Tyco 3PL and Hong Kong!

We visited Tyco Electronics in Kuala Lumpur today, and their third party logistics provider (3PL) Schenker. As always, Tyco is a gracious and generous host, bussing us from our hotel to their facilities, feeding us lunch, and then bussing us to the airport. A 3.5 hr hop across the water, and we are here in Hong Kong. We have a dim sum breakfast scheduled tomorrow morning with our guide, Sheldon, and then a visit to the US Consulate at 11am. I believe we are headed to Victoria Peak in the afternoon.

I have more pictures from Malaysia to put up but it is too late today.


The morning view from my window at the YMCA in Hong Kong.

KL: Day Two, Royal Selangor and the Central Market

Leisurely morning today and then out to Royal Selangor for a company visit. Royal Selangor is the world's largest pewter manufacturer. We had lunch, toured the facilities, were briefed on RS's marketing strategy, and then went through the School of Hard Knocks, where we all made our own pewter bowl.

After Royal Selangor most of us went out to the Central Market, where there are dozens of shops, restaurants, craftsmen, etc. Tomorrow we have a company visit at Tyco Electronics and then hop a plane to Hong Kong.



The gang at Royal Selangor. This was a great company visit. More pictures later.


Part of the group eating a Thai dinner at the Central Market. Pat had 5 entrees and 23 desserts.

KL: Day One

Day one in Kuala Lumpur is behind us. Although different groups went to their various locations at different times, the plan of attack was to visit the Batu Caves, the Petronas Towers, and the Lake Gardens. The Batu Caves are a Hindu shrine in the mountains to the north of KL. The Petronas Towers are some of the highest twin towers in the world. The Lake Gardens is a set of parks set in the heart of the city that features some of the flora and fauna of Malaysia.

This formidable fellow welcomes you to the Batu Caves.


Speaking of formidable, these steps qualify also. Almost 300, very steep.


The gang just inside the entrance to the caves.


The view towards the back of the cave.


These little fellows inhabit the caves in great profusion and steal anything you happen to not be hanging on to.


The Petronas Towers, viewed from the bottom.


Huesne, Mike, and Michelle, in a little garden at the base of the towers.


A shopping center underneath the towers.


Pat and Steph near the planetarium at the Lake Gardens.


Beware! Monkey Crossing!

Kuala Lumpur

Well, we made it to Kuala Lumpur. There is no doubt that Malaysia is less developed than Singapore. Arriving in the dead of night, KL looks a bit foreboding, but friendlier in the light of day. A group of us went to the Batu Caves this morning, while others visited the Petronas Towers. We will head out to the Lake Gardens this afternoon.


A few of the gang eagerly anticipating the flight to Malaysia. The Singapore airport is one of the best.

Singapore's Loss is Malaysia's Gain

This is our last day in Singapore. The group has a free day today. Many are going to Sentosa island for the day. Our plane leaves for Kuala Lumpur at about 9pm this evening. If you ever get the chance to visit Singapore, please take it. This is one of the cleanest, safest, most orderly cities in the world.

Planvisage and the Lau Pa Sat Market

Yesterday we were hosted on a company visit by Pari Annamalia, founder of a supply chain solutions company called Planvisage. Pari is a Clarkson alum. He and one of his partners gave us a background of their company and a great presentation on gaining value through supply chain management.

After the visit, the group split up for a free evening. A few of us took advantage of Singapore's excellent subway system to visit the Lau Pa Sat market for dinner.

The Durian Challenge

I forgot to mention that several of us took the Durian challenge yesterday. For the uninitiated, the Durian is a fruit considered to be a delicacy by some and the source of all evil by others. I took several students down to a fruit stand and hawker center that I found in my wanderings last year and we chipped in and bought some Durian. Several, but not all, of us (durian weenies!) dipped in and had a bite. I'm not sure I can describe the taste, but really, what can you expect from a fruit whose flesh is a sickly yellowish color, smells like rotton onions, and is the consistency of dried pus? Some of us got it down, others spit it out, but I think we are all in full agreement with this sign in the elevator lobby of our hotel.