Beijing > Qingdao

August 6th

Woke up and still felt terrible. Showered, got ready and went back to bed for 20 minutes. Am really starting to get concerned since I have now had migraine over 24 hours. I don’t think I have ever had one for this length of time. I do not want to go to a Chinese hospital – so I am gonna try to keep going as long as possible.

The driver was waiting for me at 7 and got me to the airport in no time at all. As soon as I found the proper check in counter, I was again, whisked away like a rock star, to baggage check in, security, etc. Was also once again, escorted to the first class lounge.


Once settled, I finally started to feel human again. Slowly a croissant and OJ. I napped a little and then ate some more. I think I have FINALLY gotten rid of the migraine!!!

After a while, I British guy came up to me and said, “Can I know you?”
I said, “Do you know me, no, you don’t”. I then realized he was asking if he could across from me. So I said, yes.

He is a sailing official of some sort that now lives in Australia. So we chatted a while and then were escorted to our gate.

He offered for me to sit in first class with him and I declined – just felt a little strange. Besides that, I completely passed out once I sat down.

Once I found baggage claim there was someone there waiting to take me to my bus. The drive to the hotel was about 45 minutes.

Got to the hotel and got all checked in. The hotel is not as nice as it is in the photos on the website, but it will do just fine.


Called my LVM (Logistics Venue Manager) and asked to send a car over for Lili and I.

Upon arriving to the marina, we had to get out of the car and walk thru the security checkpoint, while the military inspected the car. On the other side of the checkpoint, where we waited for the car – a tank greeted us.


We got to our compound and checked things out. It is pretty interesting.


There is a TV truck, which I was not expecting since it took a lot of effort to ship it here (from BBC).

Here are a few shots from inside the truck:

Graphics are outboarded to it’s own office (I am not in there though)

Lili’s area

Data & Timing (I think)

3-D Animations – note they are using Alienware computers

I am located in the Logging & Editing office.

We do not do any live shows from this department. We take in video from the 4 courses that are not broadcast live, and produce highlight packages for those races.

Anyway, after checking stuff out, I went back to the hotel.

Then went across the street to the Carrefour. It is basically, the Chinese version of Wal Mart. Wow! It was a freaking zoo! Quite overwhelming at first. I spent about an hour there trying to figure out where everything is located. I quickly learned to not go near the meat department. The smell is indescribable and the sites are horrifying. Yes, this is normal to them – but not for me!

(not even covered!)

And there was one other section of the meat department I did not photograph. I am pretty sure Madison, Rizon, Bison &n Allie will thank me for that.

Anyway, I picked up some Tide, snacks, water, beer, etc.

There is no crosswalk in front of the hotel – so you risk your life just getting to the Carrefour!

Everyone was meeting around 8pm to go out – but it took me until after 8 to get unpacked and settled. So I decided to stay in – I was pooped!

I just ate at the place in the hotel lobby. It was average.