Travelogue around Asia Pacific

Seoul - It has been a long time coming that any Korean government acknowledge that English is the de-facto lingua franca for business. The incoming government 's plan to boost public English education is stiring a nationwide debate over its viablity and even its implication for the national sense of identity. Koreans have much pride over the country, language and customs - and it is not difficult to understand why since they have come a long way with a unique and distinct culture. The incoming Korean government intentions is laudable but it takes a nation mindset to change. Quoting the chairperson exact words "Whether you like it or not, English is one of the global languages. Moreover, int he situation where 90 per cent of the information on the internet is offered in English, our national competitiveness, is directly linked to English education" and "We live in an era where people's English skill is a core factor in determining the nation's competit...

Seoul - This day concluded on a busy note with 3 appointments back to back. The temperature drop to zero maybe due to my warm Singapore persona. On a whole the meetings went well. We had lunch at a buffet restaurant - I have been there twice. Everytime, we visit this customer - we will go to this buffet restaurant. There were wide slections of korean food on the buffet spread for just 9,000Won person. According to Korean standards, this is considered cheap and I think it holds true to Singapore too. The one recognizable similiarity in my 3 visits is the number of elderly people - it is a like a old folks gathering from all walks of life. Dinner was at a sushi restaurant - the waitress was able to speak Mandarin and she comes from China Hei Long Jiang province. The food is really good and fresh. In the past, tips were not the norm but my customer boss, were giving tips to the waitress and Chief Chef. This was a recognizable difference from the past - a western import. ...

Seoul - It was freezing cold at -3 celcius and this trip will make it my 57th trip to Korea. On this trip, I chatted up an elderly couple that spent about 1 month in Asia going around Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Cambodia and parts of India. A lovely couple that shared their experiences with me and gave me a book - titled "Eight was not Enough" this is an autobiography of herself. It was written about her struggle in raising 9 children - with 7 adopted and some physically challenged. It was refreshing like a gush to cool breeze on a hot summer day.....not exactly though I was on a plane. They lived in Pleasant Hill which I am familiar with and near the hotel I always stay when I am in Walnut creek. I will call them when I next go to US. This time I will be staying for 2 nights at Ramada Seoul Hotel - I have never stayed there before though it is located within the Gangnam area. It cost 14,000Won from the Inchon airport to Ramada Seoul via the Limo bus, wh...

Singapore - Two over zealous fans of popular Taiwanes singer-actor Jay Chou bought air-tickets to catch their idol at the Changi Airport and landed themselves in trouble. The 2 entered the departure hall with their boarding passes at about 11am on July 30 last year but had no intention of flying to Kuala Lumpur - except to meet the Taiwanese pop star up close. After getting the boarding passes for their flight, they entered the departure where the notice states "No entry except for passengers with boarding passes and proceeding to their next destination". The two telemarketers did not proceed to board their flight, but instead went to meet a celebrity idol who was arriving on the same day. The two were later detained by an Immigation and Checkpoints Authority officer and the police were called. Under the Protected Area and Protected Places Act, they could have been fined and jailed for up to two years each. Reference: Straits Times .