This time was my best educative days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo University. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO UNIVERSITY
The reason why I’m visiting this historic place is because the nature of this place, which is the most prestigious university in Japan, thus number one in Asia.
From the beginning I was arriving in the Akamon (Red Gate), my heart beat was rising; I hope I could enter this university near future.

Afterwards, I took a slim time to check out the information centre as my guidance to look up some info for sightseeing.

First spot was the Yasuda Auditorium, as this is the second famous landmark of Tokyo University.

Second spot was the Medical Building Auditorium.

Third spot was the Institute of Social Sciences.

Fourth spot was the alley between the Institute of Social Sciences annex and The Information Research center for Social Science annex.

Fifth spot was the Institute of Information Sciences annex.

Last spot was the replica of the Yasuda auditorium which we could find in the Information Center building.

The whole trip in Tokyo University facilities was amazing, I wish my paper could be accepted by this university soon and I could enter this university near future. Amen.

This time was also one of my best favorite days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo Tower. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO TOWER
Today, we continue the journey at Tokyo Tower; it’s like 10 minutes walking from Daimon station using Metro Subway, Asakusa Line. Right across the station, we could directly saw the tower; I couldn’t hold my self anymore, so I grabbed a picture just at the intersection.

And took another shot at the west gate of Tokyo Tower.

West gate apparently is so high, I was almost running out for air in my lungs, but the temptation of going up to the tower was hard to resist.
At last I reached the tower main gate with catching up my breath, hahahaha.
Accordingly, I checked out the ticket booth to buy the ticket to go up to the main observatory room.

After taking a picture with a warm lady operator, I continued to enter the elevator to go up to the main observatory room. Right after I arrived in the room, I was so amazed by the view from the top.
Below was taken from east side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see World Trade Centre Building and Nippon TV.

Below was taken from west side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see NEC Building, Rainbow Bridge.

Below was taken from south side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see Roppongi Hills, NHK, TV Asahi and Ebisu Garden Place.

At the second Floor of the Main Observatory room, we could “Look Down” to the ground of the tower clearly, because there’s a special mirror was placed on the floor, so tourist like me could see clearly everything down below. It’s scary but exciting.

In the main observatory, we could also rent a scope to look more closely any object in the far distance, the cost was just 500 yen.

After satisfied with the views from the top, I got on the elevator to go back down to the first floor, here I took a picture of the tower from the bottom of it’s structure.

At last, we could take a photograph just next to the poster of Tokyo Tower near the entrance of main gate.

It’s a wonderful trip to Tokyo Tower, even tough it’s tired, but I’m totally satisfied.
For Your Information:
> Tokyo tower total height is 333 meter; it’s the world’s tallest self supporting steel tower. The Eiffel tower in Paris is 320 meter high.
> Tokyo tower total weight is 400 tons; much lighter than the Eiffel Tower, which weights 7000 tons, this is a strong, lightweight steel tower.
> Tokyo tower was opened in 1958; this is the year that Brazil won its first soccer World Cup and that instant Ramen was introduced.

Next trip is the Tokyo University (Part-6).
Thank you for keep on reading this blog.

This time was one of my best favorite days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo Odaiba. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO ODAIBA
Today, we start the journey at Tokyo Odaiba, it’s like 30 minutes from Shinagawa station.

Once we’ve arrived there, there’s a giant spinning ferris wheel (Daikanransha or Gondola) provides a great views for tourist like me.

Next is the Tokyo Bay, there’s only one word to express this part of Tokyo, Fabulous! As you can see, the infamous Rainbow Bridge was standing still so beautiful behind me.

As always, beach is the notorious place to be visited, so here was I, sat in the cornerstone of Tokyo Odaiba Marine Park beach and watched the ships and birds shimmering Rainbow Bridge behind me, I was speechless! 

Then I took another step to the sand near the beach.

My attention was distracted by a strange ship near the beach; I thought it was an Alien space ship, hahaha.

Tokyo Odaiba is also the Headquarter location of Fuji TV, as could be seen behind my back.

Afterwards, I move forwards to the Aqua City Odaiba plaza, this plaza provides you with a lot of gaming stuff, such as Sega Joypolis and many more, preferable for game freak.

Mom and Dad, I’ve been visited United States of America and have seen the notorious Statue of Liberty.

Not, it wasn’t in USA, it’s in Japan, hahahaha, it’s still in the Tokyo Odaiba Marine Park.

After walking around the park, we continue our journey to the other side of the town by using Monorail. The monorail was actually circling the Rainbow Bridge very beautifully.

First stop was at Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari; it’s some sort of hot spring complex featuring an array of bathtubs of all temperature and flavors including: uchiyu (insidebath) and iwaburo (an outdoor rockbath), ashiyu (a footbath) and suna-buro (sand bath).

And finally, the infamous gate of Japanese traditional culture.

So that’s all for part-4, the trip to Tokyo tower and Tokyo university will be continued to Part-5.
Thank you for keep reading this blog.

This time I’ll skip one of my days in Japan which was quite a boring day, it’s on Tuesday, April 14 2009, not much of a sightseeing, but full of system theoretical and thoughtful activity. Instead, I’ll try to describe the great day in Wednesday, April 15 2009 as below: VISIT TO COMPANY TRAINING CENTRE Today, I have an opportunity to visit the world class training centre of our company. It was located near Shinagawa, so basically we walked like 15 minutes to reach to the location. Inside, we should register and get a name tag in order to be freely walking around the training centre. Until so, we can wait in the cozy lobby and watch the traditional Japanese house inside the TC. Today, we’re trying to see three things, which are: Company Corporate Museum, Company library and Company TC itself. Let me start from the Library, as this is one of my favorite chambers. We could also bring the book and sat in the comfort couch. Next is the Museum of our Corporate Company. I have to admit that this is the most remarkable place I’ve ever seen; this place recorded all of our company contribution to this world from each era. First of all, we could watch a movie of the history of our company from a huge screen, just like watching a theatre. Actually, this kind of activity was really bonded up your personality with the company. Afterwards, we move to the era of 1909, where our product has been used for the first time in the history of Japan and world.

Next one was in early of 1960, where our product has been used all over the world, including United Stated of America.

Next one was in early of 1985, where our product has been used all over the world, including ASEAN region, South America, Europe and Africa.

Afterwards, I’m heading to the Training Centre room to signup for the activity.

At the end of the session, all of us headed to the Pacific Hotel for having a lunch.

LUNCH AT PACIFIC HOTEL
The restaurant was in top floor (36 th), so we could almost witness all city of Tokyo from the window view (But, wait until Part-5, the better view from Tokyo Tower). From this view, we could see Shinagawa Station from above.

Right behind me is the picture of infamous Tokyo Tower.

Last but not least, the routine part was the picture of all members after lunch (full at last).

After lunch actually we had another theoretically session again about Logistic Planning from Department of Logistic HQ. But, I’ll not describe it over here, because it’s boring but tremendously important.

Nevertheless, tonight was also the best night I’ve ever had, since we spent the night in ROPPONGI area with another adult session, AWESOME!!!
Keep on watching my blog for Part-4. Thank you for reading this blog.

I love Monday, April 13th 2009, as people used to say, and that’s quite true apparently. My schedule today was a trip to Yokohama and Kawasaki. In Yokohama particularly, I’ll have a trip to witness our new data centre and in Kawasaki, I’ll have a trip to study about the Demand Planning and inventory Balance Control.

As usual, let me try to describe my trip today in Japan as bellow:

SHINKANSEN “BULLET TRAIN” TO YOKOHAMA
Monday was a very hustle and bustle day in Japan, I started the day at 8:30 AM with picked up by a friend of mine at the lobby of Shinagawa Hotel and walk by across to the station. I estimated there’re fifty thousand of peoples at that morning were using the station in a rush.

So, we headed to the Shinagawa Shinkansen booth and bought a Shinkansen “bullet train” ticket.

Please don’t ask me about the ticket price, because it’s so bloody overpriced. Nevertheless, it’s a one time opportunity, and I’m very glad to use it.
At the distance I could see the Sanyo Shinkansen or so called “Hikari” is getting closer to me.

After its stop, then I grabbed a snapshot in front of this beautiful lady.

I took inside the train, and took a picture of my amigo Arai-san who was very kind to explain to me about this “Hikari”, he told that Hikari speed is 552 km/h.
So, from Shinagawa to Yokohama only took like eight minutes or so, and it’s absolutely correct, because I did really count it, amazing!

At about 9:00 AM, we’ve already arrived in Yokohama station, thus we continued walking to the Data Centre and along the way suddenly I saw a small church stand up beautifully and whatsoever attracted me to snap a picture in front of it.

Afterwards, we kept walking for about 5 minutes or so to the data centre, and eventually arrived. However, because the confidentiality level of this place was so high we’re not allowed to bring anything inside, so I couldn’t take any pictures, too bad.
The wall has been protected by some sort of electromagnetic shield so that no interference could occur from outside to inside or vice versa. The building is also equipped with various latest technologies from top to bottom in order to secure our company data from outside threat including terrorist attack.

At this particular location we stored all of our SAP data from all over the world, including Indonesia as well, so it’s a strategic place for our company by all means.

Finally, the study session is over, and it’s really a great opportunity to have this session.

STUDY IN KAWASAKI FACTORY
Next, I’m heading to the Kawasaki factory to meet with my colleague in Technical & Engineering Department to have study session about Demand Planning and inventory Balance Control.
Before started the session, I took a snap shot in front of the infamous Sugar Cane photograph, as a reminder of the origin of UMAMI taste.

And another picture was in front of the main building of Kawasaki factory.

So to speak, we start the study session at 13:00 PM and it was a long and complicated subject, but whatsoever it’s a means to an ends for our project in Indonesia.

Eventually, the study session ended in the evening around 19:00 PM, therefore as in Japan culture, we went straight to the Chinese restaurant near Kawasaki station and have dinner with drinking session as well. One thing that was new to me was the infamous “So-Chu”, it’s a liquor similar to “Arak” in Indonesia, it taste great.

As a routine, eventually we finished the dinner and took a picture of all project members Japan – Indonesia.

Actually, afterwards, we went to another night activity, however, it’s and adult session, so I’ll see you in the Part-3.
Thank you for keep reading this blog.

As the world pass so hustle every day in my life, projects and so on, and yet there’s another chance for me to visit Japan as the location of our world company headquarter for the sake of another project for 2009 fiscal year which is Warehouse Management System.
Nevertheless, I’ve been in Japan for the first time on November 2007 for a week, and yet I still smell the fresh air of this astonishing country full of beautiful chicks and latest technology surrounds this time.

As usual, let me try to describe my trip in Japan today as bellow:

ARRIVAL AT NARITA
My flight arrived on schedule at April, 12 2009 around 8:50 AM on a bright day Sunday morning Japan Standard Time (+2 from Indonesia standard time) at Narita Airport, Tokyo in Terminal 2.
As the previous trip I used Limousine bus, this time I’d like to try Japan Railway (JR), so I took a move to go to underground floor of Narita station where I could buy the ticket of Narita Express (NEX) to Shinagawa, where this time my hotel was located (Shinagawa Prince Hotel).

After I managed to buy the ticket using the vending machine, I took a step to another underground floor of Narita station where I should wait for the NEX to Shinagawa.

At the waiting lane I met with a British Couple who’re going to visit Tokyo for the first time. Took a brief discussion about the route they have to take and they’re very pleased with my explanation. As my route is about the same as them but longer, it’s like Narita station ->Chiba Station ->Tokyo Station -> Hamamatsucho Station -> Shinagawa Station.

At last my train came in and I sit according to the ticket (Car No.8, seat No.5 A).

It was a long trip, almost one hour or so. In the border line of Chiba and Tokyo prefecture I grab a good picture about kids were playing baseball near a river bay.

SIGHTSEEING AT SHINAGAWA
At around 12:15 PM I have arrived in Shinagawa Station and directly headed to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, which is right across the station (lucky me).

After dealing with the check-in procedure which is so smooth, I’ve managed to hurdle to find lunch near the hotel; finally I put my decision to a RAMEN house.

Got in to the restaurant and tried one of their menus, apparently the taste of the pork was awesome very tasty and juicy not to mention the squashy juicy noodle adding the Japanese lunch nuances very elegance, hahaha…best I’ve ever had.

Then, after I finished with the lunch, I was heading over the town for sightseeing (Viva la vida loca), somehow near the ramen house there’s a small temple establish, I couldn’t bear down my self for not taking any picture near the temple.

SIGHTSEEING AT St.MARY CATHEDRAL
I didn’t quite understand with myself in Japan, suddenly there’s a huge force inside of me to go to the cathedral (eventhough I was so lazy in Indonesia), therefore I googled with my laptop and find the nearest cathedral which is in Setgaya-ku, Tokyo. So, I took a JR and directly headed to the destination which is St. Mary Cathedral.

Apparently this cathedral was also had a school, so I met with a lot of people at this day also a lot of Indonesian.

As a normal Christian, I get inside the church to have a mass for this great Sunday. Inside the cathedral I took a holy water and have also the great praying session within. I pray to god so next year or so I could be transferred to Tokyo Headquarter and work here for at least 2 years or so, Amen.

It’s really a great experience for me, truly a remarkable feeling to have a mass in Japan cathedral.

SIGHTSEEING AT UENO
Afterwards, I headed to UENO, this placed is so famous for Japanese, because he was a man who unite japan (someone told me so), and this place also a based for many Indonesian to gather every Sunday.

People say, the best moment to come to Japan is on April, well, I came in the perfect month, because I was still able to witness the beautiful “Sakura” or cherry blossom flower!

At Ueno, usually there’re a lot of attractions occur, particular that day, there’s a French puppeteer playing very hands-on with his puppet, he makes everyone around laugh so loud with his play.

Afterwards, I moved forward to the huge park where many people just spent their afternoon by walking around the square. When I was trying to take a picture, suddenly a cute dog came forward to me with the lovely girl who tends to be the owner and just like that, we have a little chat with a very limited English, hahahaha.

It’s almost 6 PM in the afternoon and I have to go back to Shinagawa, because I have a dinner with the directors. So, I return to Ueno station and take a very cute picture just across my way to the station; actually it’s a picture about a very sexy young girl, very common in Japan, hahaha.

It took like 15 minutes to reach Shinagawa from Ueno station to Shinagawa station. After I arrived at the station, I went ahead directly to the restaurant which is behind the Shinagawa station.

After the dinner, we had another drinking session on the top floor (34 th) of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, discussing about our goals for this study session in Japan. And that’s the end of story for this part-1 of my wonderful trip in Japan.

I love the game, yup…just when management ask me to participate for the Logistic Project, I know
I’ll just about to travel a lot again. Lucky me, I’ve always prepared for such thing in the world
“TRAVELLING OVERSEAS” .
Bangkok, as the location of our ASEAN HQ, was always amazed us with a very tremendous role
model in term of holistic business. So this time they amazed us with their efficient and effective
operation for sales, logistic, finance and of course information technology activity. It’s easy to
witness how Business and IT were align together to provide such a good sample of team work
among departments, awesome job guys, we will be just like you in near future!!
For this trip, I brought something for my friends in Thailand, hehehe, thanks for the trip
and tips last time.

Suvarnabhumi Welcome Gate

This time I didn’t forget to stop time in Suvarnabhumi airport scene, since last time I did.
Next, we headed to the Hotel…again lucky me, last time my trip was alone here, this time I was
with the team, including many top management executives, that’s why we’re placed on a very
precious hotel near our HQ, Siam City Hotel. The scene is awesome, especially the room, very
artistic, just love it so much indeed, credit to the Director!!

Siam City Hotel

After a few minutes freshen up in the hotel chamber, we’re all gather to have a dinner invitation by
the HQ management. So, as the youngest member in the team, I have to dress up like the youngest
too, hehehe, NOT.

Siam City Hotel Ballroom

As always, beautiful ladies were on every corner all over Thailand. They made me goose bumps all
the time, if you know what I mean, hehehehe.

Cute Girl All around Bangkok

After the dinner we all went to the shopping mall and bought souvenirs for family and amigos.
Actually we’re in Bangkok for about one week, during the week; we’re all working like usual 8-
18:00. Then, in the evening sometimes we hangout to places in Thailand, however, since the
situation is not so much stable in Bangkok, because there’s a demonstration to force the current
government down, so our HQ warned us not to hangout to the places near city centre, where all the
magic happens, too bad.
But, since I’ve had very familiar with Bangkok and it’s BTS, so I could bring several members
with me to travel the city. Likewise, what a business trip means without having a trip for
ourselves!!

National Stadium Bangkok

So, again, what a great adventure plus business trip I’ve had in the end of August 2008.
However, I have to back to Indo to implement the system ASAP, and wish someday I’ll work
overseas more often, amen.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, I had also stopped the time for photos this time, hehehe, very “deso”, as
Tukul would say.

Suvarnabhumi Duty Free

Above was in the main entrance after passport check. My flight was with Thai Airways this time.

Above is near my Flight Gate. So to speak, this airport is mimicking Narita airport in Japan, the
hallway, the structure, even the color, they’re all almost the same.

Thai Airways is comfy

Thai Airways, is almost the same as Singapore airlines is this business, their services is amazing,
not to mention the lovely crew, hehehe.
Alrighty, let’s get back to work folks, Kob Koon Krub (Thank you!) and La gon (See ya!).
See, now I’m speaking Thai….I wish my wife will be Thai girl, amen.

Just another day in heaven, rephrase..Bangkok.
My favorite city among other ASEAN cities, love all the food, people are very warm and friendly, especially the lady, awesome.

Tata Young & Me in BTS station

As usual, my life is still babling with projects and projects. This time is Indonesia Logistic Project to enhance our logistic function thus bring it to the next step higher.
Other project wasn’t finish, yet another project has been come. But let’s face it, it’s all about the commitment to pursue the accomplishment to be the best!
This time I stay in Siam City Hotel, it’s one of the fancy hotel group in Bangkok.
But, it’s not my lucky weeks, the project consumed my time so badly, so I only visited several places and bought several things for my amigos.
One of the good things is, this project is belong to other department not IT, IT only tailor the system based on the user specification and requirement, thus given me the opportunity to meet with many other people from other departments in Bangkok, and we shared the knowledge altogether. Plus, not to mention the entertainment, it’s awesome.
Apparently we had a dinner in a best places within King Power complex, called ‘Ramayana’, thus given me opportunity to witness the beautiful scene in Siam Theathre.

Thai sitar

The dinner was a buffet, so I remove my nerve vein so I could eat anything without hesitation, hahaha.
The theathre is amazing, best I’ve ever had!

Siam Theather-1

And the Thai infamous statue was so delicate to not paying any attention.

Thai statue

Again, I wish I could be transferred into overseas office next year, hehehe.
That’s all the hustle and bustle in Bangkok this month.

I’m so happy this week, not because I got another girl friend but more exiciting than those things.
I got promoted just now into one step closer to the full manager, with salary upgrade and more allowances.
It’s so hustle, I don’t even realize it. Let me review my history in this organization.
I got into this organization in Aug’07 and somewhere in the end of september the company sent me to Tokyo and Kawasaki for study session and project purposes. Afterwards, when I got back to Indonesia the company promote me into full employee status.
Then the story goes to Singapore and Thailand also for study session and project purposes.
And yesterday, the director just promote me into higher level of corporate supervisory (one step closer to be full manager). 

I kept saying to myself what did I do? I didn’t do anything, just plain work and study.
Thank you to all my family and friends who keep supporting me and keep up the good work. Thanks.

This time my story is about hassle and dazzle in the end of May 2008. It started in Singapore for a short meeting with a sister company’s member over there. This time the objective was about Business Intelligence implementation among our organization and how it helps us enhance our business value over there. It went very smooth in Singapore and apparently BI is very useful for supporting our business value. Not to mention the benefit for accurate sales data, speedy reporting and many great analysis.

However, what a business trip means without having a trip for our self, right? So I took a liberty to have a small wander around the city mall and have a sight seeing over there. Apparently, FI night race campaign is so famous among Singaporean so I insist to take a picture in front of a delicate red Ferrari F1 race car over there. It was so techno and very elegant.

And the story goes to Thailand, the objective is also the same, however the city is very much different, this is my favorite city. As I had a few experiences with Bangkok before, it’s really helped me to go where ever I like around Bangkok city easily.
Let me summarize my experience this time a little bit.

BTS (Monorail)
Bangkok this days is pretty much recognize for their intention of international go public and invite a lot of foreigner over there, so to catch up with that they’ve had a monorail around Bangkok and several other districts near Bangkok to support the commuter to travel hustle from one business place to another. This was to be my first destination in Bangkok that night.

 Above is at the stairway of BTS station near my organization office, it’s at Ayuthaya Road.

 
Above is at the BTS railway, I asked a warm lady to take a picture of me near the rail.
As usual, people said don’t let the night tame you in Bangkok, so you have to wander around the city like crazy, hahaha. So went to Siam city center, there’re many entertainment you could get over there and many great sight seeing as well. There you go.

The Office
Let me skip a few story at that night (adults only), so the story continued in the morning where I had to attend a morning session with local staff over there and had a few chit chat of their success story regarding to their BI implementation. Apparently the team was all women, and they asked me to take a picture with them (or vice versa, hahaha).

In the evening after long and exciting meeting, we went to the famous King Power complex in Bangkok, Ayuthaya Road to have a dinner with the local staff and manager as well.

The fountain in front of the building is so beautiful at evening especially when the light pouring the water, it’s so nice. While the girls kept asking me to take picture with them, hehehe.

The Bangkok Traveler
Yup, this time I traveled Bangkok city all by myself without company. The very first destination is the Victory Point, this is like a traditional market in the middle of Bangkok city, there’s a huge sidewalks circling the historic monument so people could easily travel from one side to another with just walking without worried about the traffic down below.

Afterwards, I took a traditional bus headed to the king castle; this is my first experience in Bangkok using traditional bus. I used to use taxi to travel in Bangkok, but this time I’d like to travel with more unpredictable results (insane!!).
So, eventually I arrived at the King Castle. I must admit, that’s the most insane things I’ve ever done in Bangkok, since if you notice, almost all over public transport put Thai language as the main information, hahaha.

Around this complex there’s also a “Golden Mountain”, where they keep a massive statue of Buddha. At the top of the temple, whereabouts 150 m from the ground there’s a place where people come and pray for many purposes, so I also placed a pray over there and take a picture as well. We could saw almost all views of Bangkok city from this place, very oldies.

Below this temple I took a very sling shot photograph with a cobra, check it out, hahaha.

Near Golden Mountain temple there’s a huge river across Bangkok, I stopped and took a drink near the river bank in a small affordable restaurant next to the river.

As the day was so terrific, I almost forgot to back to my Hotel, since I had a dinner invitation from my Manager (his wife is Thai woman) at 19:00. So eventually I went back to the Europa Hotel to take a nice shower and change my clothes for the dinner invitation.
We went to a nice place for dinner, called “Shelter” and continued to a place called “Asyhio”, it’s a “dugem” thing. What a wonderful night!
Eventually we end up the journey at Hard Rock Café Bangkok, where I met with IT Director Asia Regional for my organization (we’ve met twice, once in Tokyo, and that day is second one, and on Monday 26 May, we also met in Indonesia, hehehe, I took a liberty to ask him to transfer me to Japan or Thailand or wherever in Asia somehow, hahahahaha, I hope it works that way).

Going Home
I went home to Jakarta in Sunday morning, with a headache and full of new experience. I went back with my manager using SQ (Singapore Airlines) from Suvarnabhumi Airport Thailand with a transit in Changi Airport Singapore before headed to Jakarta.

Well I had a very unfortunate incident while I was in Changi Airport, my brand new “Body Shop” perfume which I bought in Thailand duty free shop for my sister in Medan, was taken by the airport custom. This bloody custom was so annoyed, I hate them. 

 That’s all for today session, hope I could come back again to Thailand and other Asia cities.