Here are the latest from two taxis i took over the last 24 hours.
DW
15.2.13
Bangkok Taxi Stickers
Bangkok taxis can be a hoot! Ordinary Taxi Meter taxis. Look at any stickers on the rear door windows and you might be amused by what you see.
Here are the latest from two taxis i took over the last 24 hours.
DW
Here are the latest from two taxis i took over the last 24 hours.
DW
12.2.13
Snow!
It snowed this morning and then stopped. However, I fell asleep in the chair this evening and woke up to much more snow ...
UPDATE: I walked around 4 miles through the snowy streets yesterday and even though i was wearing my walking boots and using a walking stick, it was a good workout!
DW
UPDATE: I walked around 4 miles through the snowy streets yesterday and even though i was wearing my walking boots and using a walking stick, it was a good workout!
DW
Bangkok Bound
Here i am ready to trade the winter for the summer ... in reality, English winter for Thailand winter!
DW
DW
10.2.13
6.2.13
British Museum
It's been a very long time since i was last there but i got there today: the British Museum.
Firstly, take a look at the roof ... 3,312 uniquely sized pieces of glass ... I was instantly attracted to it.
A myriad exhibits, too: here are snaps of just some of them.
DW
Firstly, take a look at the roof ... 3,312 uniquely sized pieces of glass ... I was instantly attracted to it.
A myriad exhibits, too: here are snaps of just some of them.
DW
4.2.13
3.2.13
The Train
The train arrived almost on time and i decided to sit near the front to make it easier on arrival.
Horror! Every seat was reserved in the first carriage i went into. I dumped my suitcase and carried on. The next carriage had no reserved seats and there was only one other passenger in there so i sat exactly where i wanted.
I did some chatting online and a lot of work then decided it was coffee time. I threaded my way to the buffet car and bought a good cup of coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. £2.50, not bad.
I threaded my way back to my seat and as i did so, one chap looked at me in that, what are you doing going backwards and forwards through MY carriage kind of way? I carried on.
That carriage between my carriage and the buffet car was the only carriage i had to go through and it was full!
My carriage, on the other hand, has only one passenger in it ... me! So there's no need for anyone to look askance at anyone is there!
DW
Horror! Every seat was reserved in the first carriage i went into. I dumped my suitcase and carried on. The next carriage had no reserved seats and there was only one other passenger in there so i sat exactly where i wanted.
I did some chatting online and a lot of work then decided it was coffee time. I threaded my way to the buffet car and bought a good cup of coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. £2.50, not bad.
I threaded my way back to my seat and as i did so, one chap looked at me in that, what are you doing going backwards and forwards through MY carriage kind of way? I carried on.
That carriage between my carriage and the buffet car was the only carriage i had to go through and it was full!
My carriage, on the other hand, has only one passenger in it ... me! So there's no need for anyone to look askance at anyone is there!
DW
Save Costs? Lock 'em out!
I am at Halifax Railway Station and have just bought a ticket costing almost £200. As usual i am early and the temperature is sub zero.
I thought i'd sit in the waiting room to keep warm. Good idea! Forget it though, it's locked.
This is the age of the train but not the the age of passenger comfort and convenience.
DW
I thought i'd sit in the waiting room to keep warm. Good idea! Forget it though, it's locked.
This is the age of the train but not the the age of passenger comfort and convenience.
DW
1.2.13
DXB Concourse A ... The A380 Terminal
I used the new concourse at Dubai International Airport yesterday. That's the new concourse for their A380s ... up to 20 of them at a time.
Here are some snaps i took hurriedly!
DW
Here are some snaps i took hurriedly!
DW
The Great and the, erm, Burger Cooks
I read somewhere yesterday that the USA relies on an army of Chinese, Russian. Indian and other nationalities for a lot of the work and progress in maths, computer software and hardware development.
The report went on to say, however, that all major burger cooks are American.
DW
The report went on to say, however, that all major burger cooks are American.
DW
29.1.13
Old Camera New Setting =)
I just read a review of my Lumix camera and tried a couple of the suggestions they discussed. For example, I tried the iA setting, intelligent Auto ... I can hardly believe the results ... truly outstanding.
When i get home to my adaptor i will upload some photos here to show what i mean.
UPDATE here are two photos that demonstrate what i was on about above. And how about the subject??
DW
When i get home to my adaptor i will upload some photos here to show what i mean.
UPDATE here are two photos that demonstrate what i was on about above. And how about the subject??
DW
28.1.13
Khao Yai National Park my Dear!
It rained all of the way into the National Park but then brightened up for our journey back out. At a human watering hole some deer appeared and the photo below is memorable.
Then some other tourists arrived, about 20 of them; and because of their lack of animal empathy the deer scattered. I won't mention whether those tourists were German or not!!
DW
Then some other tourists arrived, about 20 of them; and because of their lack of animal empathy the deer scattered. I won't mention whether those tourists were German or not!!
DW
27.1.13
Crying wee, wee, wee all the way home!
I have seen a similar sign before but i liked this version too.
DW
DW
O2 Customer [Couldn't] Care [Less]
Here is the text of a message i left for O2 on Facebook today:
You wanted stories, here's mine. Loyal customer since 2001. NEVER missed a payment. I travel abroad a lot so I often spend 100 pounds a month. For a while it was regularly 300 pounds a month. I became a platinum member. Of late i have been spending 120+ per month. But this month is more than doubled because i was busy and made lots of calls on my O2 phone from countries in the far east and middle east. O2 told me, out of the blue, you are using your phone a lot so pay us £185 NOW or we cut you off. I was flying to Thailand when that message arrived and there was no way i could arrange the payment. So you cut me off. No phone. No sms. No apps. Nothing. I chatted online to you and rather than apologise in any way said, leave us then and we'll happily give you the PAC number you need to take your number with you. Then he said i would be transferred to sales who would organise things for me. I waited. I waited. Then an advert for an iphone appeared ... I've already got one! From platinum to, close the door on your way out shows stunning customer care doesn't it!
I noticed that prople who have posted complaints at about the same tome as me have received responses: not me, so far!
UPDATE: after three hours i got an apology from O2 and they asked how they could help. I responded as follows:
No, nothing sorted except that your payday arrived and, without let or hindrance as usual, my direct debit paid you in full so the phone is back on again now. I told your chat person, too, that i travel to some risky places so for me to be without a phone leaves me without my first line of defence. I told your chat person, too, that rather than just chop me off, someone could have called and asked if i still had control of my phone since he said you were probably worried that someone might be abusing it. He said you couldn't do that but my bank does it all the time. I can't risk being exposed by you in this way. I return home on 31st Jan and will take all necessary action then. By the way, i think i am a gold customer of yours ... or its equivalent ... so this treatment is doubly rubbish.
DW
You wanted stories, here's mine. Loyal customer since 2001. NEVER missed a payment. I travel abroad a lot so I often spend 100 pounds a month. For a while it was regularly 300 pounds a month. I became a platinum member. Of late i have been spending 120+ per month. But this month is more than doubled because i was busy and made lots of calls on my O2 phone from countries in the far east and middle east. O2 told me, out of the blue, you are using your phone a lot so pay us £185 NOW or we cut you off. I was flying to Thailand when that message arrived and there was no way i could arrange the payment. So you cut me off. No phone. No sms. No apps. Nothing. I chatted online to you and rather than apologise in any way said, leave us then and we'll happily give you the PAC number you need to take your number with you. Then he said i would be transferred to sales who would organise things for me. I waited. I waited. Then an advert for an iphone appeared ... I've already got one! From platinum to, close the door on your way out shows stunning customer care doesn't it!
I noticed that prople who have posted complaints at about the same tome as me have received responses: not me, so far!
UPDATE: after three hours i got an apology from O2 and they asked how they could help. I responded as follows:
No, nothing sorted except that your payday arrived and, without let or hindrance as usual, my direct debit paid you in full so the phone is back on again now. I told your chat person, too, that i travel to some risky places so for me to be without a phone leaves me without my first line of defence. I told your chat person, too, that rather than just chop me off, someone could have called and asked if i still had control of my phone since he said you were probably worried that someone might be abusing it. He said you couldn't do that but my bank does it all the time. I can't risk being exposed by you in this way. I return home on 31st Jan and will take all necessary action then. By the way, i think i am a gold customer of yours ... or its equivalent ... so this treatment is doubly rubbish.
DW
Another Country, Another Post Box
I don't know how many of these i can report but here is the second in my series of post boxes from around the world: Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand this time.
I posted one from Singapore a year ago i think, too!
DW
I posted one from Singapore a year ago i think, too!
DW
26.1.13
Phone cut off!
Well done O2, you have cut me off after being with you for over 11 years because you suddenly don't like that i need to use my phone more than average.
Fantastic rewards: heavy users ... eff off! Well I will.
UPDATE: i entered into an online chat with O2 and far from being apologetic they said, if you want to leave but keep your number we will give you the PAC number you need. Then he said i will hand you over to the sales team so you can leave us. I waited a few minutes only to be faced with an advert for an iPhone 4, 4S or 5 and no one from the sales team.
Loyalty means absolutely sod all these days and staff are so badly trained, aren't they Christo of O2?
DW
Fantastic rewards: heavy users ... eff off! Well I will.
UPDATE: i entered into an online chat with O2 and far from being apologetic they said, if you want to leave but keep your number we will give you the PAC number you need. Then he said i will hand you over to the sales team so you can leave us. I waited a few minutes only to be faced with an advert for an iPhone 4, 4S or 5 and no one from the sales team.
Loyalty means absolutely sod all these days and staff are so badly trained, aren't they Christo of O2?
DW
25.1.13
Hire a Car ... Passport; use your credit card ... Passport
I went organise hiring a car for a long weekend. International driving licence nit good enough he said ... but you can't get one without having a full licence ... sorry. I said i'd left my full licence at home.
Then he said, i need your passport ... gulp. I was brought ip in England and in spite of working and living abroad since 1988 i've nrver got into the hanit of carrying ID. I said, i'll bring it tomorrow without fail. IK he said!
Then i went to buy something with s credit card. No passport, no can do! Grrr!
Not complaining, just reporting.
Finally, the driving licence i thought i'd left at home turned up in my suit jacket pocket. Praise be!
UPDATE: Saturday morning and we went to collect the car, armed with passport and full driving licence. The main man wasn't there so we drove away no bother!
DW
Then he said, i need your passport ... gulp. I was brought ip in England and in spite of working and living abroad since 1988 i've nrver got into the hanit of carrying ID. I said, i'll bring it tomorrow without fail. IK he said!
Then i went to buy something with s credit card. No passport, no can do! Grrr!
Not complaining, just reporting.
Finally, the driving licence i thought i'd left at home turned up in my suit jacket pocket. Praise be!
UPDATE: Saturday morning and we went to collect the car, armed with passport and full driving licence. The main man wasn't there so we drove away no bother!
DW
24.1.13
Dubai Fountain
It looks to me as if there are some new moves in the Dubai Fountain. These photos hardly do it justice.
DW
DW
Dubai Mall is Heaving
Ivam in Dubai Mall for a while and it is FULL if people. Peak tourist season.
Last time I was here they were half way through building the walkway from the Metro to the Mall ... three months later it's finished and open!
Just eaten at Just Falafel ... apart from serving chips with meals, their food is excellent. Four quid for a good, healthy meal. Dubai Mall Food Court.
DW
Last time I was here they were half way through building the walkway from the Metro to the Mall ... three months later it's finished and open!
Just eaten at Just Falafel ... apart from serving chips with meals, their food is excellent. Four quid for a good, healthy meal. Dubai Mall Food Court.
DW
22.1.13
20.1.13
Post Box
I think i've never taken a photo of a post box before just because it's there although I might be wrong!
Here's one in the hotel though that caught my eye!
DW
Here's one in the hotel though that caught my eye!
DW
16.1.13
Sheraton Karachi
I arrived here a couple of hours ago. It's only about 8.5 hours flying time to get here but a 7 hour wait in Dubai made a difference.
It's been dark since i arrived in the country so i haven't seen anything yet ... apart from the airport and the hotel.
Here are my first images of Karachi then.
DW
It's been dark since i arrived in the country so i haven't seen anything yet ... apart from the airport and the hotel.
Here are my first images of Karachi then.
DW
Uplift
No matter who you are or where you are from, if ever you feel the need for a boost, go to youtube and find a Welsh rugby crowd singing the Welsh National Anthem.
Choose an international game with a full crowd. You will not be disappointed!
DW
Choose an international game with a full crowd. You will not be disappointed!
DW
15.1.13
Eye Op
It had to be done: a bit of retina cryozapping to try to prevent a potential detached retina later on.
It looks horrific but it only took 10 minutes and will take a just a few days to settle down.
If you are squeamish, look away now!
DW
It looks horrific but it only took 10 minutes and will take a just a few days to settle down.
If you are squeamish, look away now!
DW
9.1.13
UpGradely!
Last Friday I had to go to the Emirates office in Bangkok as i couldn't change my booking online.
As part of the process i asked if i could upgrade the Dubai to Manchester sector using my airmiles and they said business class is already full. Oh well, I thought!
When i got to the gate, i was upgraded anyway: too many people wanting to travel and i am the grateful beneficiary.
DW
As part of the process i asked if i could upgrade the Dubai to Manchester sector using my airmiles and they said business class is already full. Oh well, I thought!
When i got to the gate, i was upgraded anyway: too many people wanting to travel and i am the grateful beneficiary.
DW
Cold in Flight? Bottle it!
I went to the galley to get a glass of milk on my way from Dubai to Manchester when i saw a stewardess filling her mini water bottle with hot water. She says she uses it when the cabin is really cold!
I asked if I could snap her and she agreed!
DW
I asked if I could snap her and she agreed!
DW
7.1.13
Looking up the Chao Phraya River
This photo does not do the view full justice: we weren't ready for it, we only had phone cameras with us, the boat was turning and docking so the view was constantly shifting.
It gives you an idea though! Oh! I'm not sure whether you're going to see the original AND the cropped version of the photo ...
DW
It gives you an idea though! Oh! I'm not sure whether you're going to see the original AND the cropped version of the photo ...
DW
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)