Alumni tour to Okinawa

As a relative newcomer to Hong Kong the alumni Okinawa tour was a great introduction to an unfamiliar (for me) and relaxing part of Japan. There was a strong feeling of shared experience amongst the small group. I was the only non Cantonese speaker but everyone made me really welcome. Our tour guide Ray had a seemingly endless source of entertaining and informative stories. At the end we sang a farewell song which ended in “Sayonana” (or maybe it was our pronunciation of Sayonara?) and it was a shame that it came to an end so quickly after only three nights away. A big thanks to Jason, Maurice, Evan, Annabel and all the others who made it possible!

Prof. Brian King

This is my first visit to Japan, what a fantastic trip! Everything in Okinawa are awesome. I have to express my sincere thanks to the committee members to organise this invaluable tour. Hotel visit and special dining area were nicely arranged in this tour which were exclusive to SHTMAA members. I am happy to meet a group of new friends, all of us like something difference from other tour! Last but not least, I am sure there will be another success in the next alumni tour organised by SHTMAA.

Bart Chiu

What an impressive trip to Okinawa 2014 in my life! Apart from excellent food and beverage as well as smooth accommodation and transportation, interesting and interactive activities were well arranged throughout the trip. I was so delightful to meet some of the alumni members and we shared experiences and had a great lot of fun together. Compliment to the Chairman and to the committee member who involved in organizing such a wonderful and meaningful activity for our members. I look forward to seeing more of this kind in future.

Tommy Lau

Without exception, this year’s trip to Okinawa is another unforgettable experience. Our group, with died hard fans plus a few new wine and blow water legs, created all the fun and laughter along the way. We are all thankful to our Chairman Maurice and Jason for all the wonderful arrangements. We all were able to see, feel, touch and taste the thoughtfulness and effort they put up in making this trip successful.

The first nice surprise is the Kafuu Resort. In addition to a balcony with 180 degree sea view, the sitting and dinner areas, 4 double beds, there is also a little pantry! The drive along the beautiful coast is so pleasant that it took all my work stress away. The seaside next to the super large aquarium is simply stunning. You can tell from the photos in the video.

Most of our group mates returned home with a bigger tummy, despite our trying to swim away some of the calories. The 100% Japanese buffet with DIY hot pot, famous Agu shabu to go with the warm hearted lady owner’s recommended chili Mori sake sauce, plus the Motobu wagyu, all are irresistible temptations!

The educational and eye opening visits to the local food manufacturers are very unique. Our learning experience was even enriched with taste buds enjoyment. Not only did we do more than 10 different Awa Mori sake tasting in one visit, grubbing a few different Orion beers in one go, we had also tried two very special ice-creams, umibudo (sea grapes) and Nutima salt. After 4 sunny days, you may notice some of us, even guys, came back instead with a whiter face or hands, thanks to the silk salt scrubbing.

My favourite, no doubt is the encounter with the dolphins. We all were so hyper when we first touched the cute creatures. Those games we ran with the dolphins are simple yet, so enjoyable. We were like kids playing water with our beloved pets….SO HAPPY! We of course maintained our alumni culture of holding blow water party some evenings. In addition to info updating, we also had a little debate re the World Cup winner this year! As usual, the wine legs demonstrated their full support in this occasion. Me as a major learner devoted most of my time enjoying the non-stop supply of snacks from all participants….GREAT fun!

All in all, this trip brings great fun, good food, interesting learning, wonderful experience and happiness, all in a ‘hea’ mode. We are already looking forward to the next!

Queeny Mak

Lee Kum Kee Visit

The day trip to Lee Kum Kee visit was well organized and eye-boggling. We saw over 2,000 huge soy sauce fermentation tanks, each with 60 tons storage capacity. They looked like thousands of oil tanks built in a petrochemical plant when we toured the site on golf carts. The Xinhui factory in Guangdong produces 220,000 tones of soy sauce per annum and is expected to double its capacity in the next three years. The high-speed assembly line was dust-free and impressive. LKK is recognized as the icon for Chinese sauces and is ubiquitous globally. Its tight control on both the upstream and downstream supply chain has helped LKK to meet the most stringent requirement of Japanese clients, Disneyland HK and the Astronaut Center of China.

Its core value of “Si Li Ji Ren or put others first before yourself” in a harmonious working environment has enabled the 126-year old LKK to transform smoothly from a local family business into a multinational enterprise. It became one of the most famous household brands in Chinese condiments and sauces. Employees are motivated to perform with “pragmatism, integrity and constant entrepreneurship”.

LKK is 100% privately owned and is managed by the fourth generation of its founder Mr. Lee Kum Sheung. This unique family management structure (creation of the Family Council and Family Assembly) will define the roles and tasks for each family members and this design enhances communication, cooperation and unity within the family. We wish the family every success in passing the legendary LKK brand to the fifth generation.

Thanks to SHTMAA, we had a very inspiring day and learning experience in LKK factory.

Lawrence Lo

Soya Sauce, one of the essential condiments in every HK family! We use it every day in our dishes! However, I never thought that I have a chance to visit their plant in Xinhui, China, which was organized by SHTMAA.

The tour indeed was short (fun time always goes fast!) but full of information. I did appreciate the tour was led by Raymond Tse, Director – Food Service and Innovative Sales Channels. Raymond greeted us upon landing in Zhuhai port. He also showed us around by using golf cars – this allowed us to see the fermentation containers. Moreover, he explained the production process, quality assurance procedures, with a vivid presentation, prepared games to arouse our interests and finally to surprise us with the LKK souvenir.

Alumni always organize happy hours, interest class and this time is a factory visit! This was something out of my expectation and a very useful and fulfilled tour.

Dilys Ko

Would you like to share with us for recent alumni activities you participated? We look forward to hearing more from you! Please send your articles to: evan.mak@polyu.edu.hk.