Travel

Sep

27

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Epilogue

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

The first night back home was funny -- we were all awake! We tried to sleep... but after a few hours, we started to wake up and start giggling... we were experiencing Jet Lag!!! Our bodies "think" that we are still in Philippines time... 12 midnight in the U.S. Eastern Standard Daylight Time is 12 noon in the Philippines. Jet Lag continued on to haunt us (my wife and me)... but our kids recovered from it quickly. We took some melatonin to help us shake off our Jet Lag... and it worked. Lucky for us, we've planned for two weeks…

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Sep

26

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Retrospective

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

As always, every time a journey ends, we do some retrospection. We look for the things that we've done well and want to do again in the future; we look for the things that we could have done; we look for things that we could have done better; we look for things that we must stop doing. All these "lessons learned" are input to a better journey next time. Every next iteration should be better than the previous iteration. When we iterate, we Plan, Do, Check and Adjust (the classic PDCA cycle). We do retrospection in the "Adjust" part of…

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Sep

25

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Hello, U.S.A.! Great To Be Back Home!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

We landed in Charlotte (CLT) in the afternoon (a Friday)... nothing unusual... smooth 1-hour flight from ORD. Our car was parked for 23 days... I am glad that I kept our parking ticket where I can find it. 23 days full of adventure each day makes you forget things... like a parking ticket, or a car key, or a house key... etc. We got home... safe and healthy... we've just completed our journey, full circle... back to where we've started our journey 23 days ago... but coming back with a better view and understanding of the world. Hello, U.S.A.! Great…

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Sep

24

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Another Long Flight

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Our flight from Manila (MNL), Philippines to Charlotte (CLT), North Carolina, U.S.A. was long... 25+ hours in total -- including the lay-overs at Incheon (ICN), South Korea and Chicago O'Hare (ORD), U.S.A. Nonetheless, the whole flying experience was fun, to me. I love flying and everything about flying (i.e., the airplane, airplane food, lay-overs, things to do and eat at lay-over places, observing each place's culture and how they do things, their food and drinks, duty-free goods, souvenirs, etc.). We left Manila (MNL) at 11 PM... very dark, nothing to see outside the plane once it is up in the…

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Sep

23

2023

By Clarence Galapon

The Last Day In Manila

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

The last day of a wonderful journey is always the hardest for us. We approach it with an attitude of gratefulness (i.e., that it happened) and thankfulness (i.e., to all the people that were part of our journey). The sun is out... the weather is going to be sunny... During breakfast, the chef at the breakfast lounge on the 21st floor made us -- yes for us only -- a special pizza... he said he made it just for us. Thank you, Chef! In the earlier part of our stay, one of the chef's colleagues gave us homemade barbeque... yes,…

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Sep

22

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Another Slow Down…With A Wrinkle

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Yes, another "Slow Down"... before we head back -- a long flight/trip -- to the U.S.A. Sometimes we experience a burst of rain... As always, whilst on "Slow Down", we went around the BGC area, strolling, shopping, eating... connecting with our families over a long table... with our favorite dishes and desserts... Our "Slow Down" continued on the next day...still cloudy... Did some more explorations... but not much... we had some unplanned event... something emergent... a wrinkle in the plan that needs attention... Next day, still cloudy... but better... We had a great breakfast on the 21st floor... more strolling,…

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Sep

21

2023

By Clarence Galapon

See You Again, Sydney, Australia! Hello Manila, BGC!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Day 5. Sydney, Australia seems like saying goodbye to us... as I looked out our room's window -- in the morning of our flight back to Manila (MNL) -- I noticed that the weather was not sunny... it was cloudy. I looked down below -- as I was looking out our window -- and I saw the Convention station... quite empty and alone... We looked around the room for the last time... making sure we did not leave anything valuable before we check-out from our hotel room. We took an Uber ride to the airport... very convenient these Uber rides.…

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Sep

21

2023

By Clarence Galapon

A Night To Remember

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

What are the chances of us (family) watching in person a 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup game in Sydney, Australia? From Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. to the Sydney Olympic Stadium (where the 2000 Olympic Games was held) located at the Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia? Yes, two opposite sides (and hemispheres) of the world! Not only a long way away but we also have to bring our winter clothes (i.e., summer in the USA and the Philippines, Winter in Australia). A lot of things have had to happen for us to be watching live in person the quarter-finals match between…

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Sep

19

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Meet-Up With Special Friends

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart -- Unknown 25 years! That's how long we've been away from Sydney, Australia... our other home. 25 years -- that's how long we've not seen, in person, our true longtime friends... and can't wait to see them again. Once you have someone special, you want to see them again. Today is that day to see them again! We've planned (together with our friends) our meet-up way before our trip to the Philippines and Sydney. Can you imagine our excitement? It was high up there. So super excited to…

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Sep

18

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Chinatown, Sydney Piecafe, and Paddy’s Market… One More Time

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Ah... day 4 ! As always, every morning, I look out the window of our room... and I exclaim: "What a beautiful sunny morning!" When you see something special, you want to see it again. That is today's theme! We've got to see, again: Chinatown Paddy's Market Sydney Piecafe But first, power breakfast! Then... Chinatown...it is different during daytime... not as vibrant as nighttime... Look at what we saw: another "2023 FIFA World Cup" poster! Then... we went to Paddy's Market... we bought some more stuff... Then... of course... Sydney Piecafe! Delicious!!! Key Idea: When you see something special, you…

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Sep

17

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Planning Is Essential

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

My wife is great at planning -- very intentional when she is designing our trips. However, she is also amenable to emergent things. That’s the balance we need in every trip: balance the intentional and the emergent things. Fundamentally, on all our trips, we keep planning and re-planning (due to emergent things) and adjusting with our eyes fixed on our objectives. Today’s objectives: Photoshoot by the Opera House -- yes, our daughter, Lily, is an accomplished classical ballet level 5 dancer The Rocks Ken Done Art Gallery at The Rocks Shopping Objectives. achieved! And we added things unplanned for --…

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Sep

16

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Australian Meat Pie!!!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

The first time that I was at Capitol station, I saw something that captured my attention. Sydney Piecafe! It was not open yet at that time ... too early (8 AM). The night before, my wife showed me a list of the best places to buy a meat pie... and on that list is Sydney Piecafe ! Little did I know that I would stumble upon Sydney Piecafe the next day when, out of curiosity, I embarked on an unplanned little "adventure" (see previous topic -- "Be Curious"). I told my wife about Sydney Piecafe when I returned to Novotel…

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Sep

15

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Be Curious

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Day three... another sunny day! Early morning sunrise…view from our room. As I looked around, I noticed something... there is a tram station just by our hotel! It is the Convention Station! "I have to check this out...now!" I said to myself. I took the lift (elevator) down to the station. Then, I went to the Convention station's platform... I looked around. And there I saw, again, a poster of the 2023 FIFA World Cup -- which is on-going during our visit. and more info... about the tram route... there I saw that we are just three stops to Chinatown.…

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Sep

15

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Fish And Chips In Bondi Beach

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

An outstanding view of the city greeted us on day two! Sunny Sydney, here we come! "Ichi-go Ichi-e"! Bondi Beach is our focal point... and eating Fish and Chips overlooking the Beach. Bondi Beach is renowned for its relaxed, beachside atmosphere. It’s a place where sun, surfing, and seafood converge. The combination of whitish-golden sand, clear blue ocean, crashing waves, and a thriving local food scene, to me, makes it the perfect backdrop for enjoying a classic plate of fish and chips! After taking a lot of pictures and basking under the sun, we looked around for places to buy…

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Sep

14

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Tap-On, Tap-Off

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

One tiny bit of a dread that I had before going to Australia was transportation. That dread went away fast... in less than a day! Transport from  the airport to our hotel... dread disappeared with Uber! Transportation for ferries, buses, trams, and trains...yup... that too... gone with "Tap-On, Tap-Off"! We tried the "Tap-On, Tap-Off" on day one as we took the ferry to Manly Beach. We just used our credit cards... we did the "Tap-On" before we boarded... and when off-boarded, we did not have to "Tap-Off" because the system knows there is no further trip. What about buses, you…

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Sep

12

2023

By Clarence Galapon

What A Day!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

We landed on Sydney Airport (SYD -- Kingsford Smith International) early in the morning around 8 AM. Took an Uber ride to our Hotel (Novotel at Darling Harbour). At Novotel, the receptionist was gracious enough to let us in to our room (3PM is the check in time, we were there almost 10 AM!). We asked for a room with a view of the Harbour... here is how the view  looked like from our window...with the Sydney Tower ... As you can see, there are improvements going on... which is great. Darling Harbour turned 35 on May 4, 2023, and…

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Sep

12

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Travel

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” — Mark Twain Mark Twain's statement left an indelible mark on our consciousness. Hence we value travelling a lot. To broaden our views of people and things. We plan our travels in a meaningful way -- so it is more memorable. years ago, on the year when our son is 16 years old, we (the whole family) went…

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Sep

10

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Hello, Australia!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Australia — the land down-under. The lucky country. Vision of us visiting Australia has been with us for a long time. Now…with this trip we get to realize that vision… Key idea: visualize the goal. Make it happen with a vision that is clear, concise, consistent, compelling, and committed. There are many other ideas like this — short but sweet ideas —  in my new book, ‘SAFe (6.0) Is like …’ . It is available on Amazon… and it has reached ‘# 1 New Release’ several times! Check it out.

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Sep

09

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Another “Slow Down”

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Our strategy for multiple trips is to have time to "slow down" in-between trips. Slowing down acts as an "Oasis" in-between trip. “Slow Down" is invigorating. Keeps us fresh and ready -- full of energy, curiosity. and excitement -- for the upcoming trip. It is also a time for us to prepare and plan ahead. It is also an opportunity for us to have more visit time with our families in the Philippines. Time also to walkaround, drive around, shop, and eat. One of my favorite fast-food places is Jollibee. I was pleasantly entertained by just watching their automated food…

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Sep

08

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Seda — As Smooth and Luxurious As Silk

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Addressing the challenges in the hotel industry requires understanding of the needs of its customers and what they value during their stay … and for customers flying in: upon their arrival at the airport and departure from the hotel to the airport. There are a lot of types of customers… but addressing or optimizing the experience of only one type won’t cut it… the whole entirety of types of customers must be optimized. Seda hotel's management, leadership,  and staff must understand their larger aim… the whole… not in parts. Their aim is on its name … Seda. To provide smooth and…

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Sep

07

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Ichi-go Ichi-e — Make Every Moment A Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In our trip to Pagudpud, we've seen and experienced a lot. To us, every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime kind-of-thing... will not happen again... it is fleeting... it is something to cherish, value... and seize! So, we did! We tried to see, photograph, and experience as much as we could in 1 day. And many more... Looking back, I'm glad that we've carved up some time to go to Pagudpud -- located at the North side of the Philippines... and slowed down along the way to see, photograph, and experience a lot of wonderful places (and its people) as we went…

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Sep

06

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Relentless Improvement: Kaizen and Kaikaku

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

One of the 4 Core Values in SAFe is 'Relentless Improvement'. Wherein improvements could be a series of small and gradual changes (Kaizen). Or... Improvement could be a huge drastic change (Kaikaku). Examples of places I saw that are currently in the decline and needing a huge drastic change (Kaikaku) -- small and gradual improvements (Kaizen) won't cut it: Fort Ilocandia Resort (FIR). Its location is idyllic: near the beach…and it is a serene place. FIR was built in 1983. FIR was magnificent back then. Today, I think, it should be reimagined... to be like Anvaya Cove, maybe? Ninoy Aquino…

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Sep

05

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Prioritization Is Key

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Our one reason why we went to Pagudpud is to swim in its calm and clear ocean waters and enjoy the white sands. Well… we were able to do that… but we did not have enough time to enjoy the beach! Why? Poor prioritization. In this case, it is due to poor sequencing of ‘places’ to visit. Along the way to the beaches at Pagudpud, there are lots of beautiful places … that were beckoning for us to visit…tempting… so we did! But the visits reduced our swim time — we had only 1 full day at Pagudpud. What we…

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Sep

04

2023

By Clarence Galapon

The Long Drive To Pagudpud

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

One of the 10 SAFe Lean Agile Principles is "Make value flow without interruptions". If your Value Stream (has "Steps to Value") contains a lot of flow decelerators (i.e., non-value-add steps, bottlenecks, processes that are taking unnecessarily long, etc.), then the flow of value is negatively impacted -- due to too many interruptions to flow -- and so are the customers (i.e., the Wait time (Lead time) -- for them to have the value in their hands--  is longer than need be). The same is true in life... interruption to flow is a waste! Example: interruptions to flow of value,…

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Sep

03

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

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Sep

02

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Terraza De Punta Fuego Resort, Batangas

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Rainy morning greeted us as we geared up for a 2-day trip. A trip for family bonding! My sisters (I have three sisters) and their respective families planned for a two-day bonding time with all of us at Terraza De Punta Fuego Resort, Batangas... not too far away from Manila -- around 4-hour drive due to heavy traffic (2-hour drive without traffic). They rented a house. I love road trips and the food stops along the way. It was foggy and rainy. The first food stop -- for lunch on our way to Punta Fuego -- was a gastronomic delight!…

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Sep

01

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

For context, we stayed at Bonifacio Global City (commonly called BGC). BGC is a financial business district in Taguig, Metro Manila. BGC is a super modern city. Much more modern than Charlotte, North Carolina (the second largest financial center in the U.S.A. -- next to New York City). It very walkable and more convenient than the Ballantyne Area in North Carolina. I know this for sure... my family and I live in the Ballantyne Area in Charlotte, North Carolina. The hotel that we stayed in at BGC is called Seda BGC. We stayed in their luxury suites -- we liked…

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Aug

31

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Arrived! Hello, Again, Manila, Philippines!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Whew! At last, we arrived in Manila (MNL). A lot of things to be grateful and thankful for. Some of the many are the following: Grateful that our planes (all three legs) did not crash! Thank you, pilots! We arrived healthy (remember COVID-19?). Our individual carry-ons that were "taken away" from us -- at the ATL departure gate -- were there at the carousel! Can you imagine me going through our travel without my medicines due to "lost baggage"? Whew, what a relief! And a lot more to be grateful and thankful for! “Enjoy the moment… “I always tell that…

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Aug

30

2023

By Clarence Galapon

Incheon Airport Flow and Asiana Airlines

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Incheon Airport has good and bad flow of traffic. The good -- not every airport got this good: Only people with passports (and boarding passes for follow-up check) can get through the international gates area. Passports are first checked via a scanner -- no one else to assist... fully automated. We had to go through a "passport scanner" for the second time later as we went through security/immigration process. I like automation a lot -- it increases flow and "Poka-Yoke" -- it is a Japanese term that means "mistake-proofing" or "error prevention". The bad -- and every airport got this…

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Aug

29

2023

By Clarence Galapon

13 Hours to Incheon, South Korea

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

First leg: from CLT (Charlotte) to ATL (Atlanta) -- about 1 hour flight time (in the evening -- took a picture of the sunset from 35,000 feet)! The layover at ATL was about 5 hours. By the way, the 5-hour layover, surprisingly, was exactly right; ATL is a huge and busy airport with lots of people to process. Second leg: from ATL to ICN (Incheon, South Korea) -- about 13 hours flight time. Took off from ATL at just past 1 AM! There were no open stores at the ATL airport at this time... just vending machines. Bottled water from…

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