So, let´s say you are a large multi-national software company about to launch your most strategic new product in years. You arrange a huge press event in New York for September, pick a good demo guy (that would be me), and plan dress rehearsal… something to test everything – people, flow, infrastructure, nerves – where are you going to go? Well, as per my previous postcards, India seemed like a good location to tackle all these.

After swearing it would take years for me to set foot for a third time in India, the gods were against me and I grudgingly applied for the visa and dragged myself to the plane. The reasons why India is not my #1 holiday destination became apparent the moment the plane doors were opened - It was just past midnight and it was 33°c outside – the heat pervaded the plane.

The hotel looked OK though, but again skin deep. As I blearily plugged in my PC, the socket crackled alarmingly and that electrical spark indicative of bad wiring flashed alarmingly. The towels were not exactly clean, and then there was that mysterious, somewhat disturbing, clear plastic jug that is ubiquitous in every Indian toilet. And then the lights went out.

To ensure a constant power supply, the following morning 6 huge diesel generator trucks had magically appeared and our backstage area had spawned an interesting and dangerous looking rickety rack of 32 car batteries to “even out the supply” – the rack had its own supervisor. The number of staff in the hotel was staggering – walking in to a tiny, supposedly quite restroom, there was always at least one man lurking around ready to greet you and hand you a paper towel. Two people were dedicated door openers, it took 7 people to plug in a cable on stage. On one occasion I was greeted 7 times walking from my room to the lobby.

But the India rehearsal went well and we started to prepare for the main event at the Nokia Theater on Times Square in New York. The trip started well, a Singapore Airlines flight, with a nice limo picking me up from the airport, to take me to the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. The hotel Web page shows amazing views out towards the Statue of Liberty – with in-room telescopes. I was, however, assigned a “town side” view, for which I did not need a telescope to take in the breath taking view of the dumpsters.

From my arrival, things shifted up a gear as the main event drew ever closer. The transformation of the theater in to an SAP event location was an incredible achievement. Tables were added, screens erected, food prepared, branding was tastefully arranged – meanwhile the demo team were surprisingly calm testing the systems and preparing the demo machines, while the SAP board members practiced on stage.

As the appointed time approached, I become ever more nervous. It wasn’t the complexity of the demo, the number of people present (only about 300, with a live simultaneously translated Web cast) - it was the sheer the responsibility. Thousands of people had spent many man-years programming and preparing for this launch and I wanted to do them and the product justice.

Thanks to the preparation, a rock solid product and excellent support, the 4 demos really shone with only a couple of tiny glitches. Both exhilaration and relief were palpable as I left the stage to tumultuous applause and all that remained was to hold a couple of interviews, have an afternoon nap and participate in the celebration (OK, and then go shopping).

Coming back to Germany, I was in time to join the celebratory party there too. 2,000 developers took over a multi-story car park to celebrate. Speeches were held and a “highlight” video was shown, where I featured quite prominently. As I got up on stage, I was touched by the cheers that went through the crowd – and I realized my fears in New York had been totally justified – had the demo had gone badly, I think I would have been lynched.

I felt proud and honored to have been part of this, it was one of the most nerve racking experiences I have had, but also one of the most rewarding.

My first experience with Kuala Lumpur could be described as quirky. Disembarking from the 70 km ride with the sleek airport train I needed to change lines. Although my map showed a single hub, in reality there are 5 different lines, built and run independently, with separate ticketing systems and so awkwardly located so they do not “connect” at all. I ended up dragging my bag across a car park and a 4 lane highway to get to the inconveniently situated, but “connecting” mono-rail station.

After dumping my bags in the hotel, I hurried off to the Petronas towers, 88 stories in all and 3rd tallest building in the world. You are only allowed up to the famed double-decker Skybridge connecting the 41st and 42nd floors – but at 170 meters up it is still pretty lofty. The bridge is actually designed to be a safety value – if there is a disaster in one tower people can quickly evacuate to the other. 1,400 free tickets are issued daily on a first come, first serve basis, but before entering the surprisingly crappy lifts, you have to endure a 3-D corporate propaganda video, about the ethical and environmentally friendly way oil and gas is extracted and refined.

After a wonder around the city, the next attraction was the Batu Caves. The huge limestone caves, discovered about 120 years ago, have been converted to a Hindu Shrine, dedicated to Muruga. To get to the main temple it is a long climb up the practically numbered 272 stairs past his golden image and a troop of monkeys, ready to pounce if you indicate you have food. Once back on terra firma, you then have a chance to pray for thanks that you were not attacked at the shrine of the monkey god nearby.

From the caves, my driver and I visited the Forestry Research Institute and their jungle canopy walk. To reach the 200 meter long walkway you have to trek up a very steep path for about 45 minutes. Within about 10 minutes, the jungle heat and humidity meant I looked like I have lost a rather viscous water-balloon fight. My driver gave up half way, despite being younger and supposedly fitter than I. However, it was well worth the effort, but the 30 meters high construction, made of string, aluminum ladders and a prayer was far more frightening than the Skybridge.

Nearby was the next port of call, the 10 year old city of Putrajaya – the new Administrative Center of Malaysia, covering 20 sq miles of ex-rubber tree plantation and funded mostly by – you got it - Petronas. All government agencies and 320,000 people will eventually relocate here, up from the current 50,000. The place is astonishing; built around a huge man-made lagoon, with each government building erected in a different architectural style. The 9 bridges are spectacular duplicates of famous bridges around the world - and the whole area is capped off by the prime ministers official offices, quirky to say the least. In summary: architecturally interesting, but totally sterile - worth a (short) visit.

The weekend trip was rounded off nicely with copious amounts of shopping – the night markets and omnipresent malls proving a fertile source of anything fake (cufflinks, DVDs) and even some genuine items (computer hardware) if you looked hard enough.

From Kuala Lumpur the next stop was Singapore for some business meetings – only an hour away but far hotter and humid. We braved the frequent showers for a trip to the Raffles Hotel and a spot of diner. Food was supposed to be a highlight, but the one restaurant we tried was disappointing.

However, I had read a lot about durians, supposedly “the king of fruits” – and we spent a pleasant hour tracking some down. This was more a sensory experience rather than a pure eating one. A green, spiky lump about the size of melon, the smell was dire, the texture was like butter and it looked like puss. There is choice of quality and taste, I went for top quality, sweet option (as opposed to bitter) - it was like having a mouthful of slightly sweet, rancid lard. Quirky to say the least and you get to enjoy the experience repeatedly as your stomach churns away merrily all afternoon.

The meetings went well, but Singapore is far too organized. An example of the orderliness was the instructions for the office chairs; it gave me some good ideas for an idle afternoon. But sadly, my supposedly week long trip to Singapore was cut short by a call to return urgently to Germany in preparation of my next postcard.. that will be an interesting one.