Bloody brilliant city, which we have barely scraped the surface of what's around. We will most certainly return and plan to spend far longer here next time.
In the mean time, we're off to Bangkok and should be back on air sometime over the weekend.
Hope you all have a good couple of days off work too and "see" you soon. :o)
An on-going, almost daily, commentary on our travel experiences, tips and thoughts as we arrive and live in countries and places most people can only dream of. Given time, we also like to take an off-beat look at what's been making the news back in the UK or locally and so we end up taking the piss... a lot.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sheepish Behaviour
Every day, $164 million worth of ties are worn in Washington, DC alone.
I find that incredibly sad that grown men (?) have such a limited imagination that they are incapable of standing away from the herds and that employers have to stifle individualism by insisting on tired conformity.
I find that incredibly sad that grown men (?) have such a limited imagination that they are incapable of standing away from the herds and that employers have to stifle individualism by insisting on tired conformity.
Equality Madness
Europe's top court has declared that working fathers in Spain are entitled to take "breastfeeding leave" everyday, even if the mother of the child is not employed.
The new legislation means that both the mother and father are allowed to leave work for an hour during the day or reduce their working day by half an hour during the first nine months following the birth of a child.
More on this bollocks at TTel.
The new legislation means that both the mother and father are allowed to leave work for an hour during the day or reduce their working day by half an hour during the first nine months following the birth of a child.
More on this bollocks at TTel.
10 Out-of-this-World Inventions
From I am Number Four:

1. HXO Car
What do you get when you take a car, remove its need for gas, give it trunk space inside the wheels and make it accessible for 16-year-olds and robots alike?
The HXO is greener than green, as it even finds batteries to be too much of an environmental hazard. This car is powered by sunlight, has a 3D interactive navigation display, and features an intelligent traffic management system, meaning you’ll never be late to school or anywhere else ever again. Still no word on how it performs on cloudy days.
2. Skatecycle
The Skatecyle is a real thing. You can buy one, right now. You should buy one, RIGHT NOW. Who needs the annoying task of pushing off on a skateboard, or only being able to snowboard on snow?
The Skatecycle is perfect for snowboarders in the off-season, skateboarders in any season, or people who are simply looking to perfect some sick moves before this thing becomes an official sport at the X-games.
3. Kinect Gaming System
Discussed covertly for years as “Project Natal,” X-Box has come up with an invention to absolutely crush the Wii.
That’s right. Through years of engineering, the most advanced commercial motion technology to date, and what has to be just a little bit of witchcraft, Microsoft stands ready to change video games forever. Imagine being able to play a game with just your mind, without the need for controllers!
Kinect makes video gaming accessible for everyone, and the best part is it works with your existing Xbox 360, which means you don’t need to buy a new system with new games. It’s available this Christmas, and I’m sure it will be at the top of everyone’s list.
4. Laser Harp
For DJ’s, light-show enthusiasts, or anyone who wished a lightsaber could be used as a musical instrument, the wait is finally over:
Basically this is a guitar mixed with a laser tape measure resulting in a brand new musical instrument. Each laser beam is aware of the distance to the ceiling and is connected to a different pitch in a synthesizer.
Any time the beam length is shortened (by putting a hand out and creating a new “ceiling”), the synthesizer recognizes it and produces a higher or lower pitch accordingly. This is more than just music—it’s a show as well!
5. Invisible Shoes
Of all the things to spend time and money making invisible, Andreia Chaves chose shoes.
In reality these shoes are an intricate collection of mirrors, all angled to reflect the image of the ground to anybody wondering where your feet went (or why you spent money on glass shoes).
6. A Full Invisibility Cloak
Teams of scientists from around the globe have speculated for years on the ability to make something appear truly invisible, and one mathematician from the University of Utah says it’s finally possible.
Although scientists agree that the technology remains many years away, they all seem to agree that it is possible. By creating a super lens that reflects the light of an object back in the opposite direction, objects would appear (at least from a distance) to be invisible. On a scale of 1-10, that’s a pretty intense 11.
7. MDS Robot
“MDS” stands for mobile, dexterous, social. “Robot” stands for robot. And when you put them together, the results are astonishing (if not a little creepy):
The MDS seems to be a kind-hearted robot. . . let’s just hope his pleasant demeanor continues to follow the three laws of robotics. We don’t want an I, Robot situation on our hands.
8. ASL Glove
Ryan Patterson patented this invention at the age of 18. Now he’s 26, and is most likely a bajillionaire.
The American Sign Language Glove, or ASL Glove, is able to interpret and record sign language into computerized text and data. This is an enormous leap forward, as the ability to communicate in this fashion now means that everyone, regardless of their sign language proficiency, can communicate with the deaf.
A truly inspiring and brilliant invention, it restores the faith that even as a teenager, you can change the world (and become crazy-rich in the process).
9. Video Glasses
NOT FOR USE WHILE DRIVING. These sunglasses not only change the way you look, they also change the way you watch.
These sunglasses present a virtual, 55” wraparound screen to turn your iPod or iPhone into a virtual theater. With 2D and 3D options and the ability to focus each eye independently (for those with prescription needs), these glasses are the perfect way to tune out in class while tuning in to your favorite shows.
10. The iXP3 Internet Message Clock
What better way to send a text to your parents or the roommates in your dorm than by sending it to their alarm clock? (Okay, well maybe it’s better to just send it to their phones, but there is no COOLER way.)

This is the worst promotional image ever… This clock can receive literally any message and somebody sends it the current time. Ridiculous.
By keeping this clock in a prominent place in your dorm room or house, you can leave yourself reminders, let others know where you are, or freak out visitors simply by signing in online. I dare you to find me one other device that can send messages, utilize the internet and tell time that ISN’T a cell phone, computer or iPad. I DARE YOU!
While some of these inventions seem as though they are light-years away, almost all of them are available for purchase right now. With a little bit of work and a whole lot of savings, you too can own your very own solar powered, motion-activated, skateboarding invisible robot that watches movies through sunglasses and can send sign language messages to your clock. Or, at the very least, you can hope to get one for your birthday.
We've Never Had it so Good
Britain will have nearly 90 000 people over the age of 100 by 2034, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Since 1981 the number of centenarians in the UK has more than quadrupled from 2 600 to 11 600 and the ONS has calculated that the number of centenarians in the UK will reach 87 900 by mid-2034 if current demographic trends continue.
Which means Queenie is going to be suffering from a serious case of writer's cramp.
The ONS study also showed that the life expectancy of someone born between 2007-09 for both men and women hit record levels. It was 77.7 years for a man and 81.9 for a woman, up from 77.4 for a man and 81.6 for a woman in the previous year. Although women continue to live longer than men, since 1980-82 the gap has narrowed from 6.0 to 4.2 years.
Since 1981 the number of centenarians in the UK has more than quadrupled from 2 600 to 11 600 and the ONS has calculated that the number of centenarians in the UK will reach 87 900 by mid-2034 if current demographic trends continue.
Which means Queenie is going to be suffering from a serious case of writer's cramp.
The ONS study also showed that the life expectancy of someone born between 2007-09 for both men and women hit record levels. It was 77.7 years for a man and 81.9 for a woman, up from 77.4 for a man and 81.6 for a woman in the previous year. Although women continue to live longer than men, since 1980-82 the gap has narrowed from 6.0 to 4.2 years.
Bye-Bye Tony
Tony Curtis has died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 85.
I'm not sure about his acting skills, but he sure had a fine time and I'm sure he had no regrets.
I'm not sure about his acting skills, but he sure had a fine time and I'm sure he had no regrets.
Not Even For Me
A Marmite flavoured chocolate bar is set to go on sale, after the makers announced the £3 slab (which will be sold at department stores including BHS and Debenhams) contains a hint of the sticky yeast-based spread.
Each 100g bar contains 2% Marmite flavouring including yeast extract, onion and garlic powder.
Each 100g bar contains 2% Marmite flavouring including yeast extract, onion and garlic powder.
Silly- it's nothing more than a sad publicity stunt with desperate market people clutching at straws.
Why spoil either taste?
After You
The "modern gentleman" is now expected to text regularly and put the rubbish out rather than lay his coat down in a puddle or open doors, it's been found, as a recent survey discovered a combination of hectic modern lifestyles and technology have dramatically changed women's perception of what makes a true gent.
Other age-old traditions which are now all but dead are always paying for dinner and walking on the side of the pavement nearest to the road. These have been apparently been replaced by bringing his partner a cup of tea in bed and looking after her if she has a hangover.
Another duty which is said to be expected of a modern gentleman is to let his partner watch her favourite soaps.
I wonder what the modern lady is expected to do?
Other age-old traditions which are now all but dead are always paying for dinner and walking on the side of the pavement nearest to the road. These have been apparently been replaced by bringing his partner a cup of tea in bed and looking after her if she has a hangover.
Another duty which is said to be expected of a modern gentleman is to let his partner watch her favourite soaps.
I wonder what the modern lady is expected to do?
NArse
Tour de France winner Contador accused of doping, what do you think?

Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has claimed he is the victim of contaminated food after testing positive for a banned drug.
The muscle-building and fat-burning drug clenbuterol was detected in his system during this year’s Tour, which Contador went on to win.We sent our reporters out onto the streets to find out what you thought about the latest doping scandal to hit the sport of cycling.
| |
![]() | “To be honest, if I had to spend a month in France I’d want to be doped up to the eyeballs too.” Brenda Smith, Travel Writer |
| |
![]() | “This sort of thing can easily happen, like I told the tax man, someone put all that undeclared income in my bank account to make it look like I was cheating the system.” Dave Shute, Window Cleaner |
| |
![]() | “Of course they’re all doped up. Have you ever ridden a bike? I took mine to the shops yesterday and was sweating like Josef Fritzl on through the keyhole for over an hour.” Mike Dobson, Courier |
| |
![]() | “That’s not cheating. Jumping out from the crowd with your bike with just 100 yards to go - now that’s cheating.“ Sheila Williams, Bookie |
|
Any Excuse
Doctors have provided a new excuse for kids that are a perpetual pain in the arse, by suggesting that ADHD is actually due to genetic anomalies over which parents have no control.
Scientists from Cardiff University, writing in The Lancet, said that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was actually linked to shared genetic factors - and not due to shockingly bad parents who should learn to keep those things on a bloody leash.
A researcher on the team said, “This is good news for crap parents, because they no longer need to be ashamed of the frankly terrible job they do of controlling their offspring - now they can blame it on DNA and other stuff they know absolutely nothing about.”
“This is an important step in removing any remaining blame we lay at the door of rubbish parents, who I think you’ll admit get a raw deal just because the tiny humans they are solely responsible for raising are turning into complete shits.”
ADHD genetic
Rubbish parents have reacted positively to the news, claiming that it is proof that their unusual parenting methods are perfectly valid because their children would have been absolutely awful whatever they did.
Sharon Donald, 25 said, “I knew it! And to think some people said it was due to me giving Tyler M&Ms for breakfast every day and never saying no to anything, ever. The idiots.”
“I’ve already perfected my response to the withering stares I tend to get in public places, it goes,
‘IT’S GENETIC!’ - what do you think?”
“Now, if doctors could just find a genetic reason why he knew the word ‘cock’ at the age of two I can stop all the other moms at the nursery looking down their noses at me.”
NArse.
< 40 +
WHILE previous generations favoured red cars, alcohol and affairs, modern men are increasingly limiting their mid-life madness to buying bikes they don't really want, it has emerged.
Research by the Institute for Studies found that 43% of professional men aged 35-50 have spent more than £500 on a bike without really knowing why.
Professor Henry Brubaker said: "Historically, men of a certain age have spent their disposable incomes on small fibreglass sports cars that the man in the shop described as a 'fanny magnet'.
"This would be combined with pointy shoes, brown leather clothing and a hip flask - the objective being an overall sense of virility that would impress 'dolly birds'.
"So it's interesting that today's middle-aged man is choosing instead to spend the disposable income generated by the job he hates on a Tungusku 9000 super-lightweight racing bike made from sort sort of space carbon and weighing less than a grape.
"And then riding around on top of it. Wearing spandex. And a plastic hat.
"Like a total bell-end."
He added: "Clearly these are not the actions of a sexual predator. Perhaps the bicycle fad expresses a suicidal urge to get flattened by a lorry before becoming fat and impotent."
Roy Hobbs, 41, who spent almost a grand on cycling equipment without having the faintest idea why, said: "I bought the bike, the clothes, and some sort of bottle in a holster.
"I dressed myself in the gear and looked at myself in the mirror and thought, 'What have I become?' I looked like a chunky wasp.
"Maybe I will take the bike into the garden tomorrow and smash it with a mallet, while weeping."
Professor Henry Brubaker said: "Historically, men of a certain age have spent their disposable incomes on small fibreglass sports cars that the man in the shop described as a 'fanny magnet'.
"This would be combined with pointy shoes, brown leather clothing and a hip flask - the objective being an overall sense of virility that would impress 'dolly birds'.
"So it's interesting that today's middle-aged man is choosing instead to spend the disposable income generated by the job he hates on a Tungusku 9000 super-lightweight racing bike made from sort sort of space carbon and weighing less than a grape.
"And then riding around on top of it. Wearing spandex. And a plastic hat.
"Like a total bell-end."
He added: "Clearly these are not the actions of a sexual predator. Perhaps the bicycle fad expresses a suicidal urge to get flattened by a lorry before becoming fat and impotent."
Roy Hobbs, 41, who spent almost a grand on cycling equipment without having the faintest idea why, said: "I bought the bike, the clothes, and some sort of bottle in a holster.
"I dressed myself in the gear and looked at myself in the mirror and thought, 'What have I become?' I looked like a chunky wasp.
"Maybe I will take the bike into the garden tomorrow and smash it with a mallet, while weeping."
DMash.
Burd Gansters
From the Smoking Jacket:
Judy Moran
Crime syndicates rank just behind wine coolers and snakes that can’t kill you as things you’d least likely associate with the country of Australia. This, however, doesn’t mean that organizations like the Moran Family can’t turn gangland every once in a while and turn Melbourne into Dodge City.
Standing at the shadowy helm of the Moran family is 66-year-old Judy Moran. She’s described as the “family matriarch,” an ambiguous term which could imply her responsibilities range from either baking a fresh batch of cookies for her soldiers after a hard day’s worth of drive-bys, or ordering the drive-bys herself. Seeing as how she’s currently incarcerated for being an accessory to her brother-in-law’s murder, we’ll assume it’s most likely the latter.
Status: Incarcerated, 2009—present.
Xie Caiping
Nearly a year ago, the Chinese city of Chongqing unleashed a crackdown on organized crime, a massive operation that nabbed nearly 1,500 suspects. At the head of it all, the crown jewel, was Xie Caiping. We don’t know what the definition of original gangster is in China, but if it doesn’t include bribing city officials, beating up cops and allegedly having a stable of man-hos 16-strong, than the Chinese have bigger cultural problems than organized crime.
As the boss, Caiping ran a string of illegal casinos and was responsible for keeping the police off everyone’s back. Let’s just say she was good at her job. How good? Also arrested during the crackdown was Chongqing’s deputy police chief, her brother-in-law.
Status: Incarcerated, 2009—present.
Sandra Avila Beltran
With a nickname like “Queen of the Pacific,” it’s hard not to imagine Sandra Beltran hovering somewhere over an ocean this very second on a Jabba the Hutt-style sail barge with Trident in one hand and the Little Mermaid’s hollowed-out skull in the other.
Long story short, Beltran was born and bred to be a Mexican godmother. Hell, her uncle is the guy many people consider the godfather of Mexican drug smuggling. She got her moniker through facilitating relations between Colombia’s Valle del Norte cartel and her own country’s Sinaloa cartel, and helping both develop smuggling routes along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Looking at her mug shot, it’s easy to see why she might have been so persuasive.

Status: Incarcerated, 2007—present. Currently facing charges of organized crime, money laundering and conspiracy to traffic drugs.
Rosetta Cutolo
Rosetta Cutolo one-upped every other kind, caring sister who’s had a brother go to jail and simply mourned about it by taking over her brother’s business when he got cuffed. She’s on this list because her brother happens to be Raffaele Cutolo—head of the Nuova Camorra Organizzata (NCO), which in the early 80s was considered one of the most powerful crime families in Italy.
While her brother was behind bars, Cutolo became the family underboss, both relaying his orders and personally negotiating drug deals with South American kingpins and participating in high-level sit-downs with Sicilian outfits.
Status: Incarcerated, 1993—present. After the Italian police raided her headquarters in 1981, she spent 10 years as a fugitive until finally surrendering.
Maria Licciardi
From 1993 to 2001, Maria Licciardi was the head of the Licciardi clan, and “Capo di Tutti Capi” of the greater Naples underworld. That means “boss of bosses” for those of you scoring at home. She rose to that rank after two of her brothers and her husband were arrested. Under her guide, the Licciardi family became more organized, and more lucrative in all their ventures.
Perhaps her most important contribution, though, is introducing prostitution to the Camorra. Before that, some sort of code existed that forbade greasy, amoral mobsters from making money off of prostitution. Weird, right? It might seem contradictory to think of a woman as being the one to break down the prostitution barrier. But as Mary Wollstonecraft once said, when you’re the boss, everybody is equally your bitch.
Status: Incarcerated, 2001—present, but don’t think for a second she doesn’t still run shit from behind bars.
Maria Leon
A 44-year-old mother with 13 kids sounds like one of those harmless, old-timey redneck caricatures we’ve all been warned about, via cartoons. They’re mostly harmless, except for maybe the self-inflicting damage they’ve done to their vaginas.
Maria Leon maybe single-handedly squashed the innocence of that archetype by having 13(!) kids and being the leader of a trans-U.S.-Mexico drug-dealing and human-smuggling operation that for a long time turned parts of Northeast L.A. into Beirut. Assuming narco-trafficking is a business that doesn’t offer paid maternity leave, 13 is an impressive number, even for somebody who doesn’t orchestrate murders in between nap time and play time.
Status: Incarcerated, 2010—present. Awaiting trial on numerous drug charges.
Griselda Blanco
Let’s start with this little nugget. When Griselda Blanco was 11, she kidnapped and tried to ransom another kid who was from a wealthy family who lived in a rich part of Medellin. When the family wouldn’t pay, she shot the boy. We’ll just go ahead and assume the movie City of God was based on her childhood.

After moving to New York from Colombia in the ’70s and starting her career in drug smuggling, Blanco moved to Miami to escape an indictment. It was there that she laid the groundwork for Miami to become the cocaine capital of the U.S. Never much for subtlety, or negotiation, Blanco is believed to have masterminded over 200 murders during her tenure, including (most likely) all three of her husband’s.
Historians have since deemed her behavior during her stay in Miami as “sociopathic,” and “ruthless,” which is undoubtedly a nice way of saying THAT BITCH CRAZY.
Status: Unknown. In 1988, she was arrested by the DEA in California and spent 16 years in prison. When she was released in 2004, she was deported back to Colombia and hasn’t been seen since. FYI, if you see this face, run:
Judy Moran

Crime syndicates rank just behind wine coolers and snakes that can’t kill you as things you’d least likely associate with the country of Australia. This, however, doesn’t mean that organizations like the Moran Family can’t turn gangland every once in a while and turn Melbourne into Dodge City.
Standing at the shadowy helm of the Moran family is 66-year-old Judy Moran. She’s described as the “family matriarch,” an ambiguous term which could imply her responsibilities range from either baking a fresh batch of cookies for her soldiers after a hard day’s worth of drive-bys, or ordering the drive-bys herself. Seeing as how she’s currently incarcerated for being an accessory to her brother-in-law’s murder, we’ll assume it’s most likely the latter.
Status: Incarcerated, 2009—present.
Xie Caiping

Nearly a year ago, the Chinese city of Chongqing unleashed a crackdown on organized crime, a massive operation that nabbed nearly 1,500 suspects. At the head of it all, the crown jewel, was Xie Caiping. We don’t know what the definition of original gangster is in China, but if it doesn’t include bribing city officials, beating up cops and allegedly having a stable of man-hos 16-strong, than the Chinese have bigger cultural problems than organized crime.
As the boss, Caiping ran a string of illegal casinos and was responsible for keeping the police off everyone’s back. Let’s just say she was good at her job. How good? Also arrested during the crackdown was Chongqing’s deputy police chief, her brother-in-law.
Status: Incarcerated, 2009—present.
Sandra Avila Beltran
With a nickname like “Queen of the Pacific,” it’s hard not to imagine Sandra Beltran hovering somewhere over an ocean this very second on a Jabba the Hutt-style sail barge with Trident in one hand and the Little Mermaid’s hollowed-out skull in the other.
Long story short, Beltran was born and bred to be a Mexican godmother. Hell, her uncle is the guy many people consider the godfather of Mexican drug smuggling. She got her moniker through facilitating relations between Colombia’s Valle del Norte cartel and her own country’s Sinaloa cartel, and helping both develop smuggling routes along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Looking at her mug shot, it’s easy to see why she might have been so persuasive.

Status: Incarcerated, 2007—present. Currently facing charges of organized crime, money laundering and conspiracy to traffic drugs.
Rosetta Cutolo

Rosetta Cutolo one-upped every other kind, caring sister who’s had a brother go to jail and simply mourned about it by taking over her brother’s business when he got cuffed. She’s on this list because her brother happens to be Raffaele Cutolo—head of the Nuova Camorra Organizzata (NCO), which in the early 80s was considered one of the most powerful crime families in Italy.
While her brother was behind bars, Cutolo became the family underboss, both relaying his orders and personally negotiating drug deals with South American kingpins and participating in high-level sit-downs with Sicilian outfits.
Status: Incarcerated, 1993—present. After the Italian police raided her headquarters in 1981, she spent 10 years as a fugitive until finally surrendering.
Maria Licciardi

From 1993 to 2001, Maria Licciardi was the head of the Licciardi clan, and “Capo di Tutti Capi” of the greater Naples underworld. That means “boss of bosses” for those of you scoring at home. She rose to that rank after two of her brothers and her husband were arrested. Under her guide, the Licciardi family became more organized, and more lucrative in all their ventures.
Perhaps her most important contribution, though, is introducing prostitution to the Camorra. Before that, some sort of code existed that forbade greasy, amoral mobsters from making money off of prostitution. Weird, right? It might seem contradictory to think of a woman as being the one to break down the prostitution barrier. But as Mary Wollstonecraft once said, when you’re the boss, everybody is equally your bitch.
Status: Incarcerated, 2001—present, but don’t think for a second she doesn’t still run shit from behind bars.
Maria Leon

A 44-year-old mother with 13 kids sounds like one of those harmless, old-timey redneck caricatures we’ve all been warned about, via cartoons. They’re mostly harmless, except for maybe the self-inflicting damage they’ve done to their vaginas.
Maria Leon maybe single-handedly squashed the innocence of that archetype by having 13(!) kids and being the leader of a trans-U.S.-Mexico drug-dealing and human-smuggling operation that for a long time turned parts of Northeast L.A. into Beirut. Assuming narco-trafficking is a business that doesn’t offer paid maternity leave, 13 is an impressive number, even for somebody who doesn’t orchestrate murders in between nap time and play time.
Status: Incarcerated, 2010—present. Awaiting trial on numerous drug charges.
Griselda Blanco
Let’s start with this little nugget. When Griselda Blanco was 11, she kidnapped and tried to ransom another kid who was from a wealthy family who lived in a rich part of Medellin. When the family wouldn’t pay, she shot the boy. We’ll just go ahead and assume the movie City of God was based on her childhood.

After moving to New York from Colombia in the ’70s and starting her career in drug smuggling, Blanco moved to Miami to escape an indictment. It was there that she laid the groundwork for Miami to become the cocaine capital of the U.S. Never much for subtlety, or negotiation, Blanco is believed to have masterminded over 200 murders during her tenure, including (most likely) all three of her husband’s.
Historians have since deemed her behavior during her stay in Miami as “sociopathic,” and “ruthless,” which is undoubtedly a nice way of saying THAT BITCH CRAZY.
Status: Unknown. In 1988, she was arrested by the DEA in California and spent 16 years in prison. When she was released in 2004, she was deported back to Colombia and hasn’t been seen since. FYI, if you see this face, run:

Quote/Unquote
It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or the fourteenth.
- George Burns
Recent Reviews
We usually lob up our reviews of hotels on the Blog before sending them into TripAdvisor, but as we've done quite a few and didn't want to bore you with them, we passed them over already and can offer you the links to them- if you're interested. The whole lot since we began our most recent tour to Myanmar.
Taipei: Dandy Hotel Daan: It's All Well and Dandy
Kota Kinabalu: Hotel Eden54: Sadly, Only 8 Hours at the 54
Angeles City: Savanna Resort Hotel: A First Class Resort Close to Clark Airport
Cebu City: Elegant Circle Inn: Don't Bother Part Two
Cebu: Castle Peak Hotel: Don't Bother Part One
Bacolod: Circle Inn: A Golden Circle
Bacolod: O Hotel: O Dear
Manila: Lotus Garden Hotel: More Ups Than Downs
Mandalay: Mandalay City Hotel: A Very Long Road to Mandalay But Worth the Effort
Yangon (Rangoon): Thamada Hotel: A Game of Two Halves But a Winner in the End
Bagan: Thazin Garden Hotel: Back End of Nowhere in Bagan
NOTE: Rating contained within the reviews are in comparison to other hotels in the same country. For example, the score for the Mandalay City hotel is only valid when comparing to Thamada or Thazin Garden (all in Myanmar) and not to any others such as Castle Peak or Golden Circle Inn, which are in other lands.
Taipei: Dandy Hotel Daan: It's All Well and Dandy
Kota Kinabalu: Hotel Eden54: Sadly, Only 8 Hours at the 54
Angeles City: Savanna Resort Hotel: A First Class Resort Close to Clark Airport
Cebu City: Elegant Circle Inn: Don't Bother Part Two
Cebu: Castle Peak Hotel: Don't Bother Part One
Bacolod: Circle Inn: A Golden Circle
Bacolod: O Hotel: O Dear
Manila: Lotus Garden Hotel: More Ups Than Downs
Mandalay: Mandalay City Hotel: A Very Long Road to Mandalay But Worth the Effort
Yangon (Rangoon): Thamada Hotel: A Game of Two Halves But a Winner in the End
Bagan: Thazin Garden Hotel: Back End of Nowhere in Bagan
NOTE: Rating contained within the reviews are in comparison to other hotels in the same country. For example, the score for the Mandalay City hotel is only valid when comparing to Thamada or Thazin Garden (all in Myanmar) and not to any others such as Castle Peak or Golden Circle Inn, which are in other lands.
PP tto SR
Again, we have to do the economical thong and instead of flying directly to Siem Reap we have to route via Phnom Penh.
Unfortunately AA do not fly to SR, only Thai Airways do that and at a huge cost of THB 7 000 to 8 000 for a one way flight, per person/ That's £140- £150 odd, each. We can do returns for £175 for both of us direct to PP with AA and then get a bus up (six hours, US$ 10 for two singles) to SR. The maths are easy.
Plus, we also have friends in PP and we also want to apply for our 60 day Thai visa in Cambodia (December and January in Bangkok is super) and the only consulate Thailand has is in the capital, which means travelling from south to north Cambodia is cheaper and more useful to us.
Unfortunately AA do not fly to SR, only Thai Airways do that and at a huge cost of THB 7 000 to 8 000 for a one way flight, per person/ That's £140- £150 odd, each. We can do returns for £175 for both of us direct to PP with AA and then get a bus up (six hours, US$ 10 for two singles) to SR. The maths are easy.
Plus, we also have friends in PP and we also want to apply for our 60 day Thai visa in Cambodia (December and January in Bangkok is super) and the only consulate Thailand has is in the capital, which means travelling from south to north Cambodia is cheaper and more useful to us.
Oi, Air Asia- Sort It Out
Years of care-free booking of dozens (at least) of flights with AA without problem and they decide to "improve" their website to make it "easier" for us to book on-line. Boy, have they made a huge pig's arse of the revamp.
Last time we booked we continually got kicked off while trying to pay- and that took several anxious days before that problem got addressed. Next we have lost two years worth of history, which while not a problem is a pain as we cannot recover any previous details.
And now, we face further concern in that we can no longer enter a UK postal code. Half a dozen frustrating attempts to sort out our trip to Cambodia and we kept being denied as the code was "invalid". In the end we had to enter 123456 which it liked but it took hours to re-enter each and every personal detail until we gt lucky.
The worst of it is that you can't even send them an email to point out the problem- they always ignore you.
Very poor and needs addressing sharpish.
Last time we booked we continually got kicked off while trying to pay- and that took several anxious days before that problem got addressed. Next we have lost two years worth of history, which while not a problem is a pain as we cannot recover any previous details.
And now, we face further concern in that we can no longer enter a UK postal code. Half a dozen frustrating attempts to sort out our trip to Cambodia and we kept being denied as the code was "invalid". In the end we had to enter 123456 which it liked but it took hours to re-enter each and every personal detail until we gt lucky.
The worst of it is that you can't even send them an email to point out the problem- they always ignore you.
Very poor and needs addressing sharpish.
Cambodia for November
As a precaution (see previous post) we booked our next flights out of Thailand via Air Asia yesterday.
We know we have 30 days from today to leave (boo) and we also know that we want to revisit Cambodia to see how Savong is getting on with he school/orphanage/medical clinic in Siem Reap, so we've bought our flights to leave Bangkok on 28th.
It's a couple of days short of our permitted maximum but we always allow a bit of slack just in case and the flights were cheaper if we took the day earlier, so that's taken care of that now and we can be sure there will be no hassle at the airport.
We know we have 30 days from today to leave (boo) and we also know that we want to revisit Cambodia to see how Savong is getting on with he school/orphanage/medical clinic in Siem Reap, so we've bought our flights to leave Bangkok on 28th.
It's a couple of days short of our permitted maximum but we always allow a bit of slack just in case and the flights were cheaper if we took the day earlier, so that's taken care of that now and we can be sure there will be no hassle at the airport.
Onward Bound
One thing I forgot to mention when travelling to Thailand. Strictly speaking you will need to demonstrate you have a valid onward ticket showing a departure date within your allowable 30 days. And it is the onus of the airline company you are flying with to ensure you comply with this requirement, not Thai Immigration.
Your airline can (and will) deny you boarding rights if you do not have a return ticket or can prove otherwise that you will be leaving the country.
This is rarely the case as (a) most holiday makers always book a return package and (b) airlines rarely check (we've had this once in 2.5 years and of course it had to be the anal Aussies) but be warned, it could happen.
Your airline can (and will) deny you boarding rights if you do not have a return ticket or can prove otherwise that you will be leaving the country.
This is rarely the case as (a) most holiday makers always book a return package and (b) airlines rarely check (we've had this once in 2.5 years and of course it had to be the anal Aussies) but be warned, it could happen.
Getting into the Kingdom of Thailand
There is a whole raft of ways to spend time in Thailand and for most the "stamp on arrival" will suffice (depending on which country you are from; most countries are eligible).
I you are flying into the main airport (Suvarnabhumi) you will get a stamp, free of charge, to allow you to visit for up to 30 days, no questions asked. Note that if you enter the Kingdom by any other means than flying in (boat, train bus), this is reduced to just 15 days.
Apparently there is no limit to the times one can repeat this, nor is there a time period; you can literally fly out in the morning to a neighbouring country (Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam- anywhere) and return on the next available flight and have your passport stamped for another thirty days.
Another option is to apply for a 60 day, single entry Tourist Visa which you can get from any Thai Embassy or consulate in another country (one has to be outside of Thailand) which will cost you around £20* and enables you to do exactly what it advertises. It is valid for three months from the date of issue and has to be used in that time or it becomes void.
I also believe you can extend that (for a fee) for another thirty days at Immigration, but we've never tried this as Immigration will cost you a day in hanging around and it's just as easy (and cheap) to fly out and back in again.
However, there is a risk of refusal for a 60 dayer at the discretion of the person issuing the visa- if they believe you are trying it on with back to back applications, don't expect 100% success. However, if they turn you down, simply fly in and get your free 30 days.
There are plenty of ways to spend whole year in the country but this usually involves being 50 (retirement), having a Thai partner or child or taking a language course.
We're currently more than happy doing our 20-60 days in, a month or two out to explore another country and repeat, but it has to be said, once we hit fifty, we're coming back to stay permanently.
*Currently, up until March 2011, the application fee has been waived to help boost the tourist trade after the awful demonstrations earlier this year.
I you are flying into the main airport (Suvarnabhumi) you will get a stamp, free of charge, to allow you to visit for up to 30 days, no questions asked. Note that if you enter the Kingdom by any other means than flying in (boat, train bus), this is reduced to just 15 days.
Apparently there is no limit to the times one can repeat this, nor is there a time period; you can literally fly out in the morning to a neighbouring country (Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam- anywhere) and return on the next available flight and have your passport stamped for another thirty days.
Another option is to apply for a 60 day, single entry Tourist Visa which you can get from any Thai Embassy or consulate in another country (one has to be outside of Thailand) which will cost you around £20* and enables you to do exactly what it advertises. It is valid for three months from the date of issue and has to be used in that time or it becomes void.
I also believe you can extend that (for a fee) for another thirty days at Immigration, but we've never tried this as Immigration will cost you a day in hanging around and it's just as easy (and cheap) to fly out and back in again.
However, there is a risk of refusal for a 60 dayer at the discretion of the person issuing the visa- if they believe you are trying it on with back to back applications, don't expect 100% success. However, if they turn you down, simply fly in and get your free 30 days.
There are plenty of ways to spend whole year in the country but this usually involves being 50 (retirement), having a Thai partner or child or taking a language course.
We're currently more than happy doing our 20-60 days in, a month or two out to explore another country and repeat, but it has to be said, once we hit fifty, we're coming back to stay permanently.
*Currently, up until March 2011, the application fee has been waived to help boost the tourist trade after the awful demonstrations earlier this year.
Weeks 3 & 4
Ca you believe we are still suffering with bunged up noses and all the associated shite that goes with a cold? Wifey enters her fourth week and I'm not that far behind on my third.
By far the worst we've ever encountered. Ever.
However, there is no way I'm taking the lurgies back to Bangkok. This will be the final day and if mind over matter doesn't cure the get, we'll have to resort to the Chang. :o)
By far the worst we've ever encountered. Ever.
However, there is no way I'm taking the lurgies back to Bangkok. This will be the final day and if mind over matter doesn't cure the get, we'll have to resort to the Chang. :o)
A Day in Cabs
Not only will we be spending an hour or so in cab to the airport later today, we also have to use a taxi driver to get us from the Bangkok's airport back to Sukhumvit, a journey that can also take the same length of time depending on traffic conditions. And at least another fiver. Ho hum...
Splashing Out
We haven't spent quite as much as we had anticipated in Taipei, mainly as the cost of living has been less than we thought and the accommodation has been more reasonable too. Forty notes a night in a large, modern capital is somewhat of a bargain and so we have a small overflow of readies.
We've been trying to work out the best way to get back to the airport and asked Reception exactly how much a taxi would be. They suggested that the hotel arrange a private car and while NT$ 1 100 is expensive (over £20) we're going to spoil ourselves.
Bearing in mind that we'd have to hike up to the tube station with our luggage in the rain, get the tube to the mainline train station and then locate a bus to take us almost an hour's drive away (not forgetting we'd be in Friday's main rush hour), it doesn't sound too bad.
So why not?
We've been trying to work out the best way to get back to the airport and asked Reception exactly how much a taxi would be. They suggested that the hotel arrange a private car and while NT$ 1 100 is expensive (over £20) we're going to spoil ourselves.
Bearing in mind that we'd have to hike up to the tube station with our luggage in the rain, get the tube to the mainline train station and then locate a bus to take us almost an hour's drive away (not forgetting we'd be in Friday's main rush hour), it doesn't sound too bad.
So why not?
Holy Night, Silent Night
We were passing Reception yesterday and one of the girls called me over to apologise for the mistake in not switching off their ghastly piped music the previous night. She promised faithfully it would be off punctually this time and said they had been particularly busy and that it had been an oversight.
I'm cool with apologies and people making mistakes but I don't like being taken for a mug, so I asked her why this had happened every night of our stay? She ignored my question and kept smiling an apologising but I persisted and finally she had to reply. She wasn't aware of the previous problems but assured me it would not happening again.
I let it go as I do not like to dwell on matters that can't be changed (spilt milk and all that) but was very pleased that come the witching hour of 22:00, it was blissfully quiet and we could watch the film (the exceptionally brilliant Sin City) at a reasonable level of volume that didn't force our neighbours to cop an earful.
Best night's kip of the week- just as we get ready to leave.
I'm cool with apologies and people making mistakes but I don't like being taken for a mug, so I asked her why this had happened every night of our stay? She ignored my question and kept smiling an apologising but I persisted and finally she had to reply. She wasn't aware of the previous problems but assured me it would not happening again.
I let it go as I do not like to dwell on matters that can't be changed (spilt milk and all that) but was very pleased that come the witching hour of 22:00, it was blissfully quiet and we could watch the film (the exceptionally brilliant Sin City) at a reasonable level of volume that didn't force our neighbours to cop an earful.
Best night's kip of the week- just as we get ready to leave.
Full Circle
We've certainly been lucky with the weather. Aside from it being overcast, slightly cooler (~25 C) and slightly drizzling on our first arrival a week ago, it's been scorching sunshine and temperatures pushing the mid-thirties.
However, today we depart with the return of the wet stuff, which should set us up nicely in Bangkok as they will still be at the tail-end of the rainy season with fantastic thunderstorms and tropical downpours. Who cares? It's always hot anyway. :o)
However, today we depart with the return of the wet stuff, which should set us up nicely in Bangkok as they will still be at the tail-end of the rainy season with fantastic thunderstorms and tropical downpours. Who cares? It's always hot anyway. :o)
A New Month Begins
The first of October sees us complete four and a half years "on the road" and start our 55th away from the UK.
And yes, you've guessed it, we've never been happier, for tonight we arrive back in Bangkok again, where we first began our Asian adventures some two and a half years ago, Asia is by far the best continent we've had the privilege to visit.
And yes, you've guessed it, we've never been happier, for tonight we arrive back in Bangkok again, where we first began our Asian adventures some two and a half years ago, Asia is by far the best continent we've had the privilege to visit.
Happy Birthday
To another favourite Aunt, Lisa, who has left Berlin far behind and is on holiday with her eldest daughter and son-in-law (J & J) in Italy. Enjoy the break and hope you have a lovely time.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Too Little Too Late
Ten days after he sparked fury by suggesting that England players may have been paid to lose, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, yesterday issued the apology that the England and Wales Cricket Board had been seeking.
After a meeting lasting an hour and a half in London with the ECB, Butt made a humiliating climbdown but continued to insist he was misinterpreted.
Not anywhere good enough, although the ECB has now closed the matter.
After a meeting lasting an hour and a half in London with the ECB, Butt made a humiliating climbdown but continued to insist he was misinterpreted.
"I wish personally and on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board to withdraw the comments I made concerning the England and Wales Cricket Board and each of the England players who played in the NatWest one-day international at the Brit Insurance Oval on Friday 17 September."
I would like to make it quite clear that in the statements which I made, I never intended to question the behaviour and integrity of the England players nor the ECB nor to suggest that any of them were involved in any corrupt practices or in a conspiracy against Pakistan cricket.
In particular, I wish to make it clear that I have never seen any evidence of any wrong doing by any England player or the ECB at any time. I deeply and sincerely regret that my statements have been interpreted to cast doubt upon the good names of the England players and the ECB and hope that this public withdrawal will draw a line under the matter."
Not anywhere good enough, although the ECB has now closed the matter.
Snap Out of It
With the news that the mid-life crisis is beginning earlier, the Guardian offers some advice, a 10-point guide to survival.
1. Remember the alternative
You are still alive. That's got to be something of a result. And if you should suddenly drop dead, at least you can't moan that you died young. Well, not very. Which brings me to . . .
2. Don't presume every cough is lung cancer
So don't go to the doctor every time you have a symptom that persists for more than 12 hours. It doesn't make you very popular with your GP and it's not in the slightest bit helpful. Because once one fatal illness has been eliminated you'll go home to find another fatal illness that matches your symptoms on Wikipedia. And eventually you will find an illness for which there is no definitive diagnosis. Except post mortem. I speak from experience. I remain the only person to have recovered from BSE.
3. Don't have an affair
Yes, your partner might not be quite as gorgeous as he or she once was, but take a look in the mirror. You are no oil painting yourself. So don't embarrass yourself by hanging out with people a lot younger than you. Or by imagining that they fancy you.
4. Don't worry obsessively about work
If you have got your eyes set on a particular job, it's almost bound to end in disappointment. Remember David Miliband? These days you can count yourself lucky to have any job. And if you don't have one, try to take some pleasure in the fact that loads of people you know will be losing theirs in the next few years. Schadenfreude can be a handy therapeutic tool if used wisely. Talking of which . . .
5. If you are thinking of therapy, don't go in for analysis
You will start off having one session per week. After six months you will think you're getting nowhere. Your analyst will tell you this is because you have deep commitment issues and you need two sessions a week. You will reluctantly agree, if only to avoid spending every session talking about why you don't want a second session. After a further six months, you will again realise you are going nowhere. Your analyst will again point out that you have really deep commitment issues and what you need is three sessions per week. You will agree for precisely the same reasons as you did before. Six months down the line, she will want to up it to four sessions per week. At this point you will be a financially and psychologically broken man and be admitted to a mental hospital. When you eventually get out, your analyst will give you a bill for the sessions you missed when you were in hospital. Again, I speak from experience.
6. Don't transfer your neuroses on to your kids
Stop getting worked up about the extra maths tutorials, the football coaching and the music lessons. Face it, they almost certainly aren't going to get into Oxbridge, play professional football or be a world-class concert pianist. They are just bog-standard kids: much the same as everyone else's. What they really need is for you to back off and let them mooch around getting bored rather than being ferried around in search of over-achievement. There is a reason your kids have limited talents; it's because they are yours. So just accept it. And them.
7. Don't go buying midlife toys
Nothing screams complete idiot more than the sight of a middle-aged man with a load of expensive gadgets. Not so long ago, you could identify these men by their sports cars or motorbikes. This year's midlife accessory is the fixed-wheel racing bike. You are not a courier; you are an overweight man whose reactions and balance aren't what they were. Ride one of these and you will certainly end up in A&E. Where the doctors will try not to snigger as they cut off your Lycra before wheeling you into surgery.
8. Turn off your BlackBerry
If not in the evenings, then at least at weekends (if Gucci CEO Roger Polet can do it, so can you). And it may be hard to believe, but your family would quite like to have the chance to ignore you rather than always be ignored by you. Yes, there's always the chance that key email telling you you're sacked will arrive while your BlackBerry is switched off. But you'll find out soon enough on Monday morning, and at least you will have had a nice weekend.
9. Make time to go out
I know you're knackered and just want to put your feet up once the kids are in bed, but try to go out with your partner – or at least your friends – once a week. At best, you can talk to one another and you might even remember why you first fancied each other. At worst, you'll just fall asleep over pudding.
10. It will get better
It may feel like the end of the world, but one way or another – oh, and never rule out Prozac – your feelings of midlife existential futility will pass. The bad news is they will be replaced by much worse feelings of later-life existential futility when you reach 50. Again, I speak from experience
Counting the Loot
They don't have many bank notes here, only the ones we have shown above. Below the NT$ 100, all you get is change, with 50, 10, 5 and 1 dollar coins available. They are nice notes though.
Smoking in Taipei
Is rife and many people are smokers, both sexes and young and old alike. It's banned in public places but I have certainly seen some restaurants and shopping malls with smoking areas.
Fags are around £1.50 for a pack of Marlboro Reds.
Fags are around £1.50 for a pack of Marlboro Reds.
Unusual Foot Wear Part 3
![]() |
His 'Banana slip-on' design is currently on display at the SONS shoe museum in Belgium
Unusual Foot Wear Part 4
![]() |
The rest of his collection can be seen on his website: www.kobilevidesign.blogspot.com. We publish some of our favourites in this gallery. His 'Miao' shoe is based on a cat
Unusual Foot Wear Part 1
TTel takes a look at some unusual shoe designs spread over the next few posts:
It may look like this person has unwittingly stepped on a blob of chewing gum on the pavement - but the shoe is actually part of a collection of bizarre footwear designed by Kobi Levi
![]() |
It may look like this person has unwittingly stepped on a blob of chewing gum on the pavement - but the shoe is actually part of a collection of bizarre footwear designed by Kobi Levi
Unusual Foot Wear Part 2
![]() |
The 35-year-old, who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, describes his creations - such as these shoes based on a shopping basket - as 'wearable sculptures'. He said: "It is important to me that they will be real shoes and not sculptures or toys"
The Secret to a Happy Life
Is a simple one, a new study has found.
Six hours sleep a night, a 20 minute commute to work, and two hours a day playing with the children are the key things which lead to contentment. Researchers discovered that those adults who were happiest in life work just over seven hours a day, enjoy five cooked meals a week, and jet off on two holidays a year. They also socialise with friends once a week, watch three episodes of their favourite soap opera, and exercise up to four times over seven days.
I must be ecstatic then:
More at TTel.
I must be ecstatic then:
- work no hours per day
- sleep as much (or as little) as I choose
- have no kids to play with :o)
- eat out every day of the week
- take holidays abroad every month
- socialise as much as I choose, usually every second day
- don't watch a single episode of soaps
- the only exercise I take is walking around tourist attractions and taking a dip in the hotel's pool
More at TTel.
Lucas to release Star Wars in 3D
As already spoofed by NArse earlier, the sci-fi saga in 3D will begin with the release of the 1999 prequel Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, with the remaining films following in sequence. A statement from Lucasfilm, the US director's film production company, on the Star Wars website said:
In other words, give us your money and no doubt this will all be in the shops ready for Christmas.
"The live-action Star Wars saga will be converted to 3D. There are few movies that lend themselves more perfectly to 3D; from the Death Star trench run to the Tatooine Pod race, the Star Wars Saga has always delivered an entertainment experience that is completely immersive.
The cutting edge conversion will take that immersion to the next thrilling level."
In other words, give us your money and no doubt this will all be in the shops ready for Christmas.
Earlier Mid-Life Crisis
If you are about to turn 35, then prepare for the most miserable decade of your life.
Increasing work hassles, money worries and loneliness mean people aged 35 to 44 are the unhappiest in society, a study by counsellors Relate (they've been busy) said. The age group came out worst in a series of measures, with 40% saying they had been cheated on by a partner and 21% complaining of loneliness a lot of the time.
Nearly a third of 35 to 44 year-olds said they had left a job because of a bad relationship with a colleague, with a similar amount thinking their family relationships would improve if they worked less. A quarter also wished they had more time for their family, and 23% wanted more time for their friends.
Anyone still feel we made a mistake jacking the jobs at 40? :oD
Hogwash
London is the UK's cheating capital with nearly two out of five people questioned admitting affairs. The recession is being blamed, with colleagues desperate to keep their jobs forming relationships as they spend longer together at work.
The findings from the Relate counselling service show that nearly 37% of Londoners have had an affair compared with 33.5% nationally.
Sorry, but to blame the recession for someone's failings is laughable. That's almost as good as blaming terrorism for every act of violence, health and safety for every ban and the world heading down the shitter due to global warming.
Isn't it about time we took responsibility for our own actions?
The findings from the Relate counselling service show that nearly 37% of Londoners have had an affair compared with 33.5% nationally.
Sorry, but to blame the recession for someone's failings is laughable. That's almost as good as blaming terrorism for every act of violence, health and safety for every ban and the world heading down the shitter due to global warming.
Isn't it about time we took responsibility for our own actions?
Bankers!
Lloyds Banking Group has topped the bank complaints league so far this year with nearly 290 000 cases. The state-backed companies generated a total of 288 717 complaints about poor service, bad advice and charges over the past six months, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) said.
Barclays and Shitander were the next biggest offenders, with 250 667 and 244 978 complaints respectively. The state-controlled Royal Bank of Scotland (whose businesses include RBS and NatWest) drew nearly 140 000 complaints, while HSBC attracted 81 271.
Altogether bank and building society customers made a total of 1.25 million complaints, up 5% on the same period last year.
My on-going (now over a year) complaint against the bastards at Shitander is still pending with the people at the FSA, and I doubt much will come of it. They are all as useless as each other and frankly we'd be better off without them.
Barclays and Shitander were the next biggest offenders, with 250 667 and 244 978 complaints respectively. The state-controlled Royal Bank of Scotland (whose businesses include RBS and NatWest) drew nearly 140 000 complaints, while HSBC attracted 81 271.
Altogether bank and building society customers made a total of 1.25 million complaints, up 5% on the same period last year.
My on-going (now over a year) complaint against the bastards at Shitander is still pending with the people at the FSA, and I doubt much will come of it. They are all as useless as each other and frankly we'd be better off without them.
Keeping it Clean
We'd better think twice before posting a less than favourable accommodation review in future, a new website, GuestScan.co.uk, allows hoteliers to post information about trouble-makers and stores details of guests.
In its official registration with the ICO (the Information Commissioner), the site says it keeps a "client behaviour log" to list the details of "offenders or potential offenders" and keeps details of racial or ethnic origin, "sexual life" and offences (including alleged offences) on file after guests have left the hotel. Its aim is to reduce the risk of trashed rooms or non-payment.
A nice idea in theory, but I wonder if it's legit? Surely an invasion of privacy or the Data Protection Act? It will be interesting to see how far this gets.
In its official registration with the ICO (the Information Commissioner), the site says it keeps a "client behaviour log" to list the details of "offenders or potential offenders" and keeps details of racial or ethnic origin, "sexual life" and offences (including alleged offences) on file after guests have left the hotel. Its aim is to reduce the risk of trashed rooms or non-payment.
A nice idea in theory, but I wonder if it's legit? Surely an invasion of privacy or the Data Protection Act? It will be interesting to see how far this gets.
A Bit on the Side
One in five women would forgive their man for having a one-night stand as long as he said it "meant nothing", a study has revealed.
Researchers found many women would be prepared to take back a man who confessed to having one-off sex with someone else. The figures emerged in a report which also revealed eight out of ten Brits couldn't care less if their partner became "emotionally" involved with someone else, as long as they didn't have sex.
Other things women claim are acceptable in a relationship include office flirting, after work drinks, suggestive remarks to another woman and buying gifts.
Naturally, they expect the same concessions in return?
Researchers found many women would be prepared to take back a man who confessed to having one-off sex with someone else. The figures emerged in a report which also revealed eight out of ten Brits couldn't care less if their partner became "emotionally" involved with someone else, as long as they didn't have sex.
Other things women claim are acceptable in a relationship include office flirting, after work drinks, suggestive remarks to another woman and buying gifts.
Naturally, they expect the same concessions in return?
THE Definitive Collection
From NArse
George Lucas has announced that he will be re-releasing the entire Star Wars Saga in a Special Collectors Edition Boxset of Special Collectors Editions, with previously unseen footage that wasn’t deemed interesting enough for any of the previous fifteen releases.
The news will be a blow to fans of the series that have already spent vast quantities of money on the Special Collection of Collectors Editions and the Special Edition of Special collections Edition, the one with commentary from George Lucas’ cleaner.
“I’ve already built an extension to house all the re-released repackaged special edition collectors boxsets that have been released so far,” Explained Star Wars devotee Phillip Howe.
“I could try and resist buying the latest, but I’ve heard it comes with a free plastic cup with a picture of someone that once stood in a lift with the guy who played Chewbacca.”
“I’m just really hoping this latest version doesn’t also make me think Jar Jar Binks was created by a simpleton racist.”
“This is very exciting,” he enthused. “Not only will it allow fans to watch all six episodes in the traditional start-to-finish manner, they will now be able to watch it backwards too.”
“New technology that we’ve developed called UpsideDown-o-vision will also allow them to watch the action as if they were standing on their head.”
“It will also come with some glasses that allow the viewer to watch the action blurred, recreating the experience of someone who was watching the film with really bad eyesight, a bit like Yoda. Yes, we’re calling it Yoda-vision.”
“No, I didn’t just make that up.”

George Lucas has announced that he will be re-releasing the entire Star Wars Saga in a Special Collectors Edition Boxset of Special Collectors Editions, with previously unseen footage that wasn’t deemed interesting enough for any of the previous fifteen releases.
The news will be a blow to fans of the series that have already spent vast quantities of money on the Special Collection of Collectors Editions and the Special Edition of Special collections Edition, the one with commentary from George Lucas’ cleaner.
“I’ve already built an extension to house all the re-released repackaged special edition collectors boxsets that have been released so far,” Explained Star Wars devotee Phillip Howe.
“I could try and resist buying the latest, but I’ve heard it comes with a free plastic cup with a picture of someone that once stood in a lift with the guy who played Chewbacca.”
“I’m just really hoping this latest version doesn’t also make me think Jar Jar Binks was created by a simpleton racist.”
Star Wars re-release
Lucas has revealed that the boxset, which will be a limited edition of just 25 million copies, gives fans the opportunity to view all 6 parts in a way they’ve never been able to before.“This is very exciting,” he enthused. “Not only will it allow fans to watch all six episodes in the traditional start-to-finish manner, they will now be able to watch it backwards too.”
“New technology that we’ve developed called UpsideDown-o-vision will also allow them to watch the action as if they were standing on their head.”
“It will also come with some glasses that allow the viewer to watch the action blurred, recreating the experience of someone who was watching the film with really bad eyesight, a bit like Yoda. Yes, we’re calling it Yoda-vision.”
“No, I didn’t just make that up.”
This God Blurk, Then
PEOPLE who describe themselves as religious may also be a bit thick, according to new research.
Professor Henry Brubaker, of the Institute For Studies, said: "Are you religious because you're stupid or does being religious make you stupid? It's the classic chicken and egg scenario.
"For any religious people who may be reading this, a chicken is a domesticated bird, roughly the size of a football while an egg is the small, beige oval thing that comes out of it and then goes into your tummy - probably in the form of mayonnaise.
"You think all three were made by a character you know as God, Jehovah, Allah, Brahma or L. Ron Hubbard."
According to the study, Jews and Mormons were the least stupid believers, mainly because of all the money and the wives, while Southern US Baptists had to have the questions explained to them using bits of fruit.
Most protestants believe their church was founded by Space 1999 actor Martin Landau, while many Roman Catholics thought that holy communion symbolised St Peter's fondness for Vimto and ready salted Pringles.
Meanwhile only half of those surveyed could identify the Koran as being the holy book of Islam, while the other half said that whatever it was they were terrified of it and wanted to shoot it in the face.
DMash.
Don't Forget
The Japanese MotoGP at Motegi this weekend. There are only five rounds to go but it looks likely that Lorenzo will take the crown. The Fiat Yamaha rider leads the race for the title by 56 points, ahead of Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa.
Slipped In
I didn't notice this at the time, but we've recently reached over 200 000 hits on the Blog since we introduced a counter in January 2007.
It probably means very little to most, but that is still a fair number and I'm more than chuffed.
It probably means very little to most, but that is still a fair number and I'm more than chuffed.
The Toon- The Hard Way
Someone has got it in for the Geordies, having had to beat Chelsea in the previous round of the Carling Cup, they now face The Arse. Let's hope it's a repeat performance.
Fourth round draw:
Newcastle v Arsenal
Birmingham v Brentford
Wigan v Swansea
Aston Villa v Burnley
Leicester v West Brom
Man Utd v Wolves
West Ham v Stoke
Ipswich v Northampton
Ties to be played on the week commencing 25 October
Fourth round draw:
Newcastle v Arsenal
Birmingham v Brentford
Wigan v Swansea
Aston Villa v Burnley
Leicester v West Brom
Man Utd v Wolves
West Ham v Stoke
Ipswich v Northampton
Ties to be played on the week commencing 25 October
Glory, Glory, Etcetera- We Win 4-1
Tottenham won their first Champions League game in an action-packed Group A clash against FC Twente.
Rafael Van der Vaart had a penalty saved for Spurs before he powered in a shot on the turn to put his side ahead.
A Roman Pavlyuchenko spot-kick added to Spurs's lead before Van der Vaart was sent-off for a second booking.
Nacer Chadli's poked shot gave Twente hope but a dubious penalty allowed Pavlyuchenko to add a Spurs third and Gareth Bale's late goal sealed victory.
Team | P | GD | PTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Inter Milan | 2 | 4 | 4 |
2 | Tottenham | 2 | 3 | 4 |
3 | FC Twente | 2 | -3 | 1 |
4 | Werder Bremen | 2 | -4 | 1 |
More at the BBC.
As it Comes
One in six coffee drinkers drinks their coffee without cream or sugar.
Wifey being one of those six. Black only.
Wifey being one of those six. Black only.
A Slight Change in Plan
Having been on the road for nearly two months and visited Myanmar, the Philippines and now Taiwan, it goes without saying we are really missing Bangkok. Tomorrow we fly back and will be staying a brief month before visa allowances insist we have to leave the Kingdom again.
Originally we intended to go back to Cambodia and Vietnam but we've decided that will be too long and so instead we'll fly to Phnom Penh (cheaper flights from Bhumi airport), take the bus up to Siem Reap and then do the reverse to get back to Bangkok a month later.
We shall also apply for our second 60 day tourist visa, which if we are successful (and it's not always guaranteed if they think people are playing the system) means we can do Christmas and New Year at "home" and then fly out to India and Sri Lanka in February 2011.
Here's hoping this plan works out well.
Originally we intended to go back to Cambodia and Vietnam but we've decided that will be too long and so instead we'll fly to Phnom Penh (cheaper flights from Bhumi airport), take the bus up to Siem Reap and then do the reverse to get back to Bangkok a month later.
We shall also apply for our second 60 day tourist visa, which if we are successful (and it's not always guaranteed if they think people are playing the system) means we can do Christmas and New Year at "home" and then fly out to India and Sri Lanka in February 2011.
Here's hoping this plan works out well.
Our ANZ Bank
We naturally keep a close eye on our investment in New Zealand and recently noticed a change in interest rates. Despite a much predicted increase in bank rates, the ANZ has in fact dropped its return down to 6.0%. We seem to have got in at the right time.
However, it's not all good news. We have to contend with fluctuating exchange rates and sending over a monthly tranche to our Thai bank account is a bit hit and miss. This month we have missed- compared to our previous transaction, we are going to be down at least NZ$ 100. If you include handling fees, that's going to be a good fifty quid.
Bummer. :-(
However, it's not all good news. We have to contend with fluctuating exchange rates and sending over a monthly tranche to our Thai bank account is a bit hit and miss. This month we have missed- compared to our previous transaction, we are going to be down at least NZ$ 100. If you include handling fees, that's going to be a good fifty quid.
Bummer. :-(
Not the Bargain of the Day
A standard sized tin of Dr Pepper for NT$ 35 (70p). I bought one anyway and it's now sitting in our fridge as my "treat of the day".
But if you think 70p is bad, try this for size. Wifey spotted some Dr P in Bangkok but there was no price on the cans. She loaded up with four of them anyway to surprise me (I was not there) and it was only when we later looked at the bill that we realised they were a pound each.
I made them last. :o)
But if you think 70p is bad, try this for size. Wifey spotted some Dr P in Bangkok but there was no price on the cans. She loaded up with four of them anyway to surprise me (I was not there) and it was only when we later looked at the bill that we realised they were a pound each.
I made them last. :o)
Bargain of the Day
Has to be a half-sized, crusty French baguette which is baked with cubes of cheese inside. Get a fresh one for NT$ 25 (50 pence) and munch on that as you wander around town- it will keep you going for hours.
Spending a Shilling
I have to say it was a bit of an anti-climax. Supposedly the oldest and biggest night market in town, it was lively, colourful and eclectic, but nothing really that special. Yes, they had several food stalls with plenty of options for snacks on a stick or something more substantial and they had plenty of vendors selling all manner of goods from clothes to electrical stuff to gimmicks and mementoes, but it was not as grand as I thought it was going to be.
Unfortunately, when you live in the greatest city in the world almost half the year, we bet spoilt and certainly the weekend market in Bangkok is far superior. Then again, I'm also not the biggest fan of that either as it is far too busy and getting stuck behind dawdling window shoppers is not my idea of fun.
Worth a look see, don't expect too much and enjoy the ride on the Tube- a "nice" night out for a few hours.
Unfortunately, when you live in the greatest city in the world almost half the year, we bet spoilt and certainly the weekend market in Bangkok is far superior. Then again, I'm also not the biggest fan of that either as it is far too busy and getting stuck behind dawdling window shoppers is not my idea of fun.
Worth a look see, don't expect too much and enjoy the ride on the Tube- a "nice" night out for a few hours.
Taking the Tube
We decided to visit Shilin night market last night and decided to take the tube/MRT. The nearest station to us is a reasonable 10 minute walk up the road (we walk quickly) but there is another station next to the Sogo Mall which is on a better line and so we plodded up there to make our trip easier.
A cheap NT$ 20 bought us a one way token from the automated machine (which also accepts bank notes and multiple ticket requests) and passing through the barrier we joined the hordes of folk on their way home form work.
The platforms have safety barriers and everyone queues in an orderly fashion behind the doors waiting for the trains to arrive, which are frequent and prompt. Getting on we naturally had to stand but it's all well mannered and amicable and inside the train you have plenty of maps and LED screens advising you of the next station (thankfully in English too).
Three stops for us and we changed at Taipei Main xtation and another six on the next line (red) saw us reach Shilin, with an all in travel time on the trains of less than half an hour.
Very easy, we didn't need any advice other than the clear instructions on the machines or sign posts and if I can get around the city as simply as this, anyone can.
A cheap NT$ 20 bought us a one way token from the automated machine (which also accepts bank notes and multiple ticket requests) and passing through the barrier we joined the hordes of folk on their way home form work.
The platforms have safety barriers and everyone queues in an orderly fashion behind the doors waiting for the trains to arrive, which are frequent and prompt. Getting on we naturally had to stand but it's all well mannered and amicable and inside the train you have plenty of maps and LED screens advising you of the next station (thankfully in English too).
Three stops for us and we changed at Taipei Main xtation and another six on the next line (red) saw us reach Shilin, with an all in travel time on the trains of less than half an hour.
Very easy, we didn't need any advice other than the clear instructions on the machines or sign posts and if I can get around the city as simply as this, anyone can.
Simply Too Much
We've mentioned the elevator music that is piped throughout the hotel all day long, right? A barrage of bland, banal, synthesised white noise designed to soothe the weary traveller/ Well, I've had more than enough of it. All day long we're subjected to its brainwashing tedium, gatecrashing the otherwise peace and tranquillity of this rather nice hotel and I can't even see the point.
You can't even watch a TV programme without turning the volume up to drown out the horribly distorted notes, which come wafting through the walls and under the door. And no one likes neighbours with a loud television, right?
If you must, play it in the lift or perhaps even in the foyer. OK, I'll even accept it in the restaurant, but on all floors along deserted corridors? Who benefits? Certainly not the guest; particularly if they are trying to take a nap in the afternoon. Housekeeping perhaps? How about an MP3 player if they wish music while they work? It is after all the land where all things are manufactured cheaply...
But what has really grated my cheese is the polite notice that is prominently displayed by the lift requesting all guests to be quiet between 22:00 and 08:00. That's bloody rich with the horror music still endlessly looping until all hours of the morning.
On the first night, weary from an early start and a long day's travel I was awoken around 03:00 and went down in person to find out what was going on. The night shift apologised and immediately switched it off. The next day I enquired at Reception what the policy was and was informed that the music is indeed switched off at 22:00.
I rang down at 22:30 that night, again to apologies and once more the torture device ceased.
I have had to call down every night this week to complain and while it's always polite and the excuse is "forgot", I find this whole situation unacceptable and it has spoiled my stay. I've already sent in my review to TripAdvisor and luckily for them didn't make such a big thing of it. Now, after six straight nights of it I am fed up and would certainly highlight this problem in a more forceful manner.
Any TA readers reading this- you have been warned.
You can't even watch a TV programme without turning the volume up to drown out the horribly distorted notes, which come wafting through the walls and under the door. And no one likes neighbours with a loud television, right?
If you must, play it in the lift or perhaps even in the foyer. OK, I'll even accept it in the restaurant, but on all floors along deserted corridors? Who benefits? Certainly not the guest; particularly if they are trying to take a nap in the afternoon. Housekeeping perhaps? How about an MP3 player if they wish music while they work? It is after all the land where all things are manufactured cheaply...
But what has really grated my cheese is the polite notice that is prominently displayed by the lift requesting all guests to be quiet between 22:00 and 08:00. That's bloody rich with the horror music still endlessly looping until all hours of the morning.
On the first night, weary from an early start and a long day's travel I was awoken around 03:00 and went down in person to find out what was going on. The night shift apologised and immediately switched it off. The next day I enquired at Reception what the policy was and was informed that the music is indeed switched off at 22:00.
I rang down at 22:30 that night, again to apologies and once more the torture device ceased.
I have had to call down every night this week to complain and while it's always polite and the excuse is "forgot", I find this whole situation unacceptable and it has spoiled my stay. I've already sent in my review to TripAdvisor and luckily for them didn't make such a big thing of it. Now, after six straight nights of it I am fed up and would certainly highlight this problem in a more forceful manner.
Any TA readers reading this- you have been warned.
Quote/Unquote
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
- Sidney J Harris
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Proper Beer for Beginners
From the Independent:
MILD Britain's most popular beer until the 1950s and staging a comeback. Usually dark brown, it's comparatively low in alcohol and gently hopped but is easy-drinking with pleasing chocolate, roasted grain and toffee notes from darker malts.
BITTER Copper or bronze-coloured, it's heavily hopped – hence the name – but the bitterness is balanced by biscuity malt and citrus fruitiness from hops and yeast. Best bitter is a stronger version.
IPA AND PALE ALE India Pale Ale transformed brewing in the 19th century. It was brewed for the Raj while Pale Ale was a less aggressively hopped version for the domestic market. In the doldrums for years, IPA has made a spirited return to popularity.
PORTER AND STOUT Porter, a dark, well-hopped and refreshing beer, was developed early in the 18th century in London to refresh porters plying their trade on the streets and the docks. The strongest was Stout Porter, reduced to just Stout. There are now many British rivals to Irish Stout.
GOLDEN ALE A successful 1990s introduction by craft brewers to wean younger drinkers off industrial lagers. A high level of refreshment with a rich, honeyed malt character balanced by fruity hops.
OLD ALE AND BARLEY WINE Two ancient styles revived to acclaim, rich and warming. Old Ale indicates a beer matured for months. Barley Wine rivals fruit wine in its strength and complexity of flavours.
WHEAT BEER A German speciality, British craft brewers have taken it up. Despite the name, it is made from barley and wheat malts. It's lightly hopped to bring out the fruity flavours of wheat – spot cloves, banana, even Juicy Fruit bubble gum.
20:20
An advert for the supermarket Asda offering free eye tests for Uruguayans after a referee and linesman from the country missed Frank Lampard's goal for England at the World Cup has been cleared of causing offence. The online promotion for Asda opticians stated:
While there was one complainant, a British-Uruguayan, Asda said 15 customers had taken advantage of the offer. :o)
"Our special World Cup offer: Free eye tests for all Uruguayans. Like everyone in England, we couldn't believe our eyes when the Uruguayan referee and linesman failed to recognise Frank Lampard's equalising goal against Germany.
We're responding by offering all Uruguayans a free eye test to avoid anything like this happening again."
While there was one complainant, a British-Uruguayan, Asda said 15 customers had taken advantage of the offer. :o)
Confucious Say "I'm Back"
Taiwanese students have performed Ba Yi Wu, a traditional dance, during a ceremony in Taipei to celebrate Confucius's birthday.
Confucianism has long been celebrated in Taiwan, but was frowned upon in China, where adherence to the edicts of the philosopher, who was born in 551BC, has been considered a form of feudalism. Now Confucianism is back on the mainland.
This year, the anniversary was celebrated in Beijing for the first time since the founding of Communist China, with a Taiwanese delegation in attendance.
Bizarre Goals Part 11

Stan Collymore
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool, 1996
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool, 1996
Rovers goalkeeper Tim Flowers had kicked lumps out of his own penalty area in order to make his goalkicks rather easier. But when the ball came back at him in the form of a tame shot from Stan Collymore, the gardening rebounded on him. The pea-roller hit a divot and bounced over Flowers and into the net. Click here to watch the goal.
Bizarre Goals Part 12

Paul Robinson
Tottenham Hotspur v Watford, 2007
Tottenham Hotspur v Watford, 2007
Not long after he took an air kick at Gary Neville's backpass and watched it dribble into his own net in England's calamitous loss against Croatia, Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson took a free kick from inside his own half and watched it loop over fellow England contender Ben Foster in the Watford goal. Click here to watch the goal.
Bizarre Goals Part 10

Paul Peschisolido
Derby County v Nottingham Forest, 2004
More flotsam-based drama. Forest keeper Barry Roche was flummoxed by a backpass re-bounding off a plastic coffee cup left on the pitch. His shanked clearance ran straight to Paul Peschisolido who rammed home Derby's second in a 4-2 win
Bizarre Goals Part 9

Vanderlei
Cruzeiro v Atletico Mineiro, 2007
Cruzeiro v Atletico Mineiro, 2007
An extraordinary piece of dimwittedness from Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio. Following his side conceding a third goal, the goalie was still rummaging about in the back of his net looking for the ball, forgetting that, in the professional game, teams are provided with more than one ball. He failed to notice the game had restarted with a different ball and when Vanderlai intercepted a wayward pass he scored in an undefended net, leaving a furious Fabio carrying two balls as he remonstrated with the referee. Click here to watch the goal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)