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Tatler Asia
7 hours ago
- Tatler Asia
Ideal travel coordinates for girls who love to explore with their BFF
If you adored the film When Life Gives You Tangerines , then Jeju Island is your next must-visit. Its radiant citrus groves and lyrical landscapes seem to have leapt straight from the silver screen. The island invites you into a realm of windswept beauty winding tree-lined roads, dramatic coastal cliffs, and golden fields of blooming canola, all set the stage for unforgettable friendship moments. Above All set the stage for unforgettable friendship moments (photo: Unsplash) Above All set the stage for unforgettable friendship moments (photo: Unsplash) A stroll through the verdant O'sulloc green tea fields offers a memory to treasure. The breeze dances through your hair, the golden light gleams across the tea terraces, and laughter rings clear through the air. Suddenly, the world's cares feel far away. Above Suddenly, the world's cares feel far away (photo: Pexels) Above Suddenly, the world's cares feel far away (photo: Pexels) Why not hike with your BFF to the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak at dawn? The sky blushing in pink and the sea shimmering in first light might just leave you both breathless with delight. Afterwards, settle into a cosy café in Seongeup Village, sip warm tangerine tea, and lose yourselves in conversation. Pop into a hanbok shop for a whimsical throwback to the Joseon dynasty, where playful photoshoots and spontaneous giggles are guaranteed. Wuzhen (China) Above Wuzhen, dubbed the 'Venice of the East', charms with its poetic waterways and timeworn elegance (photo: Pexels) Above This water town has preserved its serene, rustic beauty, adding a quiet romance to your voyage of discovery (photo: Pexels) Often hailed as one of China's most picturesque ancient towns, Wuzhen, dubbed the 'Venice of the East', charms with its poetic waterways and timeworn elegance. With a heritage stretching back thousands of years, this water town has preserved its serene, rustic beauty, adding a quiet romance to your voyage of discovery. Read more: 5 beautiful little-known tourist destinations in Asia Above It's the kind of stillness where time seems to slow, inviting you and your best friend to cast aside your worries (photo: Pexels) Above It's the kind of stillness where time seems to slow, inviting you and your best friend to cast aside your worries (photo: Pexels) Let the journey begin with a poetic moment, drifting gently on a quiet boat through Wuzhen's glistening canals and under its moss-covered stone bridges. It's the kind of stillness where time seems to slow, inviting you and your BFF to cast aside your worries, let your thoughts float with the current, and share whispered secrets: stories that perhaps only this peaceful setting can draw out with ease. Wandering down cobblestone alleys, you'll pass wooden shops filled with delicate handcrafted treasures, tranquil tea houses laced with gentle aromas, and stalls offering fragrant, traditional sticky rice cakes. Stroll at your own pace, and when the mood strikes, pause by the canal at a petite tea house. Sip elegant chrysanthemum tea and speak of dreams yet to come and plans still taking shape. As evening descends, Wuzhen becomes almost otherworldly. Hundreds of scarlet lanterns glow along both sides of the canal, their flickering light dancing across the water's surface and warming the night sky. This is the moment to seek out a performance—perhaps a Peking Opera or a soulful Jiangnan folk dance—to absorb the spirit of a town that has stood for more than 1,300 years. Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) Let the golden sunshine, cerulean waters and refreshing sea breeze of Phu Quoc create the perfect setting for a new chapter in your friendship. Nicknamed the 'Pearl Island' of Vietnam, it's more than just a resort haven of captivating landscapes. It's where the two of you can unwind in style, embrace nature's splendour, and collect a trove of cherished, just-the-two-of-you memories. Photo 1 of 5 Let the golden sunshine, cerulean waters and refreshing sea breeze of Phu Quoc create the perfect setting for a new chapter in your friendship (photo: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa) Photo 2 of 5 Let the golden sunshine, cerulean waters and refreshing sea breeze of Phu Quoc create the perfect setting for a new chapter in your friendship (photo: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa) Photo 3 of 5 Nicknamed the 'Pearl Island' of Vietnam, it's more than just a resort haven of captivating landscape (photo: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa) Photo 4 of 5 Nicknamed the 'Pearl Island' of Vietnam, it's more than just a resort haven of captivating landscape (photo: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa) Photo 5 of 5 Nicknamed the 'Pearl Island' of Vietnam, it's more than just a resort haven of captivating landscape (photo: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa) Above La Festa Phu Quoc, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, introduces a sleek, modern energy (photo: La Festa Phu Quoc) Above La Festa Phu Quoc, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, introduces a sleek, modern energy (photo: La Festa Phu Quoc) Above Ocean-view villas, sun-drenched terraces and breezy loungers offer the perfect setting for heartfelt chats and elegant snapshots alike (photo: La Festa Phu Quoc) The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, designed with the charm of a vibrant, vintage university, offers an unforgettable backdrop. Lounge by the infinity pool, clink glasses over cocktails at sundown, and capture those dazzling 'million-like' photos that spark laughter and delight. For a fresh take, La Festa Phu Quoc, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, introduces a sleek, modern energy. Ocean-view villas, sun-drenched terraces and breezy loungers offer the perfect setting for heartfelt chats and elegant snapshots alike. Above For sea lovers, Phu Quoc is an endless playground (photo: Unsplash) Above Don't miss a snorkelling excursion to Gam Ghi Island (photo: Unsplash) Above Soar together above the waves on a paragliding flight, take in panoramic island views (photo: Unsplash) For sea lovers, Phu Quoc is an endless playground. Sink into the powdery white sands of Bai Sao or Bai Khem, with crystal-clear waves lapping at your feet. Don't miss a snorkelling excursion to Gam Ghi Island, Mong Tay Island or the Ganh Dau reef, where a kaleidoscope of coral awaits below the surface. Craving a bit of adrenaline? Soar together above the waves on a paragliding flight, take in panoramic island views, or hop on a jet ski and test your rhythm as a duo. Whether thrilling or tranquil, these shared adventures will only bring you closer. Above A culinary journey in Phu Quoc is sure to delight even the most discerning of gourmets Above The flavours of the ocean, paired with the market's lively atmosphere, promise an experience you won't soon forget A culinary journey in Phu Quoc is sure to delight even the most discerning of gourmets. Head to Dinh Cau Night Market to sample the freshest seafood: think garlic butter grilled lobster, sweet steamed crab, and rich, creamy sea urchins. The flavours of the ocean, paired with the market's lively atmosphere, promise an experience you won't soon forget. Above Round off a fun-filled day with Kiss of the Sea, the spectacular water music show in Sunset Town (photo: Kiss Of The Sea) Above A dazzling interplay of lights, music and water (photo: Kiss Of The Sea) Round off a fun-filled day with Kiss of the Sea , the spectacular water music show in Sunset Town. A dazzling interplay of lights, music and water, set against the backdrop of the glimmering night sea, offers a romantic and satisfying close to a day filled with laughter and shared memories. Chiang Mai (Thailand) Chiang Mai, often called Thailand's 'Rose of the North', is a full-sensory experience made for two. With its dramatic mountains, ancient temples and deeply rooted local culture, it's the perfect place to explore with your best friend. If you're both drawn to adventure, Chiang Mai won't disappoint. Begin with a visit to Chiang Mai Night Safari, Thailand's largest nocturnal zoo. Aboard an open tram, you'll observe giraffes, zebras, tigers and leopards roaming under the spell of twilight. Then, for something bolder, Phoenix Adventure Park awaits. Zipline through forest canopies, test your strength on artificial rock walls or dive into a rainforest paintball match: activities designed to energise and bring out your inner thrill-seekers. A truly heartwarming highlight lies in connecting with Chiang Mai's beloved elephants. At ethical sanctuaries such as Maerim Elephant Home, Kanta Elephant Sanctuary or Mae Wang Po Ngurn Elephants Sanctuary, you'll get to learn about these gentle giants—feed them by hand, bathe them in cool streams and walk beside them through the forest. These experiences offer a profound and tender glimpse into Thailand's natural heritage. Chiang Mai is also home to sacred temples and mountain landscapes that invite reflection. Make time for Doi Suthep Temple, perched atop a mountain and accessible by climbing more than 360 steps. Its gold-plated architecture glows in the morning light, with panoramic views over Chiang Mai stretching out below. Nearby, the ancient ruins of Wat Chedi Luang exude the grandeur of Lanna architecture, while Wat Ku Tao holds historical treasures not to be missed. For a dose of nature, venture to Doi Inthanon National Park, known as the 'Roof of Thailand'. Towering at 2,565 metres, it's home to cascading waterfalls like Wachirathan and Sirithan, tranquil forest paths, and the twin royal stupas—Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Nopphon Phumisiri. Each temple and peak reveals a different facet of Chiang Mai's soul. As night descends, the city transforms. Glittering lights and the aromas of sizzling street food turn Chiang Mai into a lively playground. The famed Night Bazaar is unmissable as a treasure trove of handcrafted souvenirs made by local artisans and northern tribes. Here, food becomes a journey in itself: mango sticky rice, Pad Thai, grilled skewers, charming cafés and even open-air massage spots create a vibrant street scene. Strolling side by side, sampling dishes, laughing at shared stories. These are the moments that make memories last. Sentosa Island (Singapore) A visit to Sentosa Island in Singapore is a dive into an entertainment haven where every moment is crafted to be unforgettable. From adrenaline-pumping attractions to immersive underwater explorations, from the fantasy of cinematic realms to dazzling light displays, this island offers a kaleidoscopic journey that's ideal for best friends seeking pure joy and adventure. Above At the heart of the island's excitement is Universal Studios Singapore (photo: Universal Studios Singapore) Above At the heart of the island's excitement is Universal Studios Singapore (photo: Universal Studios Singapore) Above Step through its iconic gates and you'll find yourself transported to seven distinct film-inspired worlds (photo: Universal Studios Singapore) Above Step through its iconic gates and you'll find yourself transported to seven distinct film-inspired worlds (photo: Universal Studios Singapore) At the heart of the island's excitement is Universal Studios Singapore. Step through its iconic gates and you'll find yourself transported to seven distinct film-inspired worlds. Wander along Hollywood's glitzy boulevard, lose yourself in Madagascar's wild jungle, feel the buzz of New York City, or uncover the secrets of ancient Egypt. Each zone offers its own set of games, stage shows and charming gift shops perfect for hours of fun and a few keepsakes to take home. Next door, the S.E.A. Aquarium™ invites you to embark on a mesmerising journey beneath the waves. As one of the world's largest marine aquariums, it houses over 100,000 marine creatures and 20,000 vibrant coral species, showcased in dramatic glass tunnels that offer an immersive, close-up view of the deep blue. Sentosa also brings dreams to life at Madame Tussauds Singapore, where you can strike a pose beside astonishingly lifelike wax figures of global icons. Whether it's pop legends like Michael Jackson, film stars such as Marilyn Monroe, or historical figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Barack Obama, it's a celebrity-filled gallery of photo opportunities. Afterwards, unleash your daring side at iFly Singapore, where a giant wind tunnel lets you experience the exhilarating sensation of free fall, Hollywood style. Then head to Mega Adventure Park, where MegaZip sends you soaring above the jungle canopy of Imbiah Hill, and MegaJump offers a 15-metre leap for the fearless. These thrill-filled moments are the perfect way to test your limits together. Above For a sweeping view of the island, take to the skies with the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network (photo: Singapore Cable Car Sky Network) For a sweeping view of the island, take to the skies with the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network. Suspended above Sentosa, it gives you a 360-degree perspective of the island and the city beyond. Afterwards, don't miss Skyline Luge Sentosa—a unique attraction that combines the thrill of a luge ride with scenic cable car views. Glide through curving tracks like Dragon or Expedition, and feel the rush of freedom with every turn. Whether you crave speed or scenery, this is one for the memory books. NOW READ Ho Nguyet Minh of Majesty Golf Vietnam: fearless on the fairway Pride Month: 7 of the world's most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations you might not know about The living legacy of Chinatowns around the world
Tatler Asia
7 hours ago
- Tatler Asia
On Ernest Hemingway's birthday, travel the world in the footsteps of the literary titan
Paris, France: write your story in a quiet sanctuary Hemingway wrote parts of his breakthrough novel The Sun Also Rises while frequenting cafés such as La Closerie des Lilas, located in the lively Montparnasse district. He also rented rooms in the Latin Quarter, including areas near Rue Descartes, seeking quiet spaces to write away from the bustle of his flat. Find your corner table, order a café au lait and let the city's rich literary energy inspire your story. Key West, Florida: battle a marlin on the deep blue Gulf Stream Above The literary titan spent countless hours on fishing adventures, hunting marlin, tuna and swordfish. (Photo: Slava. Jamm / Unsplash) Few places captured Ernest Hemingway's passion like the deep sea. In 1934, he purchased his customised 38-foot fishing boat Pilar, and spent countless hours on the Gulf Stream and surrounding waters off Key West, Cuba and the Bimini Islands, hunting giant marlin, tuna and swordfish. These fishing adventures provided authentic detail for his novels , To Have and Have Not and his Pulitzer Prize-winning The Old Man and the Sea . Today, you can charter a boat from Key West's historic harbour and experience the thrill of battling these magnificent fish in the same waters that served as Hemingway's ultimate proving ground. Northern Michigan: find solitude on the trout streams of his youth The pristine wilderness shaped Hemingway's earliest literary imagination. During summers at his family's cottage, Windemere, on Walloon Lake, young Ernest developed his lifelong passion for fishing in the crystal-clear streams of northern Michigan. This landscape became the setting for his semi-autobiographical Nick Adams stories, where characters first confronted life's harsh truths. Visit public access points on Walloon Lake or cast a line in Horton Creek, connecting with the natural world that was the wellspring of his writing. Pamplona, Spain: soak up the 24/7 energy of the San Fermín festival The energy of Pamplona's San Fermín festival transformed Hemingway from observer to participant. He attended the festival numerous times, fully embracing the spectacle of dancing, drinking and the primal thrill of the bull run—even participating in the run himself. His novel The Sun Also Rises turned this provincial party into a global phenomenon. Experience the non-stop energy of the fiesta, from the Plaza del Castillo to the winding streets of the encierro route, and understand why this celebration became central to his artistic vision. Cuba: live the island life, from Old Havana to the fishing village of Cojimar Above Hemingway spent over 20 years in Cuba, fishing and frequenting local spots. (Photo: Diego Gennaro / Unsplash) Cuba defined Hemingway's most productive decades. For over 20 years, he made the island his home, fishing for marlin from his boat Pilar , which he docked in the small fishing village of Cojimar—the inspiration for the setting of The Old Man and the Sea . He was a well-known figure in Havana, starting a local baseball team and frequenting bars like La Floridita. Live like a local: fish the Gulf Stream, explore Old Havana's cobblestone streets and soak in the vibrant culture that inspired his Nobel Prize-winning work. Idaho: hunt for serenity in the 'high blue windless skies' Ernest Hemingway sought the peace that eluded him in his final sanctuary. The writer found refuge in Ketchum, Idaho's rugged landscape, which reminded him of Spain's mountains. His passions here were hunting and fishing, finding solace in the outdoors. He wrote a moving eulogy for a friend, now inscribed on his memorial, celebrating the 'leaves yellow on the cottonwoods' and 'the high blue windless skies'. Explore the mountains and streams around Sun Valley, seeking the same tranquillity and connection to nature that he pursued in his twilight years. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Edinburgh Reporter
9 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
How Ordnance Survey Maps Assist in Navigating UK Planning Regulations
In the UK, proper advance planning is undertaken prior to entering property development, especially when it comes to planning regulations. One mistake in boundary identification or misrepresentation of a neighbouring infrastructure can halt a whole project. The most important fact about proper preparation is the use of UK planning maps, specifically Ordnance Survey (OS) maps at a scale of 1:1250. They not only provide a visual representation of the proposed site but also offer legal clarity, allowing one to proceed through the application process with confidence. Photo by Richard Bell on Unsplash Why 1:1250 Scale Maps Are Essential 1:1250 maps are perfectly scaled, showing the details of the land parcel plans, buildings and public routes without being too detailed or too generic. Developers, architects, and surveyors use this scale in the presentation of plans because it is detailed enough to portray physical buildings and boundary lines, and it also encompasses the surrounding area to show access and other features in the vicinity. This scale is typically required by local authorities when a planning application is being initiated. It conforms to national mapping standards, and that is why it has been considered as the default reference by property professionals in the UK. Legal Boundaries and Site Ownership Before even writing a proposal, one should define clear boundaries of a site as the first step in developing a proposal. OS maps indicate the present legal boundaries of parcels of land, therefore eliminating disputes or confusion. These boundaries define the legal framework within which designs, ownership rights, and the right to develop are established. Without these visuals, it is easy to under- or overestimate the size of a property or encroachment. This kind of misalignment not only delays the process of giving the permissions but also opens the doors to legal challenges once the permission is granted. Relationship to Existing Infrastructure It is as important to know what is in a proposed site as it is to know what is around it. When a new access road, utility connection or pedestrian route is created, information on the existing structure is needed. The transport links, footpaths, green spaces, and service corridors are indicated in Ordnance Survey information, and all of these will affect the council's decision concerning accessibility and integration. The local authorities do not consider developments in isolation, but rather in terms of their impact on public services. Recommendations made on an OS base map will align with the proposed and available options. Planning Portal Compliance and Submission Requirements The majority of UK councils require that planning applications be submitted via the Planning Portal or to local authorities, both of which stipulate that approved mapping standards must be used. Ordnance Survey 1:1250 maps fit these requirements and eliminate the possibility of rejections due to technical formatting or unsupported data sources. Submission of non-compliant maps typically results in the rejection of applications, which is a waste of time and causes tension in the project schedule. An OS-compliant map is preferable to select at the outset to ensure the procedure's efficiency. Visibility of Constraints and Designations The type of land use, such as a conservation area or flood zone, also affects development potential. Such information can be overlaid on an OS base, allowing these considerations to be taken into account in the early design rather than requiring revisions. Even though these overlays are based on additional datasets, the base OS map gives the spatial accuracy needed to understand how constraints interrelate with the development site. Such accuracy is lacking, and one can easily overlook key planning factors that may result in rejections. Multi-Stakeholder Communication and Transparency Project planning can involve a combination of architects, consultants, legal teams, and representatives of local authorities. A common, standardised map enables everyone to negotiate proposals on a common visual basis. This shared understanding accelerates the collaboration process and minimises confusion regarding the location, size, or other aspects of the site. It is also useful for conveying proposals in a clear manner to non-technical stakeholders, such as community groups or funding bodies, who may struggle to interpret technical documentation. Mapping the Path to Approval Any successful planning application starts with certainty regarding land, context and constraints. That clarity comes into focus using UK planning maps, which are based on Ordnance Survey 1:1250 scale data. By matching development proposals to the official mapping standards, property professionals boost transparency, accuracy and their likelihood of approval. An OS map is not just a background image in a regulatory environment where detail counts, but a key planning tool that sets the foundation for success. Like this: Like Related
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
3 Lessons AI Agents Can Teach You About Delegation
Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash If you're not used to doing it, delegating can be hard. As a bootstrapped founder, I was accustomed to doing everything myself. In many ways, this was a good thing—being a one-man Swiss Army Knife was an effective way to learn a ton of different skills that would eventually help grow my business. On the other hand, I was exhausted. It was a huge relief when I finally hired my first employees, but it was also harder than I thought it would be to relinquish control of the areas of my business I'd grown used to navigating alone. There was a learning curve around which tasks to hand off completely, where I should delegate but oversee, and what I should continue to do myself. Plenty of others share this struggle. As the businessman and philanthropist Eli Broad put it, 'The inability to delegate tasks is one of the biggest problems I see with managers at all levels.' Research bears this out, with data from London Business School revealing that a mere 30 percent of business leaders delegate effectively. In contrast to overthinking founders, AI agents excel at task management—it's kind of their whole thing. Here are three ways founders can emulate the delegation strategies used by AI. Break It Down One of the challenges of delegation is figuring out what, exactly, you're delegating. Say you instruct a marketing associate to handle an upcoming product launch campaign. The ambiguity of the request is bound to cause problems: should the campaign focus on social media ads, or influencer outreach? What are the KPIs? What is the goal of the messaging? Agents don't paint in such broad strokes. Instead, they work backwards from the objective they've been given, planning tasks around the final outcome to be achieved. In order to do this, they break down the goal at hand into several smaller, actionable tasks and perform them based on specific conditions. Leaders can emulate this structured approach to delegation by deconstructing projects into hyper-specific tasks before assigning them. Of course, AI can help you do this part, too—tools like Trello and Asana can even suggest task assignments based on team member availability, workload, and expertise. Urgency Versus Impact Founders making the transition into leaders will likely run into a common problem: How do you figure out what to delegate, versus what to continue to do yourself? As Jesse Sostrin writes in Harvard Business Review, the shift from 'doing' to 'leading' can be a tough one: 'Your involvement is a mix of the opportunities, mandates, and choices you make regarding the work you do,' he says. 'How ancillary or essential you are to the success of that portfolio depends on how decisively and wisely you activate those around you.' One of the remarkable features of agentic AI is its ability to reason, which it achieves by gathering and analyzing huge amounts of data. This capability allows agents to assess the urgency and importance of tasks in real-time, adapting to changing circumstances to maintain efficiency. For instance, AI agents can plan workflows, utilize tools, and make informed decisions to accomplish complex tasks, thereby optimizing their actions based on task priority In addition to using apps like to help you prioritize automatically, you can also take a page from agentic AI's book when it comes to systematically assigning urgency to a given task. I personally love the Eisenhower Matrix, which divides tasks into one of four quadrants: Urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, neither urgent nor important. The urgent and important items are what you should do yourself. The urgent and unimportant ones are what you delegate. Embrace 'Good Enough' AI agents are incredibly efficient at what they do—and the results are not always perfect. That's why they're considered complementary to their human counterparts, rather than replacements. Take one of the tasks for which agents are especially well-suited: drafting emails. Agents are capable of pulling past message content and previous interactions to create personalized, human-sounding drafts, freeing you up from the tedium of doing it yourself. This is especially useful when it comes to messages that, while important, tend to be repetitive to write, like customer service responses. Still, leaders with perfectionist tendencies often have a hard time accepting 'good enough,' even in areas where it's not absolutely crucial, or even important. This is a damaging habit: according to research from the Hardin Group and the Social Research Lab, 86 percent of respondents believe perfectionist expectations impact their work, and 68 percent believe perfectionism leads to burnout. Instead of spending valuable time crafting each individual message, entrepreneurs can rely on AI agents to handle the heavy lifting, allowing them to focus on higher-level strategic tasks. While the drafts may not be winning any Pulitzers, they're often 80 percent of the way there—requiring only minor edits before hitting send. This aligns with another one of my favorite productivity hacks, the 80/20 rule, which holds that 80 percent of desired results come from just 20 percent of the effort. The key is recognizing when 'good enough' truly is good enough. AI-generated emails might occasionally miss subtle emotional cues or industry-specific jargon, but in many cases, the time saved far outweighs the need for perfection. Plus, the technology is continually improving, learning from corrections and user preferences to get closer to the mark over time. Delegating effectively isn't about giving up control; it's about optimizing your time. By taking a page from the agent playbook, leaders can free themselves from micromanagement, scale faster, and focus on what truly drives their business forward.
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
How a Chinese fintech founder learned to build for Kenya's reality, not its potential
Nairobi, Kenya. Long's Africa story began rather fortuitously, says the author. Image: Tedd_ M on Unsplash "Three weeks in Beijing and Shanghai," I tell April Long before the mics come on for our podcast chat. "When?" she asks. "2011," I reply. "Oh," she laughs, "different country." No kidding. I wasn't a car person then, and I'm still not now, but I couldn't help but be floored by Xiaomi's recently unveiled YU7 SUV. Long gets it, though. She's spent 12 years watching East Africa transform, but her journey from a 'no-name Chinese town' (her words, not mine) to co-founding an Africa-focused fintech called Pyxis tells quite a story about transformation. Listening to her share gave me a fresh appreciation for what it must be like building in Africa while Chinese, and what locals might tend to overlook in our own backyard. Presidents and pictures Long's Africa story began rather fortuitously. She was 23, fresh from a master's in Guangzhou - the pulsing Chinese tech hub of 19 million people, nearly three million more than Zimbabwe's population. An International Student Exchange Center (ISEC) exchange program plonked her in Tanzania for what was supposed to be a brief stint. Two weeks in, she's somehow playing tour guide for President Xi Jinping's state visit, her face sneaking into a corner of a photo seen by millions back home. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "Zero chance that happens in China," she tells me, and her parents' utter shock was probably audible from Dar es Salaam. In Guangzhou, she was nobody special. In Tanzania, she was receiving presidents. But Long says she stayed because at 20, reading Eric Simanis's 2012 Harvard Business Review article "Reality Check at the Bottom of the Pyramid" during a previous Taiwan student exchange, she'd decided she wanted to "make money and make a difference." Most people say that. Long actually meant it enough to turn down some prestigious appointments at Ogilvy China, twice (albeit gigs with relatively uninspiring remuneration attached). Humbling times Fast forward to 2021. Long, now married to a Singaporean named George Chan and fully rooted in Kenya, co-founds Pyxis with him (with her at the helm). Named after a southern constellation visible from Nairobi but faint from Beijing, the company aimed to tackle the $286 billion Africa-China trade gap. How apropos. Their first move? A platform for Nairobi SMEs to pay Chinese factories in yuan. "I made an MVP in two, three months and thought it was going to be a game-changer," she recalls ruefully. It flopped spectacularly. They found no demand for the product despite Long spending six months embedding herself in Nairobi's wholesale markets - Gikomba, Luthuli, River Road - chasing interest that never materialised. The onboarding friction was too high, ticket sizes too small. "My cost didn't justify my LTV [customer lifetime value] at all." But after struggling to raise money to burn through the problem as was the fashion at the time, she pivoted. Hard. Following the money She reckons the market taught her something uncomfortable: "We sometimes want to build the future…but we forget we are in the present tense." When she went to wholesale markets, traders would shout, "China, China, what are you selling?" The demand wasn't for payment rails but for access to suppliers. So she tried e-commerce, even partnering with Alibaba for dropshipping. Another lesson: small-volume imports doubled or tripled costs. She realised it came down to economies of scale. As she puts it: "90% of African trade is still happening in a more traditional way." The reality stung. SMEs weren't ready for her vision of social commerce. Infrastructure, consumer habits, and economics didn't align with her Silicon Valley-inspired dreams. So Pyxis shifted to serve Chinese bulk traders shipping containers to African distributors, handling currency exchange and settlement. Long admits being unhelpfully stubborn. "I was like, no, we have to work with SMEs." Because, of course, 'impact'. But the numbers didn't lie: 10% of her time on bulk traders sustained her team, while 90% on SMEs drained cash. Mirror reflections Long's story reflects our tech scene's growing pains. We do love our fintech fairy tales. Unicorns, million-dollar raises, Silicon Valley playbooks transplanted to Lagos, Nairobi or wherever. But Long's experience cuts deeper. She flipped from chasing an aspirational middle class to grappling with price-sensitive realities. That humility: admitting she misread demand, unlearning her assumptions, pivoting when data contradicted vision. To me, that's the real crux of the story. "It has been really, really hard for me the past two years," she admits. "Every day I have to remind myself of my mission to keep myself going." Her willingness to admit missteps, unlearn assumptions, and rebuild from scratch - perhaps more so in Africa than elsewhere - separates builders from dreamers. Nevertheless, Long hasn't ditched her vision. "I still believe SMEs will dominate," she says. "Pyxis will help make that happen." Playing by today's rules while eyeing tomorrow. Note to self Impact often starts exclusively before it scales. Awkward? Sure. I would know. At 630 000+ plays and counting after over a decade, The African Tech Roundup Podcast hosting my conversation with Long isn't mass media, but it's carved out something sustainable by leaning into specificity rather than chasing radio's democratised reach or the internet's alluring promise of hyperbolic audience scale. Long's pivot to bulk traders isn't sexy, but it's real revenue funding her SME dreams and creating room to establish whether there might be VC-backable venturing worth pursuing. The 12-person team she indicates spans China, Kenya, Australia and Singapore isn't the next unicorn, and she isn't claiming it will be. But her willingness to evolve, admit failure, and rebuild from first principles is admirable. For now, Long's relying on the bulk traders, the aggregators, the messy reality of how trade actually flows to deliver interim sustainability. But, make no mistake, her eyes are trained firmly on the horizon where SMEs drive the next wave. Andile Masuku is Co-founder and Executive Producer at African Tech Roundup. Connect and engage with Andile on X (@MasukuAndile) and via LinkedIn. Image: File. Andile Masuku is Co-founder and Executive Producer at African Tech Roundup. Connect and engage with Andile on X (@MasukuAndile) and via LinkedIn. ** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL BUSINESS REPORT
