Turkish Delights! Part II (Business Mode)

Labels: , Posted by Emale on Friday, March 16, 2007 at 1:54 AM

State of Being : Thinking Back...

Recollecting the trip.... the WW Conference in Ankara

12 Feb

  • Arrived in Ankara and checked-in at Swissotel Ankara at noon
  • Tranquil surrounding *yawn*, mostly residential apartments?
  • Welcome Cocktail + Ice-Breaking Games (where we played Congo drums in union) in the evening

13 Feb

  • Individual groups to setup their breakfast table - theme "Swiss Passion"
  • Welcome presentation and updates *blah blah blah*
  • Presentation by the CEO of Hublot SA - Mr. Jean-Claude Biver on the success story of Hublot Watches (apparently this CEO sleeps on average for only 3-4 hours / day cos he was so passionate about his business!)
  • Cheese & Wine delights - was overwhelmed by the assortment of cheese as dessert!

Presenting the Cheese Platter:
Brie Kartausen Ittingen, Bergfichten, Fribourger Alpschaf,
Alp Dräckloch, Greyerzer, Jersey Blue

  • Coffee Break + Games Session in the cold
  • Cultural Experiece visiting the The Anitkabir Ataturk and War of Independence Museum (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk)
    The musuem grounds are actually closed in the evening but special arrangements were made just for us! :)

In front of The Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk

14 Feb
  • More company overview & updates *blah blah blah*
  • Workshops - "Swissness - Live It!"
    Really amusing seeing some colleagues' actings during the group presentations!!! :P
  • Ended the day with the "Ottoman" Gala Dinner

    Highlights of the Dinner:
  • Watched "The Sema Ritual" performance & Smoked Shisha for the first time

The Sema Ritual (i.e. Twirling Turkish Men)

Smoking Shisha *my virgin (blush) puff*

15 Feb

  • Started off the morning with "The Hamam Experience" at the Armita Spa since that is the only time slot available before we leave home for Singapore

    Highlights of the Experience:
  • Being scrubbed with a kese + soap massage from head to toe under a pleasant cloud of lather. Extremely RELAXING.... Zzzz

Scrubbed & Kneaded while lying on the heated marble-floor

  • Presented the NEW CSG programme in the late morning
    Really pleased that I managed to field all questions from the audience! :)
  • More presentations from other departments *blah blah blah*
  • Farewell to Ankara as we left for the airport at 7pm for another 13-hour flight from Ankara-Istanbul (1 hr) and then Istanbul-Singapore (12 hr)...

Overall, a rewarding experience leaving Turkey knowing that in the essence of time, I still manage to do three Turkish activities that I set out to do, which is

  1. to watch "The Sema Ritual"
  2. to smoke shisha &
  3. to experience Turkish bath!

Alas, the only lament would be that we did not extend our Turkey trip due to the Lunar New Year...

***

click here for full photo album


 

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