Thursday, May 29, 2008

Sumantri - Ideation - I did make the difference






















Ideation - I make the difference by Sumantri. Madinah Al Munawarah 23 May 2008. Sumantri " Qullu Yaumm Fee Hadiah! Said one of my co-worker in Arabic means I " every day got gifts!". Every little gifts I received from our in-house guest as in peanuts, an apple, a banana, just a piece of chocolate, candies or just a simple kiss of appreciation from my guest and they even look for me at the reception just to say salam which something that I felt so meaningful. Yes those every little gift was small but I accepted it as an appreciation and a thank you from my guests to me.The hotel is running 80 % occupied and about 500 pilgrims staying in the hotel for performance Umrah everyday. The Iranian group will fill out the hotel until Ramadhan. Pilgrims coming from different countries, ages, social level and knowledge but for me they are all my guests and nevertheless they are all the same to me whom I pay my full responsibility and attention to taking care of each and everyone of the pilgrims.Ms. Maryam Kordogli, one of the in-house. She was touched and appreciated when i took the initiative to clear the lift by stopping other guests to enter so that to allow Ms. Maryam and her mother with wheelchair the priority to use the elevator first. For me, my spontaneous action towards elderly is my priority something that we do in everyday life but to Ms. Maryam, This youngbwomen graduate from law university was very impressed with my attitude and my action. From then, she always stop at the reception desk to say Salam and suppringly she invited me to Teheran to visit them, InsyAllah. Then I said ' can I bring my wife? She remain smile while confirming to say ' Your wife!' then she say no problem while writing her addressMr. Sayid an 80 years old man. He came to the reception brought me his pair of broken frame spectacles. He asked me to help him to fix it. Without any hesitation even though I don't understand he was trying to tell me in Parsi, but I do understand his sign language so I just grabbed a small wire that nearest from where i stood and fix them for him. I thought he was not pleased with the result because the colour of his spectacle in black and the wire was in red! He looked on..then laughed and he gave me his kisses three time one at the left and two at the right. After that he always brought me fruits from his dinner. Whatever it is, I appreciate it very much.An other old man came to reception desk every sholat time too and he always ask what time is it, I took the initiative again to offered him assistance to changed his watch from Iran time to Madinah time, after then he always come to reception to bring me along with him praying at the Masjid.An older lady came to me at the reception desk asked to fix her wheelchair. Immediately, I intercom the maintenance to fixed it but for a while, this lady and the maintenance came back to me and said that the wheelchair cannot be repaired, it has to be changed with new ones’. So then I told her that she can use other wheelchair provided that to put it back after used at the lobby. She was very happy and pleased with this solution. From then she always drop me candies at the front desk.Mr. Moctar a retired Iran Arm Forces personal. Gives me doa all the time when I met him. His words of blessing to me “ May Allah gives you a very good career and happiness always be with you InsyAllah " he said. It all starts with just a piece of photocopy paper, Mr. Moctar now always remember me. Here how we met. One day he came to me asked for assistance if he could have the list of pilgrim names to be photocopied. So I just make the copy as requested and gave it to him and give him a generous smile. Mr. Moctar was was impressed. First of all, for Mr. Moctar, the important document that he requested to photocopy is needed urgently, so the moment when he requested and with the quick respond and action taken, that mean a lot to Mr. Moctar even thought it is just a piece of copy paper but it is valuable for him.Another special guest old man. He came to reception complaints that his wash basin was block and his air conditioning not functioning. He was talking in “Parsi language” which I do not understand. Then the Iranian committee member of his group explained to me very detail that what he saying are complaints. Without any hesitation, I quickly went to his room together with him. I have sense the problems. I feel like laughing to myself when think about it. Anyway, I kept quite all the way, when I come to see the problem in his room. With courtesy and politeness, I gently explained to him to open up the cover to drain water away from the wash basin otherwise the water remains there. I also explained to him that always insert his key card inside the electronic key card holder provided in order to keep the automatic electronic air-conditioning running inside the room, once the key card discharge from the holder, the air-conditioning will automatically shot down. Then he keeps laughing! Maybe he realized then after all is just that simple to solve the problems. Then he gives me a big kiss of Thank you. From then this special guest always stop by at reception desk just to Salam to me only and sometime he touch my face.Another special guest name Parsaneh Syede ,he own a carpet company in Iran I have done nothing that I think extra ordinary, but for this rich man, he could be too impressed of how I handle Iranians with a tiny little problem, he just like to observed me how I deal with all pilgrims from Iran. He said to me, “you are very good man InsyAllah you will come to Iran” .and so I said “Khudafest...khdafets mean Ma'a salamah or so long or see you again” to Mr. Seyede while shaking his hand and with all Iranian men pilgrims. May Iranian people be Blessed by Allah. Amien. There more nice story that i will keep for my self.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Sumantri -Culinary Experience- Chinese food in Saudi




Culinary Experience- Chinese food in Saudi by Sumantri. Jeddah kingdom of Saudi Arabia 22 February 2008. Chinese Golden Palace restaurant located at central city of Jeddah Saudi Arabia. The restaurant provide variety of Chinese cuisine. Huge, elegant,exclusive and formal restaurant that how experienced. Mr Mohammed bin Hareez brought me there to accompany his business partner Mr.Sanjay and his son for dinner. 7 dishes were order huge number of food for 4 people, from Chinese fried rice,noodle,chicken and seafood. Surprisingly the tease was similar with palace restaurant in Madinah. Influence Arabic and indian flavor in blend in the cuisine. It was new experience enjoying Chinese food in Jeddah. I thank you to Mr.Mohd Harez , Mr.Sanjay and his son
























Sumantri - Ideation - Umrah and Hajj Travel agent































Ideation - Umrah and Hajj Travel agent by Sumantri. Madinah 26 May 2008.
Travel agent for Umrah and Hajj from South East Asia may need to learn from Iranian tarvel agent how they handle their pilgrims of Umrah. The committees are available 24 hours at the lobby they were form into the following category and in charge and been assigned according the task . There is one person in charge for housekeeping, He will make sure the rooms is cleaned before arrival, the supplies of room amenities is there. Toilet all are working that include TV, air conditioning and other things in the room.

Check in and check out, there is one person in charge to make sure that the rooms allocation are correct, language is have people to carry, key card is working, hotel adress card is available as well as transportation is available.

Operator, this is fantastic they even have operator, hotel provided multi function handset telephone so he can transfer to the rooms require, hotel operator require only to say " daftar Irani? Means reception Irani after hotel greeting. Food and Beverage when pick up the hotel phone.

One person control the supplies and readiness of food and beverage. This person also often having meal early there is a purpose to do that first is that the way it work you eat first otherwise will no time to eat, second is to test a readiness and freshness of the food and third is to be at the restaurant is will help to check cleanliness.

Hotel information and Madinah information

Huge map of Madinah available at the lobby huge lay out of hotel include room number is also attached at the lobby area. Clock in Iranian and Madinah time clearly seen at reception area. Do and don’t in hotel madinah information are also available.All the comittee always helpful o assist all pilgrims doesn't matter what caused.

Check in work flow.
As soon as the pilgrims arrive a chill juice will be given upon arrival as welcome drink. Two committe member will great at the front of the lobby entrance. After all pilgrims arrived at the lobby briefing on hotel facilities and how to use key card start. Briefing containts of 2 things. first is hotel facilities, the represntative of comittee member will tell where to get food, information,how to use key card, which elevator is nearest to guestroom and way to haram. The second subject is what do and don't. After completed briefing then follow distribute the key card. The name tag of indiviadual are given and compulsary hang on the nect, stated name,hotel name and room number as well as telephone. When distibuting the key we just follow the room number according to name tag. Additional hotel also given hotel address card to slip in inside the tag. The hotel address card is completed with map and address as well as telephone number.
Check out procedure
All pilgrims will be informed must be at the lobby 45 menutes prior checked out, this 45 menutes will be used for handed the key card, doa and taking own lagguge to the bus. Before leaving the hotel all comittee will be line up to farewel all pilgrims.





Sumantri-Culinary experience - Madinah BBQ stall


























Culinary experience - Madinah BBQ stall by Sumantri. Madinah 26 May 2008. Located 5 minutes drive from Masjid Nabawi, at Qurban street you find a many restaurants. This area famous for fish and BBQ dish. During lunch



time this place will be packed and busy. We spent our lunch time here, the choice of barbecue lamp,meat and swarma were our selected of dish that afternoon, accompany with fresh bread and yogurt and fresh tomato sauce. Its was great lunch experience i have. I thank you Ahmad and Sultan





Sumantri-Culinary experience - Arabian dessert,KONAFATI







Culinary experience -KONAFATI by Sumantri,Madinah Al Munawarah 25 May 2008. One of popular dessert in Saudi is konafati taste sweet very sweet available in every Arab restaurant in Madinah. Konafi serve fresh all the time, only when you buy then they will cook for you. For diabetes people may not recommend cause sugar contain is high but for dessert fans accompany with tea or coffee without sugar will perfect blend in your mouth.



Sumantri - Ideation - I did make the difference





























Ideation - I make the difference by Sumantri. Madinah Al Munawarah 23 May 2008. Sumantri " Qullu Yaumm Fee Hadiah! Said one of my co-worker in Arabic means I " every day got gifts!". Every little gifts I received from our in-house guest as in peanuts, an apple, a banana, just a piece of chocolate, candies or just a simple kiss of appreciation from my guest and they even look for me at the reception just to say salam which something that I felt so meaningful. Yes those every little gift was small but I accepted it as an appreciation and a thank you from my guests to me.
The hotel is running 80 % occupied and about 500 pilgrims staying in the hotel for performance Umrah everyday. The Iranian group will fill out the hotel until Ramadhan. Pilgrims coming from different countries, ages, social level and knowledge but for me they are all my guests and nevertheless they are all the same to me whom I pay my full responsibility and attention to taking care of each and everyone of the pilgrims.
Ms. Maryam Kordogli, one of the in-house. She was touched and appreciated when i took the initiative to clear the lift by stopping other guests to enter so that to allow Ms. Maryam and her mother with wheelchair the priority to use the elevator first. For me, my spontaneous action towards elderly is my priority something that we do in everyday life but to Ms. Maryam, This youngbwomen graduate from law university was very impressed with my attitude and my action. From then, she always stop at the reception desk to say Salam and suppringly she invited me to Teheran to visit them, InsyAllah. Then I said ' can I bring my wife? She remain smile while confirming to say ' Your wife!' then she say no problem while writing her address
Mr. Sayid an 80 years old man. He came to the reception brought me his pair of broken frame spectacles. He asked me to help him to fix it. Without any hesitation even though I don't understand he was trying to tell me in Parsi, but I do understand his sign language so I just grabbed a small wire that nearest from where i stood and fix them for him. I thought he was not pleased with the result because the colour of his spectacle in black and the wire was in red! He looked on..then laughed and he gave me his kisses three time one at the left and two at the right. After that he always brought me fruits from his dinner. Whatever it is, I appreciate it very much.
An other old man came to reception desk every sholat time too and he always ask what time is it, I took the initiative again to offered him assistance to changed his watch from Iran time to Madinah time, after then he always come to reception to bring me along with him praying at the Masjid.

An older lady came to me at the reception desk asked to fix her wheelchair. Immediately, I intercom the maintenance to fixed it but for a while, this lady and the maintenance came back to me and said that the wheelchair cannot be repaired, it has to be changed with new ones’. So then I told her that she can use other wheelchair provided that to put it back after used at the lobby. She was very happy and pleased with this solution. From then she always drop me candies at the front desk.

Mr. Moctar a retired Iran Arm Forces personal. Gives me doa all the time when I met him. His words of blessing to me “ May Allah gives you a very good career and happiness always be with you InsyAllah " he said. It all starts with just a piece of photocopy paper, Mr. Moctar now always remember me. Here how we met. One day he came to me asked for assistance if he could have the list of pilgrim names to be photocopied. So I just make the copy as requested and gave it to him and give him a generous smile. Mr. Moctar was was impressed. First of all, for Mr. Moctar, the important document that he requested to photocopy is needed urgently, so the moment when he requested and with the quick respond and action taken, that mean a lot to Mr. Moctar even thought it is just a piece of copy paper but it is valuable for him.

Another special guest old man. He came to reception complaints that his wash basin was block and his air conditioning not functioning. He was talking in “Parsi language” which I do not understand. Then the Iranian committee member of his group explained to me very detail that what he saying are complaints. Without any hesitation, I quickly went to his room together with him. I have sense the problems. I feel like laughing to myself when think about it. Anyway, I kept quite all the way, when I come to see the problem in his room. With courtesy and politeness, I gently explained to him to open up the cover to drain water away from the wash basin otherwise the water remains there. I also explained to him that always insert his key card inside the electronic key card holder provided in order to keep the automatic electronic air-conditioning running inside the room, once the key card discharge from the holder, the air-conditioning will automatically shot down. Then he keeps laughing! Maybe he realized then after all is just that simple to solve the problems. Then he gives me a big kiss of Thank you. From then this special guest always stop by at reception desk just to Salam to me only and sometime he touch my face.
Another special guest name Parsaneh Syede ,he own a carpet company in Iran I have done nothing that I think extra ordinary, but for this rich man, he could be too impressed of how I handle Iranians with a tiny little problem, he just like to observed me how I deal with all pilgrims from Iran. He said to me, “you are very good man InsyAllah you will come to Iran” .and so I said “Khudafest...khdafets mean Ma'a salamah or so long or see you again” to Mr. Seyede while shaking his hand and with all Iranian men pilgrims. May Iranian people be Blessed by Allah. Amien. There more nice story that i will keep for my self.


Friday, May 23, 2008

Sumantri - Travel Experience - Mount UHUD






















Travel Experience - Mount UHUD by Sumantri. Madinah Al Munawara 23 May 2008. Sultan our dear friend brought me to this historical site of Mount UHUD, Located 5 km from city of Madinah. It was very blessing able to sit at the rock and cave where the propet Mohamed lead the beatle n this Mt.Uhud.












Mt. Uhud is the name of a mountain near Medina. It was the site of the second battle between Muslim and Meccan forces. The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625 CE, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina, in what is now north-western Arabia, and a force from Mecca. The Battle of Uhud (Arabic: غزوة أحد‎) was fought on 23 March 625 (3 Shawwal 3 AH in the Islamic calendar) at Mount Uhud, in what is now north-western Arabia.[1] It occurred between a force from the Muslim community of Medina led by Muhammad, and a force led by Abu Sufyan from Mecca, the town from which many of the Muslims had previously emigrated (hijra). The Battle of Uhud was the second military encounter between the Meccans and the Muslims, preceded by the Battle of Badr in 624, where a small Muslim army had defeated the larger Meccan army. Marching out from Mecca towards Medina on 11 March 625, the Meccans desired to avenge their losses at Badr and strike back at Muhammad. The Muslims readied for war soon afterwards and the two armies fought on the slopes and plains of Uhud.
Whilst heavily outnumbered, the Muslims gained the early initiative and forced the Meccan lines back, thus leaving much of the Meccan camp unprotected. As the Muslims left their assigned posts to despoil the Meccan camp, a surprise attack from the Meccan cavalry brought chaos to the Muslim ranks. Many Muslims were killed, and they withdrew up the slopes of Uhud. The Meccans did not pursue the Muslims further, but marched back to Mecca declaring victory. For the Muslims, the battle was a significant setback: although they had been close to routing the Meccans a second time, their desire for the Meccan spoils reaped severe consequences. The two armies would meet again in 627, at the Battle of the Trenc ( taken from wikipedia)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sumantri-Culinary Experince - Chinese Food in holy city of Madinah
















Chinese Food in holy city of Madinah by Sumantri. Madinah Al Munawarah February 2008. Sultan our dear friend was brought me to experince chinese cuisine. The restaurant name is Chinese Palace Restaurant located at outside markaziah area of holy city Madinah. You need to go by car to reach that place. Having a chinese food is something special in Madinah not much choice and Chinese Palace restaurant is the only one serve proper chinese food. The restaurant promised a chinese feeling the moment you step into the dinning hall you will feel
chinese einviroment. Interior of reastaurant,decoration, red color,table and china were abselutly creating chinese feeling. Our dinner were great order fried rice,sweet and sour fish,fried chicken with mushroom and chap choy. Its cost SR 300 for four persons or approxemetly SR 75 per person which consider very expensive to have four dish of chinese food. However having chinese food is a special and very VIP in Madinah. I thank you again to Sultan who brought me there and i have a great accompany with kahleed and Dr.Shamee

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Sumantri - Ideation - Sincere hospitality







Ideation - Sincere hospitality by Sumantri. Madinah Al Munawarah 17 May 2008. Al Rashied Grande Orchid Hotel - Madinah Al Munawarah - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the hotel may not provided a services such as fruit basket upon arrival, good night chocolate during turn down service or staff member to great the guest by name, or even cold or hot towel during arrival. No daily newspaper available in the guestroom, no Seattle bus drop and pick to and from shopping mall. Those were mentioned is a must when i worked in Asia.






Pilgrims is a special customers.



There are 6 the most important things that i can observed to served pilgrims customers.






NO 1 Comfortable guestroom that included a comfortable bed and comfortable bathroom this is a must Umrah or Hajj is physically ibadah there are so many physically activity done during that period. To have a great sleep is something compulsory to support the succeed of umrah and hajj activity.



NO 2. Familiar Food and Beverage thus a large of space to dine. Most of pilgrims will look for his familiar food and they will eat the same time, imagine if the space is not enough its will take 3 hours probably to completed one time meal, so you u better make sure that you will have a food that your customer familiar with and reduce the Que time by organized and driving the Que.






NO 3. Safety and Faster Elevator is a crucial. You will have a problem 5 times a day if your elevator can not load can be covered your customer. Every day during praying time is a busy time for elevator. Don't make your customer angry caused of stuck inside the elevator. Don't make them disappointed caused elevator stuck somewhere in the floor. Highly recommended to have expert stand by from the elevator company otherwise/unless 24 hours available on call basis.






NO 4. Express check in and express check out. The time will not tolerance the situation you must make zero error when execute check in and check out procedure. It is more simple than business hotel 4 things are the most important when check in procedure apply ( Luggage handling,key distribution,rooms readiness and passport handling ). Please note : Most of umrah and hajj pilgrims customer not require to sign registration form and no transaction are require either. Pre-billing settlement is a must.






NO 5. Sincere hospitality. Wraps it up te experience with your sincere hospitality. Those 4 factors mentioned above will not be completed without your sincere hospitality. Sincere hospitality means you got to be sabar, you got to be helpful, you got to be reactive, you got to be amanah and last not least you got to be honest. A simple story may make an illustration of what is sincere hospitality will be easier to understand. You have perfectly made keys card with zero error. The keys card completely working no doubt at all. You have tested and you believe and sure all keys are executed perfectly. After handed all the keys to your guests you fill great caused no one come to you desk asking and telling that the key is not working. Opss suddenly 3 hours after check in times 10 guests or even more come to your desk telling that the key is not working in the same time. This is the time when sincere hospitality is used. If you not sincere you say in the polite way that Haji I have tested my self that the key is working. Or you say ' IMPOSSIBLE' That will be many sentenced that will try to confirm that you absolutely right. Here's the cases, you have to open all the possibilities of caused this matter, maybe your customers doesn't know how to open the door this matter is the most common other caused of course you have to consider. So be sincere be sabar when handle all pilgrims.

N0 6 Hotel should have respond team, respond to any request or respond to any need of pilgrims, attending the request and solving the complaint. If this 6 points as a basic you have InsyAllah will be smooth your operation if you have more than will be perfect.






Monday, May 19, 2008

Sumantri - Ideation - Polishing Machine


Ideation - Polishing Machine. Al Madinah Al Munawarah, 25 May 2008.Photo shown is polishing machine. This is similiar function with 168 rpm 17" or 43 cm working width low speed single and double disc machine of buffing,shampooing or crystalizatio of the floor. But this is huge size large capacity. This machine will often seen at Haram or Masjid Nabawi, the same function like in the hotel to clean,buff and polish the floor. You will see every day 3 polishing trucks polishing granite together.