Wrapping up my business trip over here. Just spent a few hours writing my report last night. :) Short trip here, but it has left an impression on my mind. I can't imagine that the slums in Jakarta are so close to the airport. To think its the capital city.
Anyway, I flew in here a few hours after the earthquake hit Jakarta. According to the locals here, life still goes on as per normal. Nothing special for them.
Think the Singapore traffic jams are bad? You've not seen anything yet. You should see the Jakarta traffic jam. Far worse... The roads are also not that well maintained. However, life still goes on, abeit a little slower (because of the jams)
This trip makes me appreciate Singapore even more. But still, only with criticisms, will improvements come. ;)
I don't think I have time to do any sight seeing, but just last night, I've caught a concert by Guang Liang here in Jakarta. Pity I didn't have my camera with me this trip, but his voice is good. No pitching problems and he sang all his compositions, and the popular ones like 约定，童话，第一次. It was quite relaxing... They had a few other singers too, one local. The local singer actually came down on stage and teased my boss and me. Luckily, or unluckily, I've no idea what is she saying. So I just kept shaking my head, and laughing. :) According to the locals, she wanted me to hug her tightly, or something along those lines.
All in all, it was a good trip. I've learned a lot, in terms of ERP functions, and life in other countries. I've enjoyed the Guang Liang concert too for my rest and relaxation. :) However, I think someone might not be too happy with me since I flew off so soon after my Shanghai trip. Sorry dear...
I still have some posts for China. :) I'll see if the picture I've taken of Guang Liang on my handphone is good enough. Flying back soon in a few hours. So many things to do... Oh well. That's life... Ganbatte.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Shanghai Eateries
Topic(s):
Travel,
Travel (China - Shanghai)
This is the post dedicated to eating. :) Based on my recollection, the food was rather cheap 3 years ago. However, now the situation has changed. The food prices have risen to close to Singapore. It's hard to find cheap food now.
Here's a list of places that I've tried:
KFC
> The most popular fast food restaurant there. I managed to grab a bite there before I left Shanghai. The food is surprisingly non-oily. They sell Portuguese tarts too. Not bad...
Chen2 Wang2 Miao4
> Otherwise known as Yu4 Yuan2. There's a very popular Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 there. There are basically 3 queues there. The bottom queue is for take-away. There always seem to be a long queue there. If you go up the stairs, there will be 2 more queues. Turn to the right, it's the cheaper side. Turn to the left side, it's the more expensive side. The difference is double I think. One of the best I've ever eaten. Much better than the standard over here. The skin is not too thick, not too thin.
Below is a picture of the name of the Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 restaurant:
Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3
> As stated in the previous post, the Yi4 Cha2 Yi4 Zhuo1, otherwise known as Chamate, is not bad. I think it's on the 5th or 6th floor. There's also a hidden cheap restaurant at basement 2. However, it's not very nice. Still, it's cheap. Heard that the Ajisen there is also not bad. Didn't try it though.
Jia1 Le4 Fu3
> Carrefour. :) Just in case anyone is interested. I've only been to the one at Jin1 Qiao2 (PuDong), but that's because I stay near that area. There's a pretty nice Vietnamese food restaurant in the building next to Carrefour. The Pho is not bad. Only about S$6. That building contains mostly eateries. Within Carrefour there is also a food court, and Secret Recipe, and some other restaurants.
Shi2 Dai4 Guang2 Chang3
> This is near Ba1 Bai2 Ban4, which I mentioned in the previous post. It's just across the road. I've tried the food is on the 6th floor. When you get out of the lift, turn left. There's a restaurant called something Ah1 Shu1 (Uncle). I don't quite like their Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 though. Maybe because I've tried the one at Yu4 Yuan2. :) Note that the restaurants there are quite expensive though, relative to Shanghai that is. 2 people eating might cost you about S$50. I've seen many people turning right when getting out of the lift. That one looks more high class. Not sure what restaurant is that.
There is a little shopping there too, but things look too high class for me. :)
Qian2 Xiang1 Ge2
> This place is situated at Shang1 Chen2 Lu4, Pu3 Chen2 Lu4. It's quite near Ba1 Bai3 Ban4. Basically, they sell Guizhou Cuisine. Translated, almost everything has chili. But you can get an overdose of chili. Their frog is not bad, and their doufu. It's expensive though. I did not get a chance to look at the bill, but locals do not get to eat there.
That's about the places I've tried. The average pricing I seen there is about S$3 in the shopping malls. That's like Singapore pricing, so if you're going to Shanghai, don't under-estimate the food if you're going free and easy.
Going to Jakarta early tomorrow so I guess I better turn in early. Hopefully I'll be back in 1 piece.
Here's a list of places that I've tried:
KFC
> The most popular fast food restaurant there. I managed to grab a bite there before I left Shanghai. The food is surprisingly non-oily. They sell Portuguese tarts too. Not bad...
Chen2 Wang2 Miao4
> Otherwise known as Yu4 Yuan2. There's a very popular Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 there. There are basically 3 queues there. The bottom queue is for take-away. There always seem to be a long queue there. If you go up the stairs, there will be 2 more queues. Turn to the right, it's the cheaper side. Turn to the left side, it's the more expensive side. The difference is double I think. One of the best I've ever eaten. Much better than the standard over here. The skin is not too thick, not too thin.
Below is a picture of the name of the Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 restaurant:
Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3
> As stated in the previous post, the Yi4 Cha2 Yi4 Zhuo1, otherwise known as Chamate, is not bad. I think it's on the 5th or 6th floor. There's also a hidden cheap restaurant at basement 2. However, it's not very nice. Still, it's cheap. Heard that the Ajisen there is also not bad. Didn't try it though.
Jia1 Le4 Fu3
> Carrefour. :) Just in case anyone is interested. I've only been to the one at Jin1 Qiao2 (PuDong), but that's because I stay near that area. There's a pretty nice Vietnamese food restaurant in the building next to Carrefour. The Pho is not bad. Only about S$6. That building contains mostly eateries. Within Carrefour there is also a food court, and Secret Recipe, and some other restaurants.
Shi2 Dai4 Guang2 Chang3
> This is near Ba1 Bai2 Ban4, which I mentioned in the previous post. It's just across the road. I've tried the food is on the 6th floor. When you get out of the lift, turn left. There's a restaurant called something Ah1 Shu1 (Uncle). I don't quite like their Xiao3 Long2 Bao1 though. Maybe because I've tried the one at Yu4 Yuan2. :) Note that the restaurants there are quite expensive though, relative to Shanghai that is. 2 people eating might cost you about S$50. I've seen many people turning right when getting out of the lift. That one looks more high class. Not sure what restaurant is that.
There is a little shopping there too, but things look too high class for me. :)
Qian2 Xiang1 Ge2
> This place is situated at Shang1 Chen2 Lu4, Pu3 Chen2 Lu4. It's quite near Ba1 Bai3 Ban4. Basically, they sell Guizhou Cuisine. Translated, almost everything has chili. But you can get an overdose of chili. Their frog is not bad, and their doufu. It's expensive though. I did not get a chance to look at the bill, but locals do not get to eat there.
That's about the places I've tried. The average pricing I seen there is about S$3 in the shopping malls. That's like Singapore pricing, so if you're going to Shanghai, don't under-estimate the food if you're going free and easy.
Going to Jakarta early tomorrow so I guess I better turn in early. Hopefully I'll be back in 1 piece.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Shanghai Places Of Interest
Topic(s):
Travel,
Travel (China - Shanghai)
Updated: Title and Dong1 Fang1 Ming2 Zhu1
I had to squeeze in some time to go around the economy powerhouse of China. However, the temperature does pose a problem. Average temperature of 38 degrees, and sometimes 40 degrees. Days are usually quite hazy, traffic is horrible, people smoking everywhere. But still...
These are the few interesting places I've been to. I'll be writing in hanyu pinyin because I noted it in this way, in case I write wrongly. :)
Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3
> Situated at Lu4 Jia1 Zui3. It's quite near the Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT. Basically, it contains quite a lot of assortment of shops, from the cheap to the expensive. If you're looking for cheap stuff, take note of the 1st floor. :) So far, I found this to be the most value for money mall I've visited. You should visit the Yi4 Cha2 Yi4 Zhuo1 (Chamate in English I think - Food). The food there is averagely priced though.
I managed to snap a shot of the mall below:
Bin1 Jiang1 Da4 Dao4
> Situated at Lu4 Jia1 Zui3. It's quite near the Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT, and Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3. Otherwise known as the bund. The scenery is quite nice at night, if its clear. Mainly because of the different architecture buildings surrounding the bund.
Dong1 Fang1 Ming2 Zhu1
> Basically somethings that looks like a long tower. It's quite near Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT and Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3. I think there's some sort of entrance fee. Maybe so that you can go up the tower. However, I don't think its worth it due to the poor weather conditions. If the weather is good, I will assume that you could have quite a spectacular view of Shanghai.
Below is a picture taken at night:
Ba1 Bai3 Ban4
> Otherwise known as Yaohan. :) Around that area, there is also the Tai4 Ping2 Yang2 Shu4 Ma3 Zhong1 Xin1, which is like our Sim Lim Square. There seems to be another PC Mall, but it wasn't open yet when I was there. I think the nearest MRT is Dong1 Chang1 Lu4.
If you're looking for internet access, there's a Wang3 Ba1 opposite the Tai4 Ping2 Yang2 Shu4 Ma3 Zhong1 Xin1. Quite cheap, but quite smoky. However, this is China. Everywhere is smoky. :)
Da4 Mu2 Zi3 Guang2 Chang3
> Took a taxi there so I'm not sure if it's near any MRT. Basically, I only know there's a KTV there. I think there are some shops there too, and an arcade. :)
Xu2 Jia1 Hui4
> Basically, the Orchard Road of Shanghai. I don't think I need to say more. ;) There's a Xu2 Jia1 Hui4 MRT there.
Zhen1 Si1 Da4 Wang2
> Sells silk dresses and cloths. I would say the cloth is cheaper than Singapore, and the quality is quite good. Frequented by many ministers and celebrities. According to the taxi driver, it's at Tian1 Ming2 Lu4, Guang3 Ming2 Lu4 (I hope I got it right). It's very near Xu2 Jia1 Hui4 MRT, so if you take a taxi from there, the taxi should be able to bring you there. You can walk there from the MRT too, although I don't really remember the route.
Ren2 Ming2 Guang2 Chang3
> Another central area surrounded by shopping malls. Singapore's Raffles Shopping Centre is also located there. There is a Ren2 Ming2 Guang2 Chang3 MRT. Quite near Xu2 Jia1 Hui4.
One thing to note. The taxi meter there starts at 11RMB. Meter doesn't run as fast as Singapore. :) For example, taking a taxi from Ba1 Bai3 Ban4 to Bin1 Jiang1 Da4 Dao4 is less than 20RMB (I remember 14-16RMB).
I had to squeeze in some time to go around the economy powerhouse of China. However, the temperature does pose a problem. Average temperature of 38 degrees, and sometimes 40 degrees. Days are usually quite hazy, traffic is horrible, people smoking everywhere. But still...
These are the few interesting places I've been to. I'll be writing in hanyu pinyin because I noted it in this way, in case I write wrongly. :)
Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3
> Situated at Lu4 Jia1 Zui3. It's quite near the Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT. Basically, it contains quite a lot of assortment of shops, from the cheap to the expensive. If you're looking for cheap stuff, take note of the 1st floor. :) So far, I found this to be the most value for money mall I've visited. You should visit the Yi4 Cha2 Yi4 Zhuo1 (Chamate in English I think - Food). The food there is averagely priced though.
I managed to snap a shot of the mall below:
Bin1 Jiang1 Da4 Dao4
> Situated at Lu4 Jia1 Zui3. It's quite near the Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT, and Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3. Otherwise known as the bund. The scenery is quite nice at night, if its clear. Mainly because of the different architecture buildings surrounding the bund.
Dong1 Fang1 Ming2 Zhu1
> Basically somethings that looks like a long tower. It's quite near Lu4 Jia1 Zui3 MRT and Zheng4 Da4 Guang2 Chang3. I think there's some sort of entrance fee. Maybe so that you can go up the tower. However, I don't think its worth it due to the poor weather conditions. If the weather is good, I will assume that you could have quite a spectacular view of Shanghai.
Below is a picture taken at night:
Ba1 Bai3 Ban4
> Otherwise known as Yaohan. :) Around that area, there is also the Tai4 Ping2 Yang2 Shu4 Ma3 Zhong1 Xin1, which is like our Sim Lim Square. There seems to be another PC Mall, but it wasn't open yet when I was there. I think the nearest MRT is Dong1 Chang1 Lu4.
If you're looking for internet access, there's a Wang3 Ba1 opposite the Tai4 Ping2 Yang2 Shu4 Ma3 Zhong1 Xin1. Quite cheap, but quite smoky. However, this is China. Everywhere is smoky. :)
Da4 Mu2 Zi3 Guang2 Chang3
> Took a taxi there so I'm not sure if it's near any MRT. Basically, I only know there's a KTV there. I think there are some shops there too, and an arcade. :)
Xu2 Jia1 Hui4
> Basically, the Orchard Road of Shanghai. I don't think I need to say more. ;) There's a Xu2 Jia1 Hui4 MRT there.
Zhen1 Si1 Da4 Wang2
> Sells silk dresses and cloths. I would say the cloth is cheaper than Singapore, and the quality is quite good. Frequented by many ministers and celebrities. According to the taxi driver, it's at Tian1 Ming2 Lu4, Guang3 Ming2 Lu4 (I hope I got it right). It's very near Xu2 Jia1 Hui4 MRT, so if you take a taxi from there, the taxi should be able to bring you there. You can walk there from the MRT too, although I don't really remember the route.
Ren2 Ming2 Guang2 Chang3
> Another central area surrounded by shopping malls. Singapore's Raffles Shopping Centre is also located there. There is a Ren2 Ming2 Guang2 Chang3 MRT. Quite near Xu2 Jia1 Hui4.
One thing to note. The taxi meter there starts at 11RMB. Meter doesn't run as fast as Singapore. :) For example, taking a taxi from Ba1 Bai3 Ban4 to Bin1 Jiang1 Da4 Dao4 is less than 20RMB (I remember 14-16RMB).
Oracle OpenWorld 2007
Topic(s):
Oracle OpenWorld,
Travel,
Travel (China - Shanghai)
I had the opportunity to be sent to the Oracle OpenWorld 2007 held at Pudong International Convention Centre in Shanghai. I've been to many seminars like Microsoft, Sun, and Oracle. By far, sad to say, I still prefer the Sun Tech Days which I went last year.
Main reasons:
For this Oracle OpenWorld 2007 held in Shanghai, I do not like it for the following reasons:
Judging from the price of the seminars, Sun Tech Days still beats OracleWorld.
However, in terms of knowledge, I think I learned more at OracleWorld. Basically, over the 3 days of talks, I've understood quite a fair bit of what's Oracle roadmap ahead, and the suite of products it is pushing out, and most importantly, the reason why they are doing it. It's always nice to learn from the big guys.
Below is the picture of their main entrance:
Below is the picture on the day of the registration (I was early):
Below is the picture of their keynote (looks cool right?):
The main purpose of this seminar though, was to promote their Oracle 11g database, WebCentre and Fusion Middleware. They also proved to the world that the companies they bought over are alive and well, and new versions are out.
Previously, they have also released quite a few applications free like JDeveloper, SQLDeveloper, and 10g Express. I was quite impressed with their SOA suite and that they are pushing all their applications (Siebel, Peoplesoft, JD Edwards) into 1 common platform, which is their Fusion Middleware.
They have some "eye candy" too, like integrating Second Life with their Oracle Store. Their integration with Hitachi RFID systems was quite interesting too. Couldn't really take a picture because there were too many people. :)
The weird thing I observed happening in this seminar though, is that sometimes people will strike up a conversation with you in the keynote session. Trying to drum up business I guess, but it's quite irritating, and distracting.
It might be because it's held in China, that the slides are in Chinese. However, have you tried reading Chinese, and listening to English at the same time. Well... Don't try. I ended up listening to one side only.
I'll try to write later on where I went in Shanghai during the days I was there.
Main reasons:
- Speakers speak good English
- Slides and presentation mostly matches
- Ambiance and food is good. :)
For this Oracle OpenWorld 2007 held in Shanghai, I do not like it for the following reasons:
- Speakers sometimes speak English, sometimes speak Chinese.
- Slides are almost always in Chinese (especially for the Japanese speakers), but the speakers mostly speak English
- It was 40 degrees in Shanghai, and most of the keynotes start late.
Judging from the price of the seminars, Sun Tech Days still beats OracleWorld.
However, in terms of knowledge, I think I learned more at OracleWorld. Basically, over the 3 days of talks, I've understood quite a fair bit of what's Oracle roadmap ahead, and the suite of products it is pushing out, and most importantly, the reason why they are doing it. It's always nice to learn from the big guys.
Below is the picture of their main entrance:
Below is the picture on the day of the registration (I was early):
Below is the picture of their keynote (looks cool right?):
The main purpose of this seminar though, was to promote their Oracle 11g database, WebCentre and Fusion Middleware. They also proved to the world that the companies they bought over are alive and well, and new versions are out.
Previously, they have also released quite a few applications free like JDeveloper, SQLDeveloper, and 10g Express. I was quite impressed with their SOA suite and that they are pushing all their applications (Siebel, Peoplesoft, JD Edwards) into 1 common platform, which is their Fusion Middleware.
They have some "eye candy" too, like integrating Second Life with their Oracle Store. Their integration with Hitachi RFID systems was quite interesting too. Couldn't really take a picture because there were too many people. :)
The weird thing I observed happening in this seminar though, is that sometimes people will strike up a conversation with you in the keynote session. Trying to drum up business I guess, but it's quite irritating, and distracting.
It might be because it's held in China, that the slides are in Chinese. However, have you tried reading Chinese, and listening to English at the same time. Well... Don't try. I ended up listening to one side only.
I'll try to write later on where I went in Shanghai during the days I was there.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Back from Oracle OpenWorld
Topic(s):
Travel,
Travel (China - Shanghai)
Finally back from China... Oracle OpenWorld was held in Shanghai International Convention Centre by the way.
It was as hot as 40 degrees over there. When I have time, I will post some stuff from Oracle Openworld, and about the places I went to in Shanghai. I had "adventures" there too. :p
Reason is I'm flying again... To Jakarta this time for business. Luckily it will be a short trip. However, I have to settle a lot of stuff. I hope I will have time.
In case you do not know, blogger is banned in China. :)
It was as hot as 40 degrees over there. When I have time, I will post some stuff from Oracle Openworld, and about the places I went to in Shanghai. I had "adventures" there too. :p
Reason is I'm flying again... To Jakarta this time for business. Luckily it will be a short trip. However, I have to settle a lot of stuff. I hope I will have time.
In case you do not know, blogger is banned in China. :)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
No good person or bad person
Topic(s):
Self Improvement
Just watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix today. I prefer Goblet of Fire though. Many parts they do not follow the book, especially the last part. However, you'll only notice if you remember the nitty gritty details. The movie on the whole is well-paced, and tells the gist of the story. I didn't even realize that 2 hours + has passed. Few movies could do that. :)
Anyway, for some reason, I remembered clearly one part of the movie. I will not tell which section but it was mentioned that there's no such thing as a good person or bad person. Everyone has good and bad within them. It's the choice that one makes that makes all the difference, and differentiate between the good and the bad.
Not the labels you put on yourself, not the words that you say, but through the actions that you do and choices that you make, that will determine what kind of person you are.
Good food for thought.
Anyway, for some reason, I remembered clearly one part of the movie. I will not tell which section but it was mentioned that there's no such thing as a good person or bad person. Everyone has good and bad within them. It's the choice that one makes that makes all the difference, and differentiate between the good and the bad.
Not the labels you put on yourself, not the words that you say, but through the actions that you do and choices that you make, that will determine what kind of person you are.
Good food for thought.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Gas OPEC?!?!?!
Topic(s):
Economic Ramblings
Great... We have OPEC. And now we're going to have a GECF (Gas Exporting Countries Forum), a cartel for gas.
Why no one is willing to invest in renewable energy like wave or solar energy?!?!? It's like education. You'll not send a kid to a university education without going through pre-school and primary school.
Everyone is look for short-cuts nowadays... :(
Why no one is willing to invest in renewable energy like wave or solar energy?!?!? It's like education. You'll not send a kid to a university education without going through pre-school and primary school.
Everyone is look for short-cuts nowadays... :(
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Success with Integrity
Topic(s):
Self Improvement
Read an article from Eugene Low's Slice of Life, Success with Integrity.
Just like to quote a little bit from the article:
the true mark of success - character and integrity.
Just like to quote a little bit from the article:
the true mark of success - character and integrity.
No amount of wealth can compensate for a lack of character. Character equals integrity and integrity means you always do what is right - even when no one is watching you. It means that fear and guilt have no power over you because you have nothing to hide.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Wrong time to be sick!
Topic(s):
Rants
Why does this always happen to me? Sick with some unknown nausea "disease" and I'm suppose to fly off to China for a conference end of the week. :(
How worse can it get? Yes... It could get worst. It always happen to me! I just hope that I'm fine by the time I fly off end of the week. Will be there 9 days.
Darn... And I don't have the time to watch Harry Potter! :(
How worse can it get? Yes... It could get worst. It always happen to me! I just hope that I'm fine by the time I fly off end of the week. Will be there 9 days.
Darn... And I don't have the time to watch Harry Potter! :(
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