On the road again

When you join the ranks of management consultants, you have to live with your suitcase half packed and most of the time, you're living out of your suitcase anyway. I got a rare break this past year, only having to travel for work once for two weeks. This is not counting, of course, the daily hundred-kilometre round trip drives to the client site that I've been doing regularly since November last year.

But this week, I've been redeployed to an old client in Bangkok so I'm back on the road for the next six weeks. The hotel was a laugh - I couldn't even get into my room! But they were nice enough to leave me a poem on my pillow. Of all the free things you can get from a hotel room, I never expected a poem to be one of them:

Upon my heart I feel her touch

How it lingers on my mind

Glittering trees teasing with the wind

Sweet air, blows soft, how love begins

Sunthon Pu

1786 - 1855

Early New Year's Resolution

I have just one new year resolution. In fact, I'm starting now - why wait?

My dentists have been telling me that I need to get my wisdom tooth pulled. I'm dreading the procedure and all it entails. But I'm making a resolution right now. I'm going to get that tooth pulled, and then I'm going to walk out of the clinic in pain, but happy.

Why happy? Because I'm going to walk out without paying the bill and trust in my lucky stars that some good samaritan will pick up the bill without telling me. My hero? Our own home-grown talent, Datuk Mirza. After all, what's a measly tooth extraction compared to more than RM 13 k spent on tooth implants?

Hotel Review: Four Seasons, Sydney

Ever since Sashank spent a few months in the Four Seasons in Cairo, I've been curious about this chain of hotels. Most consultants would choose to stay in one of the Starwoods hotels or other points-earning chains, but Sashank stayed in the Four Seasons. When I asked him why he didn't consider switching hotels, he said "But it's the Four Seasons!" as if it was self-explanatory. I've always wanted to see just what the big deal is about, so I was very excited when I recently had the opportunity to stay in one when I was in Sydney for a project.

The Four Seasons brand of hotels is synonymous with luxury and the establishment in Sydney is no different. Located on the edge of Circular Quay, the hotel enjoys stunning views of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It is also conveniently located steps from the historic Rocks area, as well as the major attractions in the Sydney Central Business District (CBD). Unfortunately for me, all I did while staying there was walk between the hotel and my office. No sight seeing on that trip! At least the hotel was only a five-minute walk away from my office.

The front doors open to reveal a marbled foyer, where friendly staff offered cheerful greetings and efficient service. A piano tinkled in the background as I checked in, and I was pleasantly surprised when I was informed that the hotel was offering AUD 100 vouchers to every guest, which could be used to cover bar tabs, internet charges or any other incidentals.

At 531 rooms, the hotel is large, but my room was a short walk from the elevators, and nothing like the long trek I had to make at the Sheraton on the Park. My room, while small, was very well appointed, and offered a gorgeous view of the harbour. The king-sized bed dominated the room and was so invitingly comfortable that I was tempted to laze in bed all day, especially with the large, flat-screen TV so conveniently located just across the bed. The bathroom was finished in marble, and had a separate bathtub and shower stall. Best of all, the hotel offered a full range of L’Occitane en Provence toiletries, which were a joy to use. Unlike the inferior offerings at other hotels, the toiletries at the Four Seasons definitely found its way into my bag at the end of my stay! My only gripe was that the room was not equipped with slippers, which meant that I had to tiptoe my way into the marble-floored bathroom in the mornings as it was a bit too chilly for my taste.

As I was on a project, I didn’t have much time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel, but I did manage to make it to the bar to take full advantage of my AUD 100 voucher. The unimaginatively-named Bar is located on the ground floor, and is perfectly placed for guests to relax to the quiet sounds of the piano. You’ll find many businessmen in suits lounging there on weekend nights, so I didn't look out of place at all.

Having stayed in the Four Seasons, I now understand where Sash is coming from. However, I still think I would go for a Starwoods or Hyatt hotel, just for the points!

Hotel Review: Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, Australia

Being a consultant has its perks, chief among them being staying in fancy hotels. Of course, what most people don't realize is that we're only there long enough to shower and sleep before heading back to the client site again.

I had the opportunity, recently, to stay at the Sheraton in Sydney. Consistently rated among the best hotels in Sydney, the Sheraton On the Park is one of the city’s premier hotels, and a favorite of stars like Michael Jackson, John Travolta, and Orlando Bloom. A member of the Starwoods group, the hotel is located in a prime spot directly opposite Hyde Park in Sydney’s Central Business District.

Walk through the double doors opened by liveried bell boys and you will be greeted with a marbled entrance hall, complete with a grand, sweeping staircase. Checking in is fast and painless at one of the desks to your right. Take the discreetly hidden elevators to your room, fling open the curtains, and enjoy the view if you’ve gotten a room overlooking the park. There is nothing better than relaxing by the window with a mug of hot chocolate after a long, hard day’s work or play.

Read the rest of the review here.

Shoestring Guide to New York City

The bright lights of New York City beckon visitors from all four corners of the globe, but with its reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world, is it possible to visit the Big Apple on a modest budget? The answer is a resounding yes. With lots of cheap and even free attractions in town, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage on your house to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Free sights

While there’s no such thing as a free lunch in New York, you can enjoy many of her sights without opening your wallet.

1. Statue of Liberty

A trip to NYC isn’t complete without visiting Lady Liberty but the $12 ferry fee to Ellis Island can quickly add up if you’ve got a large family. If you’re content to view the statue from afar, take a free ride on the Staten Island ferry instead. Dating back to the 1700s, the ferry service runs frequently and will give you great views of both Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

2. Central Park

At 843 acres, Central Park is easily Manhattan’s largest park, and provides city slickers with a much-appreciated respite from the hustle and bustle. Entrance is free and visitors can spend time exploring the Belvedere Castle, or the Beatles memorial at Strawberry Fields. In the summers, the Delacorte Theater offers free Shakespeare performances while the Great Lawn is host to the New York Philharmonic’s free open-air concert and the Metropolitan Opera’s two operas.

To read the rest of the article, click here.