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Always Double Check the Date on Your Visa - 1 views
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Jonathan Sanchez is the vice president for global communications and capability at Unilever, with oversight over Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Africa.
The Singapore-based U.K. native spoke to the Journal about the importance of white shirts, how to get a high-tech coffee maker through security, and why he always double checks the date on his visa.
How often do you travel?
About half the time.
Where do you go most?
London two or three times a year; Durban, South Africa; Moscow, Istanbul, Myanmar, Jakarta, Manila and other Southeast Asia countries.
Favorite airline?
Thai Airways. Their lounge in Bangkok is one of the best-kept secrets-they have a Jacuzzi. You can get a massage and eat great Thai food. It's like taking a mini-vacation before starting on a 12-hour slog.
Best airport?
Frankfurt. It's quite a long walk between terminals, but it's well-equipped, clean and has good connectivity. It's a well-oiled, efficient modern German environment.
Which city has the best taxis?
Singapore. The taxis are the blood and veins of the nation. They have an app where you can order a taxi without having to speak to someone, and you can follow the car on a GPS-based map as it's coming to you.
Favorite hotel?
Radisson Royal Hotel in Moscow. It's in one of the so-called seven sisters, the colossal skyscrapers from the Stalin era, which makes it easy to find the hotel. Although the inside of the room is a bit like being trapped in a 1970s wedding, the grandeur is unbelievable.
Which country in Asia has the best food?
Istanbul is genuinely where East meets West. The foods you can eat, and the venues in which you can eat them, are mind-blowing. Thai food is also incredible, and Vietnamese pho is a great pick-me-up that can only really be made in Vietnam.
The best coffee?
Vietnam has the best environment, Thailand has the best beans, and Starbucks has the best quality through consistency.
I also have a Handpresso, a device that lets you make espresso in your room. It looks like a weapon though, so I get questioned every time I take it through security. Once they see it smells like coffee, they believe me it's a coffee maker and let me through.
How do you fight jet lag?
You learn to live perpetually slightly tired. When you have downtime, maximize it. After over 10 years, one thing I've learned to do is power nap for 20 minutes. I wake up completely refreshed.
What are your packing essentials?
I collect eye blinds and always pack at least five-in different pockets of my luggage-so I can nap. The iPad Mini is my entertainment center. I also recently got a tiny Asus Wi-Fi router that's about the size of a cigarette lighter that will turn an Ethernet connection in a hotel to a Wi-Fi connection. It comes in handy because hotel Wi-Fi is remarkably slow because it's shared among so many people.
What's your packing strategy?
I always pack exactly the same everywhere I go. I keep my Rimowa carry-on by the door with my iPad keyboard, work shoes and a jacket. I grab a small bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, mini toiletries. I also pack three white work shirts. White shirts are the best because no one knows if you're wearing the same one or not.
How do you exercise on the road?
I try to walk more. I also swim when I travel because I find it relaxing.
Where haven't you been that you'd like to go?
Mongolia. It's opening up and has phenomenal scenery and landscape but has never really turned into a top tourist destination.
What's your travel advice?
Be kind. Traveling is a privilege, not a right. If you spend a lot of time on airplanes, you can be tired and frustrated, but try to remember the staff work to protect you.
Best travel experience?
When I first traveled to Istanbul, we landed into the airport at 6 a.m. and came over the hill into the city just as the sun was rising over the minarets and mosques of the city. To see that orange-hued sky, that Arabic Eastern-Western layout in front of me-it took my breath away.
Worst travel experience?
Being denied entry in Moscow. It was mainly because of a clerical error-the date on my visa was incorrect. But in Russia, there's a very high level of attention to detail, so there was no question that I could get a pass. It was a life lesson: Always check your own documents and if you need a visa, make sure it's the right one.
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Looking for places to visit in Jakarta Indonesia?
There is no doubt that Jakarta is the heart and soul of Indonesia and one of the most exciting places to visit in Southeast Asia to enjoy an electrifying nightlife and shopping experience. Whether you are visiting Jakarta on a stop-over trip to Bali, or visiting Jakarta on a long vacation, westhill consulting travel & Tours Singapore is hoping you’ll find plenty interesting places to visit and things to do in Jakarta besides shopping. Here are some tips! Have fun!
Merdeka Square
Historic Merdeka Square is Jakarta’s most important square and one of the top tourist sights in the city to visit because of other nearby attractions such as Merdeka Palace, Istiqlal Mosque and the National Museum of Indonesia. In the heart of Merdeka Square, you’ll find the famed National Monument (pictured) surrounded by beautiful sculptured carved works depicting the history of Indonesia.
Inside the base of the National Monument, you’ll find the National History Museum and the Hall of Independence, both great places to learn about Indonesian history. The square is also the focal point in the city at night when the National Monument is lit up. Within the vicinity, you’ll also many landmarks, statues, parks such as West Merdeka Park where you can witness fun events like the fountain water show.
Taman Park
Taman Park, also known as Mini Indonesia Indah, is another of the places to visit in Jakarta Indonesia where everyone can have a fun day out. Taman Park is one of the largest green areas in the city and a great place to unwind, do some bird-spotting and enjoy a picnic while taking in the lovely scenery. The park also boasts the popular Indonesia Miniature Park where you can get a nice scaled overview of places in Indonesia such as Sumatra and Borneo. Within the park, you’ll also find many museums, an IMAX theatre and an Aquarium.
Jakarta Old Town
Jakarta Old Town is another of the places to visit in Jakarta Indonesia where you’ll find many more interesting tourist sights such as the Jakarta Kota Station and Jakarta Old Port.
Jakarta’s old port – Sunda Kelapa – is a great place to visit in itself because of the 12th century wooden ships and the port’s lookout tower, which offers great views of the port and the area around.
In Jakarta old town, you can also marvel at Dutch colonial-style buildings and visit many interesting places such as the Maritime museum, Jakarta History Museum and the Wayang museum which features a cool collection of puppets and dolls.
The Jakarta history museum is also worth passing by, as you can see more interesting pre-colonial and colonial artifacts and items such as old maps, stone tablets, paintings, swords, etc.
Jakarta Ancol Dreamland
If you’re traveling to Jakarta with the family and are looking for things to do in Jakarta with kids and teenagers, there is no better place to do this than at Jakarta’s largest recreation park – Ancol Dreamland.
Ancol Dreamland is located on the north coast of Jakarta overlooking the beautiful Java Sea, and it’s a massive complex boasting a theme park, a Sea World, an aquarium and a fun Gondola cable car system which you can use to get around the recreation park and enjoy great views.
Jakarta’s Chinatown
If you’re looking to buy cheap CD’s, cameras and gadgets in general, Jakarta’s Chinatown in Glodok (Jakarta’s old town) is one of the best places to visit in Jakarta Indonesia to find all kind of cheap electronic goods.
Tanah Abang
Tanah Abang district is one the most upmarket areas in Jakarta and it’s a popular place to enjoy high end shopping and fine dining.
Not far from Tanag Abang Station, you’ll find Plaza Indonesia shopping mall and Grand Indonesia mall which are both home to fine restaurants, Sogo department stores, and designer boutiques such as Versace and Gucci. Tanag Abang is also home to the popular Tanag Abang textile market where you can shop for genuine Indonesian textiles like carpets and clothes.
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