Category: Beyond the Dot

Golfing in Japan – First Impressions
Beyond the Dot, Golfing in Japan - First Impressions, Japan

Golfing in Japan – First Impressions

I guess if playing golf in Japan is a dream for Singaporean golfers  (because it is expensive) then getting the chance to go on a fully paid golf trip in Japan is an epic fantasy.  This happened by chance in 2007 when our principal in Japan wanted to host a strategy meeting with all their agents. After the meeting there was to be a friendly golf competition and all attendees were invited to play. Since this was our first time dealing with a Japanese company and we didn’t want to offend them, we decided to accept the invitation although none of us were really good at golf. In fact, I was the only one who had ever played golf amongst my colleagues. Continue reading “Golfing in Japan – First Impressions”

Chengdu and Leshan 2013
Chengdu and Leshan 2013, China

Chengdu and Leshan 2013

This was a long business trip in November of 2013 and I had a weekend in Chengdu in which to kill time. This was also my first time going to Sichuan province. So it was that I took a domestic flight from Shenzhen to Chengdu on a Friday evening. As usual for most Chinese domestic flights, it was delayed, and I only arrived in Chengdu at almost midnight. The hotel reception told me that they thought I wasn’t going to show up and almost gave up my room to another guest. Luckily they didn’t and I still got my room otherwise they had to kick me out on the streets since the hotel was running full.  Continue reading “Chengdu and Leshan 2013”

Ayutthaya 2012
Ayutthaya 2012, Beyond the Dot, Thailand

Ayutthaya 2012

About 90km north of Bangkok is the city of Ayutthaya. Very often this city is left out of most Singaporeans’ itineraries since all their time is spent shopping and eating in Bangkok. It’s a pity as Ayutthaya has much to offer in terms of history and rustic charm. Easily covered in a day trip from Bangkok, there are several travel options to get there; by road or by train. Continue reading “Ayutthaya 2012”

Pimp My Bus
Beyond the Dot, Pimp My Bus, Thailand

Pimp My Bus

Very commonly seen in Bangkok are the pimped up coaches which often ferry workers to the factories outside Bangkok. These buses are usually artistically air brushed with Japanese manga characters, cartoon or comic characters from Disney, Marvel Comics and the movies. The owners also add in additional headlights, reflectors and speakers until it looks like a disco on wheels. Continue reading “Pimp My Bus”

The Great Flood of Thailand 2011
Beyond the Dot, Thailand, The Great Flood Thailand 2011

The Great Flood of Thailand 2011

Not every trip has to be leisure, and not every business trip has to be boring. In 2011, Thailand experienced its worse flooding in history. Starting from July, the flooding reached its highest level in September before receding. However, some flooding still persisted until January 2012. We were asked by several factories in Thailand to assess the damage to their equipment for the purpose of salvage and insurance claims, but we could only go in December 2011 when the flood waters had subsided to a safe level. Continue reading “The Great Flood of Thailand 2011”

Dubai 2012
Beyond the Dot, Dubai

Dubai 2012

This was my first visit to Dubai and I didn’t know what to expect. Whatever I knew about the place came from news reports. As my wife and I were taking Emirates Airlines to Paris, this was a stopover for 4 days. Our trip was in August 2012 just before Singapore’s National Day holiday. I had heard much about Dubai, being the playground for the rich and famous with luxurious skyscrapers and manmade islands. Continue reading “Dubai 2012”

Sapa, Vietnam 2014
Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa, Vietnam 2014

Well, my brother-in-law had been bugging me to visit this place with him for some time. We finally decided to pack our bags during the last Vesak Day long weekend and hustle over. Sapa is located in the mountainous region north of Hanoi and close to the Chinese border. It’s famous for rice terraces scenery and the minority ethnic tribes with their colorful costumes.

Presently, the journey to Sapa is as interesting as the destination itself. Continue reading “Sapa, Vietnam 2014”