Bryan Wong

Almost a decade ago, i set foot in Switzerland, in a winter morning..I remembered vividly my first breath of the crisp mountain air..fresh..with a dash of pine..smoky overtones of burning wood from chimneys..brief tantalising smell of sausages frying on the pan….a decade ago..yet, now,a decade later,once again i emerged from the Zurich airport, simply the notion that i am back here once again brought forth the distant memory i thought i have forgotten. I marvel at the way our brain works, how memories we thought were lost or stashed away comes trickling forth when triggered..

This is my third involvement in the” Starguide” series, reprising the role as the tour guide..The first one brought me to Tasmania, the second to Turkey and this third installment, to Switzerland with a strength of 91 passengers  and ten working crew (folks from chan brothers and the film crew) which totalled up to grand strength of 101,  frolicking thru this scenic country via coach and trains,over mountains and between valleys..

Thermal Springs are one of the highlights here..Not just any thermal springs,but at laukerbad, it is both a therapeutic experience for the body and a feast for the eyes..not so much about the bods of the people in the pool but the magestic swiss alps that rose way up high above..

set in such a splendid environment, one could understand why the folks there could stay there for a week of water therapy..

A visit to switzerland is never complete without the visit to Jungfroch, the peak of Europe..standing at 4158 metres above sea level and a UNESCO heritage site..

though this trip is made in summer, snow is still in abundance..

Besides the awesome scenery, some mouth watering deli wowed us..chocolates..chocolates and more chocolates..

One of the stops were at a chocolate factory, where we were educated on the process of chocolate making and guess wat, a buffet spred awaitd us for sampling and believe me, i have never seen so much chocolates at one go ever.. i mean..ever!

Besides chocolates, we went to the town of Gruyere where the gruyere cheese took our breath away..

Went into the outskirts of Germany, the region of Blackforest, where we sampled the authentic blackforest cake..

Over in Lausanne, we visited the expansive vineyards that overlooked Lake Geneva…

Many would have mistaken Zurich to be the capital of Switzerland..however, the real  deal is actually Berne, a quaint little town,which reminded me greatly of Bath in UK..

this quaint little town boasts the most number of fountains and houses the oldest clock tower in Europe..

The Jazz capital of the europe: Montreux…

Queen’s Freddie Mercury stands alone..

Perhaps one of the best known mountain of the swiss alps, the matterhorn, as seen from the town of Zermatt, is insiring and elusive..

Can’t believe that lake Geneva is just slightly smaller than Singapore..the fact that is a lake somewhat throws us off..it really looked like sea to us..

Throughout the trip we saw many castle-like buildings nestled way up in the mountain, and at Lake Geneva, we got to visit the Castle Chillon..

Finally ending up in Geneva, where more watches were bought and pictures taken..

Over here, we got to visit the United Nation’s building and the Red Cross…

Sunset at 9pm serves up a beautiful picture of the lakefront..

And this are the crew…

This is the rowdy group C..

And this is Group A….

and this the group B….and..

this is almost everybody!!!!!!

Besides what was shown above, me thinks its best to leave out the rest  for the actual telecast of the programme,  airing at the end of the year..Hereby, lots of hugs and kisses to one and all from the trip and thank you all for being so wonderful and helpful with the filming..lets revisit Switzerland once again when the programme airs and we would be reunited in the air…

Urgent: Postponement of SIM Talk: ‘In Search of Happiness’ on 30 June

There has been a sudden rise in H1N1 cases in Singapore and the government has sounded the call that the situation will worsen.

As a precautionary measure against the rapid spread of H1N1, and for the health interest of all participants, Singaproe Institute of Management (SIM) has decided to postpone my talk ‘In Search of Happiness’ to minimise any mass gathering where necessary.

SIM hopes you would understand that this regrettable move is made in the interest of all.

They will stage this talk at a later date this year and will inform those who have signed up earlier. You can also look out for details later in my blog or SIM’s Membership website at www.sim.edu.sg/ms

I look forward to meeting you sometime soon this year.

After seven hours in the sky,finally back to the ground again..Once again,i find myself transiting in Dubai,before arriving at my destination Zurich..A couple of years ago,a trip to Italy saw me transiting in this very airport,as i took emirates.This time round, we are at the new terminal, which is terminal three, devoid of the tall palm trees that lined the shopping arcade of the airport..Reprising the role of the tour guide, this is my third installment of the starguide series..This time round, i took on a group of 91 to explore the scenic Switzerland, a country that i have visited a decade ago.

A vague memory of this country resides in my mind and some wonderful memories there took refuge in the deepest core of my heart..but i guess it will all come rushing back to me when i am there..

And here we go, while the students are into their holiday, i am back to work yesterday..

1300hrs- collected my clothes for my trip to Hainan Island on Monday, which is for a programme about tracing the roots of a hometown dish( the hainanese beef noodles)..rather excited about this trip as this would be the very first time i am going back to the place where my ancestors came from:)..

1400 hrs-went to annexe building level two for my meeting with the production team of the programme star guide..This  is my third participation in this programme,reprising the role of the tour guide! A ten day or so trip bringing us to parts of Germany and switzerland! The last time i visited Zurich and Geneva would be about ten years ago and am really looking forward to revisit this Heidi like country..One of the highlights would be to visit the highest point  of Europe, Mount Jungfraujoch,and till now, i have yet to decipher how to go about pronouncing this name and many others such as..eh..Schaffhausen..Leukerbad…well..that’s BAD ya? well..ya ya!

1500hrs-went to variety wardrobe and met up with the production team of “Home Decor”, where i tried on a couple of outfits and commiserated with the team on the “how to’s” of this fourth installment of the series..reunited with the producer and a.producer of series 3 with the new virginal first timer research writer, whom i think is gonna have a ball of a time..ha!

1630hrs- went to the artist management unit where i met up with the wonderful folks from Singapore institute of Mangagement. All this while, SIM has been organsisng various activities for their members and none members which aids them, the participants, on areas of management..And this year, when the economy is ever so gloomy and people in general seemed less happy, they actually invited me on board and to spent an evening with them in search of Happiness! Imagine this, me in a lecture theatre,on the stage, the only one on stage, and sharing my perspectives and my take on “Happiness” for an entire two hours!! I am ever so honoured and delighted and wish with all my heart that i will bring the house down! Perhaps, if you would like to join the fun, and listen to my uncensored take on what happiness is all about, the details are as follows:

Date : 30 June (Tuesday)
Time : 7 pm – 9 pm
Venue : LT 1-03 (SIM Headquarters)

Fee: $20 SIM Members

$25 UniSIM Alumni

$30 Non-members
Contact : Evelyn Wong (6248 9784)

www.sim.edu.sg/bryan.html

And so that wraps up my first day back at work..So happening..so much to do.. a day of meeting almost concludes the stuffs to do for the coming three months..

walk with me once more..

as i walk by your side……