Singaporean Singlish Kills The English Language Funny Talk

For anyone who has visited Singapore, you may have noticed that many Singaporeans have a unique way of pronouncing English. So on your next trip to Singapore, don’t be surprised if you are asked “wat u wan ar” to eat – whether “fly rice,” “beef fly rice,” or “chicken kali”; and “wat u wan ar” drink – whether some “flu jus” or some “c***” (either medium or big….)

Price Comparison: SanDisk 8GB Memory Card prices

The prices of electronics and computer related accessories are among the many items that travelers and expatriates will often find to be much more affordable in Asia rather than back home. In fact, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for SanDisk 8GB Memory Cards in Asia and around the world and to no one's surprise, memory card prices tended to be the lowest in Asian cities and the highest in European cities plus New York. Thus, if you are in need of a few extra memory cards or other similar accessories and are not based in Asia, you may want to consider purchasing them on your next visit to the Asia region.

Price Comparison*

New York City	US$42.18	US$42.18
London	22.52 Pounds	US$36.53
Brussels	€24.49	US$35.97
Paris	€18.30	US$26.88
Rome	€17.90	US$26.29
Bangkok	815 Baht	US$24.12
Jakarta	229,667 Rupiah	US$23.70
Frankfurt	€15.00	US$22.03
Seoul	24,800 Won	US$20.52
Hong Kong	HK$145	US$18.64
Singapore	S$24.10	US$16.99

* Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of September 21, 2009

Hong Kong’s Restaurant Petrus: Where the cuisine matches the view

For anyone looking for breathtaking views of Victoria Harbor along with equally impressive cuisine, the Michelin one-star Restaurant Petrus on the 56^th floor of the Island Shangri-la Hotel is a sure bet. Patrons will find an elegant restaurant with a dining room plus two private rooms (which are also available for private functions) that are decorated in traditional French style with richly folded drapery and impressionist oil paintings and murals. In addition, the restaurant’s dome-shaped ceilings are decorated with surrealist paintings to remind patrons of traditional European dining rooms.

As for the cuisine, Chef de cuisine Frederic Chabbert, who honed his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout France, London and Monaco before settling in Asia, has created a menu worthy of a one-star from Michelin with signature dishes including Petrus vol au vent of crayfish and frog's legs with black truffle (crayfish cooked in lobster sauce), David Herve's "Royal Cabanon" oysters scallop in a warm nage and Cassolette of snails Burgundy style served with Poulette sauce with fresh herbs. In addition, the Restaurant Petrus has a well stocked wine cellar with not only one of the best wine lists in all of Hong Kong but one of the most extensive ones in all of Asia.

Thus, if you are seeking a restaurant that not only offers a spectacular view of Hong Kong but also has cuisine that will easily be as unforgettable as the view, the Restaurant Petrus will likely be your top choice in Hong Kong and one of your top choices for all of Asia.

The Restaurant Petrus is located on Level 56 of the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong on Pacific Place Supreme Court Road in Central (Phone: +85 2 2820 8590). and is open from 07:00 to 10:00, Noon to 15:00 and 18:30 to 23:00. Attire is smart casual for lunch while a jacket is required (no jeans) for dinner.

How to fly first class at coach prices (or get that seat upgrade)

With the current state of the global economy, even business travelers must be cost conscious. Hence, a short five minute video narrated by Rick Brown, the owner of RickBrownTravels.com (www.FirstClassTravelTips.com) explains several method he uses to research first class travel at coach prices – namely ITA Software’s Fare Shopping Engine. Even better, the example he uses involves a flight from Asia to North America (from Bangkok to Vancouver) and although the trip he booked comes with an 11 hour layover in Seoul, he points out that first class passengers have use of the first class lounge and other amenities to keep them occupied and relaxed throughout the long layover.

In addition, CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg (who also has his own website packed with useful travel tips) has also created a short video about getting seat upgrades from airlines. As Peter explains, passengers should dress for success – in other words, not in flip flops, torn jeans and wearing a backpack! Furthermore, its the questions you ask along with your demeanor (be nice to the counter agent!) that may ultimately get you an upgrade – sometimes without even asking for one. In addition, flights in the middle of the week or during the middle of the day that are less crowded will further increase your odds of a better seat.

Tipping in Thailand

In case you are traveling to Thailand and are wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping there compares with other countries you may have visited, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

In the case of Thailand and Bangkok in particular, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide indicates that US$1 per diner for the waiter is usually appropriate. At hotels, US$1 to US$2 per bag for the bell hop or porter is appropriate while no tip is necessary for the housekeeper or the concierge as service charges have already been included in the bill. Meanwhile, Taxi drivers will expect a tip of about US$1 while private drivers should be given roughly US$2 per hour. For tour guides, US$10 to US$20 per person per day should be given as they also need to tip the driver. In addition and if you decide to visit a spa for a massage, a three-dollar tip is usually appropriate for the masseur while the ubiquitous bathroom attendants generally expect about 20 baht or fifty US cents.

Finally, while US$ is accepted (remember though, in many parts of Asia it may be hard for locals to exchange small bills), apparently US$2 bills are considered lucky in both Thailand and Cambodia for their rarity and hence (according to the guide), will open doors and curry favor much faster than any other denomination.

Travel tips and advice for business travelers

Frequent road warriors may want to check out this short 2 minute Lonely Planet video narrated by Asha Gill, which offers some helpful advice on how to plan a business trip that limits travel stress and will allow you to get the most out of your time. Travel tips cover planning your trip, choosing your airline seat, contacting your concierge, unwinding while in transit, relaxing in flight, and connecting with colleagues and contacts via social networking sites.

In addition, another short Lonely Planet video narrated by Lonely Planet author Damien Simonis offers practical luggage selection and packing tips for globe-trotters and business travelers alike. Travel tips cover getting the right piece of luggage, planning your wardrobe, using space saving gear, avoiding liquids and be permanently packed. However his key piece of travel advice: Travel light and always be ready to go.

Price Comparison: Price of a Pineapple in Asia

Travelers and expatriates in many parts of Asia will find a whole array of fruits, both familiar and exotic to choose from but depending upon where you are in Asia, prices and availability will vary greatly (especially if you are in north rather than south Asia). Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for pineapples in Asia and around the world and found, to no one’s surprise, that the price of a pineapple is highest in Tokyo at equivalent of US$5.88. On the other hand, the price of pineapples in the Southeast Asian cities of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta proved to be the lowest on the list for Asian cities.

Price Comparison*

Tokyo	535 Yen	US$5.88
Shanghai	39 Yuan	US$6.69
Seoul	6,000 Won	US$4.92
Singapore	S$4.49	US$3.16
Hong Kong	HK$23	US$2.97
Bangkok	48 Baht	US$1.41
Manila	56 Pesos	US$1.14
Kuala Lumpur	2.60 Ringgit	US$0.74
Jakarta	6.317 Rupiah	US$0.63

* Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of September 15, 2009.

Still Chinglish we speak here

Travelers to China will note with some humor that neither English nor Chinese seems to be written or spoken there. Instead, “Chinglish” or “China English” is, according to wikipedia, “used” by an estimated 300 to 500 million users and/or learners of English there. And unlike Pidgen English which is a language that can actually be learned, “Chinglish” is simply English with really bad spelling and grammar or a bad (sometimes literal) translation or confusion over the translation of Chinese characters into English.

When Beijing hosted the Olympics, an effort was made to try and rid the city of “Chinglish” while the Luxique travel blog has recently noted that Shanghai, which is gearing up for the World Expo fair next year, will attempt to do the same by having student volunteers check all the English on signs throughout the city and if they deem the translation to be less than accurate, whoever owns the sign will need to correct it.

Either way, travelers will generally find Chinglish to be more amusing than annoying. Hence, here are some classic examples of Chinglish (some with pictures) that may or may not need some “translation”:

• In the hotel elevator: “Please bump your head carefully.”
• Keep off the grass: “Tender fragrant grass. How hardhearted to trample them”
• A slippery slope: “To take notice of safe: The slippery are very crafty.”
• In the hotel lobby: “Please leave your values at the front desk.”
• On the subway: “If you are stolen, call the police at once.”
• “F*** the Certain Price of Goods.” (This translation apparently resulted from some confusion over the characters for “dry” and “to do”)
• Lost in translation:

• When closing the door: “Please Steek Gently” (Apparently, to steek is means “to shut” in a dialect of Scottish and the word found its way into a Chinese-English dictionary):

• We hope this means the surface is only slippery:

Jakarta tourism and travel videos

Should you find yourself in Jakarta on a business trip and have some extra time (but not that much extra time) to explore the city, Lonelyplanet.tv has created a short 3 minute video (Jakarta in 12 Hours!) that highlights six cultural attractions that can be visited in 12 hours or half a day.

In addition, two other short videos featuring the concierge of the Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Travel Smart in Jakarta and Jakarta MidPlaza Shopping Experiences (shopping for antiques, traditional Indonesian arts and crafts along with designer clothes), are also well worth checking out.

 

And finally, more adventurous travelers to Jakarta may want to watch another short video entitled Perfect Day in Jakarta – which also includes some shopping tips as well.

Tipping in Singapore and Malaysia

If you are traveling to Singapore or Malaysia, you may be wondering how much of a tip to leave and how tipping compares with other countries you have visited. Hence, the Conde Nash Traveller Tipping Guide (which is available on the Conde Nash website and is also downloadable in pdf format) offers a very handy and useful reference guide for tipping in more than 35 countries around the world.

According to the guide, travelers visiting Singapore should note that a 10% tip is included in the meal and leaving extra is not expected. However, if your hotel concierge has performed a special favor for you such as securing hard-to-get dinner reservations, a tip of up to US$10 is warranted. For bellboys, a standard US$1 per bag is sufficient while cleaning staff could be left with a few dollars per day if you wish (but this is not expected). And if a guide is taking you out for a full day, a tip of US$15 to US$20 per person should be expected (this will be split with the driver) while just rounding up the fare and leaving the change is sufficient for tax drivers.

For travelers visiting Malaysia, a 10% tip is included in the meal and Malaysians will usually round up the bill and leave the change. Hence, you may choose to do the same or leave an extra 10 to 15% if you wish. At hotels, the standard tip for bellboys is US$1 per bag but this is not actually required while private guides and drivers should get between US$5 to US$10 per person per day.

And remember, although US$ is acceptable, it is always better to tip in the local currencies in both Malaysia and Singapore as locals will consider it an unnecessary hassle to exchange small amounts of foreign currency.

Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards 2009: Best airports

Conde Nast Traveller has recently announced the results for its Readers’ Travel Awards 2009 for the world’s best airports. Topping the list of the best airports for cleanliness was Singapore’s Changi (no surprise there) and the Madrid Barajas (whose new terminal also helped to put it in first place for design/layout). Hong Kong International scored the highest for luggage handling, Kuala Lumpur International was rated tops for flight information/clarity of signs and Tokyo Narita came in number one for shopping/duty-free facilities.

1.	Madrid Barajas	87.60
2.	Vancouver	86.10
3.	Changi, Singapore	85.63
4.	Tokyo Narita	83.12
5.	Helsinki-Vantaa	83.03
6.	Auckland	82.55
7.	Schiphol, Amsterdam	82.15
8.	Hong Kong International	80.78
9.	Kuala Lumpur International	79.27
10.	Dubai International	78.86
11.	Zurich	78.18
12.	Athens	76.82
13.	Frankfurt	76.22
14.	Copenhagen	74.98
15.	Manchester	73.34

The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Felix Bar: A unique Hong Kong experience

Located on the top floor (the 28^th) of the swanky Peninsula Hotel and designed by noted architect Philippe Starck, the Felix Bar offers a panoramic view of Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. However, it is the women and men’s restrooms with their spectacular views (the men’s restroom has a view of Kowloon while the women’s restroom has a view of the harbor) that are considered to be the Felix Bar’s best attraction!

Aside from the world famous restrooms, the Felix Bar’s menu includes a range of appetizers and main courses that emphasis seafood with notable dishes including Tuna Sashimi (Chorizo and Black Truffle), Boston Lobster (with Smoked Tomato, Gruyere and Tarragon), Tasmanian Salmon with Parsnip Gratin and Pancetta-wrapped Lamb. In addition, there is a complete range of wines, champagnes and cocktails available to choose from that may be paired with a late night and desert menu offering delicacies such as Oscietra Caviar with Traditional Condiments, Citrus Cheese Cake and Mango Rice Pudding Roll with Coconut Sorbet.

However, some patrons may find the Felix Bar to be pricey (expect to spend a minimal of HK$200 or US$25) and reviews of the cuisine and the service tend to be mixed. However, if you are looking for a truly unique Hong Kong experience (the men’s urinals!) and an absolutely breathtaking view of the city, then there are few places in the world that will match what the Felix Bar has to offer.

The Felix Bar is located on the top floor of The Peninsula Hong Kong on Salisbury Road (Phone: +85 2 2315 3188) and is open from 18:00 to 02:00. Attire is smart casual.

Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards 2009: Best airlines

Conde Nast Traveller has recently announced the results for the its Readers’ Travel Awards 2009 for the world’s best airlines for business travel and for long-haul leisure travel. Topping the list of best airlines for business travel was British Airways as Conde Nast Traveller readers rated it tops in terms of scheduling and for catering while Emirates was rated as having the best luggage handling facilities and Etihad for having the best service/staff. Oddly however, only two Asia (non-Middle East) based airline (Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines) made the top 10 airlines list and this may be more a reflection of the reader base of Conde Nast Traveller than any deficiencies in the quality of business travel on Asia based airlines.

1.	British Airways	89.82
2.	Etihad Airways	86.81
3.	Emirates	86.78
4.	85.70
5.	Virgin Atlantic	82.81
6.	Singapore Airlines	79.56
7.	BMI	76.02
8.	Lufthansa	74.64
9.	United Airlines	71.78
10.	Qatar Airways	71.05

Meanwhile, Conde Nast Traveller readers rated Virgin Atlantic as the best airline for long-haul leisure travel giving it a top score for lounge/flight facilities and for punctuality/efficiency. Qantas was rated as having the best in-flight entertainment, Air New Zealand for having the the best catering and Singapore Airlines for having the best service/staff. Again, the results are probably more a reflection of the reader base of Conde Nast Traveller but nevertheless and should your travel plans be global, the survey results are well worth noting.

1.	Virgin Atlantic	90.01
2.	Air New Zealand	88.45
3.	Qantas	86.62
4.	British Airways	85.77
5.	Kingfisher Airlines	85.32
6.	Singapore Airlines	83.35
7.	Emirates	80.91
8.	Etihad Airways	78.33
9.	Thai Airways	76.27
10.	71.95

Price comparison: iPhone 3G Prices

Buying a mobile phone, especially if you are in the USA, can be a complicated and frustrating exercise when your purchase must include a service contract as in general, mobile phones without service contracts are considerable more expensive. However, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for the iPhone 3G without a service contract and as expected, iPhone 3G prices were much higher in Europe than in Hong Kong (the only Asian city included in the survey).

Of course, business travelers or expatriates relocating to Asia will generally not have a difficult time finding someone who can unlock just about any mobile phone along with plenty of knockoff versions of popular mobile phones for sale. However, buyers should always be wary of mobile phone deals to good to be true and be careful about trusting their phones with someone who can “unlock” them.

Price Comparison*

Paris	€509	US$738
Rome	€499	US$723
Brussels	€475	US$689
Hong Kong	HK$4,488	US$579
London	343 Pounds	US$566

* An 8GB without a service contract. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of September 9, 2009

Latest Cathay Pacific promotional airfares

In case you are an expatriate based in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is offering a Singapore Smart Saver fare from HK$1,500 or US$193.50 (the fare is inclusive of the Hong Kong Security Service Charge but is subject to applicable taxes and other surcharges). The travel period is from September 7–19, October 2-22 and December 29-31 and the offer expires November 30. Other Cathay Pacific Smart Saver deals include:

Frankfurt/Europe Smart Saver from HK$4,850 or US$626

UK/Europe Smart Saver from HK$4,430 or US$571

USA Smart Saver from HK$5,060 or US$653

Canada Smart Saver from HK$4,950 or US$639

New York Smart Saver at HK$5,900 or US$761

Japan Smart Saver from HK$2,100 or US$271

All of these Cathay Pacific promotional deals are for economy class and come with blackout dates. Thus, if you are based in Hong Kong and can be flexible with travel dates, some of these deals might be worth checking out.

Asia’s most on-time airports

Business travelers who travel frequently around the world will already know that some airports in some contries have better reputations than other airports in other countries for on-time arrivals and departures. Hence, a recent article on ForbesTraveller.com (along with a slideshow) which ranked the world’s most on-time airports may confirm what many frequent travelers already know. Moreover and probably to no-one’s surprise, 6 out of the top 10 best airports for punctuality were in Asia. These airports included:

• Haneda Airport (Japan) – For the second year in a row (On-time flight average: 91.4%), Japan’s Haneda Airport took the top spot for on-time arrivals with 88.6% of its flights arrive on-time and 94.3% of its flights depart on-time.
• Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Indonesia) – Jumping from sixth place to second place (On-time flight average: 86.7%), Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport had 84.2% of its flights arrive on-time and 89.2% of its flights depart on-time.
• Narita International (Japan) – In third place (On-time flight average: 86%), Narita International had 84.8% of its flights arrive on-time and 87.1% of its flights depart on-time.
• Incheon International Airport (South Korea) – In forth place (On-time flight average: 84.85), Seoul’s Incheon International Airport had 86.8% of its flights arrive on-time and 82.8% of its flights depart on-time.
• Suvarnabhumi Airport (Thailand) – In fifth place (On-time flight average: 84.4%), Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport had 82.9% of its flights arrive on-time and 86% of its flights depart on-time.
• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malaysia) – In sixth place (On-time flight average: 83.6%), Kuala Lumpur International Airport had 81.5% of its flights arrive on-time and 86.1% of its flights depart on-time.

Incidentally, while the Hong Kong International Airport improved its performance from an on-time average of 79.7% last year to an on-time average of 82.25% this year, it was knocked out of the number 10 spot by the the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Nevertheless, the on-time flight performance of several of Asia’s major airports gives frequent travelers to and within the region something to cheer about.

China’s Business Visa (F Visa) for short-term business trips

If you plan to visit China to do business, perform due diligence, attend a lecture or conference, or to take part in a scientific/technological or educational/culture exchange for a period of no more than six months, a Business Visa (F Visa) should be obtained prior to arrival. To apply for a Business Visa (F Visa), an application must be submitted to the visa office at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General either in person or through an intermediary (in person) and generally speaking, mailed applications are not accepted.

When filing an application, the following documents will need to be submitted:

• A valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and containing at least one blank visa page in it.
• One completed Visa Application Form (forms may be downloaded from the website of China’s embassy in the USA) with a recent 2x2 inch photo. If you are a first time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, then your Chinese name must be included in the application form along with your original Chinese passport or a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
• A Visa Notifications Form from an authorized Chinese Unit or an invitation letter from a host organization in China or an introduction letter from a US company.
• Copies of previous “F” visas issued if you have availed of it at least twice in the past.

Visas can be issued for a single entry (valid for 3 to 6 months), double entry (valid for 6 months), or multiple entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) or a multiple entry visa valid for 24 months if documents are submitted that prove an investment in China has been made or there is an established collaboration with a Chinese company (However, applicants should check with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate General to ensure that they can actually avail of all of the available entry visas based upon their nationality.) Moreover, validity starts 90 or 180 days from the date of issue and the normal duration of stay is for 30 days unless otherwise stated in the visa application.

Generally speaking, the regular processing time for visas is 4 working days while express service is 2 to 3 working days (an additional US$20) and there is a same day rush service for emergencies only (an additional US$30). However, applicants should take into consideration that visa processing times may vary from location to location.

In addition, the fees for the Business Visa (F Visa) are as follows:

Number of Entries	USA Citizen	Other Nationalities
Single Entry	US$130	US$30
Double Entry	US$130	US$45
Multiple Entry for 6 Months	US$130	US$60
Multiple Entry for 12 Months	US$130	US$90
Multiple Entry for 24 Months	US$130	US$90

Again, the exact rules and regulations for the Business Visa (F Visa) may vary from nationality to nationality and it is best to consult your respective embassy or consulate general in China or the respective Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in your home or resident country for the most up-to-date information.

“What a shame!” Swine Flu comes from America video

In case you have not flown to or around China lately, you may find this Civil Aviation Administration of China's swine flu warning video both helpful and absolutely hilarious! The cutesy jingle with the cartoon reminds passengers that:

Swine influenza comes from America… spreads around the world… its true name is A(H1N1)… what a shame!

Actually and according to the Wall Street Journal’s China Journal blog, the Chinese lyrics make a broad reference to the American continents and uses the word “mei zhou” rather than the word “mei guo” (for the USA itself) but the the English subtitles simply say America. Either way, passengers are sure to get the picture!

 

Price comparison: Airport departure taxes around Asia

Frequent road warriors in Asia will be accustomed to a standard feature at airports throughout the region: the airport departure tax. In fact, travelers should always anticipate having to pay an “exit” tax as they travel from country to country (and these taxes can quickly add up for frequent travelers). Hence, it is always a good idea to keep some local currency handy as some airports will only accept cash in the form of local currency or US$.

Keeping this in mind, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of airport departure taxes for various cities around Asia. The survey results show that business travelers or expatriates should anticipate keeping about US$25 in local currency handy in order to ensure that they will be able to leave the country they are visiting or living in.

Price Comparison*

Seoul	28,000 Won	US$22.43
Tokyo	2,040 Yen	US$21.96
Bangkok	700 Baht	US$20.51
Singapore	S$28	US$19.39
Hong Kong	HK$120	US$15.48
Manila	750 Pesos	US$15.35
Kuala Lumpur	51 Ringgit	US$14.41
Jakarta	110,000 Rupiah	US$10.87

* On international flights. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates September 2, 2009.

Useful maps of the Seoul subway system

Navigating a subway systems is fairly straight forward in most cities as few cities have complex systems. However, complex subway systems in countries where the Romanized alphabet is not used can be tricky for westerners. Hence, if you are planning a trip to Seoul in the near future, you may want to consider purchasing a Seoul rail transit map from Zero Per Zero, a South Korean based graphic design company.

On offer are three nifty subway maps in both English and Korean. These maps include a portable map that is 518 x 370 mm or 15 x 20.4 inches, a handy map that is 75 x 125 or 3 x 5 inches and a mini map that is 48 x 85 mm or 1.9 x 3.3 inches. In addition, Zero Per Zero offers rail transit maps for Osaka, Hokkaido and Tokyo (however, they tend to be in Korean and English).

All of Zero Per Zero’s map products can be purchased online from their website and prices range from 1,500 to 9,000 won or US$1.20 to US$7.20 – well worth the price of not getting lost once you get to Seoul.

Business Visas for visiting Indonesia

If you are planning to visit Indonesia for a more formal visit for business purposes, you will likely need to apply for a business visa. If you are a citizen of the USA, major European countries and a few other countries around the world (there is a list available online), you will not need a visa upon arrival if your stay is less than one month. For those of you who will be needing a visa, a visa on arrival fee for a stay of up to 7 days will cost US$10 and US$25 for a stay of up to 30 days. For stays exceeding 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa prior to your visit.

If you plan to obtain a visa prior to your arrival, there are two types of visas available: a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa. A single entry visa may only be used once to enter Indonesia and an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General may issue a Single Entry Visa for a visit of up to 60 days (the fee is US$45). On the other hand, a multiple entry visa will allow you to enter Indonesia several times during the year and is valid for one year (the fee is US$100). However, your stay can be no longer than 60 days and your passport must be valid for at least a year.

Generally speaking, you will need the following documents in order to obtain a business visa:

A letter of intent (in duplicate) from your employer or sponsor describing the purpose of the visit and guaranteeing all transportation and living expenses that will be incurred while in Indonesia.

For a multiple entries visa, you will need a letter of invitation (in duplicate) from your business partner or sponsor in Indonesia that describes the purpose of your visit.

Itinerary (original/copy) or a letter from your travel agent or airline that confirms the purchase of tickets to Indonesia (you may be asked for a copy of the original airplane ticket).

However, due note that if your travel plans call for entering the restricted regions of Maluku, Poso and Irian Jaya/West Papua, you must obtain special authorization from Indonesian authorities and inform the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General of your intention to visit a restricted region (Note: They will not grant you a visa without official notification from the relevant authority to enter these regions). This rule also applies to anyone who has previously worked in these regions (i.e. Freeport employees). To obtain permission to enter these regions, your Indonesian sponsor may obtain permission through the Clearing House at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU). 

Although obtaining a business visa for Indonesia can be a fairly straight forward process, business travelers should still consult with the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information as rules may be different depending upon your nationality.

Hong Kong’s Admiralty district: Almost central in Central

Located on the eastern side of Central and bordered by Wanchai to the east and Victoria Harbour to the North, Admiralty owes its name to the former Admiralty Dock in the area which once housed a British naval dockyard. In fact, much of the area was once used by the British military who also built the Murray Barracks, the Wellington Barracks and the Victoria Barracks. However and starting in the 1970s, the British slowly started turning the area over to the Hong Kong government who demolished the docks and some of the other military installations and reclaimed additional land to turn the area into a commercial district with parks (High Court and Hong Kong Parks). They also built the Admiralty Station of MTR to allow easy access to the new commercial district.

Today, Admiralty contains a number of important office and shopping complexes worth noting. These include the Admiralty Centre, British Consulate General Hong Kong, CITIC Tower, Far East Financial Centre, Lippo Centre Towers, Pacific Place shopping mall, Queensway Plaza shopping complex located just above the MRT station and United Centre. Many of these office and shopping complexes are connected to the MRT station via underground walkways allowing easy access to the area.

For business travelers or expatriates seeking either short or long-term accommodations, the Central district itself offers a number of service apartment options. These include the Four Seasons Place Hong Kong, Pacific Place Apartments, The Putman, Shama Central and Shama Hollywood. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates who will be needing serviced offices, the Admiralty and its immediate vicinity offer a couple of choices that includes the One International Finance Centre, the Regus Lee Gardens Centre and the Shui On Centre.

So if you will be needing accommodations or office space that is relatively central in Hong Kong’s Central, look no further than the Admiralty area.

Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district: Something for everyone

Pathum Wan or Pathumwan is roughly located in the center of Bangkok and is surrounded by several other well known districts that include Ratchathewi, Watthana, Khlong Toei, Sathon, Bang Rak, Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Dusit. However, the area is probably best known for its numerous shopping centers and malls which include Siam Center, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Bonanza Mall, CentralWorld, BigC Ratchadamri, Narayana Phan, Gaysorn and Central Chit Lom. Here, both tourists and residents alike will find just about everything they might need (or not need for that matter!).

In addition to shopping, the area is also home to a number of notable institutions or attractions worth mentioning. Some of these institutions or attractions include Chulalongkorn University (the oldest university in Thailand), Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross (home to a snake farm known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute where venom is extracted to produce serum to treat snakebites), Jim Thompson House (home to the American who helped to develop the Thai silk industry), the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (a horse racing track), the National Stadium, Lumphini Boxing Stadium (home to traditional Thai boxing matches), Lumphini Park (the oldest park in Bangkok) and several shrines.

Moreover, Pathum Wan is well served by public transportation with trains to destinations throughout Thailand departing from Hua Lamphong, four subway stations (Hua Lamphong, Sam Yan, Si Lom and Lumphini), the main interchange station (Siam) for the Skytrain, four other Skytrain stations (Chit Lom and Phloen Chit on the Sukhumvit Line and National Stadium and Ratchadamri on the Si Lom Line) and express boats that run along the Khlong Saen Saeb (a canal on the district’s northern border). 

For business travelers or expatriates who need either short or long-term accommodations, the Pathum Wan area is served by a number of serviced apartments that include Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan, Bliston Suwan Park View, Centre Point Wireless Road Serviced Apartments, Centre Point Wireless Road Serviced Apartments, Centre Point Langsuan Serviced Apartments and Chateau de Bangkok. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates who need office space, the Amarin Tower and The Offices at Central World offer fully equipped serviced and virtual offices.

So if you want to live and work in a district of Bangkok that is not only centrally located but also has something for everyone, look no further than Pathum Wan.

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport arrival videos

Should you be planning a visit to Jakarta or passing through Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (often called Cengkareng by Indonesians), you will find that the official website for the airport is largely in Bahasa Indonesian. Moreover, the airport actually consists of three terminals which could confuse first time visitors. Hence, travelers should keep in mind the following terminal information:

• Terminal 1 is divided into 3 sub-terminals. Terminal 1A, 1B and 1C are used for domestic flights by various Indonesian airlines.
• Terminal 2 is also divided into 3 sub-terminals. Terminal 2D and 2E are for international flights while Terminal 2F is for domestic flights of Garuda Indonesia and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.
• Terminal 2D is for all international airlines serviced by PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta (one of the ground handlers for the airport).
• Terminal 2E and 2F are for all international airlines serviced by PT Gapura Angkasa (another ground handler for the airport).
• Terminal 3 Pier 1 was opened in 2009 and current flights operated by AirAsia and Mandala Airlines operate from the terminal. Eventually, Terminal 3 will include five piers.

In addition, Japan Airlines has created two videos that are posted on Youtube that show the international arrivals area to help assist passengers upon arrival. The videos includes subtitles in both Japanese and English and will further help to orientate first time visitors.

 

Multiple Entry Business Visas for visiting Vietnam

Should you be planning to visit Vietnam to do business and will be entering and leaving the country more than once, you should consider obtaining a multiple entry business visa. A multiple entry visa may be valid for three months, six months or up to one year depending upon the discretion of the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General and fees will vary accordingly.

When applying for a multiple entry business visa prior to arrival, applicants should have the following:

• An original and signed passport that is valid for six months beyond your stay in Vietnam. There must also be a blank visa page available for the visa stamp.
• Two visa application forms per applicant with an original signature on each application.
• One recent 2 x 2 passport sized photograph.
• A formal invitation letter from your partner, host, representative, relative, friend or a travel agency in Vietnam. This must be pre-approved ahead of time by the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security (258 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City or 40a Hang Bai, Hanoi). Based upon their approval, the Embassy of Vietnam will issue the visa to the applicant.
• A business letter from an employer or sponsoring company printed on company letterhead that introduces the applicant and indicates the applicant’s employment status/position held in the company and clearly states the purpose of the visit to Vietnam. The letter must indicate who will be financially responsible for the applicant and provide detailed contact information for the host entity.
• Proof of departure in the form of a computer generated flight itinerary from the airline or travel agency or a copy of your airline tickets.

Applicants should allow for up to a week for processing unless expedited processing is requested. However, for those planning to visit Vietnam for business, it is advised to contact either your embassy or consulate general in Vietnam or the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate general in your home or resident country.