***Vijay***************** *************************** ************************************* *************************************** ************************************** *************************************** *************************40************* ******************************
Dalian Today Publications ****************
HQ: Beverly Garden, 45 Fushun Street, DDA, Dalian - 116600, Liaoning Pr., China ***************45* *****
Tel: +86-411-8753-3896 Mobile: +86-138-4282-5571 +86-138-8961-9205 E-mail: daliantoday@linkintchina.com.cn Website: www.daliantodaycitybooks.com
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Dalian Today City Gazette September 2011 DM
03
Letter from our Readers Newbies in Town I was amused to spot the babies with slit pants almost immediately. I could not believe that there were no buggies and that they carried the children around in their arms. Moving into our New Home: We came to Beverly Garden, and felt safe immediately. We have fantastic neighbors. Mena Edgar, who has now moved back to Ireland, was so helpful, and so was Elodie. Our children made instant friends with the other kids in the compound and enjoy living at the Beverly Garden. It is great for the children to have so much freedom and yet for us parents to know that they are watched quietly in the background by the efficient and friendly staff.
Ireland to Dalian
An Adventure Like No Other By Cliona (pronounced Clena) "China? Why Not?" One day in Dublin, my husband Stiofan (pronounced Stefan) Conneely, who was working on his computer, casually said, "By the way, I have been asked at work if I would like to go on an assignment to China!" I jumped up and cried, "What"? However, I think he was equally taken aback when I said, "Why not?" Welcoming Stares in Beijing: What did I really expect? I haven't a clue, I heard through the grapevine that babies here do not wear nappies and then I found the photographs of Chinese babies in split pants on the internet, so the first thing I did was run around like a mad woman buying pampers. We were not given any shipping, so when we landed in Beijing we had ten suitcases, five carry-ons and a car seat. Ailbhe, our second daughter (pronounced Alva and means radiant and beautiful), was wheeling the buggy with Tadhg, our youngest (pronounced Tadhg, which is Irish for Timothy), and Cloda, our eldest (named after a river in Ireland), Stiofan and myself were all lugging our baggage.
only recently that GARDA - the Irish Police Force - started recruiting non-nationals. It was a nice surprise; he was very kind and helped us with the luggage. Arriving in Dalian: Waiting for our luggage at Dalian Airport we were stared at even more than in Beijing. This was our first experience of people taking our photographs and touching the hair of the children (two redheads and one blond) without permission. When we came out into the arrival hall, Stefan's friend, Colm, and four drivers greeted us. Thankfully, they took charge of the bags. Due to the national holiday, we could not immediately move into our future home, so we stayed at the Dynasty Hotel for a couple of days and enjoyed the experience. Colm took us around, and during the first couple of days we saw quite a lot of Dalian.
It was 4:00 AM Irish time, and we were all tired and totally unprepared for the stares; it was as if the Martians had landed. We had to change terminals and nobody helped. Anyway, we managed to get on the bus, and a Chinese guy came up to Stiofan and asked, "Are you from Dublin?" It was our turn to stare when he said, "I am also from Dublin." In fact, he was an Irish Police Officer. It is
04 DM Dalian Today City Gazette September 2011
New School: The week we arrived, the girls did an entrance examination at the Dalian American International School and we were very glad to hear that that they had been accepted. We came to Dalian during the summer holidays so we had two full months without school. I admit I was a bit worried about the schooling, since our kids in Ireland attended an Irish language medium school. This would be a big change, but I am happy to report that the girls are taking it in their stride. They really enjoy going to school, and join in all the extra-curricular activities. I have also found a good piano and violin teacher for the girls, and Tadhg attends a pre-instrumental class at the Tongligung. Another worry was that the school was half an hour away from Beverly Garden. However, I am so pleased that the children get this extra time in the car to do their daily assigned half hour of reading. We get that part of the homework done and it is a big advantage. Doing the summer they have had Chinese lessons, from a Chinese lady called Ruth who came to the house, and this gave them a wonderful head-start.
become involved with the Dalian Wolfhounds. They train twice a week and now Stiofan will be joining the group for the Asian Games at Seoul. Entertainment: Wednesday night is Ladies Night Out and Stiofan loves the quiz nights held by the Dalian Wolfhounds. We are able to go out together some evenings, since we have a very good baby sitter who is our neighbor and a high school kid at DAIS. Work: Stiofan is happy at work. I think he is quite suited to working here, since he is very patient and good at dealing with people. He can also motivate people in a quiet manner, and does not get easily stressed. Stiofan and China are a good fit.
The children really love every minute of life in Dalian. Of course, they still miss Ireland and their friends back home, but it is so wonderful to see how positively they are taking our adventure here. Chinese cuisine: We found out that it is better not to ask what it is before one tastes it. Naturally, the first two weeks were difficult, because we did not know what to expect. Not knowing the language and ordering from photographs can be tricky. Our fantastic driver, who is now my right hand, made the difference. He translates at restaurants and we are enjoying the food. Stiofan is not mad about dumplings but I will eat everything. The food overall is good. I also have an Ayi, and I am learning to cook Chinese from her. Shopping: Grocery shopping was very difficult in the beginning, not knowing where to find imported fresh milk, etc, but Susanne Maher, who has since returned home, was extremely helpful. What is really wonderful here are the helpful expats.
Trips: In Dalian, we have visited Ocean World, Discovery Land, Labor Park, Xinghai Square, and the famous Beer Festival. We hope to also get out of Dalian and see a lot of China. We have already visited Dandong and Beijing, and will be flying to Shanghai soon. Stiofan comes from Inishere, which is a small island in western Ireland that has a population of only three hundred people. Life there is beautiful but slow. Inishere to Dalian are oceans apart. However, we are having the adventure of a lifetime in Dalian, and as long as the kids are happy and there is modern technology that helps us keep in touch with our families back home, we are not complaining. The Million-Dollar Question: If we were given an extension, would we stay? Yes! We would definitely consider it...
***** *********Stiofan********* **********Stiofan********** *****************Why not?** ****************
****Cliona************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** ******* ********************* *********************** *********************** *****Colm**************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** ******** ********************* *********************** *********************** *****************Cliona Stiofan ***** ********************* *********************** ************************ *********************** *********************** **************Wolfhounds**** *********************** *********************** **************Stiofan****** ********************** ********************* ********************* ***************100***** ** ********************* ****** ********** FYI:******* 87533896
Medical help: SOS is fantastic, Tadhg has been sick a couple of times and the care and the attention is outstanding. What do we do here that we wouldn't do at home? Acupuncture at Dr. Chens, Nails at Jessica, and Downtown Massage where both Stiofan and I can go together. Sport: Stiofan was very active at home with the GAA Gaellic Athletic Association, and here he has
Dalian Today City Gazette September 2011 DM
05
01 Mounted Policewomen
MUST SEE ! To quote Samuel Johnson, "The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are." The moment you land in Dalian, a city you might have tried to imagine, is the moment you can start getting ready for surprises. There is so much to see and so many places to visit, but since your time may be limited, we recommend the following.
This elite group was created in 1994, and is probably the only one of its kind in the world. The team trains regularly on Zhongshan Road and can be viewed by the public between 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Experience the equestrian talents of Dalian's graceful and skilled team at work.
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03 Dalian Peking Opera With its fascinating music, singing and costumes, the Peking Opera is China's national art form. Here is presented an encyclopedia of Chinese culture, as well as unfolding stories, beautiful paintings, exquisite costumes, graceful gestures and martial arts. The Dalian Peking Opera Theatre (Dalian Jingju Yuan), located in Zhongshan District in downtown Dalian, was established in 1949. The company has toured the world and a list of the famous cities in which they have performed would read like an atlas: London, Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam and New York are merely five of the famous cities in which they have appeared. For a visit or related info please call 0411-82304155.
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06 Xinghai Square Xinghai Square (****x*ngh*i gu*ngch*ng) is, at 45,000 sq m, the largest square in Asia. There are a number of attractions, including museums, a bathing beach, a large aquarium, Xinghai Convention and Exhibition Center, an indoor tennis court and swimming pool, a number of seafood restaurants, and many beer gardens. It also has a bungee tower and a small amusement park. It is a fun place to wander around, ride a bike or trike, or simply just people-watch.
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07 Main Street Renmin Road has all the elegance and prosperity of a Manhattan avenue, with its financial power and persuasion. It is located just one km. away from the Harbor, and caters to the discerning residents of Dalian. It offers a wide range of luxurious services that give it the hallmark of being the best address in town. The Shangri-La Hotel is located here, and is an elegant and popular five star hotel which offers comfort, class and convenience to both business and leisure visitors, as well as the residents of its luxurious serviced apartments
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02 Natural History Museum Dalian Natural History Museum, located at 40 Xicun Jie, near Xinghai Square, is the leading museum of its kind in China. The collection of 50,000 items is interestingly displayed over 15,000 sq m. It mainly focuses on marine life, and features fossils of 20 different kinds of sea animals, including a black barebacked whale, the biggest existing fossil in Asia. It also includes a spectacular dinosaur fossil exhibit.
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04 Golden Stone Park
05 Roadside Attractions of Binhai Road
The Golden Stone Park, with its unbelievable Karst landscape, is a very rare sight in China and has taken 600 million years to form. It was discovered in 1996 when local construction workers were digging the foundations of a hotel. After five years of meticulous excavation, the breathless beauty of this amazing rock garden was finally revealed to visitors in 2001. These ragged, rugged and craggy rocks, resembling turtles, dinosaurs, eagles and dogs, were created by the ebb and flow of the ocean by wave erosion. Definitely one of the wonders of Jinshitan and Dalian.
Binhai (coastal) Road, also named "Lover's Road", is 32 kilometers long, with 12 main scenic viewing places along the coastline. A few of the many attractions include Tiger Beach Ocean Park, Xinghai Square, Great North Bridge, Swallow Nest Mountain, Silver Beach, and Bangchui Island.
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08 Olympic Square
Olympic Square, which was built in 1999, was a gift to the people of Dalian to commemorate the city's 100th anniversary. The huge square has been divided into north and south sections. There is a football court and 12 tennis courts at the southern square. On the other side, the northern section is decorated with the significant five rings of the Olympic Games and also boasts a huge musical fountain.
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What's On When? September 2011
M T W T F S S M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
INVITATION ONLY 16BY DALIAN TODAY SUMMER DAVOS
PARTY 2011 What: Dalian Today along with Eton r! nde i Properties will host a mega cultural event of m t Re n a t the year. Invited guests include local VIP or Imp expats and VIP delegates from abroad. There MISS OF THE will be great entertainment, gourmet food, T ' DON EVENT fine beverage, and sparkling company. The THE ! Dalian Today Phoenix Supertall Award for YEAR r o f ox VP Achievement will be awarded to many of the in-b and RS k dignitaries who are working hard to preserve c Che ation ! our world, as well as local VIPs who are t y i inv ediatel greatly contributing to the community. imm Guaranteed to be the event of the year! When: 19:00-10:30 on 16, September 2011 Where: At Eton Place Strictly by Invitation! Check for invitations in you in-box.!
14/16 2011 SUMMER DAVOS ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW CHAMPIONS ORGANIZED BY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM What: The 2011 Summer Davos Forum will be held from September 14 to 16 in Dalian. The theme of this year's meeting is Mastering Quality Growth. About 1500 participants from 90 countries and regions are expected to participate in the forum. When: on 14 -16, September 2011 Where: Dalian Expo & Conference Center, Xinghai Square.
16 AEOLUS QUARTET What: Praised by Strad Magazine for their "high-octane" performance, the Aeolus Quartet is among the finest young string quartets performing today. The Quartet is named for the Greek god Aeolus, the keeper of the four winds. He is known for welcoming Odysseus and his crew with music during their journey back to Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey. When: 19:00 on 16 September 2011 Where: DDA Theater Ticket: RMB 100, 80 & 50 Tel: 8793 5611/ 8793 5711 *****************Strad*** ****************Reading Eagle* **********************
30 KEVIN BRADY TRIO What: After many critically acclaimed tours & festival performances throughout Ireland, Germany & the U.K., Drummer/Composer Kevin Brady continues his collaboration with the innovative U.S. pianist Bill Carrothers. Brady has many years of experience playing with some of lreland's most successful jazz trios including Organics and The Phil Ware Trio. With Kevin Brady - Drums, Bill Carrothers - Piano & David Redmond - Double - Bass When: 19:00 on 30, September 2011 Where: DDA Threatre Ticket: 100,80, 50 ************ *********************** ******************?***** *************?********** **************Organics***?** ***********
Dalian Update
THE GOD FATHER MASTER MAGICIAN, CHINA TOUR, DALIAN STOP What: Just like Christos Sfikouris himself said, "My Goal is to spread around happiness and entertainment, by erasing the illusion of time and living in eternity!"Join him in the Reality of Illusion!! Magical tricks and illusions by, "The Godfather" at People's Cultural Hall. When: 28, September 2011 19:15 PM Where: People's Cultural Hall, Dalian
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ON DALIAN PRIME TIME TV NEWS PROGRAM
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25 CONJURO TANGO What: Conjuro Tango is a brand new avant-garde Tango show from Argentina, which is the birth place of Tango. Astounding and captivating, its dancers and singers take the audience's breath away with their amazing virtuosity and passion. Conjuro Tango is a new generation of Tango, breaking the rules, while preserving its roots. It proposes a new look at the world of Tango. With its world renowned young orchestra, Conjuro Tango's music breaks through barriers with enchanting melodies, crossing several styles of music that blends Flamenco with Tango. Let yourself surrender to the sensualility and passion of Tango. When: 25, September 2011 19:15 PM Where: People's Cultural Hall, Dalian ******************* ********************** ***********************
22 CONCERT BY ABEGG PIANO TRIO, GERMANY What: The trio, composed of Ulrich Beetz (violin), Birgit Erichson (violoncello) and Gerrit Zitterbart (piano), have been playing in concerts together since 1976. Critics have acclaimed their performances as "extraordinary" in many different ways. Intuitive understanding shapes the harmony of their playing " a sense of harmony which can only inspire an ensemble which for three decades has devoted, with undiminished joy, its energy and passion to interpretations that remain faithful to the original. When: September 22, 2011 (Check starting time.) Where: People's Cultural Hall, Dalian 2006***********30****Ulrich Beetz***** Birgit Erichson****** Gerrit Zitterbart***********************1976**
"Dalian News Frontline" featured author Sumi Seissinger and her newly published book Dazzling Dalian- Expat Haven The popular daily In-depth News Program on Dalian TV Channel 1 recently filmed an exciting Documentary on Dalian. It was divided into four parts aiming to publicize the city, and was broadcast on Prime Time from September 2 to 5. The second part of the series, called "Beautiful Dalian in Sumi's Book" was a detailed look at the beauty of our city, as featured in Dazzling Dalian Expat Haven and seen through Sumi's own eyes. In it, Sumi welcomed expat and local audiences on a tour of Dalian, to the beautiful places that she selected as the most outstanding to visit. Naturally, Bin Hai Lu with its pristine beaches hemmed in by emerald green mountains and man-made wonders like the Tiger statues were her first pick. The camera followed her on her journey through Dalian as it unfolded, one beautiful place after another. Dazzling Dalian - Expat Haven will be released at Dalian Today's special "Supertall" party, on the 16th of September, where invited guests will include VIP delegates to the Summer Davos Meetings. Copies will be on sale from the 16th of September 2011 in all major book stores in Dalian, China and abroad. ********* ************************************ *********************************** *********************** ************************************ ************************************ ************************************ ********* ************************9*16********** ************************************ **********9*16********* FYI:******
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See, Eat, Buy in Dazzling Dalian WHAT TO SEE IN DALIAN? Women Mounted Police *** Zhongnan Road,Zhongshan Dist. ****** 8288 3866 Erqi Square **** Erqi Square,Zhongshan District ******* Heping Square **** 673 Gao Er Ji Road, Heping Square ********673* Jiefang Square **** Jiefang Square,Shahekou District(Junction of Wuyi Road and Xi'an Road) ********************** Olympic Square ****** Olympic Square, Wusi Road ************ Renmin Square **** Renmin Square, Xigang District ******* Sanba Square **** Sanba Square, Zhongshan District ******* Victory Plaza **** Victory Plaza,Zhongshan District ******* Xinghai Square **** Xinghai Square, Zhongshan Road,Shahekou District *********** Youhao Square **** Youhao Square,Zhongshan District ******* Zhongshan Square **** Zhongshan Square, Zhongshan District ******* WHERE TO GO IN DALIAN? Modern Museum ******* 8480 0188 10 Huizhan Road, Shahekou District *******10* www.modernmuseum.dl.gov.cn Museum of Natural History 8466 1108 ******* 40 Xicun Street, Heishijiao,Shahekou District **********40* www.dlnm.org Xinghai New Shell Museum ***** 8480 1470 Xinghai Square, Shahekou District ******** Dalian Peking Opera Theatre 8230 5411 ***** 1 Qilin Xi Lane, Kunming Street, Zhongshan District **********1* Tiger Beach *** excellent natural views of the ragged cliffs and crashing waves **********9 9 Haibin Zhonglu, Zhongshan District, Dalian 8268 4335/8268 6295 Jinshitan (Golden Pepple Beach) ***** Jinshitan is an beach area with splendid coves and rock formations. There's also a golf course, cross country motorcycling, an amusement park and hunting grounds within a forest. Fujiazhuang Beach ******* Fujiazhuang Beach having sandy beach bordering two scenic parks, Baiyunshan and Xiuyuefeng. Excellent for swimming, but has few facilities. You can enjoy the pleasant scenes of Dalian peninsula on the way. 3963 9670/3963 9672 Botanical Garden *** 8273 5136 39 Wanghai Street, Zhongshan District ******39* Discoveryand (GPB) **** 8790 000 36 Jinshi Road, Dalian Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort *************36* www.discoveryland.cn Dalian Coastal National GeoPark 8790 0497 ********** East Part of the Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort
************** www.bh.jinshitan.com Forest Zoo ***** 8249 5072 60 Yingchun Road, Nanshidao Street, Xigang District **********60* www.dlzoo.com Golden Pebble Harbour **** 8791 2303 Golden Stone Park *** 8790 3563 International Country Club 8791 5666 ******* Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort, nearby the Golden Coast **4A*************** International Hunting Club 8791 5848 / 8791 5588 ******* Western Part of the Golden Pebble Beach National Tourist Resort ************** www.shouliejulebu.com Polar Aquarium ****** 8289 3000 Polar Museum, 3 Lao Hutan Street, Zhongshan District *******3**** www.jdg.com.cn Sun Asia Ocean World ****** 8458 1113 Xingai Square 500 mt. *****500* www.sunasia.com Tiger Beach Ocean Park ******* 8267 8616 3 Lao Hutan Street, Zhongshan District *******3* www.laohutan.com.cn WHERE TO BUY IN DALIAN? Carrefour *** 8274 0009 29-5, Luxun Lu, Zhongshan District ******29-5* Dalian Downtown Free Trade Shop 8437 1555 ******* A Wing, Yida Xin Shijie, 115 Dongbei Street, Xigang District ******115 ****** A * Dashang Department Store **** 8388 0888 1 Qingsan Jie, Zhongshan District ******1* Dashang Man's Shop **** 8250 8588 18 Jiefang Road, Zhongshan District ******18 * ErqiTrade World 8271 5250 / 8597 7201 ******* Erqi Square, Zhongshan District ******* Erqi Wenzhou Town *** 8597 7201 5 Erqi Square, Zhongshan District *******5* Friendship Shopping Centre **** 8265 9898 8 Renmin Road, Zhongshan District ******8* Fujia Xintiandi Plaza ***** 8461 6661 582 Huanghe Road, Shahekou District *******582* Heping Square Shopping Mall 8431 8260 ******** 695 Gaoerji Street, Shahekou District ********695* Ikea ** 8444 2345 51 Haifang Jie, Xigang District *******51* Korean Market 8409 2572 ********** near Victory Square and behind from the main train station ***/****** Metro *** 8432 8888 59 Haifang Jie, Xigang District ******59* Mykal Department Store ******* 8230 0666 57 Qingni Street, Zhongshan Dstrict *******57* New-Mart Shopping Mall 8388 0893 *********** 30 Youhao Street, Zhongshan District ******30* New World Department Store 3980 8888 ******* 200 Tianjin Street, Zhongshan District
******200* Pacific Department Store ***** 8230 6999 19 Jiefang Road, Zhongshan District ******19* Parkland Shopping Mall *** 8210 1888 19 Jiefang Road, Zhongshan District ******19* Parkson's ******** 8463 8899 22-38 Xi'An Road, Shahekou District *******22-38 Russian Street ****** 1000m north of Zhongshan Square,Zhongshan District *****1000* Shengbang Fur **** 8265 5088 154 Tianjin Street, Zhongshan District ******154* Tianbai Mall **** 8263 6259 160 Tianjin Street, Zhongshan District ******160* Tianxing Roosevelt International Centre 8389 6666 ********* 139 Xi'An Road, Shahekou District *******139* Victory (Shengli) Plaza **** Victory Plaza, Zhongshan District ******* Dalian Antique Store ***** 8362 5414 229 Tianjin Street, Zhongshan District ******229* Dalian Antique Town ***** 8262 2190 1 Gangwan Street, Zhongshan District ***** Dalian Craftworks Market 8281 1580 ******* 9 Zhifu Street, Renmin Road, Zhongshan District (behind Furama Hotel) *********9* www.crafts-market.com Julia's Chinese Treasure Chest 3984 5185 ******** 55 Renmin Road, Zhongshan District ******55* WHERE TO EAT IN DALIAN? Furama Hotel Dalian ****** 8263 0888 60 Renmin Road, Zhongshan District ******60 * Furama Nanshan Garden Hotel 8271 5555 ********* 56 Fenglin Street, Zhongshan District ******56 * Grand Mercure Teda Dalian 8288 1999 ******** 205 Zhongnan Road, Zhongshan District ******205* Hotel Nikko Dalian ****** 8252 9999 123 Chang Jiang Road, Zhongshan District ******123* Howard Johnson Parkland Hotel 8499 0000 ********* 95 Huizhan Road, Shahekou District *******95* InterContinental Dalian 8236 6858 ******** 6 Youhao Square, Zhongshan District *******6* Kempinski Hotel ****** 8259 8888 92 Jiefang Road, Zhongshan District ******92 * New World Hotel ***** 8807 8888 41 Renmin Road, Zhongshan District ******41* Ramada Plaza Dalian 8280 8888 ******** 18 Shengli Square, Zhongshan District *******18* Shangri-La Hotel ****** 8252 5000 66 Renmin Road, Zhongshan District ******66 Swish-Hotel Dalian ****** 8230 3388 21 Wuhui Road, Zhongshan District ******21 *
LAST WORD
An Expat Confession ****** ******** *************
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************************ *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** ** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** ****Verena * Berndt *************** *************************** *************************** **************************
"PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW" The X Factor of EXpat Life Through the Eyes of a Foreigner I confess that all the farewell parties these past few months have been pretty depressing. It used to be that saying goodbye was an expected part of an expat experience. As a professional expat, and having lived in over five countries and moved over twelve times, saying goodbye was a mixed sentiment, but one that I was always prepared for! One dealt with it practically and without too much of negative emotions, choosing to concentrate on the positive aspects, such as the new adventure ahead and the gaining of life long friends. Usually, even after one left, friends stayed friends, and distance was never an issue. However, as I get older, the fact is that it is becoming very difficult to say goodbye to friends. In the past I always prided myself on never having regrets always looking forward, to new adventures, new friends, and new excitement. Nowadays even though I steel myself to being positive and looking at the brighter side of things it is terribly hard when good friends leave. Last week was no different - we were at the farewell dinner hosted by Verena and Berndt Barthel from Germany. When I saw the number of Chinese friends and colleagues, who attended the party, and saw that there was so much affection and deep camaraderie between the Barthels and their local friends, I realized that I was not the only one feeling bad. Both Verena and Berndt were immensely sad, and there was genuine sadness on the faces of all the people who came to the airport to wave them off goodbye. After the tearful hugs and the umpteen promises to keep in touch, I returned home down in the dumps. How can one overcome what is the negative side of expat life? It is the X factor of expat life, something we all have to face. Verena and Berndt unexpectedly had to cut short their China experience due to a new job offer in the US. This was something that they did not expect, and this made it doubly hard to endure. During our talks, I always pointed out that they were going on a new American
adventure, and taking with them all the best wishes from their friends in China. It was a consolation but still not enough to stop the tears. Berndt and Verena are exceptional expats. Berndt as a connoisseur of food would try anything once, and more often than not, he loved it all. Verena was just as obliging when it came to close encounters with the new culture. Nothing really fazed her. They were poster-expats. They did not acquire instant blue blood and sniff at things Chinese, or anything unfamiliar. Oh no, au contraire, they loved everything Chinese and embraced the difference between life at home and life in Dalian. This made them perfect expats as opposed to so many who either get a superiority complex, looking down on the locals, as they try to improve their lot - you know the usual condescending charity deeds or a fear factor complex, where everything different becomes threatening. Saying goodbye to friends and making new ones are part of the emotional highs and lows that one experiences while adjusting to expat life. It is hard to find the silver lining for every cloud, especially when one is so far away from home and in an alien culture. However, what has always helped me personally has been never to see alien as bad. It is just different, and eventually one will discover, that it also has so much to offer. It could offer you an adventure of a lifetime, if one learns to accept the good with the bad, and realize that there are that adjustments that you must make that are predictable and normal in an expat lifestyle. The diversity, the enormous knowledge that one will acquire, and the lasting friendship one makes is a small price to pay for the negatives of expat life. Make goodbyes part of the realistic expectations of expat life and it can overcome the pain if not today, but maybe in a week or two. Goodbye Verena and Berndt, Dalian and I will really miss you both!
52 DM Dalian Today City Gazette September 2011
************************* ************** Verena * Berndt **** *************************** *************************** *************************** ************** Berndt * Verena ****************** Berndt************************ ********Verena**************** **************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** ******* ************************* *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** ********* Verena Berndt *******************
Sumi Seissinger is a well-known business executive in Dalian, heading a wholly foreign owned enterprise, Link International. As a journalist, and a successful published writer, she edits Dalian Today as a part time hobby. You can follow her adventures and the lighter side of life in Dalian in her regular column, "Through the Eyes of a Foreigner." *************************** *************************** *************************** *************************** ************** FYI:**************
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