Argo: Introducing Iranian History to us

Argo is a thriller film directed by Ben Affleck. He starrs as a CIA operative that led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. What I liked about the film was how it introduced history in an educational and yet exciting manner to us.

I learnt that Mohammed Rezā was the Shah of Iran but he was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution in February 1979. As a ruler, he tried to rule the country with a monarchial constitution. However, over time, Mohammad Reza gradually lost support from the Shi'a clergy of Iran, particularly due to his strong policy of modernization, secularization, conflict with the traditional class of merchants known as bazaari, and recognition of Israel.

I also learnt that the United States has allied and supported with the Shah since World War II days.In 1953 the British and U.S. spy agencies helped Iranian royalists depose of the government of Mosaddegh in a military coup d'état, and helped restore the Shah back to power. By 1979, political unrest had transformed into a revolution which, on 16 January, forced the Shah to leave Iran. Soon thereafter, the Iranian monarchy was formally abolished, and Iran was declared an Islamic republic.

I also learnt that the Islams in Iran used force to express their hatred. They seemed xenophobic, especially towards Amercians. But maybe hatred wasn't built over a night. Being built over decades of betrayal, they seemed to treat the US embassy as a place where detectives were planted there to prevent Islamic democracy.

Whilst the movie has led me to appreciate history a tad better, it has also got me thinking - that dirty politics has a hand to play in creating history. Whether it turned out fine or not, it's yet another matter,

The Movie: Stolen

Stolen is a film about a former thief, Will Montgomery, who was released from prison for a bank robbery of $10 million. Believed to still have the hidden loot, the detectives and his ex-accomplice are monitoring his every move and want him to re-produce the cash. Perceived as the millionaire who refuses to show his cash, he was forced to re-produce his apparent wealth by robbing yet another bank. Through a series of carefully executed moves, Will (starred by Nicolas Cage) managed to pull off another robbery in broad daylight.

Whilst his film character managed to upkeep the perception of 'wealth' through a series of stunts, did the movie live up to its expectations? We always perceived Nicolas Cage as a great actor with a few block-busters (The Rock, Face/Off, National Treasure) to his name, but could he pull off another great stunt to save this movie this time?

Apparently not. With an ageing look and a one-man show, the movie was considered a box office failure. Indeed, 'Stolen' focusses on the central theme of stealing, but that probably didn't work too well for a man past his primes. Perhaps it was the right thing to do to have watched this movie via a 'stolen' DVD at a cost price of S$1.50.

Skyfall - What makes Bond click

I asked why Skyfall is such a great movie. Another James Bond movie, and yet another success. It became the highest-grossing film in the James Bond series. With Daniel Craig starring as Bond, he was what we came to watch for. And this is what makes Bond a great character to watch:

1. Superb agility - He demonstrated his moves in the opening sequel, where he climbed on top of a moving train, jumped from one carriage to another and executed well-timed moves to track the mercenary Patrice down.

2. Sense of loyalty - He decided to make a comeback from the dead when the offices of MI6 were exploded. Earlier on, he was somewhat betrayed by his superior's instruction which led to his injury, but he decided to be faithful to M and fight for MI6's cause.

3. Intelligent deductions - He might not be the best marksmen in town, but he definitely have the brains which outwitted every possible opponent. He kidnapped M to use her as the bait; he went to Skyfall and use that to his strengths; he used the gas canister to take on most of his enemies.

Maybe every movie-goer is hoping to have a bit of him in each of us. Maybe we wished to have a bit of excitement in our lives. Maybe we need to indulge in a bit of fantasy. And that is what makes Bond click!

Losing The Drive

Over the weekend, I realised I lost it - my drive. I have no drive to do anything, choosing the easy way out by slumping down on the sofa, not doing any tasks. Some might say that sounds like an alternative way to re-charge, but I know it wasn't. In fact, I have noticed that I showed a lack of motivation over the past few weeks.

As I start this week afresh, I asked why. Maybe it was the ever-growing list of daunting tasks ahead. Maybe my level of energy has indeed been depleted. Maybe I lacked the vision to see what's ahead of me. I guess - it's probably the combination of these 3 factors listed above.

I want to pick myself up again. As easy as it might seem, I know it's even easier to fall down on my knees once again. Afterall, it's always easier to choose not to do anything. I seem not to have a permanent solution for the loss of the drive. For now, the race will still continue and I will join this rat race till I figured out a better way to survive this rat 'marathon'.

The Lorax - An Environmentalist

I watched The Lorax - an easy-to-watch cartoon movie that was filled the screen with bright colours. I liked that every one wear bright colours, drive different cars and do all activities, though this happened in a self-contained 'plastic' world. The Lorax has a strong environmental message that filled the plot on several occasions:

1. The town does not have real trees. People in this town are happy with everything plastic. Even the concept of bottled air is being sold to people - as the people gladly accepted it as a means to live. [Maybe I am starting to think how comfortable each of us are - in our own small world - oblivious to the pollution out there, the number of trees that have cut down, the ozone, the wasteland, etc. Do any of us consciously reflect on how gree we lead our lives?]

2. Instead of using sustainable means to harvest the Thneed from the Truffula Trees, Once-ler broke his promise to the Lorax and carried out mass deforestation. [Maybe that serves as a message to the opportunists out there - logging and dumping - so as to earn the next big bucks. But are fame and cash so important that you would 'kill the golden goose for its eggs'?]

3. Ted had significant difficulty in convincing the people in Thneedville that planting trees are important. It is only until the people have witnesses the wasteland and the current state of pollution. [Maybe it is time to ask ourselves if we could reverse the process of global warming and save the world. Must we personally witness the pollution that we created so that we can be convinced on the important of conversation?]

Istanbul in Taken 2

I recently watched Taken 2 - an action film starring Liam Neeson in Istanbul. Reviews from film critics were mixed, though box office showings seemed to impress even the most cynical movie-goer. In my opinion, it was merely an action-packed film that incorporated the quick analytical skills of Bryan Mills (Neeson) to save the day.

However, what impressed me most was the ability to compress most of Istanbul's scenic sites into the film. Main scenes included Bosphorus River, the architecture of Turk's rooftops and Grand Bazaar. Others included the narrow streets of Istanbul, the infamous yellow cabs and the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque).

What a great tourism advert. How I wished I could visit there one more time.

Hong Island by Krabi Kingdom

We booked a 1-day tour package which comprised of a trip to 4 places - Hong's Lagoon, Hong Beach, Lading Island and Daeng Island. But the sea was rough and the tour guide decided to skip Daeng Island. We went straight to Paradise Island (Lading Island), in which we managed to find a private spot on the right side of the beach. Snorkelling was fine - there were fishes, but it's never as nice as Koh Samui. The corals were not alive, the fishes were not varied and the water was somewhat murky.

One nice spot was Hong Lagoon. The water was calm and swallow, though the boat didn't allow for much time to rest. Another nice place was the Hong Beach. Many tourists invaded the white sandy beaches and I felt that there was this rush element in maximising our stay on the island. 2.5 hours on this island wasn't enough. For if I had a whole day, I would have just lazed at the beach, walked along the coastline and read a book for leisure. But time is not my side. Will time be on my side when I start looking towards retirement?

Ao Nang Boat Noodle

We spent 3 nights and 3 wonderful dinners in Ao Nang, Krabi. Because we figured we won't be coming back here soon, we scouted for 3 different restaurants to taste the Thai delicacies. Our findings - Ao Nang Boat Noodle came up tops - we had the most food in terms of quantity, we had the cheapest food 440 baht (S$ 17.75) for 2 people and we tasted the most delicious food.

The walk towards the restaurant was a little long; we had to ask 2 locals for directions to ensure that we were on the right track, but it was definitely worth the walk. . The pad thai was enough for one. With a price tag of 50 baht, it was equivalent to any roadside stall, but it was Krabi's best pad thai we ever had. The pineapple rice was interesting filled with cashew nuts. The drinks were cheap; their service was prompt.

Kayaking amongst Ao Thalane's nature

We decided to go kayaking amongst the mangroves. But there are at least seven companies selling similar tour packages. We compared 2 decent tour companies, before deciding to choose a 1/2-day kayaking package. We can't be sure if we got a well-organised tour company. Afterall, these tour agencies act only as middlemen. But we are pretty sure we bought a value-for-money package at 450 baht (S$18.15) per person.

For that price, the tour guide picked us up from our hotel. (For once, we were terribly late.) He offered fruits and drinking water to us, explained how the route would be, kayaked with the 6 of us in Ao Thalane, showed us the wildlife-filled mangroves and sea cliffs. It was a relaxing 2.5 hour journey, except for the last part. He rushed into the narrow passage between the mangroves before the tides could fill them up, thus making the effort of kayaking more tedious.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the journey to experiencing the towering canyons, interestingly-shaped mangroves, marvellous rock formations.

Diamonds and Princesses in Railay?

Railay (also spelled as Rai Leh) is just around the corner from Ao Nang and Krabi town, but is protected by impenetrable cliffs. This completely cuts the peninsula off from the mainland. The only way to get to Railay was by long-tail boats. It was also mentioned that developments - in the form of coconuts palms and lush gardens are neatly tucked away. Though it is true, I also noticed new developments - in cramped and remote corners. I wondered if the current resorts in Railay are even profitable, considering the slow pace of life - where shops close at 5pm - and limited access to this area - where boats return to mainland at 6pm.

Even finding directions in this non-tourist friendly place was difficult. Eventually, after getting lost and asking 2 locals, we managed to locate Diamond Cave (Tham Phra Nang Nai). It costs 40 baht (S$1.60) per person - for a walk on wooden boardwalks through a series of illuminated caverns full of beautiful limestone formations. It was interesting to marvel at the wonders - e.g. how Railay was separated from Mainland by such limestone formations, how such limestone formations exist amidst beautiful beaches or how such caves appear for us to appreciate them.

Diamond Cave is also known as Inner Princess Cave. Through whatever I could understand from their poorly written A4 posters, legend has it that a family met with some crisis and summoned Praya-Nahk, the Great Serpent of the Sea. He heard their prayers and rose to the surface, granting them their wish for a baby girl. However, the serpent had a condition that the girl - who was called Princess - had to marry his son. Years later, the promise was broken and that led to the formation of these caves.

I only wished that these caves could be (i) more tourist-friendly by having English posters & directional sighs, and (ii) more photography-friendly by having more lights at prominent locations to allow us to enjoy the nature's beautiful piece of work. Would 'Praya-Nahk' be able to grant these wishes?

The Long-tail Boat to Railey

Much was said about Railey. Though it is on mainland, it cannot be reached by roads. What it also meant is that Railey has no motorised vehicles in its vicinity. (It sounded somewhat like Venice too.) Railey is shielded from the rest of Krabi by huge limstone hills. Protected away from noise of any popular beach resorts, Railey gives the feeling of a private beach. Hence, we have to take the long-tail boats to get there. Long-tail boats depart from Ao Nang Beach to Rai Leh West. It costs 200 baht (S$8.10) for a return trip - 20 mins per way.

There are 3 amazing things I learnt from this simple boat ride. (i) The boat needs to be filled with 10 people before it will leave. We wanted to head to Rai Leh on the afternoon of our 1st day. But as the day gets darker after 3pm, it becomes an increaing pain to wait for people who want to go to Railey in the late afternoon. Time intervals between each long-tail boat is an uncertainty. Exclusive beach - indeed it was; more so in the low season.

(ii) There is no pier. The boat ride was a simple one; it was interesting because it was our 1st time taking a long-tail boat; it was fasticating to see the tall limstone formations as the boat ferries us across. But to enjoy the boat ride, everyone has to walk out into the sea, immerse themselves in 60cm of sea water before getting onto the boat.

(iii) The last boat leaves Railey at before 6.00pm. We didn't want to undergo the possibility of being bumped out of the last boat nor spend the night at Railey. Hence, we headed back to board the 2nd-last boat at about 5.20pm. That boat was over-filled with 14 people, but all of us returned to Ao Nang safely before night falls. What was interesting was why ferries services stop early. Was it because the beach was exclusive? Or was it because the boaters needed to rest & head home for dinner?

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I feel engergised after attending the course - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It was a motivational, soul-searching course conducted by an energetic and experience trainer. Then again, most trainers usually make participants go on a high after the course.

During the course, I asked myself many questions - to reflect on my current activities & to ask if I can make a paradigm shift in order to be a more effective young man. But the most important thing I learnt is not the knowledge from the books, the wisedom from Steven Covey or the pointers from Michael the trainer. To be a highly effective person - requires significant efforts to build new habits and lose old ones. I can say that I have learnt a lot. Though to have said that I have become a more effective person, I can also comment on that statement 7 weeks later. Hopefully, I take 1 week each to review and implement each of the recommended 7 new habits I will pick up.

Dream Cones vs Haagen Dazs

It was our 1st afternoon at Krabi. We decided to plan ahead for our next 2 days, hence we carried out some shop-to-shop research & purchased our next 2 days of tour packages. With that accomplished, we decided to explore the streets of Ao Nang.

On a hot and humid day, we walked past Haagen Dazs as one of our 1st few shops. It was crowded, thus we decided to have a look. One of the most basic ice-cream dishes costs about 290 baht (S$11.70). Maybe it was cheaper than the retail prices in Singapore. Maybe it was a day in which tourists decided to splurge. But we didn't see it that way.

We walked on & settled at the next ice-cream shop - 3 stalls away from the branded ice-cream shop. Calling it 'Uncle Bear', it sells Gelato at an affordable price. We bought a 2-scoop ice-cream for 130 baht (S$5.25). Definitely, it was cheaper than Haagan Dazs. Definitely it fitted our budgets whilst we took a break away from the scorching sun.

Yet it wasn't crowded. Yet we felt that it was a much better deal. Maybe the value of ice-cream is relative. Our gelato is relatively cheaper than Haagan Dazs, whilst the latter is relatively cheaper than a similar ice-cream experience in Singapore. If relativity is the key, then what determines the result of any comparison is probably how we choose to benchmark it. In my eyes, it was Dream Cones - 1, Haagen Dazs - 0.

Planning for Krabi International Airport

As I entered Krabi via its international airport, I noticed an aiport that is clean and spacious. Developmental work has went into it and I was pleased that the Thais got this part of airport planning right.

Planning Starts a Decade ago
Through literature research, the statistics of Tourism Authority of Thailand has noted that most of the tourists come to Krabi by car. There was a limit of Krabi Airport then as it could not accomodate 400-seated aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-400. Hence, tourists then travelling by Boeing 747-400 from abroad had to disembark at Bangkok International Airport before continuing their trip to Krabi by road. .

Thus, the Ministry of Transport then was assigned to developed Krabi Airport through the Development of Civil Aviation. It launched the Krabi Airport Development Plan and constructed it during 2003-2004 at the cost of 743 million THB. Till date, as I went through the immigration counters and the baggae claim areas, it still looks brand new.

Development Continues Even in 2012

Even though the terminal is not congested, Krabi Airport started using another new terminal for domestic flights since April 2012. Calling it Terminal 2, it serves all domestic flights including Air Asia and Bangkok Airways. For all international flights and Thai Airways International flights, the current terminal will be used, which now calls itself Terminal 1.

Though I questioned why the expansion came at an early phase, this advanced planning of the Thai Ministry has given the airport much room for expansion. Structurally, the check-in counters are situated all on the left-hand side of Terminal 1. This results in synergy and manpower savings. However, with only 10 departing flights a day, I wondered if much manpower savings can be derived from operating 2 new terminals simultaneously. Maybe their upcoming peak season (Nov onwards) will prove me wrong.

Extending the Runway Capabilities without upgrading the Taxiway

I noted that the the asphaltic concrete runway was extended to a length of 3,000m and a width of 45m - capable of landing a B747-400. However, the parallel taxiway remained at a length of 1,209m and width 23m. What this means - is that their development reflects an expected growth to handle bigger, long-haul flights, but the taxiway system still under-developed reflected a low aircraft movement. Aircrafts have to remain on the active runway for a relatively longer period - due to the short taxiway located only on 1 end of the runway, without any rapid exits. 

Bandung: Kawah Cibuni (Cibuni Crater)

Besides the more commercialised 'Kawah Putih' in Bandung, there is one more crater in Mount Patuba called Kawah Cibuni. Not many people have visited this place or even heard of it. To get there, you first have to go to the Kawah Putih area, then keep on going until you pass a huge tea plantation area. After a few kilometers, you will be able to see this place on your left. There, you will see some overlaying stones with a touch of sulfur, some hot springs, and a boiling volcanic dirt pool.

Thankfully, we are not required to find our way there ourselves. Whilst this crater is not tourist-friendly, it also gives us the ability to appreciate the beauty of nature. The mini-van stopped at what seemed like a old guard post. From there, we walked about 1,000m to the crater. Surprisingly, it wasn't a tiring walk upslope. We enjoyed the walk - quiet, enchanting and yet simply rustic.

We had lunch at the only eatery together with our tour guide - Mamum Rustina (ajimara@yahoo.com). Whilst he bought food for us, he brought his 'packet food' and chatted with us & the stall lady. Lunch was simple, but the thought of dining in a crater made it a different experience. To see the simpler side of life brought joy into me. Children playing soccer on a small flat area along the volcano's steep slope, a small girl wanting to play with the children, a old lady hanging clothes to dry amidst the air filled with sulfur.

Walking in the crater - was the most amazing sight I even experienced. Maybe I know that it was indeed a lifetime experience, where I smelled and touched sulfur, experienced hot springs, walked through a hot mud lake, saw a cold mountain stream merge with the hot volcanic water.

Starhub Cable TV

It came out of the blue that I was offered free Starhub Cable TV. At first, I couldn't believe what I heard. Afterall, I have been taught from young that there is no free lunch in this world. So when the call came, I asked him - 'What's the catch? Are you really from Starhub?' Thankfully, I listened on - to what started off as a tele-marketing call, but turned out to a very good deal.

I was offered to watch 3 months of Starhub Cable TV for free. When the Starhub TV box was first delivered, all channels were available. And we were surfing through all the channels. But there was not going to be an all-for-free deal and our initial excitement was short-lived when they offered us only 3 groups of TV channels.

But that was sufficient to have us glued to the TV box. For the past week, I spent more time staring at the TV, as compared to the entire previous month. Channels, such as as AXN and TLC, are more favourites. Whilst there are many shows that give you an interesting perspective of life and additional knowledge, too much of TV can ruin one's days - with lesser focus on other aspects of life.

I asked - how good can this deal be? I guess it can only be good as I want it to be. With this additional tool - to educate, entertain and enrich our lives, the usefulness of this tool seems to have tremendous impact. Only time will tell. 3 months to be precise...

Batam - Planet Holiday Hotel

We stayed at Planet Holiday Hotel & Residences for one night. It was through no choice of ours, as we purchased an online deal and were cornered into choosing this hotel. The online coupon, provided by Straits Deal, initially gave a choice of 2 hotels - Planet or I Hotel. We wanted 'I Hotel', but after enquiries with the Travel Agency, they have carefully tricked us by telling us the endless unavailable dates of I Hotel. I wonder - why provide such an option in the 1st place?

Evaluation of the Hotel:

1. The room we stayed in was old, poorly-litted, but spacious. See photo below. We were given a low-floor. Thankfully the noise from the KTV below us did not travel to our room.

2. Check-in was prompt. Maybe it was due to the pre-registration done by our tour guide.

3. Reception staff was friendly. Though not exactly conversant in English, they were able to give us directions. We learnt that Planet Holiday was in Nagoya. Hence, the nearest shopping centre would have been Nagoya Hill. The additional point I wanted to make is that Planet Holiday isn't located adjacent to any shopping centre or amenties.

4. Eating joints are located a distance away too. We have to cross 2 road junctions to reach MacDonalds and KFC.

5. Breakfast seating could have been improved. I have never seen such a crowded restaurant, in which I had to wait for 10 minutes before finding a seat. Breakfast wasn't delicious, but there is a variety of food to whet your appetite.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen isn't really just about fishes. It's a British romantic-comedy that focuses on a wealthy Yemeni sheikh's vision of introducing salmon fishing into the desert country. Sceptics believe it's never a possibility; the scientist thinks that it is physically impossible; the British government wouldn't want to support it.

Yet it introduces faith in an interesting analogy:
Sheikh Muhammed: You're not a religious man?

Dr. Alfred Jones: No. No, I'm not.
Sheikh Muhammed: But you're a fisherman, Dr. Jones.
Dr. Alfred Jones: I'm sorry, I don't follow.

Sheikh Muhammed: How many hours do you fish before you catch something? Dozens?

Dr. Alfred Jones: Gosh, hundreds sometimes.

Sheikh Muhammed: Is that a good use of your time for a facts-and-figures man? But you persist in the wind and the rain and the cold with such poor odds of success. Why? Because you're a man of faith, Dr. Alfred.

FAITH was the underlying theme on many occasions:

• When Dr Jones refused to take on the project
• When Sheikh caught a salmon once he started fishing
• When Harriet was worried whether boyfriend Robert was killed in war
• When Dr Jones decided to use farm fishes
• When salmons swimmed in the wrong direction before correcting their path
• When one fish provided the glimmer of hope after the disaster
• When Dr Jones decided to have a new beginning - in both his career and love-life
• When they decided to try again after a massive failure

If it wasn't faith, what was it? As mentioned by Paul Torday, 'Faith is the cure that heals all troubles. Without faith there is no hope and no love. Faith comes before hope, and before love.'

So easy to say, yet so difficult to grasp. How do I have faith, without having blind faith? How do I define faith, without questioning too much of it? And most importantly, how do I know I have that faith in myself?

Ayam Penyet - What It didn't Turn Out to Be

This is not one of the dishes I usually try, but I decided to have a go at it - whilst in Malaysia. I ordered the ayam penyet at Johor Premium Outlets (JPO). Every store in JPO has discounts, except for these food stores that charge exorbitant price in ringgit. They probably figured that if you can afford to drive there to buy branded clothes, you can definitely afford to pay a little more for local fare. My local fare - the Ayam Penyet = MYR 10.90 (SGD 4.40)

Ayam penyets are supposed to contain fried chicken lightly smashed using a pestle in a mortar. My piece of chicken was small and did not look flat enough. My dish contained sambal, but the sambal wasn't the spiciest one I ever had. I still remembered the sambal in Changi Village that left a burning sensation on my tongue for hours. They served the dish in a plastic plate - not on banana leaves nor on wooden dishes. The rice wasn't richly filled with coconut.

But my stomach was growling and so the ayam penyet was used to silence it. And so I learnt a lesson - not everything in Malaysia is cheap and authentic.

The Dark Knight Rises

I watched The Dark Knight Rises at Jusco Tebrau City for MYR 14 (SGD 5.65). It would have costed me SGD 11 in Singapore on a Sunday, almost twice the ticket price of JB's movies. Indeed, inflation has hit Singapore hard.

The Dark Knight Rises has a dense plot packed into a 2hr 45min show. I was glued to my seat for the entire duration. There were many scenes worth commenting. My focus will be on the part where Batman confronted Bane, but lost in the confrontation between the two. Bane broke Batman's back and sent him to a foreign prison where escape is virtually impossible. The inmates related the story of Ra's al Ghul's child who was born and raised in the prison and was the only person to escape.

For much of the time, Bruce Wayne couldn't walk, let alone save the city. But his determination enabled him to take a faster route to recovery as he focused to straighten his back, learn to walk and then proceeded to build up his muscle mass. However, escape was impossible - in a deep well that was 200 feet underground. For countless people tried before him and failed. He failed countless times. After numerous failed attempts with the safety rope, he learnt from another prisoner that Ducard's daughter escaped without any safety rope at all.  This fear of death, says the wise prisoner, rather than Bruce Wayne's absence of it, is the strongest driving force existent in man. His final attempt - in which he decided to try without a safety rope - on a path of 'succeed or die' - did he manage to succeed.

Maybe it was practice that got him across. Maybe it was his determination in wanting to save the city. Or maybe when he finally let go of his current safety ropes (and baggage), that enabled him to go further. The lesson is to go for broke - to do something as if it's a matter dying if you fail. The question here is - would we?

Le Grandeur Palm Resort - Johor

We recently had a staycation in Johor. Instead of the usual Thistle Hotel, we tried a different place - Le Grandeur Palm Resort. I haven't stayed in a nearby resort for quite some time, hence I was looking forward to check out what it would be like. My opinion - It was almost everything you could have asked for in a resort. The only missing elements were the beach and the sea.

I liked (i) the spaciousness of the room - we had a king-sized bed and a balcony, (ii) the ability of check in early - we reached the hotel at 10.30am and were issued our room keys promptly, and (iii) the tranquility of the hotel - a non-crowded resort and the greenery, which included a golf course, made the stay a relaxing one.

I do not like (i) the bowling alleys - our game had to be stopped 5 times due to a malfunction in the alley machines, and (ii) the room service - it took some time before our breakfast was delivered.

The Cost Of Living in Batam

Through my short stay in Batam, I figured that whilst it is a fast getaway from hustle and bustle of Singapore, it isn't necessarily cheaper. The cost of many items could be displayed in rupiahs, but these items are not necessarily cheaper. Afterall, Singaporeans are their main clientele and only the rich Indonesians could be seen in the shopping malls.

The Polo Ralph Lauren clothes cost more than S$50, even though they are displayed as sale items. The batik shirts cost S$15, even though we were visited their factory outlet. One of our favourite crackers was retailing for Rp 40,000 (S$5.50), even though the tour guide said that this outlet was known for its 'dry food'. Even Starbucks were selling their drinks - at the same price as their outlets in Singapore.

Batam is not a cheap place to visit. As I try to ascertain the cost of living in Batam, one definite conclusion is that the cost of holidaying in Batam is definitely high. (P/s: It might be the highest amongst all Indonesian cities.)

Aung San Suu Kyi - The Lady

'The Lady' was the film I just watched today. It starrs Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi and describes the sacrifice of her personal happiness for her people. Her belief that democracy will prevail one day - finally paid off.  Beyong the context of the movie, Myanmar only experiencing baby steps towards democracy in 2012.

She believed in democracy and the freedom from fear of military rule. The sacrifices she made include:

1. Isolation - She experienced long periods (15 years) of house arrest, in which she was deprived of communication beyong the boundaries of her house.

2. Time and Efforts - She sacrificed much of her life, initially starting the spread of the word of democracy by visiting different provinces of Burma, including the rural villages.

3. Love for her husband - She did not spend her husband's dying moments at his bedside.

4. Love for her family - She made a difficult decision not to go back to visit her family, for fear of not being able to return.
5. Hunger - She went on a hunger strike for 12 days to fight for her colleagues' safety.
6. Possible Death - She faced the possibility of death through several close encounters with the military.

Change - It takes a long time to change a person, let alone a country. Will she finally taste the fruits of her labour within her lifetime? Only time will tell.

Batam - An Online Buy

We went to Batam recently for a 2D1N holiday. It was a much needed retreat - to bring ourselves away from the stress of living in Singapore. It was my 1st time doing an online buy for a holiday packaged tour. The main advantage is that it was value-for-money. The below table illustrates what I meant.

Pros of the Online Deal:
1. Value-for-money - We saved at least 33% from the expected cost of S$233 and savings are actually more significant as the cost of tours to interesting sights were excluded from my calculation.
2. Hassle-free - I do not need to arrange for land transfers, nor do I need to worry about how to get to the ferry terminal.
3. Effortless Planning - I used to do a great deal of planning on the sights to visit or the things to eat, but a package tour eliminates that set of efforts.
4. Educational Tour - Tours provide information about the place, such as signficant shopping centres, type of local produce, etc.  

Cons of the Online Deal:
1. Not in Control of Itinerary - We asked the tour guide if we could do amendments to the itinerary, for e.g. we wanted to go for the massage or straight to the hotel, but this is not possible.
2. Additional Tips - We have to tip the tour guide, even though we did not want the tour.
3. Expensive Places - In a bid to boost her commission, the guide brought us to expensive places, such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Chocolate Store and Batik Factory Outlet.
4. Not Being Natural - We have to make friends; though we are not anti-social creatures, there are times when we wanted the holiday to be more of a private event, but we had to make small talk to the people around us.