Buying gold jewelry in Singapore

Business travelers to Singapore may be surprised to learn that Singapore is actually a mecca for purchasing gold jewelry – especially for Indians. In fact, even Indians living as far away as Australia or even New Zealand will fly all the way to Singapore to purchase wedding jewelry to take back home with them or to take to relatives living in India. Why go all the way to or make a detour to Singapore? Simply put, Singapore is a well-regulated city state and thus, you can be confident about the purity and the quality of the gold jewelery that is sold there.

Hence, many gold jewelry shops can be found in Singapore’s Little India neighborhood and especially along Serangoon Road near the the Little India MRT station. One of the more popular destinations for gold jewelry buyers is Mustafa’s – a 6,300-square-meter department store that has a huge jewelry department and is open 24 hours a day. Other popular jewelry shops include retail chains such as Lee Hwa, Goldheart and Soo Kee which have branches all over the city.

When shopping though, shoppers should check to see if the shop they plan to patronize is participating in the GST Refund Scheme for tourists. Such shops will display signs such as 'Global Refund' or 'Premier Tax Free' while other shops like Mustafa’s will administer their own refund scheme.

Also, gold jewelry is sold by the weight and is based on the current price of gold. Hence, shopping for gold jewelry is a matter of picking out a design and then placing it on a scale to determine its value. And even if you are not in the market for the more unique and elaborate ethnic designs or wedding ensembles, Singapore’s jewelry shops offer a wide selection of rings, pendants, earrings and gold bracelets to choose from.

Thus, should you find yourself in the market for gold jewelry and you plan to take a business trip to Singapore or reside there as an expatriate, consider allocating some time for browsing the local jewelry shops.

Korean Air unveils a new upgraded cabin

For business travelers and expatriates thinking of flying to Korea, Korean Air has recently unveiled its newest aircraft, a B777-300ER, that is outfitted with the next generation in passenger aircraft amenities. These include premium Kosmo Suites in first class that cost a whopping 250 million won or US$190,000 per seat. These seats are 15.3 centimeters wider than Korean Air's other first-class seats and they can convert into a 180-degree lie-flat seat for maximum relaxation during a long haul flight. In addition, Kosmo Suites seats are equipped with screens that were enlarged from 41.9 centimeters to 58.4 centimeters.

Meanwhile, Prestige Sleeper seats in business class are also convertible into 180-degree lie-flat seats and were enlarged to 39.1 centimeters while the space between the front and back seats is now 66 centimeters wider than on previous planes. In addition, Prestige Sleeper seat screens were enlarged by 22.6 centimeters to 39.1 centimeters.

And finally, New Economy seats in economy class have slimmer seat backs to give passengers more leg space while the bottom cushion now slides forward when in reclined so that discomfort to the passenger sitting behind is minimized. New Economy seat screens were also enlarged to 26.9 centimeters.

The new plane will fly the long haul Seoul-New York route; however, Korean Air plans to install the new seating configuration on all its mid and long-range aircraft by 2014.

Thus, for your next long distance business trip to Korea, consider a Korean Air Kosmo Suite or a Prestige Sleeper seat and be prepared to arrive relaxed and ready to do business.

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward: Where a foreigner will feel at home

For a neighborhood that is not only a major commercial center but also a place where a foreigner will more likely feel at home, Tokyo’s Shinjuku (新宿区) ward is well worth considering as it has the highest number of registered foreigners of any neighborhood in the city. Furthermore, it also the home for the metropolitan government of Tokyo and the Nishi-shinjuku skyscraper business district which contains several of the city’s tallest skyscrapers. For these reasons, its Shinjuku Station is considered to be the busiest train station in the world while in its immediate vicinity are numerous department stores and specialist electronic and camera shops that Tokyo is known for along with plenty of entertainment venues (such as cinemas, bars and restaurants). In addition, located nearby is the Koenji neighborhood which was recently profiled by the New York Times as the area is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese punk rock and a laboratory for local musicians.

For long term business travelers and expatriates who wish to stay in the area, the Oakwood Apartments Shinjuku is conveniently located near the Shinjuku Station and the the office towers of Nishi-Shinjuku. The 140 unit Oakwood offers a high-tech Business Center, a spectacular Sky Lounge with expansive views of the city and stylish apartments equipped with 37" LCD TVs and Bose stereos complete with iPod docking stations. And for business travelers seeking serviced offices, the Shinjuku Nomura is located in the heart of Shinjuku and includes restaurants on the 49th and 50th floors offering spectacular views of the city and even Mount Fuji. In addition, the Regus centre located in the Shinjuku Park Tower is also well situated as the building is situated next to the Shuto Expressway Number 4 and there is a complimentary shuttle bus service to Shinjuku station.

So if you are looking for a neighborhood in Tokyo where you can live, work and feel at home while being at the center of action, look no further than Shinjuku.

Italian inspired cuisine at the Brisbane International Airport

Culinary options at Australian airports tend to be limited to light fare or fast food. However, should you find yourself in the Brisbane International Airport, Marmo provides patrons with more than just a snack or fast food. Operated by global hospitality provider Delaware North and offering Italian influenced cuisine, Marmo is a thoroughly modern bar cum pizza, pasta, panini and pastry restaurant. Here you can grab a quick snack or something more substantial. In addition, beer straight from the tap plus wine by the glass from their extensive wine list are also available to patrons.

Marmo (Phone: +61 7 3114 1110) is located in the Departures & Check-in area on Level 4 and hence, it is easily accessible while waiting for your next flight out of Brisbane.

Bangkok’s Sirocco: Al fresco dining on top of the world

Located on the 63rd floor of The Dome at lebua, Sirocco is the world's highest al fresco restaurant offering breathtaking views of Bangkok and its Chao Phraya river. It is also reputed to be the most spacious open-air roof top restaurant in all of Asia.

Patrons at Sirocco will enjoy high quality Mediterranean style cuisine along with more exotic fare made from ingredients sourced from some of the world's best markets. Notable dishes on offer include Pan seared foie gras on pain brioche with rocket and balsamic poached sour cherries; pan roasted breast of duck on a polenta-mascarpone cake with a black pepper, andouille sausage and giblets sauce; and Sirocco black pepper crab with stir-fried Asian greens and fragrant rice. In addition, a world-class wine and champagne list plus a wide assortment of liqueurs and non-alcoholic beverages are available.

Sirocco is located in lebua at State Tower at 1055 Silom Road in Bangrak – the same location as the lebua Residences. It is also relative accessible for business travelers and expatriates conducting business from the various serviced offices on Silom Road or in Bangrak (such as # 1 Silom Road, Sathorn Thani 1 or United Center Building) or staying in serviced apartments (such as Unico Grande Silom, Siri Sathorn A Beaufort Serviced Residence and Centre Point Saladaeng Serviced Apartments) in the same area. Sirocco is open daily from 18:00 to 1:00 with the last order being taken at 23:30. Reservations (phone: +66 2624 9576) made days in advance are strongly recommended.

So whether you wish to savor the cuisine and sample the excellent wine and champagne list or just visit to enjoy the view, Sirocco is a must visit for any one contemplating a trip to Bangkok.

Navigating Hong Kong’s jade minefield

Hong Kong has a well earned reputation as a city where you can purchase high quality jade - the perfect gift to purchase on your next business trip to the city for someone special back home (or even just for yourself). After all, jade has long been considered to be a good luck stone and for the Chinese its a symbol of beauty, grace and purity. However, unlike purchasing gold, pearls, diamonds or other precious gems, finding a reputable jade dealer and then purchasing high quality pieces that are not fakes can be a daunting task.

Fortunately, the New York Times’ travel section recently had an article about purchasing jade in Hong Kong and listed several locations that travelers should check out depending on just what they are looking for. For those who want to consider purchasing high quality jade pieces (with prices to match), the NY Times article suggests Chinese Arts & Crafts (but don’t be shocked when you see just how much a high quality piece will cost you). However, if you are just seeking something pretty and green, then the NY Times article suggests that you visit the group of shops in Kowloon that constitutes Hong Kong’s so-called Jade Market. Here, venders hawk everything from jade amulets and jewelry to jade carvings but don’t expect to find high quality jade pieces unless you do a bit of detective work. On the other hand, higher quality jade pieces can be found at the 30 or so branches of the Chow Tai Fook – one of Hong Kong’s best known and reputable jewelers.

Once you have found a trustworthy source to make a purchase, it is important to know a little bit about the stone. Although jade comes in many colors or shades, green is the most popular color and stones with the darkest green hue are considered to be the most valuable pieces. If you wish to purchase a color other than green, then it is important to select a piece with the most intense color. Moreover, clear or semi-clear pieces are also considered to be more valuable and always avoid any jade that has visible cracks or flaws.

In addition, keep in mind that there are three grades of jade:

• Grade A are pieces that are made from pure jadeite and are natural. In other words, they are simply carved and then polished and waxed.
• Grade B are pieces are those that have been bleached with chemicals and hence, they can be more brittle as the bleaching process can leave tiny fractures in the structure of the stone itself.
• Grade C pieces are those that are poor in quality to start with and may have had artificial dyes injected into them. These pieces will likely fade over time and are not worth purchasing.

And remember: the most important thing when purchasing jade is to buy from a reputable source as some jade dealers may in fact be selling dyed quartz passed off as jade.

Keeping the above tips in mind when purchasing jade on your next business trip to Hong Kong will help you make an informed purchase of a stone whose beauty and purity will be prized for generations to come.

Korean & western cuisine at the Seoul Incheon International Airport

Should you find yourself waiting to depart at the Seoul Incheon International Airport (IIA) and you need a suitable venue for a business meal, Matina offers an elegant dining experience over hearty Western and Korean food. In fact, the restaurant, with it various artistic masterpieces on the walls, was awarded the “Best Restaurant at IIAC” in 2003. On offer from the restaurant’s extensive menu include a variety of sandwiches, steak, spaghetti and beef bone soup – in other words, something for everyone.

Matina (phone: 82-32-743-3012) is located in the duty-free and departures area of the 4th floor (Transit Hotel) near Gates 11 & 43 and hours of operation are 7:00 to 21:00.

So if you need a venue offering a fine dining experience before departing for home, look no further than Matina’s at the Soeul Incheon International Airport.

Sampling risotto in Tokyo

Business travelers coming to Tokyo may be surprised to learn that the city is a major center for Italian cuisine. In fact, Tokyo has an estimated 1,500 plus Italian restaurants (plus another 1,000 that claim to be Italian or Italian inspired) and the Michelin Guide has awarded one star to no less than seven Italian restaurants and two stars to one. Hence, these awards give credence to the claim that Tokyo’s Italian cuisine has a generally higher level of quality than that of Rome’s. However, this should be no surprise given the Japanese passion for rice and noodles – staples of Italian cuisine.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s Life & Style section recently had an excellent article about finding the best Risotto in Tokyo and recommended several restaurants that also happen to be located in major districts frequented by business travelers to the city. For business travelers staying in serviced apartments or using serviced offices in Minato-ku, there is the more casual Vino Hirata (phone: 81-3-3456-4744) where you could easily spend US$200 on some of the best Italian cuisine you have ever sampled and then there is the more upscale Piatto Suzuki (phone: 81-3-5414-2116) with its one Michelin Star. In the famous Ginza district and also convenient to serviced offices in Chuo-ku, there is Enoteca Pinchiorri (phone: 81-3-3289-8081) which (17 years ago) became one of the First Tokyo branches of a well known Michelin three-star restaurant in Florence. In Chiyoda-ku (where there are more limited serviced apartment options but a couple of serviced office choices), Elio Locanda Italiana (phone: 81-3-3239-6771) is run by a Calabrian native while Luxor (phone: 81-3-6212-6901) offers more affordable but nevertheless excellent cuisine. And finally, Passo a Passo (phone: 81-3-5245-8645) located in Koto-ku is a small neighborhood style restaurant run by a Japanese chef trained in Italy who also happens to be passionate about risotto. Average prices at the above listed restaurants range from US$50 to US$100 for a full set lunch for one person (excluding wine).

Thus, should you wish to sample some of the best best Italian cuisine and risotto in particular outside of Italy, then look no further than stopping by one of Tokyo’s top Italian restaurants on your next business trip to Japan.

Singapore’s Orchard Road: Asia’s Rodeo Drive

Once lined with nutmeg orchards, including one owned by someone with the last name of Orchard, Singapore’s Orchard Road is now the retail and entertainment heart of the city-state. In fact, no trip to Singapore would be complete without spending at least one evening in the area – especially around the Christmas holidays when reindeers and snow topped gingerbread houses are set among the street’s palm trees and flower beds.

Orchard Road’s primary attraction and activity is shopping. Just some of the malls lining the road worth noting include Ngee Ann City (the largest mall on the road which contains numerous upscale boutiques, Japanese department store Takashimaya and Books Kinokuniya - Southeast Asia’s largest bookstore), Wheelock Place (home to Borders bookstore and a Marks & Spencer), Paragon (also home to a Marks & Spencer, a Metro and a Toys 'R' Us), the Hilton Shopping Gallery (branded boutiques) and The Centrepoint (home to a Robinsons and another Marks & Spencer). Furthermore, access to the area is easy via the MRT as there are major stations (Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut) in the Orchard Road vicinity while a number of bus lines along with plentiful cabs operate in the area.

For business travelers and expatriates who want to stay on or just near Orchard Road, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is conveniently located right next to the Somerset MRT station and offers amenities such as fully-equipped kitchens, world class entertainment systems, a fully equipped gym and hydro-therapeutic spa with a mineral water pool. And for those who will be needing office space in the vicinity, the Ann City Tower B is located above Ngee Ann City on the heart of Orchard Road and offers serviced offices, customized virtual office packages and meeting room space.

Hence, whether you need to shop or are looking for a place to both work and stay, look no further than what Orchard Road has to offer.

Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct: Live & play

Located on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD and once part of city’s bustling commercial port and rail yards, Darling Harbour and its immediate vicinity were redeveloped into a recreational and residential district and even served as a venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics. In fact, the area in around Darling Harbour includes a number of notable attractions including the Sydney Entertainment Centre (a major concert venue), the Star City Hotel and Casino (the second largest casino in Australia) and the LG IMAX theater (the home of the world’s largest screen). Moreover, Darling Harbour contains numerous shopping, restaurant and pub venues that will keep visitors and nearby office workers and residents alike both well fed and entertained. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible from the CBD by the Sydney Monorail and a ferry wharf provides access via the Inner Harbour ferry services to the Circular Quay and the city suburbs.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates, there are currently 50 sqm and 65 sqm one bedroom apartments available for rent. Furthermore, there are a number of serviced and virtual office options available just a short walk or monorail ride away in the CBD.

So for business travelers and expatriates looking for an area to live and/or play that is also convenient to where they work, look no further than what Darling Harbour.

Hong Kong’s Nicholini’s: Fine Italian dining with a view

For a business traveler or an expatriate in Hong Kong who is looking for a restaurant for a leisurely business lunch or dinner over fine Northern Italian cuisine and excellent views of the Hong Kong skyline, they should look no further than Nicholini's. In fact, the Hong Kong Tatler has voted Nicholini’s as "Hong Kong's Best Restaurant" for the last 13 consecutive years while Michelin has awarded it Four Michelin Forks – the highest award given by them to an Italian restaurant in Hong Kong. Popular dishes from the menu include delicious homemade pasta and antipasti with main dishes like seasoned lobster over angel hair pasta, grilled veal with Morel mushrooms and sage potato sauce and raviolis with spinach, cheese and mushroom sauce.

Nicholini's is located inside the Conrad Hong Kong Hotel at 88 Queensway and hence for long-term business travelers staying at the Pacific Place Apartments, the restaurant is particularly convenient as it is located within the same complex. Furthermore, its also a short distance from the Asia-Pacific Business Centre (APBC) located inside the Lippo Centre at 89 Queensway. The restaurant is open 7 days a week from noon to 23:00 (although it is closed after lunch from 15:00-18:00) and attire is smart and casual.

So if you are looking for place to have a business lunch or diner over delicious Italian cuisine, look no further than Nicholini’s.

Women business travelers need not be alone

For women business travelers, traveling on business often means traveling alone. Thus, women travelers have additional concerns to address such as finding a hotel or serviced apartment in a neighborhood that is considered safe and female friendly to what to do at night when the business day is over with. In the past, the later may have met staying in the hotel room alone but now women business travelers have other options that mean they need not be alone.

The New York Times recently ran a story (What Good Is Sitting Alone in Your Room?) mentioning several websites that were set up by women who often found themselves in the predicament of just being alone back in the hotel. These websites allow women business travelers to meet other women who either live in or are also traveling alone in the same area and are looking for company.

Maiden Voyage was one such site profiled in the article. After registering, women business travelers can enter the name of a city on the site’s search engine and the dates they will be in that city to find other registered women travelers who will also be there during the same period of time. Other websites worth checking out that were also profiled in the article include the Executive Women’s Network Lounge within SkyLounge.com, global-dinner-network.com and LadiesAway.com. In addition to being useful to women while traveling short-term on business, these websites are also worth checking out by any woman who will be relocating to a new city for long-term or permanent stay.

Thus, for women traveling alone on business, there is no longer any reason to stay alone in the hotel once the business portion of the day is over with.

Melbourne’s Southbank neighborhood: Sparkling and convenient

Located just one kilometer south of Melbourne’s CBD and the Yarra River, Southbank was once a gritty industrial area that has been transformed into a sparkling and thoroughly modern high-rise residential and office district. In fact, the area is fast becoming an increasingly popular alternative office district with well known corporate names such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fujitsu, and Foster's Group having relocated to the area. In addition, the area now boosts an arts precinct, the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre which is located in the newer South Wharf area on the western edge of the district. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible via Melbourne’s famous tram network.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates looking for accommodations, the Southbank vicinity offers a number of options that include studio apartments, 1-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom apartments. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates coming to Melbourne to set up an office, Regus located on the 28th floor at the 303 Collins St. complex offers fully furnished and equipped offices with spectacular views of the city and convenient access to all of the banks, restaurants, and shopping centres that are located in the area.

So if you are looking for a centrally located and thoroughly modern Melbourne neighborhood to work, play or call home, then look no further than Southbank.

Irish Stew and Guinness at the Melbourne Airport

For business travelers and expatriates passing through Australia’s major airports, dining options tend to be fairly limited to fast food and relatively light fare. However, if you are passing through the Melbourne Airport and need a suitable venue for an informal business meal or drinks, look no further than the P.J. O'Brien's. As an Irish pub with other locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Adelaide, P.J. O’Brien’s menu offers a traditional hearty Irish meal such as Irish Stew served with a pint of Guinness. In addition, an oyster bar, char grill and a selection of less filling meals are available plus a wide selection of beers on tap, liquors, spirits and wine.

P.J. O’Brien’s is located in the Virgin terminal next to the Hightide Café and near the Virgin Blue check-in desks on Level 1 of Terminal 3. It is open everyday from 8am for breakfast, lunch and dinner and bookings are recommended.

So should you find yourself in the Melbourne Airport craving more than just fast food or light fare, look no further than P.J. O’Brien’s.

A bit of London in the heart of Bangkok

For any British traveler or expatriate in Bangkok who misses that authentic London pub experience or who wants to show their non-British business associates what a real London pub is like, they need not go further than the Londoner Brew Pub on Sukhumvit Road. Voted the American Express Pub/Restaurant of the Year and already a winner of numerous other awards, you can be assured that the pub is authentic as it was set up by Englishman John Stamp, a longtime Bangkok resident who missed the authentic English pub experience.

Moreover, the Londoner has earned some fame for brewing Thailand's only pub-brewed English Bitter and Pilsner Lager and also offers a wide range of spirits and cocktails plus an assortment of red and white wines. For patrons seeking or missing that authentic British pub meal, the food menu features everything from traditional pub offerings to exotic local Thai specialties while Sundays are a special treat for the whole family when the Super Sunday Family Carvery Buffet is on offer. In addition, there are meeting rooms available, regular quiz nights, free underground parking for 4 hours, free wi-fi and a free Sunday Times direct from the UK.

The Londoner Brew Pub is located in the basement of 591 UBC II Building (Sukhumvit 33) on Sukhumvit Road and is very convenient to reach by any business traveler staying in serviced apartments in the Sukhumvit Road area. Hours of operation are from 11:00-1:00 daily with happy hours from 16:00–19:00 and 23:00–01:00 and the place is usually filled with British and other expats, locals and tourists alike.

Hence, any British business traveler or expatriate in Bangkok will surely feel at home at the Londoner where the cheerful Thai staff is the only reminder that you are NOT in London...

Travel in the age of Swine Flu & other health concerns

Although Swine Flu has dominated the news in recent months, the chances of a business traveler contracting it on a business trip to Asia would probably be no greater than the chances of getting it on a business trip elsewhere in the world or at home for that matter. However, travelers to Asia should take precautions against other more common types of illnesses to be found in the region.

The first and most obvious ailment that a traveler to any distant locale in general should be concerned about is water or food borne illnesses. Although travelers diarrhea is an annoyance, travelers to some parts of Asia should also be concerned about exposure to Hepatitis which is more common in some parts of Asia than in other parts of the world.

Nevertheless, both travelers diarrhea and Hepatitis are easily preventable. A simple way to avoid the risk of contracting a water borne illnesses is to only drink bottled water purchased from convenience stores or supermarkets and to always check that the plastic cap is sealed onto the bottle before drinking. In addition, travelers who are particular sensitive may want to consider washing their toothbrushes only in bottled water rather than water from the tap. As for dining out, especially in more exotic locations or neighborhoods where there might be fewer foreigners, eating only at restaurants or establishments frequented by other foreigners or by the local middle and professional classes is a sure way to lower your risk of having a bout of food poisoning or worst.

Besides food and water borne illnesses, mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria are increasingly a health concern in some major urban areas of Asia and for that matter, can even now be contracted in some Western countries where such diseases were supposedly eradicated years ago. A simple precaution (besides the wearing of smelly insect repellent) would be to wear long sleeves and pants during the evenings in areas where occasional outbreaks of such diseases have occurred in the past. And remember, some mosquito borne diseases are seasonal in nature or, like Dengue Fever, can only be contracted during certain hours of the day and hence, taking simple precautions and knowing what the risks are is the best way to lower your risk of exposure.

For further information, the Asian Wall Street Journal recently had a comprehensive article (Taking the Bite Out of Travel) about travel and health concerns in general that would be well worth reading. Furthermore, the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contains the latest news and comprehensive information about health related travel concerns globally and is well worth consulting to see what, if any, vaccines might be needed before taking that next business trip.

Remember, as with any health related concern, knowing what the risks are and taking simple precautions and preventive measures will go a long way towards keeping your trip enjoyable and worry free.

What to do with all those foreign currency & coins

Road warriors who travel frequently and globally for business will quickly end up with a wallet full of foreign paper and coin currency. Although this is less of a problem for travelers to Europe now that most of the continent has adopted the Euro, ending up with a wallet full of different currencies, with some like the Vietnamese Dong being less readily convertible than others, is still an issue faced by frequent business travelers to Asia. Moreover, although its easy to obtain foreign currency in open economies like Hong Kong, some Asian countries make it difficult to exchange their currencies for so called “hard currencies” while still in their countries. Furthermore, currency exchanges often will not accept coins and if its only a small amount of currency, it may not be worth exchanging it back into your home currency.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s travel section recently had an article (What to Do With Foreign Money) with several useful tips about what to do with all of that foreign money. Tips included shopping at the airport, donating it to charity (specifically Unicef's "Change for Good" program), giving it to other travelers as gifts or, if its retired currency from pre-Euro days, sending it in to the Currency Commission for Euros, US or Canadian dollars.

However, one important consideration left out by the article is to remember to keep enough local currency handy to pay the airport departure tax as some airports in some Asian countries will only accept local currency or perhaps US$ or Euros. If a currency exchange or bank at the airport is not open at the time you are in the airport, they may not allow you into the boarding area!

Otherwise, if you plan on a repeat trip to the country you are visiting, keeping enough leftover local currency from your last trip handy will save you the hassle of trying to find an open currency exchange or bank on your next visit – especially if you are arriving late.