Recent HK Visit

Hi Readers,

Small article about my recent trip to Macau and Hong Kong.

As a regular visitor HK, few things came to my notice during my visit.

The spending on the decoration for the forth coming session is less compared with last year. I notice there is very little decoration done on the ocean terminal side towards the harbor front.

Last year, i was there exactly during 3 weeks before the Christmas like this year. However i found last year they had better set up then this year.

Less crowd this year, when compared with last year.

On the contrary i can see people waiting in the queue to get into the branded shopping center along side of the harbor city.

I don’t know what to say, looks like co-operates are feeling the economic crisis and spending less whereas the consumer and end users are not feeling that yet.

Is that correct?

Thank you, Readers,
JS

Terror alert in Indonesia

Dear Readers,

According to multiple sources, the Indonesian government intends to announce the exact date of the execution of the three Bali bombers. This announcement is likely to take place before the end of this month, and could come as early as tomorrow. The government, meantime, has repeatedly vowed to conduct the executions before the end of this year.

In announcing the executions ahead of time, the government arguably makes it more likely that radicals will plan reprisals to coincide with that date. Indeed, it cannot yet be discounted that the cell arrested on Tuesday intended to coincide its fuel storage attack with the fate of the Bali Three. At the very least, clients should expect the following:

When the date of the executions is announced, hard-line Islamic groups will likely spearhead rallies in Jakarta and other urban centers around the country. These will likely be concentrated in front of government buildings, including the presidential palace, the MPR/DPR complex, the National Police headquarters, and some provincial assembly buildings. There may be rallies in front of the embassies and consulates of the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

On the day of the executions, hard-line Islamic groups will likely conduct rallies at those same locations. There is always a chance that these protests could turn violent, just like the protests in Nusa Tenggara Timur devolved into chaos after the Pose Three were shot.

Between the time the executions are announced and the executions take place, bomb hoaxes will be phoned (or sent via SMS) to high-end malls, luxury hotels, and major Western companies.

It cannot be discounted that extremists might stage violent reprisals, including bombings. Given the ease of obtaining explosives in Indonesia (clients need only recall the frequent reports of explosives being confiscated from persons making fish-bombs and firecrackers), and the proven ability of Indonesian terrorists to assemble at least rudimentary bombs (those in Palembang, for example, has assembled simple bombs in Tupperware containers), attacks with explosives are clearly not outside the realm of possibility. Potential targets run the gamut of office buildings with major Western clients, to luxury hotels, prominent malls, police buildings, and (less likely) Western embassies.

In light of such threats, clients should:

• Minimize time spent in front of U.S., U.K. and Australian embassies and consulates when the date of executions is announced, and when the executions actually take place. This is not so much because of the threat of bombings, but because of the possibility of fiery protests by Islamic hard-liners.
• Avoid unnecessary travel to Bali between the time the executions are announced and the executions take place. While in Bali, remain wary for at least a month after the executions take place. In particular, avoid Kuta during weekend nights.
• Avoid travel to Lamongan, East Java. This could be the scene of emotional rallies given that two of the Bali bombers hail from this district.

Thank you, Readers

JS

Idul Fitri Vacation

Dear Reader,

If you are not part of this world, you would love to be here during the long holidays in Indonesia.

I did not come across any other nations gives this much (a week) holidays to celebrate Idul Fitri.

All the offices in Jakarta is closed for 9 days. Unfortunately, i had to stand by at office to support our entertainment businesses which have no holidays. However, i managed to get short vacation.

First i visited, Lido Lakes - 60 KM away from Jakarta. You take the Jograwi Toll and travel till the end of the toll road. From the exit of the toll road, travel towards Sukabumi (just travel straight). Around 14 Km of normal road and regular traffic jam you will find this place on the left hand side.
Well, being public holiday the lake is fully packed by humans and the sound from the music system is too loud that you can not enjoy it.
The rooms are nice for its standard and food is ok too. However, not for long stay. We left next day. Back Home and Have nice rest.

Next day, i went to office to see only myself alone in the office. But, i plan for the second vacation place. I finalized on "Putri Island - on Thousand Islands". This is one of the major tour attractions in Jakarta. Series of islands, near the Jakarta city on the Java Sea. (They say there are thousand islands altogethers)
The boat (speed boat) ride took 90 minutes to reach the island. The beach is clean, and it was real fun for my family (for my kids).

We choose the room near swimming pool and fortunately we had small sandy beach near by.

I snorkel. I am beginner for this. But I enjoy it.

Evening, we go for sun set boat ride. It was beautiful.

Overall, it is worth the money we spent (around USD 150 per adult) . It was great and enjoyable moment.

Thank you, Readers
JS

Avoid working while on vacation...

Survey indicates that more than 30 % employees end up working (check their email or voice mail etc) while they are on vacation. Here are some of the tips to avoid it ( though it can not be avoided or you end up loosing your job).

1. Don't keep your trip a secret.
Although you might've mentioned your vacation once a few months ago, don't expect everybody to remember. As you make preparations for the trip, be sure to remind the appropriate people that you will be gone.


2. Keep a journal.
Part of preparing for your trip is making sure that the people back at work can keep things running smoothly in your absence. In a journal, list your daily activities and responsibilities so that the people charged with filling in for you know what to expect and how to handle any tasks that come their way.


3. Take a look at the calendar.
If you have a huge project due at the end of the summer, for your sanity and the sake of your work, avoid scheduling a vacation at that time. The more room you leave between the project and your vacation, the better off you'll be. You don't want to be stressed out if the project gets delayed or it requires more work than you anticipated.


4. Be disciplined.
If you have a job where you either absolutely must work or at least check in with your employer, designate a brief period of time for these tasks. Your friends or family vacationing with you don't want to share their relaxing trip with your laptop and cell phone, so keep the work to a minimum.


5. Be a role model.
If you're the boss, set an example for your team by going on vacations and leaving work behind. If others see you able to separate work from your personal life, they'll have a better attitude and be able to follow your lead.