In a play on the old Deanna Durbin song “Love is Where You Find it”….as you travel around the world, Christmas is also where you find it.
Definitely, one expects to find Christmas in countries with a Christian tradition. As Christmas has become more and more of a secular holiday, you’ll even find celebrations and blockbuster holiday decorations in countries with other religious traditions.
Malaysia – A Kuala Lumpur Christmas
I was in Kuala Lumpur a few weeks ago and saw no sign of Christmas (nor did I expect to see it). Suddenly, on December 1st, Christmas decorations went up in malls stores and streets all over the city, transforming it into a Christmas fairyland.
Here is a very elaborate Christmas display that I saw at the Pavilion KL shopping centre across the street from my hotel. It was so spectacular that I had to capture it on film.
As a Jamaican, I found it kind of cool that they included a traditional Jamaican Christmas carol in the musical mix.
I chatted with a number of Malaysians who told me that many Malaysians are going all out and decorating stores, homes and lawns with elaborate Christmas displays. This has been a recent trend and it is growing. Two years ago, one mall delighted oshoppers by making is snow. Take a peek.
When I was at Pavilion KL, I ran into a visitor from Australia. He asked ”Have you seen the Gingerbread House at the Grand Millenium Hotel yet?” I headed over there and found this life-size gingerbread house straight out of Hansel and Gretel. Yes, that’s real gingerbread.
Now I’ve never seen that in Toronto…but wait, more surprises are in store.
Christmas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Last Wednesday (December 14, 2011), when I checked into the Mayden Hotel in Dubai, there was an even bigger surprise. Yes an even bigger gingerbread house, also with real gingerbread.
My stay was too short to visit any malls but there were Christmas decorations and a number of elaborate Christmas trees at the airport.
Fortunately, others captured Christmas the magic at Dubai malls for your viewing pleasure including what has got to be the tallest Christmas tree in the world.
Toyko, Japan (Ginza)
Another country with a religious tradition other than Christian has a number of Christmas celebrations including German Christmas markets. This year, a store in the heart of Ginza has gone all out this year with a golden Christmas tree…pure gold that is.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Finally, also in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace Hotel had the world’s most expensive Christmas tree last year trimmed with over $11 Million worth of jewelry.
Talk about going all out for Christmas. I guess that’s what happens when Christmas becomes a secular holiday.
So next year, if you’re looking for a special place to take your team for a pre-Christmas incentive trip, you’ll find Christmas in more places than you can imagine.
With it’s blend of Malay, Chinese, British, East Indian, Portuguese, and aboriginal Iban and Bidayuh influences, Kuching is a hidden gem for incentive travel. Kuching is located in Sarawak on the island of Borneo which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and the tiny Sultanate of Brunei.
The first time I saw Kuching, also known as “Cat City”, refecting its Chinese name, was over a decade ago. I went to Kuching to facilitate a workshop for managers and executives from Malaysian companies with offices in Sarawak. The view from my room at the Hilton with the Chinese junks floating on the water and shophouses linking the riverbanks was enchanting. The waterfront is a now landscaped area with sculptures and a musical fountain.
In Kuching, there are surprises around every corner including the Tua Pek Kong Temple dating back to the mid-19th century, Fort Margherita in the distance, India Street, the famous cat monument, and the Cat Museum (yes a museum devoted to cats).
To understand the history and culture of the region, visits to Sarawak Museum and the Sarawak Cultural Village are a must.
Sarawak Cultural Village features homesteads, music, dancing, and cuisine from the 7 major ethnic groups that have made Sarawak their home.
Where to Stay in Kuching
Since my first visit, a number of boutique hotels have opened in Kuching. The Sarawak Cultural Village now has accommodation reflecting traditional architectural styles. Homestays at jungle longhouses of Sarawak’s aboriginal people including the Iban and the Bidayuh are also possible.
In Kuching, corporate events can include Chinese cooking challenges, an Amazing Race Inspired Team Challenge around the area, a scavenger hunt to museums and historical cites, aboriginal games, and blowpipe competitions.
For more information about Kuching or to arrange incentive travel in Malaysia including Kuching and, please visit the Executive Oasis International website.
Incentive Travel: Asian August – Cooling off in Malaysia
During the summer, temperatures soar in South East Asia. Savvy CEOs in the region have discovered a number of cool and picturesques destinations in Asia to beat the heat and offer memorable sales incentive trips, executive retreats, and team building. Malaysia offers a number of places where your team will be cool and comfortable even in August.
Pahang
First let’s start with a virtual tour of Pahang where you’ll find the communities of where you’ll find Cameron Highlands, Berjaya Hills, Fraser’s Hills, and Genting Highlands.
Cameron Highlands: Temperature: 15°C – 32°C
I’ll never forget the first time I went to Cameron Highlands. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall. There was an area with stalls, arts, crafts, blow pipes and a variety of souvenirs. The people working at the stalls were pulling up on motorbikes and some were talking on cell phones.
When we continued our journey, I asked the guide about aboriginal peoples. I said “When I was in Kuching, there were aboriginal settlements nearby. Are there any aboriginal people in this area?
He replied “You just spent time with some Orang Asli. They were the people selling at the stalls”. I guess the blowpipes were a big hint. Never let motorbikes and cell phones throw you off.
On the way to Cameron Highlands, your group has the option of stopping at Kuala Woh Recreational Park for a short scavenger hunt that includes orienteering and a visit to by suspension bridge to the museum to answer trivia, a dip in the natural hot springs and light snacks.
Cameron Highlands was a real treat. We stopped for lunch at a boutique hotel. An impromptu site inspection and tour revealed spacious rooms and ample meeting room facilities. The Smokehouse Hotel, that has been providing hospitality since 1932, is a possible lunch (or dinner) venue for your group upon arrival in Cameron Highlands:
We headed off to visit a handicraft centre, gardens and nurseries. We toured at tea plantation and relaxed while we enjoyed tea, scones and an incredible view. I noted that to round an itinerary for your corporate group, in Cameron Highlands, golf, nature hikes, a visit to an Orang Asli (aboriginal) village, and jungle trekking are available.
Before heading back to Kuala Lumpur, we stopped and picked strawberries. It was my last day in Malaysia and I have a very late night flight. As soon as we were airborne, it was a treat to enjoy the fresh strawberries I had picked with whipped cream that had been provided to me at no charge by one of the restaurants in the airport’s departure area. It’s one of those moments in time that you wish you could freeze.
Berjaya Hills:
Formerly known as Bukit Tinggi (meaning “French Hill”), Berjaya Hills has a French themed resort, beautiful gardens, golf, paintball, horse riding, and a variety of options for team meetings and relaxation.
Great views – Narration in Arabic
There is even a Japanese garden complete with teahouse. Yes, you can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the heart of Berjaya Hills.
Japanese Garden Walkthrough
Nearby, even in the summer, the weather will be comfortable enough to treat your team to a full jungle survival team building experience with overnight camping. The location is popular with local companies so it is imperative that you book your trip at least 4 – 6 months in advance if you want to include this unforgetable experience into your itinerary.
Fraser’s Hill:
1,524 metres about sea level, you’ll find Fraser’s Hill, a rainforest hamlet named after Louse James Fraser from Scotland who established a trading staion in the area and went missing in 1919, is a picturesque destination where the temperatures are cool enoug for for retreats, even in the summer.
It’s ideal for companies that are interested in providing an eco-tourism experience. It is one of Malaysia’s prime locations for bird wartching. Groups can also enjoy golf, horse riding, the Jeriau Waterfall.
Genting Highlands: Temperature 22°C – 32°C
Enjoy the unforgetable view as cable cars will carry you above the clouds to Genting Highlands, a playground complete with hotels, meeting facilities, a theme park and casino. Horse riding can be arranged nearby.
Sabah
Kinabalu Park
In Malaysian Borneo, Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Asia’s tallest peak, will give your team an opportunity to explore rocky mountain and the rainforest trails below the mountain. With one of the most diverse collections of fauna in the world, Kinabulu Park covers 4 climatic zones.
Even if your team is a mix of serious mountain cimbers and team members who would prefer to cool off under a waterfall, soak in the curative properties of an open air sulphuric bath, and explore tropical gardens, there will be no shortage of things to do and experiences to amaze.
Golf, and early morning horse riding are also located within easy distance.
Those who dare, can even walk The Torque, the highest via ferrata in the world.
Let Executive Oasis International Take You to Malaysia
In Malaysia, we can add facilitated business team building and recreational activities ranging from orienteering, jungle treks, and ziplining to mountain climbing and abseiling to your itinerary. No matter what area of Malaysia you select for your summer adventure, one thing is certain. There is so much to see and such a variety of habitats and adventures to explore, your first trip to Malaysia will not be your last.
For more information the adventures that you can enjoy in Malaysia during the summer and throughout the year, please visit our website:
In 2008 & 2009, many companies put their incentive travel programmes on hold due to “optics” or a decline in corporate performance. Some companies are not ready to re-instate their foreign incentive travel programmes. Instead, they are on the lookout for memorable and unique experiences closer to home to reward their team and build customer loyalty.
Inspired by the day I spent with BMW Canada at their Toronto Advanced Driver Training Programme and my recent visit to Montreal during the Formula 1 (F1) Montreal Grand Prix in June, I decided to showcase luxury driving experiences around the world. Luxury driving incentives offer great possibilities as an alternative to foreign incentive travel.
Remember, if you do want to offer any of these incentives for your team, it’s important to make your plans early as all of these experiences sell out quickly.
This blog entry is light on text and heavy on incredible, fast action videos. Pick a location close to you:
This experience was great fun and a sure-fire strategy for improving the driving skills of your sales teams and the other members of your team who are on the road.
It’s a combination of classroom instruction and exercises in a BMW training vehicle on their closed track.
When? July
Full Day: 20 People
Half Day: Two Groups of 16
This is the video of the oversteering exercise that I shot during the day I spent with BMW Canada. I learned a lot . The instructors were very supportive but I must admit that I was too much of a “fraidy cat” to make may car spinout when it was my turn to try it. Oh well, next time.
Every October, adrenaline junkies get to experience the thrill of racing like stunt drivers down one of Malaysia’s tallest hills. Take a peek at what happens.
Sepang International Circuit
BMW Advanced Driver Training
Kuala Lumpur
Formula 1 (F1) – Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix
When? April
Other Destinations
BMW Advanced Driver Training
Also Available in Japan, Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, South Carolina
When You’re Ready to Go
Whether you decide to stay home in 2010 and 2011 or you’re ready to venture further afield, we’ll take you there. Executive Oasis International would be pleased to arrange:
a day excursion to a local adventure with time for your business meeting
a full package bundling a luxury driving experience with transfers, hotel, transportation to and from the track, meeting facilities, business facilitation, tours, excursions, gala awards dinner
Contact Executive Oasis International for more information about any of these luxury driving exeriences for corporate events and incentives:
In a play on the old Deanna Durbin song “Love is Where You Find it”….as you travel around the world, Christmas is also where you find it.
