From the category archives:

Travel

11 February 2010

Thoughts on Cuba and its Dual Economy

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It didn’t quite occur to me that I had visited Cuba as a political tourist until I was onboard the Mexicana flight out of Havana.  I spent 7 days avoiding tourist traps and CUCs and using Cuban pesos while soaking in the local lifestyle, and went away with the [...]

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9 January 2010

Wanderlust

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On Thursday, I’ll be heading to the American continent on a month-long road trip with my fiancée.  Much of it will be personal in nature, although I’ll be meeting with some business contacts in San Francisco and New York.  I am eagerly looking forward to it, not just because it’s been 4 years since my last [...]

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25 June 2009

Of Friends, Suicide and Life

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A few days ago, one of my secondary school classmates jumped off an apartment and ended his life—I learned about the sad news through an SMS from an ex-classmate.  Even though I was never especially close to him, it still came as a real shocker to me.  I remember seeing him at a mutual [...]

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16 June 2009

Of Universal & Singtel’s AMPed, and the bleak future for Mobile Operators

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Local heavyweight telecom operator Singtel announced yesterday that it launched AMPed, an interactive music experience for post-paid mobile customers.  According to Singtel’s press release:
Besides unlimited music downloads, mobile customers can join an inclusive music community, enjoy exclusive showcases and breakthrough music services
First-of-its-kind service in Asia, available across widest range of multi-brand 3G handsets
You can read [...]

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27 May 2009

Scenes of Peru: Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

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The sights in and around Cusco only served as appetizers to the region’s main delight – Machu Picchu.  However, we had to first contend with a 4-day 3-night hike before reaching Peru’s Shangri-la.   We had signed up for the hike with United Mice, paying about US$300 per pax [...]

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15 May 2009

Singapore’s Uncoordinated Initiatives for Entrepreneurs

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Earlier this afternoon, I came across SGentrepreneur.com’s post on Wong Meng Weng’s map of Venture Capital in Singapore (good job Meng Weng!) and couldn’t help but notice Bernard’s comment on how it’s highly unlikely for entrepreneurs to find funding via the traditional venture capital route amidst the turbulent and challenging climate.
(off-topic) Bernard, I really have [...]

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14 May 2009

Scenes of Peru: Cusco

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Planned in the shape of a puma, Cusco was the capital of Tahuantinsuyu, otherwise known as the Inca Empire.  Today, it is a city of about 300,000, and serves as the capital of the Cusco Region, as well as the Cusco Province.  The first Spaniards arrived to the city [...]

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12 May 2009

Scenes of Peru: Colca Canyon

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We were picked up by Ignacio, our friendly but reserved guide on the morning of 20 December ‘05.  For the next 3-odd hours, the bus weaved the 100 miles (160 km) of mountainous roads between Arequipa and Colca Canyon while passing by a variety of landscapes and scenery.  I [...]

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8 May 2009

Scenes of Peru: Arequipa

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In the 15th century, the Incas conquered the Aymara Indians who occupied Arequipa, and the fertile region served as an important supplier of agrarian products to the Inca Empire up until its demise.  The modern city of Arequipa was founded on 15 August 1540 by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, [...]

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8 May 2009

Scenes of Peru: Lima

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While we were planning for the trip, our friends had advised us to spend as little time as possible at Lima.  As a result, we only allocated a full day to check out what Lima’s sights.  While the modern-day capital of Peru had little to offer in terms of [...]

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