Langkawi Trip

After my India trip my colleagues and I planned to go to Langkawi. The plan came after someone discovered very cheap flight tickets to Langkawi. Budget flight of course. Initially the plan was for 12 of us to go, but then as the dates drew closer many had their business trips and meetings that only 7 could go in the end.

But despite the changes the trip was undoubtedly an unforgettable one for the right reasons. Basically Langkawi is an island off Malaysia, which is also known to be a duty free island. Everything you buy at langkawi is duty free, from chocolates to liquor everything is duty free. Being an island off Malaysia, it is famous for its very clean beaches and excellent diving spots.

I was the only diver in the group so we did snorkeling instead. So those who think snorkeling is only for those who can swim, you are wrong. Even if you cannot swim, you can snorkel, because you will be issued with life vest which will enable you to float no matter how deep. But I don’t want to send the wrong message across, if you do not know how to swim, have a good swimmer around guarding you just in case.

The highlight of snorkeling in Langkawi is that there are sharks! Yes I didn’t spell it wrong . You can swim along with small sharks , which are also harmless towards humans. If you want to know more about Langkawi you can wiki it. we didn't just go to Langkawi, we also went to Kuala Lumpur. In KL we went to the Famous Batu Caves, Kuala Selangor to watch Fire Flies and also the twin towers. i will write about it in my later posts.

Time out from Werk!

Just last week I was in India to Bangalore on business trip. Work work just from Monday to Thursday. Since Friday was a holiday I decided to head to Chennai to meet my friends whom I have known when I was in Chennai doing my Cisco certifications. To tell the truth I was feeling like I was in a rut, going to work week in week out and the same old thing followed. I needed a break and Chennai certainly provided it. I needed a change in mood.
The weather was definitely difference. It was burning hot during the days, I had experienced I before but then it still feels surprising how cruel god is to Chennai people. But the people are one of the most nicest people I have come across in all my traveling. Compared to Bangalore and Chennai, the Chennai people are more nice, to visitors and less likely that you will be cheated (except for the auto drivers :P).

During this trip I also managed to finally meet up with Shalini, a blogging friend whom, the only times I have seen her was once during indiblogger, blogger's meet and once by coincidence at spenders. I am thankful that she actually made time to meet me along with her other friends. I now have 4 more friends to visit when I come to Chennai the next time.


The time of my trip was also good since another friend of mine, Imran, who was currently studying in the UK came back to Chennai for the Easter holidays. That made way for a big gathering at “skywalk” the new shopping mall in Chennai. We took that chance to update each other on the troubles we have got into during the time we were away.

For the first time in a long time I was not troubled by work, and deadlines. And lucky enough I also didn't received calls from work. It seemed like everyone knew I was having a holiday and they probably should not be calling me.

This trip was one I didn't go sight seeing at all, just meeting friends and it felt much better than a tour trip.

I will be going on another trip soon, this Wednesday to be exact, that to Langkawi, Malaysia. That will be a trip with my colleagues and a mini getaway. I urge my readers, to take little breaks from their daily routine, it helps to focus and get the groove back.

Its time for me to restart my engine room

it has been a long time since i have been in the blog world. i somehow lost the inspiration to write.
i love writing and i put all my imagination, humor and knowledge juices to write a good blog entry. It gives me pride and happiness when i write a good article. i had lost this touch and it is sleeping inside. i am now trying to revive that feeling.

Currently my company is trying to help the chinese staff in my company who are from mainland china and there english is not up to par, many times we get problems comunicating. i have been selected by my boss to conduct English lessons in the office once a week, to teach them how to write good e-mails, how to talk to customers and basic communication technique. I am now looking for methods to make these lessons entertaining at the same time enriching.
last week we had a session on e-mailing and i know it sucked big time, cos it was boring. For me to present it as well. At the end of the day what matters is that they take back something and use it, and it should have a positive improvement. please my readers give me sum suggestions to teach English.

1 Week In Beijing!

As many would already know that i work for an MNC based in China. It is the company custom to have a annual meeting and Dinner and Dance in Beijing. For this event all the overseas colleagues will gather in Beijing. This was the first year for me , attending such meeting. i was really excited because of all the hype that was created by my other colleagues who have gone before.

this time the Beijing office had organized a visit to the great wall of china for the new staff who have joined this year. As for all out staff they had organized a winter Olympics in the Beijing Olympic stadium. that was the first time i had every seen snow.and first time i ever skied!

This trip also showed me another side of china that i never knew.Beijing is a very united city, the people are very concerned about the well being of the country, it showed in how clean the city was. not a single piece of little was to be seen. i could hardly find dustbins too but still the city was spanking clean. like all cities the central business district has a busy traffic during the peak periods. that brought me to wonder how they dealt with the traffic during the Beijing Olympics. when the whole world's eye was looking at Beijing. I did get an answer to that question. DUring the Olympics not all the cars were allowed to be on the road. on alternate days odd number and even numbered vehicles were allowed to be on the road. that reduced the number of vehicles bu 50%. And most importantly the rule was diligently followed by the citizens. for the well being of the nation. the Chinese won my respect with that one.
everywhere i went, for food or for shopping, i used my little mandarin that i knew and they were very appreciative of my interest in their language that they addresses me as their brother and gave me discounts. it pays to know Chinese in Beijing.

Many of us are still skeptical of going to china, but through experience i tell you. there is a whole new world in china that we don know of. a civilization that have grown maturely and has a lesson or two to teach the rest of the world about the love for their motherland. My advice to all is this, make Beijing a holiday destination this season and i bet you won't regret it.