MALLS <> SMALL

I realise my previous post probably didn't convey the sheer scope of shopping here. The Woodlands Mall is on a block approximately 1 km in length and probably 2/3 of that in width. It has a ring road that goes around the main mall area which has the speciality shops as seen in the photo below plus 4 department stores and a Museum. This shot is taking from just over the ring road of part of the mall.

In addition, there are several large stores at the front of the main entrance and 6 or so restaurants. On the outside of the ring road, but still within the same block are numerous restaurants and a large electronics shop and a jewellers.

Just across the road to the North is another shopping precinct. This follows the style more familiar to us say along Leach Highway or Scarborough Beach road. Where the shops are along a strip with parking in front. Again there are at least half a dozen restaurants in the area as well.

To the West of the Mall, is market street, which is the Subiaco/Claremont type area with upmarket shops and again a multitude of restaurants.

The photo with the statue and horses in it is in front of another of these strip shopping centres across the other side of I-45 which is the main interstate highway between Dallas and Houston. This has 5 lanes each way on the freeway part in the middle with 3 lane frontage roads either side. My journey to the office is along the frontage road heading South. I come back through the back roads since I would have to got further south to get to the other side of the freeway before heading back North to an exit near the hotel. This photo is typical of the tree lined back roads in the Woodlands.

That particular strip had a sports store where I found a pair of Reeboks of the same model as I was wearing - on special for $30.

Every restaurant seems to be part of a chain, even ones that look like they might be privately owned.

Tonight we try yet another different cuisine - a Brazilian restaurant. So far I've had Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Australian (allegedly), Mongolian and an variety of American options.

Today we had another long session finishing at 6-30. There is no doubt in my mind or the minds of the engineers that we have achieved breakthroughs in defining enhancements that would have been difficult if not impossible to do via email or even over the phone. As long as we can make the money people understand that.

The other day, Richard once again mentioned going to Beijing and suggested November might be about the right time.

Time to get ready for dinner. I've definitely been putting on weight this fortnight.