Bike Week UK

What a coincidence, Bike Week UK starts tomorrow, and I just stumbled on to this information after I have placed my 2nd order (first order failed due to security measures of PayPal) for a folding bike to ride around during my 3 week (left 2) stay in Manchester.

I wish can I can participate somehow.

AZ vs SG, F vs C

A real estate company selling homes in Scottsdale says it is 80 degrees in AZ? Wow!! 30 degrees in SG is already very hot!

Of course, there must be some mistakes here ... . AZ refers to Arizona in US, while SG here refers to Singapore. Thus, different common scales used for temperatures.

Nevertheless, after few trips to some cold places, I have come to appreciate the convenient of warm/hot weather. For example, we don't need Resort Styled HEATED Pool here. Also, I can ride my bicycle here in simple T-shirt and shorts all year round less a few days with downpour.

Post Sponsored by Scottsdale Fine Properties.

Now I know them

Who are they? I bet most Malaysians know who are they. However, I didn't know about them as I am not a Malaysian. Now I know who they are. However, I didn't know who they are because of their ... professions. I know who they are because of their passion to help bring more peace to the world.

They are appointed ambassadors for the upcoming Global Peace Festival 2008, Malaysia.

Nevertheless, for the non-Malaysian readers, let me introduce. They are Malaysia’s first Angkasawan (astronaut) Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Malaysian Idols Jaclyn Victor and Daniel Lee.

Long break from blogging; a trip to Korea

Dear readers (as if there are :)),

Just a note to say that the long break from blogging was due to my overseas trip to Gapyeong, Guri, and Seoul from end of July till early August.

Previously I had the impression that having an address in Korea may not guarantee that you can find the place. Now, an address + GPS in taxi, it is quite guaranteed, provided the address is written/spelt correctly.

Since I couldn't find South Korea map in Google Maps, so I thought there isn't any such information online. However, my friend manage to find it here, although it seems to be only in Korean.

Footsteps of Paul

One way to empower ourselves is to follow the footsteps of those who are great. Usually, this means following the internal thoughts and wisdoms. Nevertheless, it is also good to follow the external path physically as it should enhance our appreciation of those great people.

According to the Holy Bible, a great man who worked very hard to establish what is now known as the Christian faith, but was still a sect then, is Apostle Paul. I came across Christian Cruises, where one of its itineraries is planned according to Acts 27-28 on Apostle Paul's journey from Italy to Rome ... , from 16 to 26 July 2008, from USA, or optionally post-trip extension to Paul's Malta until 30 July 2008.

I did a search and extracted from the NIV Bible the places Apostle Paul had passed by:

• Acts 27:1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy...
  
• Acts 27:2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium...
  
• Acts 27:3 The next day we landed at Sidon...
  
• Acts 27:4 ... passed to the lee of Cyprus...
  
• Acts 27:5 ... across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.
  
• Acts 27:7 ... we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.
  
• Acts 27:8 ... came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
  
• Acts 27:13 ... sailed along the shore of Crete.
  
• Acts 27:16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda...
  
• Acts 27:27 ... we were still being driven across the Adriatic¹ Sea...
  
• Acts 28:1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.
  
• Acts 28:13 ... arrived at Rhegium... we reached Puteoli.
  
• Acts 28:16 When we got to Rome...
  

This Christian Cruise is on an authentic sailing vessel with all the activities and amenities found on a private yacht. The group will enjoy the privacy of a Christ-centered family itinerary and teachings. Some interesting places being visited are Pergamum which is an important 7 churches site, Ephesus where Paul delivered one of his most moving sermons, the actual cave in Patmos where John had been banished and received the Book of Revelation, and much, much more! I guess most importantly is that there are also Bible teachings on board and on shore by top Bible speakers.

They also have other Christian Cruises itinerary such as The Exodus: Retracing the footsteps of Moses.

¹ An area extending well south of Italy.

Home of the Global Singaporean

I like this phrase "Home of the Global Filipino" under the logo of Philippines Today.

For various reasons, Filipinos have gone to work in many different countries. Similarly for other countries such as the more prominent ones being China and India. Here, there are people from Malaysia, Thailands, Mynmar, Vietnam, Europe, etc. In the meantime, Singaporeans have also moved to other countries, again the prominent China, US, Australia, etc.

I did a Google search but couldn't find the phrase "Home of the Global " with any of the words Chinese, Indian, Singaporean at the end. May be Philippines Today can trademark/copyright it for sale.

The world is getting smaller

As technology advances, the world is getting smaller. Very cheap internet phone card is an example. However, there is some lacking in some other calling cards that I have used before. For example, I need to figure out the cheaper ones from many. Then I need to be aware of the hidden and different ways of rate computations. I guess for many people, they just have to suffer some additional expenses by avoiding all these brain cells killing process :(

Nonetheless, have hope now:

Take note of this: Pingo gives US$5 just for signing up.

And lucky you! Just because you are my reader, you are offered another $3 discount!!

This is how: Special phone card blog discount coupon: “ppp3” valid for $3 off Pingo.

Therefore, receive $25 phone card for just $17, i.e. you will get $8 in FREE Calls!

What else?

Pingo is global: over 1.1 billion International phone card minutes a month.

Pingo has NO hidden fees, NO surprises.

Calling cards are virtual.

Rates are amazing low: Oh wait... almost every business says theirs the cheapest. Here, they explain how and why: Pingo’s RateWatcher™ saves you from the hassle of digging through piles of prepaid calling card offers to see if you're getting really low phone card rate.

What's more?

It is not only for individuals. They have Business & Family Plan. What I like best is the easy billing and management with amazing bundled savings they offer.

There is also their refer-a friend affiliate program.

To find out more reasons to use Pingo's prepaid calling cards, check out at Why Pingo?

This Post Sponsored by Pingo.

HotelReservations.com

Initially, I intend to write this post in neutral tone, just as requested by the company, Hotel Reservations. However, I guess my tone changed as I click on the various features, after writing the next two paragraphs.

It has been in business for 6 years, long enough for the website to be fully equipped, but I would consider it a late starter into online reservations and bookings. Although traveling businesses are usually at the worldwide level, not able to find any office or mailing address or official business registration information in the website seems unusual. At this moment, I can find only 4 toll free numbers.

Also, on the main page, only two languages available, 6 flag icons on the website, and 15 countries in the country drop-down list. Thus, the first impression was it doesn't seem to have worldwide coverage. As I click on the various features, then I realized that it does have worldwide coverage.

Although this is the first time I explore a little more thoroughly into online reservation websites, I guess its features are very nice and believe very few other competitors have something better than this. I shall mention 2 features that impressed me, namely Vacation Rentals and Vacation Packages.

I don't recall those other few similar websites provide Vacation Rentals, which probably is related to timesharing style booking, where a longer stay is required.

I tested Vacation Packages, which offer combined search for combinations of flight, hotel and car. This is a time saving features, yet you still can customize by selecting a different flight and such. I tried with an 8-day trip from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for 2. Typing in "Kuala Lumpur", the system searched and replaces it with "Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL-Kuala Lumpur Int'l Airport)". Then, I can select only 2 days within the trip where hotel stay is needed. One of the lowest price option is by JAL, staying at Harbour Ville Hotel @ average of USD262.03/pax after upgraded to Superior room @ additional USD6.99/night. Looks good to me :)



Post Sponsored by HotelReservations.

Blog entry from my N80

Should have done this while I was in Berlin last week. I've relied fully on N80 for internet access during the whole trip! Getting back some worth of this purchase. Applications used are: nokia browser, service, map, google gmail, flurry, fring, opera mini. Only the nokia map is giving me problem.