Category Archives: Work

Memories of Madras

27 Sunday Mar 2016

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Some time ago, I left my job as a software developer in IBM for a technical role in one of the global banks. I felt it was the right time back then for me to explore other opportunities so I took it. Little did I know, I was in for a roller coaster ride that lasted for almost four months.

See, when I took that job, I thought my life will finally have some normalcy. I saw myself getting thrown to different locations in my first job so I wanted a bit of change. Imagine how surprised I was when less than a month into my new job, our team was told that we’ll be sent to Chennai.

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Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located at the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, east of India. It’s the fourth-largest city in India and is known as the safest city in India.

Before I begin describing the experience, let me just say that I was not excited at all when I found about the trip. My idea of a business trip, based on my previous role, was in Singapore. Maybe Kuala Lumpur. Probably Jakarta or Bangkok. My other friends even went farther like New York, Istanbul, and London. But Chennai?

Finally, I just thought everything will be fine. Or maybe not.

Continue reading →

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Trip Report: Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur

19 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Food, Thoughts, Travel, Trip Report, Work

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I traveled to Kuala Lumpur quite frequently last year and did my best to avoid Malaysia Airlines. Why? Let’s just say I was scared. I often ended up flying with Cathay Pacific which necessitates a stop in Hong Kong. What were supposedly 3 hour 45 minute flights became tiring 9 hour journeys.

So on my last visit to the home of the Petronas Towers, I chose to fly with Malaysia Airlines. My mom and siblings asked me to cancel my trip when they found out I booked with the airline but I told them not to worry. I’ve read many unpleasant stories about Malaysia Airlines but I decided to give them a try anyway. Continue reading →

Feeling Like a Kid at Legoland

27 Saturday Apr 2013

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First of all, long time no write! I have been too lazy to blog recently and I have a heyuuuge backlog of entries.

Last week, I had to go to Singapore for business and stayed there for a six days. It was my first time (Second, technically. But my first one was just a stopover to Jakarta) to visit the prosperous city state and I was very excited.

First stop… Legoland Malaysia! Rather than going around Singapore on my free day, I chose to go on an adventure to Johor Bahru and experience Legoland. I have been fascinated by Lego ever since I was a child and I grabbed the chance to see Legoland.

I arrived in Singapore at around 11 AM of Monday. I went straight to Swissotel the Stamford and deposited my luggage. I rode the MRT to Bugis Station and walked to Queen Street where there’s a terminal for buses going to JB.

Causeway Link bus going to Johor Bahru

In less than an hour, I was crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border. There was some time spent going through Malaysian immigration but it was bearable. The bus ride ended in JB Sentral where I had to wait for another bus, LG1, that goes to Legoland. Continue reading →

Hotel: The Four Seasons Bangkok Experience

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Hotel, Photographic Pursuits, Travel, Work

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Update: The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok is now managed Anantara.

For eight days and seven nights, the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Bangkok served as my home. Located along Rajadamri Road, the hotel is considered as one of the best in the bustling Thai capital.

It’s not difficult to see why people are all praises for this oasis in the middle of the city. Continue reading →

Exploring the Thai Capital

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Food, Photographic Pursuits, Shopping, Thoughts, Travel, Work

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Much has been said about Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, which is considered as the world’s best city by Travel + Leisure magazine. Whether you’re into shopping, partying, or sightseeing, the Thai capital has got you covered. Bangkok’s a great example of modernity mixed with traditional culture.

Cruising along the Chao Praya River, the birthplace of Bangkok.

Exploring Bangkok involves a lot of walking, train rides, and river cruises. It’s easy to get around the city since their modes of transport are well-integrated with each other. Also, the sidewalks of Bangkok are usually wide which is great for exploring the city on foot. In the shopping districts, such as Ratchaprasong, there are skywalks similar to Ayala Center’s. Continue reading →

The Grand Palace and Chatuchak Weekend Market

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Photographic Pursuits, Shopping, Travel, Work

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Sunday was technically the only ‘free‘ day that I had in Bangkok. But since I had to review for the training, I only gave myself until 3 in the afternoon to go around.

(By the way, if you’re wondering why I was too serious in my pre-work review, it was because we were told that a test would be given prior to the start of the training. People who’d fail the test would be kicked off from the training. Imagine my frustration when no test was given at all.)

Since I didn’t have much time to go around, I had to limit my destinations. I chose to visit the Grand Palace and Chatuchak (or Jatujak) Weekend Market.

Going around Bangkok’s pretty easy. At the Ratchadamri BTS station, I bought an all-day BTS pass for 150 Thai Baht. The pass is good for both Sukhumvit and Silom lines of the BTS.

This pass is great for tourists. My 150 Thai Baht brought me places.

Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain reminds me of LRT 2, only better. How I wish all of our light rails are as good as the BTS.

My first destination was the Grand Palace. To reach the place, one has to go to the Saphan Taksin BTS station then ride a Chao Praya Express Boat from the Sathorn Pier to the Maharaj Pier where the Grand Palace is nearby. Again, the pier is just below the BTS station. Very convenient! Continue reading →

First Night in Bangkok

09 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Photographic Pursuits, Thoughts, Travel, Work

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On my first night in Bangkok, I was very eager to sample some authentic Thai cuisine. I walked to CentralWorld, a mall near Four Seasons Hotel and Resort Bangkok, hoping to have dinner in a Thai restaurant. Walking around the mall, I saw many Japanese, Korean, and Italian restaurants but no Thai. After an hour of searching, I gave up and headed straight to McDonald’s.

Big Mac, something that I always try when on foreign shores.

McDonald’s in Bangkok is pretty expensive. The Big Mac meal with medium fries and drink costs 147 Thai Baht, roughly in 196 in Philippine Pesos. To be fair though, their Big Mac had very juicy patties. Continue reading →