Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Korea


Fun time

Pictures with Korean children







Candid Shots of some staff












The Penang Map by Google

Great News

Very glad to receive the email from my niece from USA. Well, quickly download the map to my blog and upon arriving at the office informed those relevant departments of the great new. Why so?
Most of the time, I have observed that they are trying to locate and trace the map from existing printed document. Scan it and edit in as a soft copy . I even did it for my Chiak Bei Liao blog, using Autocad to do it. Finally all the tedious work might stop here. It will be great for I could blog better with location and pictures .
A Big hurrah for Google.
Everyone who saw it at my blog was very impress of Google and ha!! so is obeiliao .
How did you know this and the answer.............blah........blah.. the story start all over again.....hee hee!!!! I would like thank my niece for the update of IT info. If only I am 30 old years now, life would be wonderful to see the next 30 years of future IT.

Maps of Penang,Malaysia from Google


View Larger Map

Monday, November 26, 2007

SubStructure Work

Setting out of the piling points

After getting the final drawings for the proposed building, the piling plan will be handed over the appointed license surveyor for superimposing into the survey
precom plan. The precom plan will compose of the boundary stone,which have all the co-ordinate (Northing and Easting). The surveyor will handover all control traverse points that they used when checking all the boundaries stone. Normally, the license surveyor will not give this information unless stated during the tender interview for with this information any surveyor will be able to take over the whole site setting out.operation. In our case, we insisted during the tender stage for my company have many land surveyors. Ensure that the building grid are tie back to the control points when given the adjusted precom plan from the license surveyor. Please note that the plan is signed by the license surveyor.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Construction

Today I will start writing somethings on what I normally do as a Project Manager. There will be many experience Project Managers out there who will be better than me and will definitely have better idea and hopefully they will give good comments for all the readers to learn. Anyway it all started .....................................lal la lah

While blogging, one of the trainee from USM ( Unversity Sains Malaysia) asked me to write on construction topics. Topics based on my past experience. Let get started.

Site Layout
The first work to be taken before any construction could take place is to visit the site with a set of approved drawing, normally issued by the Architect ( SO of the job) Things to observe when visiting the site
1. Access road around the site
2. The surrounding neighbours lot
3. Other visible sign of the site.


Site Preparation
1. Hire a license surveyor to locate the boundary. The surveyor will have to carry out a "precom." of the site.
2. Site Clearing
3. Hoarding up the whole site and also establish the temporary entrance.
4. Site Investigation as required by the Engineer
5. Locate where will be the best position to set up the site office,camp, bath and toilets area. To some company, they would seek the advice of a Feng Shui master. This task will enable the safety and cooperation among the construction team and smooth flow of the project.
I remembered when I was in Iran for the first job. I was very surprised that the workers also took some joss stick from
Singapore and started praying once the first workers cabin which was transferred from Neka Power Station was put on base in Hasankif sub station.
6. Location of the "Datuk Kong:" shrine must also be determined.
7. Re-study again the whole project plan in case it is break up into different phases.
8. Locate any site problems from existing completed projects.
7. Locate and install the water supply, electricity and telecommunication line
8. Any protection needed to protect all the existing public utilities including what is in the ground.
9. Submission to local Authorities for example CIDB (construction Industries and DevelopmentJPPP (Safety and Health Department) and also Perdadangan ( ).

Building constructions breaks into Building works and Civil works

Building Works
According to the Quantity Surveyor, it will be categories into (a) Sub Structure and (b) Superstructure.

(A)Substructure WorksPublish Post
Normally consists of all works below the ground for example Piling,Foundation and Basement
(B)Superstructure
Consists of all works on the Ground level and above.


Monday, November 19, 2007

Pinky in Korea

Is that Pinky?

During the last day in Korea, I happened to notice that there are few Korea girls taking their local food along the footpath and decide to take a snap of them. All of a sudden I realised that one of them looked like my staff and she was very friendly when posting for the photos shot. Well, just take a look at both pictures to confirm what I have mentioned.




Pinky in Penang
She was awarded Miss Beautiful leg in our Ivory Beauty contest.





Pinky in Everland, Korea.
I cannot confirm she has beautiful legs hee........

Thursday, November 15, 2007

KimChi,Korean most favourite food.


Which Kimchi should I pack home?


Kimchi

(as extracted from the museum)

Kimchi is a fermented dish make of a spicy mixture of salted and seasoned vegetables, which includes slices of radish,powdered red pepper,green onions, garlic and so on. Koreans use a variety of vegetables with which t
o make Kimchi but all pickled Korean vegetable are termed Kimchi. Consequently, there are over 200 kinds of kimchi. the main ingredients usually include cabbage, radish,ponytail radish,cucumber,leeks and sesame leaves, Indian mustard leave,red peppers ,leeks and green onion are also use as seasoning and as main ingredients.

Nutritional value of Kimchi


Composition of Kimchi.........Must eat all I can. I am going to miss Kimchi


The way to make Kimchi



Obeiliao trying to make Kimchi.
Do you dare to eat his Kimchi?



Kimchi...........................................................................Stage 1



Stage 2.....................................................................................Stage 3





Stage 4......................................................................................Stage 5




Stage 6 ...........................................................................................Stage 7





Stage 8.........................................................................................Stage 9



Stage 10 .......................................................................................Stage 11


Conclusion

This trip to Korea has make me love Kimchi so much as compare to 22 years ago when my wife and I were there for our belated honeymoon trip as mentioned in earlier
post. Sad to mention my wife is not there to taste the different. Anyway, I bought a lot of packed Noddles back for my whole family to try. Including me ,Hee! hee!
Keep on eating, Chiak Bei Liao





Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Oak Valley, Korea

Oak Valley Eco Resort, Korea


The Eco resort which we stayed
(less than 10 hours)

The Oak Valley resort that we have visited is one of the renowned Ski Resort in the world and nicknamed as Young and Easy. A Resort master plan by Wimberly, Allison ,Tong and Goo (WATG) .Penang Hotel Equatorial was also designed by WATG which I was involved with the construction in Penang , Malaysia. Two hours drive from Seoul , we finally reached this Eco resort in the night and very unfortunately have to leave the following day after our breakfast. This is the mid autumn and we did not see any snow. Anyway, I have managed to take a few photo of the internal layout of the actual rooms and the surroundings area beside the condominium for memory. If only I could go back for one more time .







Our daily get together to discuss what we have not purchased. Obeiliao has received an sms from his son to purchase more Korea noodle flavour and not to miss Lulu's sister to her






Eco view of the surrounding area



Overall Oak Valley Layout


Rooms layout


Kitchen with all cooking facilities provided.................................. Living




Korea Style bedroom which I slept. ............................Master Bedroom slept by Mr Tan

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Hotels in Korea and Hong Kong


Hotels in Korea




Hotel in Hong Kong


Hotels in Korea

In most of the package tours, most of the tourists would mention these words, "We returned to the hotel by 10.00pm (2200hours) and have to get out by 7.30am (0730hours ) the following morning for we have to go to the next destination. " Looking at these comments, I would say that none of them manage to utilities the hotel facilities.
Are we in the same scenario as they are. Well, I would say the same because my company trip organisor has ensured that no time was wasted for this trip including shopping

to continue tomorrow

Korea Trip (updated 28/11/07)

Seoul

Obeiliao, Obeiliao, have you seen the itinerary on company trip to Korea and Hong Kong that was faxed to you at Moonlight Bay?. Not yet. Immediately after that call, my name was heard over the wireless, Walkie Talkie ( a
communication set use for every sites). My stenographer, Miss Tan, informed me that there was a fax on a Korea, Hong Kong trip from HQ. As I was quite busy, I told her over the air that I would be collecting it during lunch time.
Well, finally the boss has decided on the type of trip we should be going. Last few trips by the company was a study cum holiday trips. L
ooking through the itinerary, I noticed that it will be the same as past trips.
I have a bad impression of Korea for during my honeymoon trip in 1984 the food was really not adaptable to me. Only one dish that I could eat was the famous Ginseng rice cum noodle soup. In spite of working together with t
he Koreans in the Asian Bintulu Fertiliser Plant, Sarawak, Malaysia, I still could not get adapted to the Korea food.
I went back home and told my wife about the trip. I told her that this trip could be lousy but than she was quite optimistic about my trip. She told me seen our last Korea trip in 1984, there should be many changes in this country. Many tourist are going there due to many tour trips advertisement on Korea where were constantly aired in the TV. That is true seen the show , Winter Sonata and also The Jewel in the Palace were screened. Everybody gave these comments, Good show, Handsome and beautiful actress and blur blur ....


What to check before this trip
1. Weather

Upon reaching home , I went straight to my desktop and start going through what Yahoo weather has to give me. The answer was Korea, Indoen,
was having the highest 15 C and lowest 5C. during this Autumn season
Why looking at this topic? Well during my first trip o
versea under JEL (Jurong Engineer, Singapore) the administrator did not inform me that it was snowing in Iran and I have to carry my winter clothing with me when going on board the plane. I DID NOT HAVE MY WINTER CLOTHING WHEN ARRIVED IN TEHERAN. Anyway, I was given by one passenger beside me some extra blankets (Air France) to wrap around my body before walking down the aisle. Before leaving the aircraft door, a stewardess asked me where was my winter clothing. I told her that it was in my Checked In Baggage. Instead of scolding me, she asked me to move aside and with speedy action she took from me all the woolen blankets and folded them neatly. After that she placed one on my waist , my neck, and another to hold it in my hand.. ( will post the picture of this blankets ,below) With motherly touch she completed the process and warmly whispered into my ear with these words, "It is very cold outside, 0 degree, keep yourself warm, take care." I thanked her and left the Aircraft



Courtesy of Air France. Thank you.

I told my wife about the temperature and asked her whether all my winter clothing from Iran were still available and she laughed answer immediately.. My dear, how could you wear them, you were so slim that time but anyway, your Dad has one sweater,socks that might fit you.
Anyway, I was quite worry and went to buy a "long john" (thermal type) a day before we took off. and also borrowed a winter jacket from my colleague in case.

2. Insurance

You might have heard all the unlucky incidents of travelers so without a second thought, a few of insured ourselves with one of the established agent in Penang. As usual the rest of the staff also insured with another agent.

3. Flight schedule

Without fail all of us were at the airport 2 hours before taking off. The reason was because all of us have to check in individually in spite of a group tour. Cathay Pacific
was very strict which was good . Apart from this our Group was quite big .



The Trip ( 4/11/07)

Day 1

A few days before leaving, a few of us got our specific instructions . My Senior and me was assigned as Baggage Leader. I was also assigned an extra duty, Interviewer.
Upon arrival at the airport, as usual ,X ray our bags and later we were asked to check in individually with out boarding pass which was done earlier When everything was done, before going into the immigration counter, I started to inform all staffs to finish their drink and throw away the bottle for the airline has imposed a strict regulation on the drink issue. the plane took off as per schedule time.

Issue discussed in the Aircraft cabin
1. How much money have you change for this trip?
2. Is it very cold in Korea?
3. How many hours will we transit in Hong Kong?
4. Who are the VIP following us?
5. Who is your roommate for this trip? Will he or she snore?
6.
Does your family ask you to buy anything for them?

The plane landed in Hong Kong on time. We entered through the gate for transit passenger ( with boarding pass) and was re screened again . Hong Kong authority was very strict. I felt secure over this matter. Something happened at this transit counter. Our main Anchor man , Mr Goh, did not see the signage indicating " no camera "shooting and he was immediately stop by the Authority. He has replay for them to see where he shot and later on he mentioned that he was searched very thoroughly for his mistake. "DON'T PLAY,PLAY."
Food in the airport was very expensive and also a bottle of water
Regardless of the price, we still eat for everybody was worry that the food supplied in the aircraft on the way to Korea might not be sufficient!

When we were on the flight from Hong Kong to Seoul , the meal provided by Cathy Pacific was very good and not as was everybody has assumed. We continue the rest of the journey and arrived safely in Indoen, Seoul.
Upon arrival , we went to Thai restaurant to have our dinner and later before checking into the hotel, we stop at a shopping complex , Coex Shopping Mall .and start to look around and final to our first Hotel in Korea called Imperial Palace Hotel at Nonhyun-dong, Gangnum-gu. Seoul.