Spotted another funny note in the menu of a pub in Minions:
prices may vary according to the attitude of the customer!!!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Cornwall Trip
I went to Cornwall for a short break on last weekend (30-31 May 2010) and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Saw this amusing notice in a cafe in Lizard Point when I order some Cornish pasties. The cafe owner probably fed up with impatient tourists.
Spotted another funny note in the menu of a pub in Minions:
Spotted another funny note in the menu of a pub in Minions:
Sunday, 18 April 2010
First Experience with Car Club
Joined "Connect by Hertz" car club recently because they offered to waive out £50 membership fee for the first year. Few days after submitting the necessary documents to them, I received the member card which look like London Underground's Oyster Card or Malaysia's Touch 'n Go. It is a smart card for unlocking or locking the reserved car.
A friend invited me to his new flat in Croydon on Saturday, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to use the car club. The whole online reservation process was easy. I was given a few locations and car details to decide which one suits me best. They sent me a mobile text message and email to confirm the booking.
A small device was installed in the car to let customers contact the car club if they have any queries. When I finished using the car, the device showed the total hire duration and the mileage. As it only provides free fuel for the first 30 miles per 24 hours booking, I had to pay for the extra miles I used at 25p a mile. They sent me the charging details shortly after I confirmed the end of my use by pressing the button on the device.
I collected the car at the designated parking bay in a car park complex adjacent to Victoria Coach Station. Car key, fuel card and parking card were in the car so everything had gone smooth so far. I also did a visual inspection and took a photo of the car as a record of its condition. Obviously I also took another photo after returning the car to the same parking bay.
A small device was installed in the car to let customers contact the car club if they have any queries. When I finished using the car, the device showed the total hire duration and the mileage. As it only provides free fuel for the first 30 miles per 24 hours booking, I had to pay for the extra miles I used at 25p a mile. They sent me the charging details shortly after I confirmed the end of my use by pressing the button on the device.
In summary, the process is simple and the charge is reasonable. The total charge is £41.10 which is £3.95 x 10 hours (capped at 10 hours for 24 hours use) plus £1.60 (6.4 miles x £0.25). For me, the main advantage is easy access to a car as and when I need one, without the hassles of buying a car.
Monday, 12 April 2010
The Premier League Title Race
Manchester United's draw at Blackburn yesterday has seen their ambition of winning the fourth consecutive titles fading away. Even if they win all the remaining fixtures, they still need a blip or two from Chelsea, who is a point ahead of United at the top of the league.
Not many people would have predicted such a title race before the season began. I certainly did not foresee a three-horse at this stage of the season. Following the Champions League exit at the hand of holder Barcelona, Arsenal must pick themselves up quickly and concentrate on the next league game - North London derby!
Well, let me make a prediction on the title run-in!
League table as at 12 April 2010
Predictions:
Having secured a place in FA Cup final, I just cannot see Chelsea drop points in these fixtures, except the away game against Liverpool. (13 points)
The visit to derby game at City of Manchester Stadium is tough. (9 points)
ARSENAL
Not many people would have predicted such a title race before the season began. I certainly did not foresee a three-horse at this stage of the season. Following the Champions League exit at the hand of holder Barcelona, Arsenal must pick themselves up quickly and concentrate on the next league game - North London derby!
Well, let me make a prediction on the title run-in!
League table as at 12 April 2010
- Chelsea -----------------------74 pts
- Manchester United------------73 pts
- Arsenal -----------------------71 pts
Predictions:
CHELSEA
12 Apr Bolton (h) --------- W
17 Apr Tottenham (a) -----W
25 Apr Stoke (h) ---------- W
1 May Liverpool (a) ------- D
9 May Wigan (h) -----------W
Having secured a place in FA Cup final, I just cannot see Chelsea drop points in these fixtures, except the away game against Liverpool. (13 points)
MAN UTD
17 Apr Man City (a)------- L
25 Apr Tottenham (h)----- W
1 May Sunderland (a) ------ W
9 May Stoke (h) ------------ W
The visit to derby game at City of Manchester Stadium is tough. (9 points)
ARSENAL
14 Apr Tottenham (a) ----- W
18 Apr Wigan (a) ---------- W
24 Apr Man City (h) ------- D
1 May Blackburn (a) ------- D
9 May Fulham (h) ----------W
The games against Manchester City and Blackburn are difficult to predict. But I think they will avoid defeat as they will really fight for the title after so many disappointing seasons. I also think Tottenham may not be able to recover from the shock FA Cup exit to face their local rival. (11 points)
Predicted Final League Table
The games against Manchester City and Blackburn are difficult to predict. But I think they will avoid defeat as they will really fight for the title after so many disappointing seasons. I also think Tottenham may not be able to recover from the shock FA Cup exit to face their local rival. (11 points)
Predicted Final League Table
- Chelsea -----------------87 pts
- Arsenal ------------------82 pts
- Manchester United ------81 pts
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Pulau Redang
According to a report on The Star newspaper on 9 April 2009, Terengganu state government decide to turn Pulau Redang into a high-end holiday destination and only allow five-star hotels to be built on the beautiful island. In future, the hotel room rates will cost no less than US$500 (RM1,599) a night.
While I agree with the ultimate target of preserving the environment and turning the island into a high quality holiday spot, I am slightly puzzled by the need to set a minimum room rate for the accommodation on the island. The move is to attract rich and famous visitors but it also denies many ordinary Malaysians the chance to visit one of the best natural heritage in the country. It strikes me that this decision is likely to make Pulau Redang becomes another Pangkor Laut Resort.
Apparently the reason behind this move is to prevent further damage to the marine environment, primarily caused by the high number of tourists and poor sewage system of low budget chalets. So, the logic is richer tourists will behave better and cause less pollution and damage to the island? But it does sound like the root of the problem is the inability to control and monitor the hotel/chalet operations and tourist activities. If waste disposal system is causing the problem, upgrade it or shut down the accommodation before it is too late. If the island cannot take too many tourists, limit the number of people on the island.
Redang is made famous by a Hong Kong film Summer Holiday (picture above) in 2000. I spent a few days on the island in 1997 and really enjoyed the holiday. Like many Malaysians, I want the authority to take necessary measures to preserve the corals and marine environment of the island. But I am against the idea of setting high hotel rates because not many Malaysians can afford RM1,599 a night. The authority should tackle the root of the problems, not turning fellow Malaysians away.
While I agree with the ultimate target of preserving the environment and turning the island into a high quality holiday spot, I am slightly puzzled by the need to set a minimum room rate for the accommodation on the island. The move is to attract rich and famous visitors but it also denies many ordinary Malaysians the chance to visit one of the best natural heritage in the country. It strikes me that this decision is likely to make Pulau Redang becomes another Pangkor Laut Resort.
Apparently the reason behind this move is to prevent further damage to the marine environment, primarily caused by the high number of tourists and poor sewage system of low budget chalets. So, the logic is richer tourists will behave better and cause less pollution and damage to the island? But it does sound like the root of the problem is the inability to control and monitor the hotel/chalet operations and tourist activities. If waste disposal system is causing the problem, upgrade it or shut down the accommodation before it is too late. If the island cannot take too many tourists, limit the number of people on the island.
Redang is made famous by a Hong Kong film Summer Holiday (picture above) in 2000. I spent a few days on the island in 1997 and really enjoyed the holiday. Like many Malaysians, I want the authority to take necessary measures to preserve the corals and marine environment of the island. But I am against the idea of setting high hotel rates because not many Malaysians can afford RM1,599 a night. The authority should tackle the root of the problems, not turning fellow Malaysians away.
A Visit to Borough Market, London
Borough Market is a popular tourist spot in Central London. I went there for the first time on last Saturday (3 April 2009) to experience the unique atmosphere and to take some photos.
I must admit I am not a big fan of wet market. I used to go to Walthamstow Market quite regularly when I lived in North London. It is the longest street market in Europe. After moving to South London a couple of years later, the nearest market is Brixton - another famous market in London.
So I thought I had seen enough markets in London. After all, local market is always more lively than touristic market. But I was wrong. Borough Market is a very special place with a large variety of high quality foods available here. It attracts many "foodies", tourists and even keen photographers. The market also has a official website to provide shopping advice and a Flickr group for photographers to showcase their shots!
The photo above shows a market trader preparing a Malaysian curry dish for customer. Click here for the larger version.
Unlike Walthamstow and Brixton markets which mainly offers bargain fruit and vegetable, Borough Market has a variety of high quality local and international foods. Its close proximity to London Bridge station is convenient for visitors. In fact, Walthamstow and Brixton are located at either end of Victoria Line Underground network.
I must admit I am not a big fan of wet market. I used to go to Walthamstow Market quite regularly when I lived in North London. It is the longest street market in Europe. After moving to South London a couple of years later, the nearest market is Brixton - another famous market in London.
So I thought I had seen enough markets in London. After all, local market is always more lively than touristic market. But I was wrong. Borough Market is a very special place with a large variety of high quality foods available here. It attracts many "foodies", tourists and even keen photographers. The market also has a official website to provide shopping advice and a Flickr group for photographers to showcase their shots!
The photo above shows a market trader preparing a Malaysian curry dish for customer. Click here for the larger version.Unlike Walthamstow and Brixton markets which mainly offers bargain fruit and vegetable, Borough Market has a variety of high quality local and international foods. Its close proximity to London Bridge station is convenient for visitors. In fact, Walthamstow and Brixton are located at either end of Victoria Line Underground network.
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