Having been a reader of several good blogs its always frustrating when the updates stop, especially if there is no announcement and then after period of time the site or domain name stops working as well.
I guess I’m guilty of this and it’s got me thinking about why I paused my writing.
Freedom of speech
One of the reasons I started writing was to express by thoughts and share both the things that I’m positive about and also my frustrations and observations of life. Whilst I may write anonymously it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find out my personal details and with advent of several mega troll sites things can quickly get out of hand if somebody takes offence to a posting. A witch hunt can quickly begin, your person details can get posted online very quickly which has often resulted in lives and careers ruined. As a result I've seen a sharp decline in the number of people who share their rants and banter on their blogs and social media sites.
Voluntary Work
From 2011 for four years I was heavily involved with my condo management committee in KL. Most of my spare time was taken manning the JMC’s blog, Facebook, email comms, accounts and dealing with operational matters. This was both an immensely satisfying role as well as frustrating and disappointing. Towards the end I encountered the ugly side of Malaysia with racism and hate directed towards me simply for performing my role, refusing to bow to bigots and racists, standing my ground and not flip flopping like many in a position of authority do so that they can please people. The role become extremely consuming and the frustrating side of it meant that I had no desire, positivity or energy to write for myself.
Work
Trying to balance the above and a weekly 350km commute each way into a demanding role at an international bank just seemed cause complete writers block and a lack of interest in personal blogging.
So now - well after a long rest and having time to reflect I’m refreshed and ready to slowly write again.
Showing posts with label Misc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Misc. Show all posts
February 9, 2016
November 5, 2013
KLIA Taxi - Scam or not?
I would like to alert travellers to an issue with taxi’s at KLIA.
The taxi system at KLIA is pretty confusing for most people unless you are a regular traveller to Malaysia and the very poorly design website www.klia.com.my doesn't offer any information regarding taxi services at the airport.
The main taxi company at KLIA who until recently held a monopoly is Airport Limo. This company provides a multi tired limo service by way of stating your destination, class of taxi and then purchasing a coupon for the journey.
The other system is what’s known as a city cab which is basically a standard meter taxi service which operates from level 1.
The taxi system at KLIA is pretty confusing for most people unless you are a regular traveller to Malaysia and the very poorly design website www.klia.com.my doesn't offer any information regarding taxi services at the airport.
The main taxi company at KLIA who until recently held a monopoly is Airport Limo. This company provides a multi tired limo service by way of stating your destination, class of taxi and then purchasing a coupon for the journey.
The other system is what’s known as a city cab which is basically a standard meter taxi service which operates from level 1.
One of the frustrating problems with Airport Limo is the regular shortage of taxi’s especially at peak periods or owing to traffic congestion in KL. It is quite common for the coupon counter staff to tell you that there are no taxi’s or that there is a big queue.
I usually take a premier taxi which is between the budget and limo for a more comfortable ride and the fact that most of the drivers know the location of my condo.
The taxi coupons sold are valid for a month and owing to my weekly trips to and from Singapore I always have an option to use it another week if I change my mind and take the train or city cab.
Over the past few months I’ve noticed a trend whereby I’ve been told time and time again that there were no taxi’s and that I must get a limo or mini bus which costs significantly more than a premier taxi.
When I’m told that there are no taxi’s and I must get a limo/mini bus I simply request that they sell me a ticket. The counter staff look confused and usually don’t want to sell me one. When I firmly request a coupon the behaviour of the staff usually follows a similar pattern whereby a lot of time is spent on the radio chit chatting (about me) and generally ignoring me.
When I force the issue the staff act very sheepishly and begrudgingly sell me a coupon. Now the strange thing is that 9.9 times out of 10 when this happens I find little or no queue and at least several taxi’s available at the premier car area outside door 5.
The behavior of the staff and the fact that there isn’t usually more than one or two people queuing for the premiere taxi’s makes it appear that there is a scam taking place to rip off unfamiliar travellers. I have witnessed several other people encounter similar experiences at both the budget and premier services.
So is it a scam or are the unwelcoming counter staff simply out of touch with what is happening in the queue even though they have a radio?
The taxi service at the LCCT operated by a different company also tries this from time to time, however I haven’t found it quite so prevalent.
Perhaps it’s time raise a report to the authorities, not that SPAD will take any real action.
I usually take a premier taxi which is between the budget and limo for a more comfortable ride and the fact that most of the drivers know the location of my condo.
The taxi coupons sold are valid for a month and owing to my weekly trips to and from Singapore I always have an option to use it another week if I change my mind and take the train or city cab.
Over the past few months I’ve noticed a trend whereby I’ve been told time and time again that there were no taxi’s and that I must get a limo or mini bus which costs significantly more than a premier taxi.
When I’m told that there are no taxi’s and I must get a limo/mini bus I simply request that they sell me a ticket. The counter staff look confused and usually don’t want to sell me one. When I firmly request a coupon the behaviour of the staff usually follows a similar pattern whereby a lot of time is spent on the radio chit chatting (about me) and generally ignoring me.
When I force the issue the staff act very sheepishly and begrudgingly sell me a coupon. Now the strange thing is that 9.9 times out of 10 when this happens I find little or no queue and at least several taxi’s available at the premier car area outside door 5.
The behavior of the staff and the fact that there isn’t usually more than one or two people queuing for the premiere taxi’s makes it appear that there is a scam taking place to rip off unfamiliar travellers. I have witnessed several other people encounter similar experiences at both the budget and premier services.
So is it a scam or are the unwelcoming counter staff simply out of touch with what is happening in the queue even though they have a radio?
The taxi service at the LCCT operated by a different company also tries this from time to time, however I haven’t found it quite so prevalent.
Perhaps it’s time raise a report to the authorities, not that SPAD will take any real action.
March 2, 2013
iPhone Repairs in KL
Now if anybody is likely to drop something in our house then it’s usually me. Last Sunday the roles were reversed and my wife dropped her iPhone 4s onto a tilled floor. After realising what a silly thing it was to do and enduring some banter from myself, the phone was checked and although there was visible damage, the phone was dead.
As usual when things go wrong the timing was less than perfect with myself due leave within the next few hours to catch a flight back to Singapore.
After searching the internet for iPhone repair companies we found an a nearby independent company called Iphone2Fix. After checking the website and Facebook page I tried to call them but the handphone went straight to voice mail. Undeterred I drove the short distance and gave them a personal call.
The small shop was clean, organised and the 2 staff were friendly and professional. After checking the phone they found that it simply needed a full reboot and not being an iPhone user myself I had no idea how such procedures were executed.
There are so many places in Malaysia were service is awful and the integrity of individuals is questionable that it was a pleasant surprise to find this place.
I cannot vouch for the quality of any repairs but so far so good from what I've seen.
iPhone2Fix (Setapak)
No 2-9, PV128, Jalan Genting Klang,
Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur.
Phone: +010 245 5160 (Mr. Neezam / Amran)
Email: iphone2fix@gmail.com
Web: iphone2fix.net
As usual when things go wrong the timing was less than perfect with myself due leave within the next few hours to catch a flight back to Singapore.
After searching the internet for iPhone repair companies we found an a nearby independent company called Iphone2Fix. After checking the website and Facebook page I tried to call them but the handphone went straight to voice mail. Undeterred I drove the short distance and gave them a personal call.
The small shop was clean, organised and the 2 staff were friendly and professional. After checking the phone they found that it simply needed a full reboot and not being an iPhone user myself I had no idea how such procedures were executed.
There are so many places in Malaysia were service is awful and the integrity of individuals is questionable that it was a pleasant surprise to find this place.
I cannot vouch for the quality of any repairs but so far so good from what I've seen.
iPhone2Fix (Setapak)
No 2-9, PV128, Jalan Genting Klang,
Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur.
Phone: +010 245 5160 (Mr. Neezam / Amran)
Email: iphone2fix@gmail.com
Web: iphone2fix.net
June 9, 2012
Malaysian Football Shirts
One of the things that surprised me when I first arrived in KL 12 years ago was the level of interest in English football. This is mainly due to the mass TV coverage as well as the local league having been decline for some time due to a match fix fixing controversy, poor football quality and a ban on foreign players. As a result the many people have adopted the English Premier League as their own. In contrast the national side is a promising young team and could bring some success in the future.
Following Malaysia’s success in winning the 2010 AFF Football Championship I’ve noticed that there has been a general increase in the number of replica shirts worn by people.
Over the years I’ve had several guests ask me where to buy an official replica shirt and this is a very difficult question to answer.
KL and the Klang Valley are a shopper’s paradise with the giant malls often housing both independent sport shops as well as official outlets from the main players such as Nike. In these stores you can find usually find replica kits from most of the top clubs and countries in Europe as well as few popular countries such as Brazil however I’ve never seen any Malaysian national or domestic kits in all the 12 years I’ve lived here.
I remember in 2001 a colleague from the UK wanted to buy a Selangor shirt much to the amusement of our Malaysian colleagues who suggested that he may have more luck if he tried a pasar malam.
Judging by the some of the search results on google I’m not the only person who is perplexed by difficulties in buying a Malaysian football shirt.
If anybody knows where to get them then please let me know?
Following Malaysia’s success in winning the 2010 AFF Football Championship I’ve noticed that there has been a general increase in the number of replica shirts worn by people.
Over the years I’ve had several guests ask me where to buy an official replica shirt and this is a very difficult question to answer.
KL and the Klang Valley are a shopper’s paradise with the giant malls often housing both independent sport shops as well as official outlets from the main players such as Nike. In these stores you can find usually find replica kits from most of the top clubs and countries in Europe as well as few popular countries such as Brazil however I’ve never seen any Malaysian national or domestic kits in all the 12 years I’ve lived here.
I remember in 2001 a colleague from the UK wanted to buy a Selangor shirt much to the amusement of our Malaysian colleagues who suggested that he may have more luck if he tried a pasar malam.
Judging by the some of the search results on google I’m not the only person who is perplexed by difficulties in buying a Malaysian football shirt.
If anybody knows where to get them then please let me know?
September 12, 2011
Some thoughts on 10 years ago
I have trouble remembering what I did yesterday yet my memory of 11th September 2001 is still very clear. It was a day the world changed for the worse and day so many lives were shattered. I was on a home leave trip back in the UK as the attack happened and will never forget feeling when I first saw the planes hitting the WTC.
A few days later I flew back to Malaysia on a very tense flight with hardly a smile from anybody. Apart from increased security in some areas KL was completely normal, which was in stark contrast to the hysteria in the UK press about what life as westerner would be like in a muslim majority country after 9/11.
A lot has happened over the last 10 years in the world and the legacy of 9/11 was felt tonight when I had to go through the usual hassle of the airport security check.
Sitting on my short flight home tonight it was a moment to remember all those lost 10 years ago - RIP.
A few days later I flew back to Malaysia on a very tense flight with hardly a smile from anybody. Apart from increased security in some areas KL was completely normal, which was in stark contrast to the hysteria in the UK press about what life as westerner would be like in a muslim majority country after 9/11.
A lot has happened over the last 10 years in the world and the legacy of 9/11 was felt tonight when I had to go through the usual hassle of the airport security check.
Sitting on my short flight home tonight it was a moment to remember all those lost 10 years ago - RIP.
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