あばよ Business Travel (Part 3)

Last entry on my business trip excursions... not so much to show for 3 years right? Well - what do you expect? - these are working assignments. Company policy doesn't allow for much free time or trip extentions over the weekend (not that it's any good if Veria can't join me) so the only time I have to look around a bit is when customers cancel appointments at the last minute, which, fortunately/unfortunately does happen from time to time. That's all of now, goodbye business travel, hope to meet your acquaintance some time again in the future...

Sydney Tower overlooking some heritage buildings

Well, it is the most famous landmark in Australia...

One ot the many splendid old Cathedrals in Melbourne City

Dinner cruise along Dubai Creek

Admiring the splendid night scenery

あばよ Business Travel (Part 2)

Incredible India! The one country that I visited the most throughout my 3 years. (Darn one page Indian visas took up so many pages of my passport) Hot Curries, unbelievable(-y bad) traffic, opulent hotels beside sprawling slums, overloaded trains, beggers vs super-rich people etc. etc. - Achar! I have a pretty good idea of what it's all about now. Can't say whether I love it or hate it though, I can only say it like the tourism propaganda does - It's Incredible! Be prepared for a sensory overload should you go there. For now, I can only offer some pretty tame photos...

Gateway to India - Mumbai

Corner of Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel (before the bomb blast)

It's not the Taj Mahal, it's Humayan's Tomb - New Delhi

Beautiful isn't it - no crowd at all, they're all at the Taj Mahal

Sunset at the Marriot Beach Resort - Goa

Church & Convent of St Francis of Assissi - Goa

Ruins of Golconda Fort - Hyderabad

Front entrance to the fort

Another view of the sprawling ruins

あばよ Business Travel (Part 1)

After 3 years of business travel, it has finally come to an end. It was nice while it lasted, but well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, and this man's gotta work for money now. It might be quite a while before I travel for business on a regular basis again - Goodbye to 5 star business hotels and fine dining, Goodbye to hotel loyalty or frequent flyer mileage points. Hmmm ... Leisure trips that I make in future with Veria are going to take a dip in the luxe factor from now on. Anyway, putting that aside, this posting is a celebration of all the glorious times that I spent as a road warrior in the past three years - Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, UAE, Australia, and of course, most importantly - Incredible India. Pardon me for the quality of some of the pics though, they're mostly taken with my lousy Nokia camera phone. Here's Part 1, a tribute to Japan, where my ex-company headquarters is located.

Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing, an all-time Jap favourite activity

Sakura - Truly one of the highlights of going to HQ in Spring

Pretty Clouds of Pink - everyone should see them at least once

Japanese Summer festival

Pachinko! - Possibly Japan's favourite vice (or is it porn?)

Cute-sy tap at Ghibli Museum