CONFERENCE AT HAMILTON ISLAND

(view from hotel room)
(beautiful beach outside the conference room)

(pretty harbor)

( a sleeping koala)

My company had a regional disty conference at Hamilton Island, Australia, which a place I had never known before.

It took me a 2-hour flight from Sydney to this paradise-like island. We had 2 days for meeting and one day for fun activities. All the attendees enjoyed this conference very much; no matter knowing new friends, sharing experience and enjoying wonderful food/wine. I felt 3 day was not enough to explore all the fun of this island. It would be better if I can stay one or two more days!

VISITING SYDNEY

On the way to Hamilton Island, I had a chance to take a half-day trip to Sydney. I visited Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Sydney Opera House and took a tour to learn more detail about it. The day I visited the Opera House, it was the first day of Olivia Newton-John's concert, so we could not take a look at the main hall, but it was still an exciting experience to see such a beautiful building.

Maybe it was cloudy or I expected too much, so I did not feel Sydney was pretty as seen in the postcard. Anyway, after visiting Australia, I have been to 5 major continents in the world! Keep going, and going!

A TOUR TO JAPAN

I have not been to Japan until Oct., 2005, except for flight connection. Then I took two trips to Japan for an interview and job training in Oct. and Dec. last year. This time is my first time to Japan for a real tour.

During the Chinese New Year period, I took a trip to the country side of Japan to see the traditional part of Japan; it was a total different experience compared in Tokyo and it was so amazing to see the beauty of traditional Japan. The Japanese do find a balance between modernization and tradition; you won't feel the conflict between keeping the old culture and city development.

I think both of our tourism and cultural bureau should take a good look at what Japan have done and really get hands on their business, not only create some pretty slogans.

TOKYO TRAINING TRIP!

I took a 5-day trip to Tokyo for a 3-day training. Colleagues in Tokyo office and Saitama HQ are so friendly and gave me great help to learn about our company.
Also, my managers took me for great food in Tokyo; made my training trip become a gourmet trip.

http://mai-sen.com/
http://www.botejyu.co.jp/
http://www.itteki.com/

Thanks to these great colleagues!

BLUE SKY AGAIN

During the three-in-one election in Taiwan on Dec. 3, 2005, people's votes showed their doubt to DPP; KMT won in 17 counties and DPP only kept 6. This is a huge failure to DPP! Hope DPP can learn from this election and KMT can keep their promise to those people supporting them, or this time is just another election to Taiwan.
No matter who won this election, I wish all parties can work on Taiwan's progress, no more argue on nonsense business. If not, the election is just a waste on taxpayers' money and time.
(the photo is from ChinaTimes)