Back online, back in business. I just returned to Shanghai after visiting the Philippines - a truly memorable trip - and am now safely ensconced at a hotel with a view over the Bund. 'Returned', as in I visited Shanghai for a few hours last week, between my early AM arrival from Amsterdam and my late PM departure for Manila: I hopped on the maglev (an insane top speed of 430 km/h), and dipped my foot in the no-English-anywhere metro system. Since I'd conveniently left my Lonely Planet book at the airport, I had no idea where I was or where I was going, but I ended up smack in the middle of People's Square, found a Starbucks, and got something out of my whirlwind tour of the city.

Today I've only seen the inside of my hotel - sharing a very nice suite with two colleagues - but tomorrow we'll venture out into the heat and the humidity for meetings and more. Looking forward to that.

I'll keep this Blog going with daily updates from my trip, and maybe even some pictures, if you're lucky. Right now, however, I'm bed-bound. I've travelled more than I care to think about these past five days, and I'm dog tired.  ¶ 17:04