Category: Beyond the Dot

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Perfume Pagoda 2011
Beyond the Dot, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Perfume Pagoda 2011, Vietnam

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Perfume Pagoda 2011

It is not often that we can go on a family vacation. Trying to fit everyone’s conflicting schedules and preferences together and agreeing on a place to visit can be a major headache. My extended family finally went on a holiday to Hanoi in 2011 during the December school holidays. Due to everyone’s tight schedules, we managed to squeeze in 5 days of vacation time between Christmas and New Year. But this meant that we could only go somewhere nearby and doesn’t take up too much time. Since we all had not been to Hanoi, this was an ideal place to visit given our short time requirements.
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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”