Book To Read-LeaderShip Simple

While in Istanbul, I manage to read this book, please try to check if you can find a copy at your bookstore.




I like the methodology used here, the Triangle Of Choice, the procedures that lead to change and other key concepts, please go through it. I am trying to use this with my colleague now, trying to guide him to be responsible and understood what commitment really means.


Choong
Istanbul

Day 3-Istanbul

The Asian side, went with the cruise.


I like this shop, the fruits sold are reasonable, and when I chose to buy promenagate, one was rotten, and the boss pointed this out to his son. I think this shows high ethics and the price they sold me was very reasonable. And attitude is very different from those in Sultanahmet.


I must say, I am not really a fan of Istanbul until now. Story later. I walked to the seaside quite early today, and half way through, I met a cobbler, and he, I was not sure, if purposely dropped his brush, anyhow, I saw it and asked him to come back, and he said, salamat, and then, he asked me if I wanted my pair of boots to be polished. I said no, and he asked me to just put step my leg, one after another on the wood-board he had, and all those normal stuff for shoes polishing. Knowing the people here, I mean their style (after 3 days here), I asked him how much and initially, he said, no worries. And guess what, once done, he asked for 80 Turkish Lira. I said, forget it, I do not have the money. Mind you, 80 lira is equivalent to 33 Euro, and don't you think it is nuts, for a pair of shoes to be polished with that price? Come to think of that, it could be a tactic for him to use and attract my attention, not sure. But I think it is awful for that to happen.
But it was better when we go to the Asia part of Turkey, at least the shop we went to, the owners were very nice, and polite (I do not mind the fact that we need to bargain), but I do not want to have the feeling to be taken advantage of, or to be pushed to another end. Like yesterday, I bought a steamed corn, and it cost 1.50 Lira, and I gave 2 Lira, and the guy told me, he does not have the balance 0.50 Lira, instead offered me a grilled chestnut. And I firmly told him 'NO" and he immediately gave me back my 0.50 Lira. I do not like this, really. I am here for my vacation, and relaxation, but I do not like to feel that I am taken advantage of. In China we bargain too, BKK too, but in more polite and fun way.
But the good thing was that during this visit, I met two Korean ladies, and we chatted a lot, and also went to a shop for shopping together and lunch together. They were very careful in spending their money, which makes me feel very bad, for not controlling like they do.

I also had a calamari lunch, which I do not think tasted very fresh, and price is not cheap either, close to 4 Euro. But I am happy to say that I got my glass cups, and will show that later.
Came back around 4.30pm, walk back to hotel around 5.20PM.
Tomorrow is Christmas day, not sure if it will be very crowded. A few more places to go to still. Lets see what I will find out.

Choong
Istanbul
Christmas Eve

My Trip To Istanbul, Turkey

arrived here last afternoon, and weather is bad, raining like cats and dogs.
First impression of Istanbul, though part of EU, but very much different from Europe, very vibrant cultures, and the shop owners are out every where, invading the privacy and asking people to come in, in better words, they are actually 'dragging' people to their stores. I feel not so nice with this culture, though I respect their business style. And the roads are still a little but messy, traffic is also quite heavy.
And there are also some local guys who pretend to be tourist and they will ask you to take their photos, and later, ask you to treat them to some local bars or pubs, I have met two of them around this area, and I was also informed by a hotel staff to watch out, just in case. Other than that, Istanbul is basically quite safe place, so far, and went to also Taksim, the nite life place, where people drink and dine. Much like in HK-LKF, albeit simple, street version.

It is still raining, hence can't go out and do much activities this moment.


Choong
Istanbul, Turkey

Prague-Day 3, and finale day

I am again tired, as I woke up 5am today, and was already out around 8pm, for further exploration of Prague. I got my train ticket to the airport tomorrow, and the I walked to Flora, purpose is to take a look at the subway station, as recommended by Lonely Planet if I got it right, but I found it to be a normal subway station, which you can find this easily in HK, S'pore or Japan. May be I have not found something nice about it as yet.

The wall of the subway station.
Actually, I nearly lost my way to the station, I have over-walked almost to another end, and luckily two Prague ladies helped me (they are again, very helpful, and friendly, I have only them with full of praise). That is my first time to use Prague public bus. Then I use the subway to Lesser Town, which I had been there when i first arrived to Prague (I walked there without realising that it is known as Lesser Town).
Then, I went back to the Crystal shop, the Egermenn, to get the crystal I wanted, the one with dark ruby red, this is a must have crystal collection from Czec republic.

Ruby red crystal, a popular product of Egermenn.
Then I also got another collection, a replica or reproduced from 16th century, which is also very beautiful, you know the green colored crystal, it makes me feel so happy seeing them.

And some metal and ceramic mugs, which are also very beautiful, please take a look here.

Metal type

Ceramic, also very famous in Czec republic

And I think today, I walked a lot, of yeah, my lunch was the simple, old restaurant of Czec people.

Tasted like our pepper chicken,

And today, it also happens that I went back to the church at Prague castle, and today, they were holding service for their ex-president in that church.
I think this is also a type of "缘分“ that the day I reached Prague he passes away, and I still have a chance to be at the place where funeral service was held. May his soul rest in peace, Amitabha.

Pic showing people watching news outside the church where the funeral service was held.

The day was a though one, waking up early, walked a long distance, climbing hill with heavy rain and while it was still snowing, but anyway, I think it is a fruitful one. I am going for my rest soon.
Prague, I think was the right choice and experience for me, and also exploring this city was fun, people was nice,.... and I am looking forward to my next destination in Istanbul.

And I should take my rest soon.

Nite from Prague, and story will continue from Istanbul.

Choong
Prague

Prague-Day 2

A type of grilled bread, with sugar coating before serving. Forgot the local name, but tasted good. Krona 50 per piece


The concert hall, actually a museum under renovation now




List of the songs sung and played by the musicians

Wencelas square or people square, offering prayers to their ex-president, which I heard was well loved by the people. The foreground, well lite up building is the concert hall.




Skewer chicken for lunch


Found their local post office to buy stamps for sending postcard...

I am now very exhausted, due to the jet lag and walking close to 7 hours for the whole day, and slept not that well, though altogether, I still have 8 hours of sleep.
Breakfast here, they serve from 6am to 12noon, which is quite surprising to me. Today, I have been walking all around too, managed again the old town area a lot, and of thinking wanting to cover more, but I think that is the maximum I can do. And also, the Christmas concert at Euro 21 was a worthwhile one. I enjoyed it.
Lunch, I tried their 'skewer chicken with bread at Christmas
market, it was a good one, though I think the price is a bit high at Krona 100 per pc.
I did also many other things, like finding their local post office and buying stamps and I think Czec people are basically nice and polite. I like them, honesty speaking. I also tried their 'grilled bread' which tasted very delicious. And I also went to their afternoon market to get some fruits.
Overall, it was a fruitful day, and I cannot write further.
Need to get my shower and sleep soon.

Choong
Praha, Czec Republic
Ibis hotel

Christmas Time

Very fast, really fast. Last year, this time, I was in London and now, in Prague, though Christmas this year, I will be in another location, that is Istanbul.
And here in Prague, Christmas mood is everywhere.
Please see some of the pictures here. We have Christmas market, and all streets here are well lit up.

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas.........

Choong
Prague, Republic Czec.

Arriving Prague, Czec Republic

Prague Palace


My afternoon tea


Praha International Airport


Waiting For Bus Number 100


A pack of Hazelnut, product of Turkey


A cup of boiled tea, black tea from Turkish Airline lounge


Turkish Airlines Lounge


My breakfast in Turkish Airport

What a long day. I have written when I was in Istanbul airport, waiting for my flight to Prague, close to 4 hours. And because it rained in Istanbul, flight was delayed for close to 20 mins. Arrived to Prague airport around 11am, but due to time difference again with Istanbul, it is 1 hour earlier. Everything went well, and though Czec Republic is part of EU, they have yet to use Euro....hence, it is a bit complicated when it comes to shopping. And I know how important it is to have this single currency maintained here in Europe (assuming all other issues can be handled well, and not for me to comment here). Then instead of using taxi, I tried with the local buz, then metroline B to Namesti Republik subway station, and walking for less than 2 mins, I found my hotel (Ibis hotel, Praha Old town).
If you look at the pictures I posted, the lounge in Istanbul for Turkish airline is quite new, heard it was furnished only recently. Quite a nice place, even entering the lounge, you only use your ticket's barcode for scanning, as simple as that.
They serve very good tea (fully boiled), please look at my picture. And I realised that they eat a lot of hazelnuts (sample shown in another picture). Tasted very good. I guess I need to stop for now, as Beijing is now 2.45am. I guess I am adapting well with this jetlag and home I will recover fast to cover more places tomorrow.

Nite from Prague (Praha),
Choong
IBIS hotel, Praha

I am back

Which means I am out of China now. Local time here is 5.30am, and I am in the lounge having my super early breakfast. I am sleepy but again, excited at the same time, when it comes to visiting néw places, sleeping is secondary. Oh yes, I am now stopping by at Istanbul Ataturk airport, on the way to my first destination before coming back here for my Christmas. I found that they have this hazelnuts, which looks like the kacang Putih we used to take as a kid, back in Bukit Mertajam. And the black tea they made here is superb.shall write more when I am back here in 4days.

I would like to take a short nap first, but I do t would be able to, too excited, haha.


Choong,
Ataturk airport, Istanbul
5.35am