Here I am, sitting in the hotel lobby in Medan (Indonesia), accessing their free Internet service, in my shorts with at least 1 mosquito buzzing around hoping to suck me dry.
Today, in Jakarta, there was a massive demonstration in protest of their government reducing their fuel subsidy, resulting in an expected increase in fuel prices of at least 50% (those whom I spoke to predicted 70-90%).
Last I heard, many public transport were not available, and roads were closed.
Luckily, one colleague I left in Jakarta reached the airport in the morning before all these happened.
I am hoping that tomorrow, my transit flight from Medan-Jakarta-Singapore will not be affected.
Yesteday was one whole day of seminar, today was a busy day going around visiting 5 new potential customers. No chance to visit Lake Toba as it is a 3 hour drive from Medan.
Tomorrow, I will be back home and enjoying my weekend.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Weekend Updates
I am not sure if I should put this up, cos what I am have is definitely not really allowed by the books.
But what the heck - I got myself a pair of Motorola SX700R last week. Managed to find it somewhere near Sim Lim. And a pair of the set, plus a pair of earpeice, costs S$180. That is damn cheap (in my opinion) for something of that power.
Anyway, it is a consumer type, thus, I do not expect to be able to conduct any of my childhood spying dreams (not unless I expect people listening in to laugh at me with my childish acts). It is not able to scramble my voice, or use any digital encryption to prevent eavesdropping. But I guess it is good enough for my uses (now you use your creativity to think what use I could have for it.)
Over the last 2 nights, I have discovered some places in Singapore that I had seldom been to. All in conquests of high location so that I can tune into other people's conversation.
And you will not believe what I have caught in just 2 nights.
First night, 2 civilian convoys - one of about 8-10 Rav4, another of 15-20 Getz. Listening to their movement and their excursions. Too bad didn't catch any of the "action on the road" type of transmissions.
Last night, was listening to a couple of conversations, held by what I believe to be dock workers (due to background noises that I heard) talking about their adventures in red-light districts ; Adventures of the close encounters of the breasts-too-large-to-fit-into-my-palms types.
Conversations in hokkien, peppered with vulgarities usually crack me up. Man, I am now a high-tech voyeur. I hope I do NOT find any cheap night-vision with 12x optical zoom that is less than S$300, else I will have to change jobs.
Next hobby - Mod earpiece outlet of my set to go into an MP3 player for recording. Who knows, maybe I will be posting conversations I have heard over the air here. But then, that will be really evil of me...
But what the heck - I got myself a pair of Motorola SX700R last week. Managed to find it somewhere near Sim Lim. And a pair of the set, plus a pair of earpeice, costs S$180. That is damn cheap (in my opinion) for something of that power.
Anyway, it is a consumer type, thus, I do not expect to be able to conduct any of my childhood spying dreams (not unless I expect people listening in to laugh at me with my childish acts). It is not able to scramble my voice, or use any digital encryption to prevent eavesdropping. But I guess it is good enough for my uses (now you use your creativity to think what use I could have for it.)
Over the last 2 nights, I have discovered some places in Singapore that I had seldom been to. All in conquests of high location so that I can tune into other people's conversation.
And you will not believe what I have caught in just 2 nights.
First night, 2 civilian convoys - one of about 8-10 Rav4, another of 15-20 Getz. Listening to their movement and their excursions. Too bad didn't catch any of the "action on the road" type of transmissions.
Last night, was listening to a couple of conversations, held by what I believe to be dock workers (due to background noises that I heard) talking about their adventures in red-light districts ; Adventures of the close encounters of the breasts-too-large-to-fit-into-my-palms types.
Conversations in hokkien, peppered with vulgarities usually crack me up. Man, I am now a high-tech voyeur. I hope I do NOT find any cheap night-vision with 12x optical zoom that is less than S$300, else I will have to change jobs.
Next hobby - Mod earpiece outlet of my set to go into an MP3 player for recording. Who knows, maybe I will be posting conversations I have heard over the air here. But then, that will be really evil of me...
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Photos of Brisbane Trip
Ok. Was back from Brisbane yesterday. Finally settled everything, and today I am energetic enough to blog again.
I have uploaded some photos (of course, as usual, no photos with faces in them,) and I will give a quick summary of the whole trip :
Day 1 - Kingaroy Wine Tours
Managed to get an earlier than expected start after we picked-up our vehicle. Took a 2 hour trip from Brisbane to Kingaroy area to start our wine tour. Went to Stuart Range, and Cranes (Flower 1, Flower 2 and Vines) before dark. Checked into the hotel and had nice dinner and good rest.
Day 2 - Wine Tours in Morning ; Travel to Hervey Bay
Woke up and hit a few more wineries. Bought some wines to bring home, as well as extra for ourselves to enjoy during the trip. Had to stop at around 3 and start the drive up to Hervey Bay.
Reached the hotel (The Grange) almost 6, bought groceries and made speghetti for dinner. The house we stayed in was wonderful, with 3 levels and a jacuzzi.
Day 3 - Fraser Island Tour
Took a ferry to the Island and boarded a 4WD bus that took us around some parts of the island. Information on Fraser Island can be found here.
Basically it is the world largest island that is formed completely by sand. According to the guide, there are only 4 pieces of rocks on the island. Most of what we see are just compressed sand, or sand with rotting vegetation, etc. So technically, they are not rocks.
And when we were standing near a stream, we couldn't hear the sound of water flowing, because there were no rocks to break the flow of water.
Saw also the The Pinnacle, the Shipwreck and Basin Lake.
The ferry back was also scenic.
Day 4 - Whale Watching Tour ; Travel to Surfer's Paradise
Took a half day tour to watch whales. Saw more than we bargained for. Also saw dolphins and turtles in the ocean joining in the fun.
It was a hot but wonderful trip. Back to mainland about 2.30pm and had to start our 400+ km down from Hervey Bay to Surfer's Paradise.
Day 5 - Movie World
Ok. Enjoyed it but not as great as I expected. Not going to show any photos, as good ones can be found in brochures as well. Ha !
Day 6 - Weekend Markets
Didn't take photos. But just bought some stuff at the weekend market. Not a lot though, and nothing very interesting.
But saw quite a few handcrafts that looked like they are imported from Bali. Now we know why Australians like to go to Bali.
Day 7 - Markets and Shopping
Went to Habour Town for branded goods shopping, and also other shopping malls. Nothing much I have to say.
Day 8 - Dream World
Very enjoyable. Managed to ride all 5 biggest Thrillers and a few others.
Day 9 - Sea World ; Travel to Tangalooma
Spent the morning half at Sea World. Saw cute dolphin shows and other sea animals. Didn't bring camera, so no photos, but you can see the brochure here.
Had to leave after lunch, as we need to catch the 5pm ferry to Tangalooma resort.
Had dinner along the beach and was mesmerized by the wonderful view of the night sky.
Day 10 - Tangalooma Island
Did a Quad-bike tour in the morning and then lazed around the beach. Had fun competing with my friends to see who is the best paper-aeroplane engineer. Also had some archery practise, Robin Hood style (not the high-tech bow that you see during the Olympics. No aiming sights, no arrorw rest.)
Evening, we fed the dolphins. Then took the last ferry back to mainland, and made our way to our to Brisbane.
Day 11 - Picnic and Mount Cootha
Spent the morning and afternoon lazing around the Botanic Gardens and New Farm Park (Rose 1, Rose 2), having our Picnic lunch. Brought along the hotel blanket to be our groundsheet. Grass was soft and dry, the weather was cool under the shade. No sweating even with the sun bathing our skin.
After dinner, made our way up Mount Cootha to see the night view of Brisbane.
The next day, we came back to Singapore on a morning flight.
I will have to say I did really enjoy my trip. Initial estimate of the total expenses should be less than S$2,500. Definitely Worth It !
I have uploaded some photos (of course, as usual, no photos with faces in them,) and I will give a quick summary of the whole trip :
Day 1 - Kingaroy Wine Tours
Managed to get an earlier than expected start after we picked-up our vehicle. Took a 2 hour trip from Brisbane to Kingaroy area to start our wine tour. Went to Stuart Range, and Cranes (Flower 1, Flower 2 and Vines) before dark. Checked into the hotel and had nice dinner and good rest.
Day 2 - Wine Tours in Morning ; Travel to Hervey Bay
Woke up and hit a few more wineries. Bought some wines to bring home, as well as extra for ourselves to enjoy during the trip. Had to stop at around 3 and start the drive up to Hervey Bay.
Reached the hotel (The Grange) almost 6, bought groceries and made speghetti for dinner. The house we stayed in was wonderful, with 3 levels and a jacuzzi.
Day 3 - Fraser Island Tour
Took a ferry to the Island and boarded a 4WD bus that took us around some parts of the island. Information on Fraser Island can be found here.
Basically it is the world largest island that is formed completely by sand. According to the guide, there are only 4 pieces of rocks on the island. Most of what we see are just compressed sand, or sand with rotting vegetation, etc. So technically, they are not rocks.
And when we were standing near a stream, we couldn't hear the sound of water flowing, because there were no rocks to break the flow of water.
Saw also the The Pinnacle, the Shipwreck and Basin Lake.
The ferry back was also scenic.
Day 4 - Whale Watching Tour ; Travel to Surfer's Paradise
Took a half day tour to watch whales. Saw more than we bargained for. Also saw dolphins and turtles in the ocean joining in the fun.
It was a hot but wonderful trip. Back to mainland about 2.30pm and had to start our 400+ km down from Hervey Bay to Surfer's Paradise.
Day 5 - Movie World
Ok. Enjoyed it but not as great as I expected. Not going to show any photos, as good ones can be found in brochures as well. Ha !
Day 6 - Weekend Markets
Didn't take photos. But just bought some stuff at the weekend market. Not a lot though, and nothing very interesting.
But saw quite a few handcrafts that looked like they are imported from Bali. Now we know why Australians like to go to Bali.
Day 7 - Markets and Shopping
Went to Habour Town for branded goods shopping, and also other shopping malls. Nothing much I have to say.
Day 8 - Dream World
Very enjoyable. Managed to ride all 5 biggest Thrillers and a few others.
Day 9 - Sea World ; Travel to Tangalooma
Spent the morning half at Sea World. Saw cute dolphin shows and other sea animals. Didn't bring camera, so no photos, but you can see the brochure here.
Had to leave after lunch, as we need to catch the 5pm ferry to Tangalooma resort.
Had dinner along the beach and was mesmerized by the wonderful view of the night sky.
Day 10 - Tangalooma Island
Did a Quad-bike tour in the morning and then lazed around the beach. Had fun competing with my friends to see who is the best paper-aeroplane engineer. Also had some archery practise, Robin Hood style (not the high-tech bow that you see during the Olympics. No aiming sights, no arrorw rest.)
Evening, we fed the dolphins. Then took the last ferry back to mainland, and made our way to our to Brisbane.
Day 11 - Picnic and Mount Cootha
Spent the morning and afternoon lazing around the Botanic Gardens and New Farm Park (Rose 1, Rose 2), having our Picnic lunch. Brought along the hotel blanket to be our groundsheet. Grass was soft and dry, the weather was cool under the shade. No sweating even with the sun bathing our skin.
After dinner, made our way up Mount Cootha to see the night view of Brisbane.
The next day, we came back to Singapore on a morning flight.
I will have to say I did really enjoy my trip. Initial estimate of the total expenses should be less than S$2,500. Definitely Worth It !
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Midway Update on Brisbane
Been a few days of my Brisbane trip. Not much chance for Internet access. Let me just give a quick summary (no pictures, I am just sending an email to my client and then rushing out to to the beach.)
First 2 days were spent around Kingaroy area, going through the vineyards. Bought 2 crates of wines from various wineries and consuming them in the hotels and will be bringing back some.
Hotel in Kingaroy was so-so, but once we reached Hervey Bay, we checked into a townhouse. It was a 3-storey apartment, with 3 bedrooms, 3 toilets with 1 having a jacuzzi.
First day there was spent on a 4WD bus going around Frasier Island. The largest sand island in the world. The whole island is just sand and amazing rainforest growing on sand. The experience wasn't the best as we spent quite some time in the vehicle and ended the day with sore bums.
Second day was fun ! Took a cruise out for whale watching. So we saw several humpback whales up close and personal (nearest whale surfaced about only 3 meters away from the boat) and dolphins and turtles.
After the cruise we spent the better half of the afternoon driving 400km down to Gold Coast.
So we went to Movie world, the night and weekend markets, the shopping malls and today the beach. Oh what glorious sun and icy cold sea...
Coming up will be Dream world, Sea world and then will be going to Tangalooma for some "touch the dolphins" and will be looking for quad-bike rentals.
Ok. Going to the beach now... Updates later...
First 2 days were spent around Kingaroy area, going through the vineyards. Bought 2 crates of wines from various wineries and consuming them in the hotels and will be bringing back some.
Hotel in Kingaroy was so-so, but once we reached Hervey Bay, we checked into a townhouse. It was a 3-storey apartment, with 3 bedrooms, 3 toilets with 1 having a jacuzzi.
First day there was spent on a 4WD bus going around Frasier Island. The largest sand island in the world. The whole island is just sand and amazing rainforest growing on sand. The experience wasn't the best as we spent quite some time in the vehicle and ended the day with sore bums.
Second day was fun ! Took a cruise out for whale watching. So we saw several humpback whales up close and personal (nearest whale surfaced about only 3 meters away from the boat) and dolphins and turtles.
After the cruise we spent the better half of the afternoon driving 400km down to Gold Coast.
So we went to Movie world, the night and weekend markets, the shopping malls and today the beach. Oh what glorious sun and icy cold sea...
Coming up will be Dream world, Sea world and then will be going to Tangalooma for some "touch the dolphins" and will be looking for quad-bike rentals.
Ok. Going to the beach now... Updates later...
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