Who will save Alitalia?
UPDATE 15 JANUARY 2009....ALITALIA HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY A GROUP OF ITALIAN BUSINESSMEN FOR 1.02 BILLIONS EURO WITH 25% MINORITY SHARE GOING TO THE AIR FRANCE-KLM GROUP.Is anybody going to save this majestic airline from
going under?
For over 50 years the world was used to see this magnificent airlines trot it's colours flying to 5 continents.
But with Globalisation, rationalisation, and fiscal and monetary turbulences encountered in all business facets, Alitalia, like other defunct airlines, who fought from going under, is now fighting for it's own survival.
The KLM-Air France, rescue team was unable to grab Alitalia and hence, with the resignation of it's executive, it is now left in limbo and hoping that it will be rescued, sooner rather than later.
One and indeed millions of travellers who have enjoyed flying Alitalia over the past decades are now wishing for this magnificent airline to fly again.
Here's wishing to see AZ in the skies all over the world once again.
Hayri Yuruten.
10 worst cities for pickpockets
Trip Advisor latest survey has a few shcoking news about some cities in the world that you thought were perfectly safe to visit.
10 European cities where pickpockets were rife, alive, and kicking were:
1-
Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain
Fun and music filled days and nights in this city,
is also famous for it's pickpockets.
2-Rome, Italy
The eternal city, with it's fountains, luxury goods
and world renowned fashion brands, is also the
home of slick italian pickpockets.
3-Prague, Czech Republic Before taking in the view of the Vltava River and the Prague Castle beyond, be sure valuables are
strapped down.
4-Madrid, Spain
Beware of the pickpockets plying in the museums
of this spectacular city.
5-Paris, France
The "Oooh La la's" should not take your attention
away from guarding jealously your belongings.
6-Florence, Italy
Michael Angelo would never forgive you, if whilst
visiting and wondering at his marvelous inventions
you would loose your precious belongings.
So beware!
7-Buenos Aires, Argentina
Should you fall for the steps of Tango, don't fall for
pickpockets also, active here.
8-Amsterdam, Netherlands
The "Venice" of the North will enchant you in more
ways than one, specially if you loose your wallet!
9-Athens, Greece
Whether you are visually enriched with the
antique beauty of the Parthenon or the Acropolis
make sure that your valuables suddenly doesn't
disappear!
10-Hanoi, Vietnam
While visiting this historic city, stay alert!
World best airport's as voted by Skytrax readers
WORLD'S TOP 10 AIRPORTS 1 Incheon International Airport
2 Hong Kong International Airport
3 Singapore Changi
4 Zurich
5 Munich
6 Kansai
7 Kuala Lumpur
8 Amsterdam
9 Centrair Nagoya
10 Auckland
BEST BY REGION
AFRICA
Cape Town
ASIA
Incheon Int'l
AUSTRALIA/PACIFIC
Auckland
EUROPE
Zurich
MIDDLE EAST
Tel Aviv
NORTH AMERICA
Dallas/Fort Worth
SOUTH AMERICA
Lima
CENTRAL AMERICA
Panama
BEST IN CATEGORY
BEST DUTY FREE SHOPPING
Dubai
EASIEST INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT AIRPORT
Incheon International
BEST AIRPORT DINING
Hong Kong
BEST SECURITY PROCESSING
Incheon International
CLEANEST AIRPORT WASHROOMS
Kansai
BEST TERMINAL CLEANLINESS
Incheon International
BEST BAGGAGE DELIVERY
Helsinki
BEST LEISURE AMENITIES
Singapore
BEST IMMIGRATION SERVICEKuala Lumpur
ASIA -PACIFIC MOST DIRTIEST HOTELS
Trip Advisor ( www.tripadvisor.com) travellers has compiled a list of 10 dirtiest hotels in this region, they are:
1- First Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand
2- Hotel Grand Central - Singapore, Singapore
3- The Imperial Hotel - Hong Kong, China
4- Royal Peacock Hotel - Singapore, Singapore
5- Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel and Resort - Bangkok, Thailand
6- Colmar Tropicale, A French-Themed Resort - Bentung,
Malaysia
7- Oxford Hotel - Singapore, Singapore
8- City Gate Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam
9- Royal Parkview Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand
10- Aseana Resort - Langkawi, Malaysia
So, there you go fellow travellers, avoid these establishment
and have a pleasant and safe travels.
Harry
World's most annoying airport
Heathrow has been voted the worst international airport for passport queues and baggage problems.
New York's JFK and Los Angeles International airports were ranked second and third worst in the survey by online travel and social network WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?).
The survey asked 2250 passengers about passport control, baggage handling, customs and security at major international airports.
Heathrow, the world's busiest air hub, was voted the worst for long passport queues followed by the two American airports.
The three were also seen as having the longest wait time for collecting baggage and were considered the most likely to damage luggage.
However New York and Heathrow were also regarded as the best airports for security, with British travellers putting Heathrow at number one.
Bangkok, Amsterdam and Rome were considered to have the least-thorough security.
Heathrow's passport control officers were also considered the friendliest after Australia's followed by Canada, although British travellers put Heathrow first.
US immigration officials were given the unwanted tag of being the rudest, followed by India and Russia.
Travellers wanting the shortest queuing times should head for Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, Changi in Singapore or Frankfurt
A380 RESTAURANT!!!
Yes folks, it had to happen, after the 747 Jumbo Hostel,
we now have the A380 restaurant!
Set in a dull commercial building in central Taipei, the A380 In-Flight Kitchen looks and functions like an airline in many ways, expect that it serves a regular restaurant menu of Western food, sometimes in plastic trays.
Since November 2008, the restaurant has been packing in wannabe passengers, who sit in soft speckled blue seats with headrests covered in white napkins and under oval-shaped windows. Locked white baggage compartments hang overhead.
Waitresses dressed as flight attendants take meal orders for filet mignon or waffles, as well as the customary fish and chicken. Staff say "welcome aboard" to customers and issue boarding passes to those who must wait for a table.
Of the 84 seats, 20 are "first class" or set aside for groups with advanced bookings, and the place is often overbooked, says business operations manager Emily Lu.
"There are customers who come in and say 'is this real airline food? Airline food doesn't taste good,'" Lu said, adding that they had turned a profit.
The restaurant, in Taipei's university quarter, opened after owner Yang Mao-hui figured that he could ride some of the Airbus A380's recent fame in the aviation industry by offering a simulated experience, Lu said.
A 747 Jumbo Jet converted into a hostel by Swedish Entrepreneur.
An old 747 Jumbo plane previously owned by Singapore Airlines and standing idle outside Stockholm Arlanda airport, was bought and turned into a hostel by Oscar Dios.
The idea came to Mr Dios when he was looking for a house or a building and said: " why not a plane?"
He bought and converted the old 747 into a 25 room hostel capable of sleeping 72 guests.
The customers will have 7 bathrooms to share among them except, the honeymoon suite which comes with it's own ensuite bathroom.
Compared to other hotels outside of the airport, the "Jumbo Hostel" rooms will cost 350 Swedish Kroners or about USD42.
Well, we had a cuise boat turned into a hotel why not a plane!!
Safe travels to you all.
Harry
THE WORLD'S FIRST SEVEN STARS HOTEL OPENS IN MILAN!
When the Burj Al-Arab opened in Dubai a few years back and got a rating of 6 stars, few would have thought that, this would be upstaged by a seven stars hotel.
But, that's exactly what happened, when the italian hotelier Alessandro Rosso, did not mind spending a few millions dollars, to open his new seven stars rated Town House Galleria in Milan, next to the famous Duomo Cathedral.
For people wanting opulence and luxury and not minding forking out 1000 Euro's (US$1343,00) for the starting room price, they are sure to get a few "Aaahhh's and Ooohhhh"s.
Here a couple of pictures of this establisment, for your perusal.
Happy and safe travels to all.
Harry
BANGKOK and The MALAYSIA HOTEL
I have been coming to Bangkok, since the seventies,but, quite frankly, I wasn't
interested how the city was developping in them days, as being a bachelor, I had only one thing in mind, Girls!
However, this time as our flight was approaching the new Suvarnabhumi airport, after only 5 days of protesters leaving the airport, I was naturally a bit nervous and also curious as to what Bangkok's was looking like after nearly 25 years of absence!
As we were taxiing towards the gate, I saw row upon row of aircrafts, of all shapes and sizes, parked on the apron, coming from all over the world.
As we came to a halt and passengers were deplaning, I found myself inside a gigantic building, looking like an over stretched hangar.
Moving walkways were guiding us towards the immigration and ultimately to the taxis stand.The process was quick and very efficient, upon paying a nominal 50BHT (US$1.43) our luggage was unceremoniously shoved in to the boot of a taxi, and
before we knew it, we were off to Malaysia hotel in the city.
I told the driver to avoid taking the tollway as I was the one who was going to pay for that toll!
This was a far cry exit from the old Don Muang airport, that I had so many times used in the past.
Freeways and it's many exits were placed on top of one another and unless you knew where you were going, it was not difficult to get lost in this concrete maze.
I tried to stay awake as I hadn't slept for the last 13hrs and watched the light filled miles pass us by.
My first impression of Bangkok having changed, was, as I was to find out later on, not impressive at all.
As we entered the gate to the hotel, a doorman welcomed us inside.I had to pay the meter fee of 200BHT plus a surcharge of 50BHT as the hour was
showing after midnight, and with the initial 50BHT that I had paid at the airport, the total cost of the trip was 300BHT (US$8.60) not bad, when you think that we had travelled nearly 40Km's.
Hotel Malaysia in the seventies, was located just opposite the hua lamphong, main train station of Bangkok. However, this time, this wasn't the case!
It was quite far from the station. Immediately, I asked myself whether this was the same hotel or the metamorphosis of the same named hotel displaced in a different suburb of Bangkok.
Soon after the registration process, we were given the key to our room on the 3rd floor.Upon entering the room, we noticed that there was a slot on the wall and by inserting our key the air condition was activated.
The large and confortable bathroom, was quite well designed and confortable to use.
The double bed plus the single bed were facing a colour TV with 6 local and 5 foreign channels ( 2 movies channels) the bedside table had switches and table light accomodating the restaurant menu (you can order food and drinks 24hrs/7) the TV remote and the telephone, was a welcome convenience, in what was a rather large room, with plenty of floor space to move and a mini fridge stocked with various cool drinks, of which only the the mini bottled water was complimentary!
My advice is unless you are desperate, do not touch the drinks in that mini fridge, as the prices are quite shocking! Beside, if you go out of the hotel gate, and turn right, you will see a 7/11 shop where the prices are 2/3 cheaper, right in front of you!
The dressing table with it's large mirror along with it's luggage rack, made this room at the cost of 980BHT (US$28.00) is one of the best value hotels in Bangkok. The location , was only 6Km from the main railway station or only 60BHT (US$1.72) by taxi, conveniently stationed in the courtyard of the hotel.
Malaysia hotel website is here:
http://www.malaysiahotelbkk.com/index.html
The next morning having slept like a baby, albeit, a cold one,we went downstairs to have our breakfast at the cafeteria doubling as an internet cafe.We had a bit of a problem, ordering our breakfast as the staff wasn't fluent in english and had to repeat several times, much to our annoyance, what we wanted to eat. Thankfully, everything on the menu had a number next to it, so we simply said "number 3 please".
However, much to our pleasure, we found that the prices were very very reasonable and the food was well presented and cooked.
Unfortunately, I could not say the same with their internet stations as it failed to connect, despite our numerous efforts, having to pass the idea of checking our emails.
In case you are short of cash, there's an ATM right at the entrance of the hotel gate, much to our delight, we were able to replenish our dwindling Peso reserve, with Baht's.
I noticed that the clients of this hotel, were mainly retired or pensioners gentlemen, with Americans being the majority.I remember reading in a comment made by one the past customer, mentioning that this hotel is renowned for it's "golden boys".
Sure enough when we entered the cafeteria, there was a bunch of "them" having a rupturous time with some elderly American tourists at the back of the cafeteria,
attracting some annoying glances from a bunch of policemen having their breakfast meals right in front of our table.
This fact did not bother us at all, as it did not interfere one bit with our holiday and unless you were looking at all these with an observing eye, you wouldn't notice it all.
I thought of taking a dip at the swimming pool located at the back of the cafeteria, to cool myself from the constant humid and hot air that prevails in Bangkok. But I soon gave up the idea, when Jo asked me to go around for sightseeing.
Sure enough, Bangkok HAD changed, however, in my humble opinion, not for the better.High rise buildings, an atrocious traffic problem and the ever present smog had changed this city. Peoples driving their motorcycles or bikes were wearing a surgical
mask, trying to stop the smog from entering their lungs. Bronchial problems and chest infections, were on the rise.
The Global Economic Crisis and the actions taken previously by the protesters, had indeed reduced the intake of tourists and whenever you were asking for the price of anything that you wanted to buy in the markets, you were first told a shocking
price usually starting (the lowest price) at 350BHT (10USD). This is where your bargaining skills comes in handy and unless you are a hard hagler, you will be "had"!
We went to the Hua Lamphong train station to buy our train tickets to Surat Thani and on to the island of Koh Samui. Upon getting out in to the courtyard, a taxi driver straight away started to hassle us by shouting "taxi" "Sir do you wanna a Taxi?", we
decided to ask how much he was going to charge us to the train station. Sure enough,he said "for you cheap 350BHT", cheap, my foot! This was a 6 minute ride and the fare would have been at the most 60BHT (1.72USD).When I said " 50Baht" he immediately started to laugh in a sarcastic manner and
shaked his head to the negative. So, I started to walk toward the gate with the intention of getting another one. It was no surprise that, just as i was about to get in into another taxi, he came back to me and said " ok,ok, for you first time in Bangkok, 50Baht!" First time! If he only knew that this was over the last 30 years my 11th trip here, he wouldn't have said that.
Nevertheless, we accepted and much to the annoyance of the other taxi driver who thought that, I was about to make his day, I let him go.
During the trip to the train station, the driver asked me all the usual questions, such as "how long will I stay in Bangkok?", "where will I go after here?", "what was I going to see or do whilst in Bangkok?", etc, etc,.
Not wanting to commit myself to whatever idea he might have if I gave him a specific answer, I said " I don't know" to all the questions, giving him no leeway to use on me!
When we arrived at the station he asked me if he should wait or go, I asked how much more he would want if I told him to wait. He said "100 Baht for the round trip including the wait" that sounded fair enough for me, so I gave him a time of 30 minutes to wait or to pick us up after that time, he nodded in the affirmative and left.
We bought our train tickets (2nd class economy sleeper) to Surat Thani, which included the coach and the ferry to Koh Samui for 1850BHT (52.95USD).
After half an hour, our taxi driver was there to pick us up and brings back to the hotel.
As we were leaving on the 11th of December, since we had one free day to kill, we decided to take a sightseeing trip or tour to the famous Floating Markets, Crocodile show, Elephant riding, snake farm (with a live Cobra show) and finally Rose Garden, with Thai cultural dance show, to entertain us.Since this was Jo's first trip to Bangkok, she was extatic.
We sat down in front of the "Tour Desk" in the lobby of the hotel and started perusing the numerous catalogues and finally, said "this one" pointing to the above-mentioned attractions. When we saw the price of 1100BHT (31.47USD) per person, we thought
that this was a pretty good price and paid 2200BHT and were told to be in the lobby at 7.30AM the next day for the pick-up.
After having our dinner whilst watching the BBC News in our room, we retired for the night.
The next morning we were in the lobby bright and early for breakfast, and was ready by 7.20AM. However, as the time went by and the clock hit 7.45AM, I was getting a bit nervous as there was no-one picking us up. As Jo went to ask at the front desk, from my table in the cafeteria I saw a white 18 seater mini-van pulling up in front of the entrance door and knew that they had come to pick-us up!
With a sigh of relief, we entered the air-conditioned minibus and made ourselves comfortable. After about 3 minutes, a lady sitting in the front introduced herself as our tour conductor and said that, we will first be going to the Floating markets
followed by the Elephant ride, then the snake farm then lunch (Included in the price)
then the crocodile show, followed by the final attraction being the Rose Garden where the Thai cultural dances will be held.
This was ok. But then, the bad news came and hit us on the face like a slap! We were expected to pay 600BHT (17.17USD) EACH! for the floating markets ride. Well, you can imagine my annoyance when I heard this news, as it was not mentioned in the
catalogue and thus, was a hidden cost. Not to disappoint Jo, I bear and grinned upon
hearing this, but, I put on a brave face an managed to have a forced smile. Since we were now comitted to taking this tour I already was wandering whether there would be more hidden cost to be divulged as the tour progressed.
The floating Markets, was a thrill and a complete surprise to Jo who was amazed at the variety of goods sold and bought, from wooden boats, barely 5inches above the water. (See photos on the right hand side of this page)
When the water ride was finished we were told that we would be free to do our shopping at a souvenir emporium, right at the edge of the water.
Naturally, Jo was absolutely delighted, being able to buy various souvenirs or Pasalubong (in Tagalog) for her family members, friends and work colleagues.
After two and half hours of Floating Markets and souvenir buying, we were off to the Elephant riding area. Upon reaching the area, Jo was so excited with the prospect of riding an elephant, that we nearly missed the price and the sign that was posted on
top of the ticket booth - 600BHT PER PERSON FOR HALF AN HOUR OF ELEPHANT RIDING! Some members in our tour (including yours truly) wasn't amused upon seeing that sign! However, as this was maybe a first and a last, lifetime opportunity
for Jo she gladly paid the money and went on the ride. (See right hand side of this page)
But, I was furious and became very vocal complaining that these hidden costs should
have been mentioned in the catalogue (which, if it did, we would have not taken the tour at all!), my displeasure was echoed by other members of the tour, to the tour guide who, remained very quite and was heard murmuring "Sorry Sir"
After the elephant ride, we were off to the snake farm and the Cobra show. However, this time, I asked the tour guide if there were any more hidden costs. She told us that we were expected to pay 300BHT (8.60USD) per person for that show, but, there would
not be anymore fee's payable for the rest of the tour. I've gasped a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
After 45 minutes, we arrived at what looked like a mini reptilean zoo, with various snakes of all sizes were inside a concrete "box" with a gigantic crocodile passively sunbathing in an another. Then, we were called to gather at the ticket counter for the live Cobra show. The show started with the 'Master of ceremonies" explaining the life of the said reptile, and how venemous the cobra's were. Then, it was on, a man went inside a ring with of course who else but a cobra and started to taunt the reptile, which, on several occasions was trying to bite the man by hissing it's displeasure of being exposed and ridiculed to the audience. After several similar attempts by different men, the highlight of the show came, when the man held a cobra from it's
head and started to roam inside the audience for photo shoots and people brave enough to touch and caress the cobra. The show ended with a thunderous applause from the audience.
It was time for us to have lunch and we boarded the minivan.
Lunch was inside the Bangkok zoo's restaurant. A buffet was laid out with western and Thai food, divided for people who liked hot (as in chili hot) and not hot food.
Our lunch was copious and satisfied we went on to the Elephant show, where trained
elephants were seen playing war games, depicting famous Thai battles in the past (with real fires and explosions) Thai sword fighting, football with gigantic balls and at the end, the elephants gathered at the rails and saluted the crowd amid thunderous
and rousing applause. The crowd were then told that if they wished they could feed the elephants with bananas and sugar cane sticks bought from the vendors, which the crowd did (and so did we). As the crowd dispersed, I knew that the crocodile show was next. But, having seen that in the seventies, I was, along with hundreds of others, witness to the horrible way the guy who was taunting the crodile and was doing all kind of heroic acts, lost his right arm, when the crodile bit it clean off from his shoulders, amidst the horrific shouting and screeming from the crowd, the blood and the gore scene was too much for me and made an indelible impression and I had vowed never to see another crocodile show ever again!
So, I let Jo go, and see the show whilst I was resting on a bank and taking pictures of the crocodiles. (see right hand side of this page).
Our final item on the tour was the Rose Garden, where Thai cultural dances would be shown to the tour members. Upon our arrival, we saw elephants again! But, this time you could ride one for 50BHT (1.43USD) albeit for 5 minutes only. I do not want to
repeat the words that I uttered when I saw that!
This segment of the show lasted for nearly an hour and again, havig seen all that before hand, I send Jo to enjoy it. Which she did, judging from her smile upon her return.
Since the morning when we were picked-up at 7.50AM, until now with the clock showing that it was 3.30PM, if it wasn't for the hidden costs being slapped at us, thewhole thing would have been quite enjoyable. However, one thing that Jo was certain,
she enjoyed the tour tremendeously and had no regrets for the extra cost that was taken from us.
To recap, our adventure of 3 days in Bangkok, the city is overpopulated, over polluted, traffic jams of gigantic proportions are a daily reality and prices are going through the roof!
If you stand all of that, I wish you a happy and safe travels to you all.
Harry
AIR ASIA X..SELLS ONE WAY FARES TO LONDON FOR A$260.SERVICE TO START MARCH 2009!
Air Asia X the long haul arm of Air Asia is to start their new Kuala Lumpur to London services in March 2009.
To celebrate this new service they are offering seats to London on a one way basis for A$260...all charges are inclusive in this fare.
The service will be using an Airbus A340.
There will be 5 flights a week to and from Kuala Lumpur and London.
Happy and safe travels to you all.
Harry
TIGER AIRWAYS CUTS MANILA TO MACAU FLIGHTS!
Tiger Airways of Singapore has announced that they will be ceasing operating flights from Manila to Macau, as of 16 November 2008.
I learned of this news on the 4th of November.
Of course, no explanation was given as to why this sudden decision was taken!
My personal belief is that, the competition from Cebu Pacific, was the main reason. Load factors being so vital to el-cheapo airlines, would have forced Tiger Airways to cut flights.
Yours truly was booked to fly-out on Tiger Airways flight from Manila to Macau on the 8th of December.
After the announcement of the cut, I was expecting Tiger Airways, to do what normally, in this situation, any other airline would do, and that is, to contact passengers and give them their options (if any).
However, until today the 22th of November 2008, no such contact was made by the said airline.
I took the iniative to call them in Manila and asked them, what was I suppose to expect from them.
I was told by a reservation clerk that the options given to the passengers booked on that flight were as follows:
1- Re-route (with Tiger Airways) to another destination.
2- Apply for a full refund.
I chose the latter, I was told that the refund would be credited in my credit card in 21 days!
Here's hoping that, this will happen!
IT DID HAPPEN FOLKS! TIGER AIRWAYS HAVE REFUNDED MY MONEY ON THE 24TH OF NOVEMBER 2008!
CEBU PACIFIC NOW IS YOUR TURN! DO THE RIGHT THING AND REFUND MY MONEY AS WELL!
Happy and safe travels to you all.
Harry
GLOBAL FERTILITY TOURISM!
We have seen eco-tourism, adventure tourism, health tourism, and now we have Global fertility Tourism!
What is it? I hear you ask!
Well, If you are a woman and unable to have your own child, it is created for you (through in-vitro fertilization) then, implanted in to the womb of the woman who wasn't able to conceive.
Simple right?
Well, it certainly looks that way.
However, the moral and ethical question is left wide open to discuss the issue.
India, who is advertising this new trend of tourism claims "many healthy young fertile Indian women who are superovulated exclusively for you" with fees payable online by credit card!
The fee's are half of what you would expect to pay in western countries, and the women applicants gets to have twice the number of embryo's implanted in them, to make sure that they will fall pregnant.
India, does not have the same dilemma as the west about the legal, moral and ethical implications.
A woman who for the sake of keeping her anonymity, we will call Ms Doe, who is of German nationality, was unable to conceive a child for years and fearing that her "biological clock" was ticking at the age of 40 plus, decided that she would want to have a child before "it was too late!".
At the end of last year, she boarded a plane in London and flew to Mumbai. It wasn't her first trip there - she is a management consultant and often goes overseas on business.
But this time she went to have five embryos implanted in her womb. Two days later she flew home. While on business in Hong Kong in January, she discovered she was, at 42, pregnant with just one embryo.
It was the culmination of a six-year struggle to become a mother. Divorced at 29, she hadn't been in a serious relationship since she was 34. "I always wanted to have a child but the men kept saying, 'Why don't we travel?"' she says. "It wasn't that I was obsessed with my career; I just couldn't get men to be a father."
First, she tried to adopt in Germany, , but that didn't work out. Then, in 2004, she moved to Britain to take advantage of that country's more liberal attitude to single women who need in vitro fertilisation. She spent $45,000 in less than three years, trying and failing to conceive at a private clinic. When she finally conceived in India, she was in a state of "shock and disbelief."
She has no genetic link with her baby, born in September. The colour of its eyes, length of its legs and slope of its nose were determined by a man and a woman who are strangers not only to her, but also to each other. Her baby's biological parents live 7000kilometres apart and are separated by language and culture.
All they share is the decision to ply their gametes in the global fertility bazaar where she shopped for the ingredients of life, perusing and eventually paying for eggs and sperm. She bought the sperm online from a Danish sperm bank retailing in New York. The $2600 price tag included shipping to Mumbai. There, the sperm was used to fertilise the fresh eggs of an Indian woman who was paid 40,000 rupees ($1200).
So, there you go "instant baby", just like expresso coffee or noodle soup!
For those of us, who are wondering "what next", I may hazard a guess and say that, it will be like dining in a Michelin's five star restaurant.
" I like to have my steak rare, with hot sauce and saute champignons, and tender green beans."
Translated literally, " I like to have a girl, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and long legs, please!"
Mind you with the likes of genetical engineering and DNA manipulation, this is already being done by some " Scientists!".
If that's the case, isn't that like, Dr Joseph Mengele's re-incarnation, minus the torture?
I would leave you readers with that thought, and simply say, what would divine wisdom thinks about all that?
Happy and safe travels to you all.
Harry
So you like your beer huh! Check these 10 Beer destinations.
Beer drinkers rejoice, a new survey by backpacking travellers, has found 10 countries where you will find
liquid delight.
Try testing the local brew and to find out, who better to ask, than the barman or barmaid.
Here's the 10 most beer drinking countries sought by backpakers (not necessarily in order)
1- Germany
2- England
3- Australia
4- Japan
5- Vietnam
6- The Netherlands
7- USA
8- Croatia
9- Czech Republic
10- New Zealand.
Happy and safe travels to you all and cheers!
Harry
TRAVEL TIPS No: 2
Cutting your travel expenses.
Here are some tips to cut your travel expenses and get more mileage out of your dollars.
1- Book early.
2- Compare prices for a day earlier or later.
3- Instead of top destinations choose a "secondary" destination. I.e: instead of Hong Kong choose Macau.
4- Avoid taking taxis and instead use the public transport.
5- Don't eat at western icon fastfood restaurants.
Go to where the locals eat.
6- Opt for cheaper accomodation, such as hostels,
bed and breakfast joints, and other pensions.
7- If possible travel by land when visiting the country, by taking buses or trains, instead of flying.
8- Pay whenever possible by cash instead of using your credit card.
9- When buying things, use your bargaining power.
10- Unless it is the norm or the customs, do not give tips, for services rendered.
If you stick to these simple rules, you will enjoy and have more cash in your pocket, whilst travelling.
Happy and safe travels.
Harry
Another airlines bites the dust!
LTE, a private spanish owned airline, had to suspend their operations as financial difficulties made it impossible to continue operating.
The airlines has issued the following notice on their website (http://www.lte.es/default.aspx?lang=en):
"IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT SERVICES SUSPENSION
Lte International Airways S.A. wish to inform you that due to the financial situation of the company, that make it difficult to meet the operational expenses in the next days, we have had to suspend our charter and scheduled operations.
Lte is doing everything to minimize the impact of this suspension of services on its clients and providers. After 20 years operating with maximum dedication to our clients it just was not possible to avoid this situation given world events lately.
We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause to our passengers, clients and suppliers.
Lte International Airways S.A."
Passengers booked on LTE flights were offered a refund but not an alternative flight to get them home.
THE NEW AIRBUS 380 WHAT IS THE "HOOPLA" ABOUT THIS PLANE?
See below for photos and article.
CEBU PACIFIC UPDATE....REFUND RECEIVED AFTER P2000 CANCELLATION FEE ON THE 10TH OF DECEMBER 2008
I have had it with this airline. Despite their cheap prices and empty promises,it's been over 3 months since I cancelled my flight and still NO REFUND!
Apparently I am not the only one complaining about delayed refunds or no refunds at all!
Despite numerous calls, which never got answered and follow-ups, it seems that Cebu pacific is impervious to thousands of irrate passengers complaining of late flights, bad service and refunds not given on time or refunds not given at all!
After a search on Google over 1700 results were shown
and after checking the first few links given, there were so many complaints against Cebu Pacific that, the unanimous view was that the airline was nothing but a "Corporate Thief".
Here are examples of the comments made by unhappy customers of Cebu Pacific:
"OH F**K! WE GOT SCREWED BY CEBU PACIFIC!” taken from the blog "PinoyTux Weblog " http://www.pinoytux.com/rantings/cebu-pacific-airlines-is-evil
"Why has CEBU PACIFIC failed to refund me my money for almost 4 months now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
taken from weblog "not-another-blog"
http://not-another-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/cebu-pacific-refund-saga.html
"What happened was they book more than the plane’s capacity and then suddenly at check in it becomes a first come first serve basis. If everyone comes in on time (like what happend to us), unahan na sa seats! What the F*** happened to booking early and reserving your seat!?!? Cebu Pacific sucks big time!"
taken from the weblog " Jason Magbanua"
http://jasonmagbanua.com/blog/2008/02/29/cebu-pacific-sucks/
"I asked for a refund, they said that it would only take 60 days for the refunds but it's been 4 months and still haven't received my refund."
taken from the website " Epinions.com"
http://www.epinions.com/Cebu_Pacific/display_~reviews
"I even liked your latest Bicol promotional advertisement. “We’re Not Laing.” Cute, but if you keep up this kind of service and flight delays, I’d say a better line would be “YOU’RE SO DAING”!!!"
Taken from the website "Market manila"
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/cebu-pacific-youre-so-daing
"HAVING HAD MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT MY RECENT BLOG REGARDING CEBUPACIFIC AIRLINES AND THEIR APPALLING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE == WELL THEY DONT HAVE ONE IN REALITY!
AND THE APALLING DISREGARD THEY EXHIBIT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS I PERSONALLY CONSIDER THEM TO BE CORPORATE THIEVES
AND THEY SHOULD BE EXPOSED AND TAKEN TO COURT AND SUED FOR THE HARDSHIP AND TROUBLE THEY CAUSE TO UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS"
Taken from the website "Macuha.com"
http://www.macuha.com/2008/01/rants/my-cebu-pacific-experience/
" I used to like Cebu Pacific too, BUT not anymore!"
Taken from the website "Market Manila"
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/cebu-pacific-youre-so-daing#comment-126844
Could all these customers be wrong? I don't think so. When you start using monies no longer your own and start using this money to boost your profits, you should be taken to court and sued for unethical business conduct, misappropriating funds of customers and be exposed to the world for this in-excusable, atrocious, corporate theft.
If you book and try to travel with Cebu Pacific, you do so, at your own risk and peril.
GIVE THEM A MISS.
Harry.
TRAVEL TIP No: 1- Travelling to Europe? What can you expect?
France, a place where the pedestrian apparently has no rights, and zebra crossings simply are insignificant paint on the roads.
Crossing the street in France is a game of chance and bluff: you try to bluff the drivers that you're crossing whatever they do, and you take the chance that they
will have a conscience after all and at least slow down.
But it's not just in France that motorists are arrogantly dismissive of pedestrians. It's a
cultural phenomenon in Europe.
But in France, they do it with more panache.
This is one of the lessons the visitor must learn in order to survive in Europe.
Here's another: Europe is a paradise for gaspers.
Gasping is the European community's national sport. Even with bans in place in many countries, the place is rife with chuffers happily and carefreely blowing smoke in your face. In cafes and bars, anywhere within sight of the footpath and street seems their territory.
If you don't like total strangers blowing smoke into your face, crowding your space with carcinogenic particles, then beware.
Particularly of Switzerland, of all places.
Known as an urbane, go-ahead kind of place, Switzerland is one of the few countries in Europe still
to impose bans on smoking in bars and restaurants.
In France, there also is the Curse of the Non-French Credit Card.
These days, you can get cash and pay for things with your credit and debit cards from pretty well any ATM in Europe, but there is an important exception to this in France.
Financial transaction machines in France that are associated with government organisations will not
accept credit and debit cards issued by banks that aren't French.
That means that cards issues by non-french banks won't work.
So having said all that, don't forget to say "Bonjour" at least this will help you melt the ice (and maybe the smoke as well) when you are in French speaking Europe!
Au revoir et bon voyage (Good-bye and good travel).
Due to the acclaimed rain forests and cloud forests in the greater Monteverde area, Monteverde has become a major part of the Costa Rican tourist trail - despite difficult access. It was recently voted one of the "7 Wonders of Costa Rica" by the Costa Rican newspaper La Nacion Of Monteverde's total 200,000 annual tourists, over 60,000 tourists visit the reserve.
Due to its vast biodiversity, warm clear waters and its accessibility from the floating guest facilities called live aboards,the reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially scuba divers. Many cities along the Queensland coast offer daily boat trips to the reef. Several continental and coral cay islands have been turned into resorts, including the pristine resort island of Lady Elliott Island.
Everglades National Park is centered on a fresh water river, with sawgrass marshes and mangrove islands.
The park holds the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America and the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western hemisphere. It’s the habitat of some 14 threatened species.
The Everglades is one of 26 World Heritage Sites in danger and according to Smithsonian magazine, is currently "the focus of the world's largest environmental restoration project." It is the only place on earth that has both alligators and crocodiles living side by side. And contrary to what people say, it's a marsh, not a swamp because its main vegetation is grassy, not woody.
The Bayous are serene,mysterious and beautiful.They are the home of Cypress Swamps abundant wildlife and fish.There's Swamp Tours,Fishing Charters both inshore and offshore,Hunting Charters and Bow Fishing Charters.There's Jean Lafitte Wildlife Refuge with walking tours,Mardi Gras and many fine Restaurants.
The Taj Mahal attracts from 2 to 4 million visitors annually, with more than 200,000 from overseas. Most tourists visit in the cooler months of October, November and February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from carparks or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras (northern courtyards) are currently being restored for use as a new visitor centre. The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, originally was constructed with caravansarais bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workmen. Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings ofseven wonders of the modern world, including the recently announced New Seven Wonders of the World, a recent poll with 100 million votes.
Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
The Alps are popular both in summer and in winter as a destination for sightseeing and sports.Winter sports(alpine and Nordic skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, ski tours) can be practised in most regions from December to April, while in summer the Alps are popular with hikers, mountain bikers, paragliders, mountaineers, while many lakes attract swimmers, sailors and surfers. The lower regions and larger towns of the Alps are well accessed by motorways and main roads but higher passes and by-roads can be treacherous even in summer. Many passes are closed in winter. A multitude of airports around the Alps (and some within), as well as long-distance rail links from all neighbouring countries, afford large numbers of travellers easy access from abroad.
Bora Bora, located about 160 miles northwest of Tahiti and approximately 2,600 miles south of Hawaii, was discovered in 1722, and is arguably the most beautiful island on the planet.
Its ancient name of Vava'u suggests that the original inhabitants of this seven-million-year-old island arrived from Tonga.
And interestingly, in the local Tahitian language there is no "B," so its actual name is then Pora Pora, meaning "first born."
Bora Bora's fabled blue lagoon (above) is, according to novelist James A. Michener, "so stunning, that there are really no adequate words to describe it."
Volcanic in origin, Bora Bora's rugged main island, and a few smaller islands, are completely surrounded by coral reefs.
Made famous by books, movies, and its stunning beauty, the island is now besieged by tourism and overcrowding. Regardless, if you must visit a South Pacific island (and you should), Bora Bora would be an excellent choice.
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