k'telontour of the World

What About That Weather Then?

2009-12-19T13:43:00.000+07:00

South-east weather conversations predicted to get even worse

Conversations with strangers about the weather are expected to become even more tedious thanks to heavy snow fall in the south-east over the last 24 hours.

“What about this weather, eh?” has long been the staple fall-back question for awkward silences among strangers forced together for short periods of time.

However, recent heavy snowfall has ensured the subsequent conversations will be considerably more involved and significantly less interesting than normally expected at this time of year.

Forecasters are predicting the standard of conversation to get worse over the weekend, peaking on Sunday at levels of tear-inducing banality not seen since November last year.

Severe

Reports suggest that standard responses to weather conversations such as, “It is a bit cold isn’t it,” or “I hope it gets better by the weekend,” are being replaced by lengthy diatribes about the effect a bit of frozen rain has had on the lives.

One London commuter told us, “I mentioned the snow to one guy on the train this morning and he spent fifteen minutes regaling me of the seemingly Herculean efforts he had made to get into work.”

“Honestly, it was so dull I considered self-harming just to make the pain in my ears go away.”

“If you can’t respond with a couple of well-worn weather-based platitudes, then I’m not interested in talking to you.”

Stories of one-upmanship among commuters has filtered through with work based weather conversations showing rapidly escalating levels of tedium.

“I went for a coffee and I overheard three people arguing over who had struggled the most to get into work that morning.”

“One had to dig himself out of his house, one had walked two miles in the snow, I’m not sure about the third one, I zoned out by that point - I only came to when Sally from accounts shook me awake half an hour later.”

Weather commentators have explained the phenomenon of excruciatingly dull snow conversations, saying, “Unlike the Eskimos, we only have one word for snow, and that’s because it’s fucking boring.”

NArse. :o)

Eh?

2009-12-19T13:37:00.000+07:00

Click to Enlarge

The 10 Best Bits of Travel Gear

2009-12-19T13:28:00.000+07:00

1 Dr Dre’s headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones are now 10-a-penny and cost as little as £20. Trust us, they don’t work. For genuine results, you need to spend cash — oh, and hire a rapper.

Dr Dre was involved in the design of these sensational Monster Beats headphones, which don’t just cancel out environmental noise (you can’t even hear your feet on the floor when you walk), but deliver the sound quality a musician would expect in the studio. The performance is outstanding and the styling even better — the headphones fold in half and fit in a dinky carry case.

£275; 0844 800 9595, comet.co.uk

2 Cinema glasses

Once you get over the embarrassment of wearing these, there’s no looking back. Plug the Vuzix iWear glasses into your portable DVD player, iPhone or games console and you can watch movies as if they were playing on the big screen — to be precise, a 67in screen that you are sitting 9ft away from.

The glasses also come with detachable earphones, a godsend for noisy flights (especially those with nosy neighbours). The only hitch? The glasses don’t sit flush on your face, which means light gets in. Not very cinematic, and wearing a towel over your head just won’t cut it.

£250; 0844 922 1010, firebox.com

3 A library in your hand

There are other e-readers on the market — most famously by Sony — but the Cool-er is lighter, smaller and more “fun” (that is, colourful). The battery lasts for 8,000 page turns.

£190; 0844 922 1010, firebox.com

4 The watch that tells you when to sleep

When you get that awful feeling at 6.45am that you’d be okay if only you could have 10 minutes more in bed, you could be right. Waking up at the wrong point in a sleep cycle is undesirable, particularly when you have jet lag. The Sleeptracker watch monitors subtle bodily signals such as respiration and muscle relaxation, then works out the best time to wake you up. Just set the alarm to within a manageable window of time and the Sleeptracker will choose the optimum moment to rouse you. It’s not the sexiest thing you’ll ever wear on your wrist, but the extra shut-eye is worth it.

£135; 01206 767300, sleeptrackerpro.co.uk

5 Fingerprint memory stick

The Leyio is a too-clever memory stick with built-in security (you access files with your fingerprint); greater privacy (you hand-pick which files to share on the mini LCD screen, rather than displaying them all on a PC), and no wires (you can transfer files from Leyio to Leyio with the flick of your wrist). Perfect for James Bond travellers or forgetful civil servants.

£129; 0845 604 9049, johnlewis.com

6 WiFi detector T-shirt

You wear the T-shirt and the T-shirt detects the WiFi. It needs three AAA batteries inserted into the seam, then it does what it’s supposed to (and saves you having to turn on your laptop in McDonald’s, only to find there’s no signal). The red bars light up as the signal strengthens — when it was really strong, the central logo on the shirt lit up, although it soon turned off again on a walk through the park.

£25; 0844 800 1965, gadgetshop.com

7 The first elegant underwater camera

It seemed wrong to put this to the test — the Pentax Optio W80 is a lovely-looking thing that claims to be waterproof, shockproof, dust-proof and cold-proof, so the last thing you want to do is smash it about. Still, a test is a test, and it passed with flying colours, withstanding an hour in the freezer and a swim in the bath. It looks nothing like the waterproof cameras of old, with their bulky plastic housing. Buy this if you are a messy, active or Arctic traveller.

£270; pentax.co.uk

8 Tiny cam

This miniature video camera — and miniature means the size of a cigarette lighter — won’t win you a National Geographic award, but it’s great for adventure travellers. Attach the Muvi Micro action camera to your helmet or collar and you can capture every second of your bungee-jumping madness. Better still, if you want to film, but don’t have your hands free, you can activate it with a preprogrammed voice control.

£80; 0844 800 1965, gadgetshop.com

9 Your TV — anywhere

Don’t be ashamed — everybody secretly wishes they could catch up on Corrie sometimes, even if they are on holiday.

The Slingbox Pro is a device that allows you to watch your favourite television channels on any computer, anywhere in the world. The performance can be iffy at low broadband speeds, so it’s better if you’re in a city-centre hotel than in rural Lancashire.

£155; 0800 496 1081, amazon.co.uk

10 Self-propelled luggage

This is the world’s first power-assisted suitcase — six years in the making and designed by an inventor whose mother died of a heart attack when carrying heavy cases through an airport. With an anti-gravity handle (based on the same physics as a wheelbarrow), the Hybrid PA takes 85% of the case’s weight in the wheels, instead of your arms, while two motors kick in as soon as the handle senses strain — up a hill or kerb, for example. The downside is the weight: 7kg when empty. Not Ryanair compatible.

£395; 01491 636393, liveluggage.com

I think it's fair to say that we travel quite a bit. We don't have one single item mentioned in this list. :o)

Taken from TTimes.

What to do in 2010

2009-12-19T13:22:00.000+07:00

From TTimes:

1. Glamorous by Victoria Noble

Venice Carnival
When? February 6-16, 2010
Where? Venice, Italy
Venice gets even more magical during carnival when the labyrinthine streets fill with mysterious masked revellers in fancy costumes, their breath hanging in the misty winter air. Get dressed up and join in – whether it’s on St Mark’s Square during the day or at an elegant palazzo ball at night.
The Ca’Macana workshop is the best place to pick up a genuine Venetian mask, or, if you want to go the extra mile with your costume, atelier Antonia Sautter will kit you out with an embroidered, crystal-studded number.

2. Weird and Wonderful by Mark Crabbie

Barkus Mardi Gras Parade
When? February 7, 2010
Where? New Orleans, USA

Now New Orleans is getting back on its paws after Katrina, a visit to the city is not just a good idea, it is vital to their economy. I can think of no better way to do my good deed than revel in this party city’s outrageous atmosphere while taking in a parade of pampered pooches in fancy dress, can you?

3. Food and Drink by Claudia Fogg

Menton Lemon Festival
When? February 12- March 3, 2010
Where? Menton, France

Towering orange and lemon statues of everything from cartoon characters to Buddhas and chameleons parading through the quiet French town of Menton signal the end of winter. Join the 200,000-strong crowd here for the fruity spectacle and the zesty local cuisine, taking advantage of Menton lemons favoured by French gastronomes.

4. Natural Wonders by Clemmy Manzo

Turtle Watching
When? March-August 2010
Where? Charlotteville, Tobago

Watch critically endangered Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles lay their eggs on Tobagan beaches by night. The giants of the deep clamber onto the sandy Caribbean shores and, after the gruelling task of digging a pit laying their 100 or so eggs and covering them with sand, you’ll hear them sigh as they lumber slowly back to the sea.

5. Art and Culture by Nick Breckenfield
Edinburgh Festivals
When? July-early September 2010
Where? Edinburgh, Scotland

A city completely overtaken by artistic activity, whether stand-up or sit-down, outdoor for everybody or for an audience of two in the backseat of a car! Edinburgh fills the mind with limitless possibilities, from the great visiting companies and artists in the International Festival to the Fringe’s tomfoolery and the Tattoo’s pageantry.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh Book Festival

6. Sport and Adventure by Derek Lock

Nadaam
When? July 11-13, 2010
Where? Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolia’s biggest celebration of the year involves competitions in the ‘three manly sports’ of archery, horse-riding and wrestling. To a Western eye, the age-old rituals surrounding the games are both otherworldly and poetic.
Join the crowds to watch beefy, scantily-clad wrestlers, 4x4s chasing children on horseback and parades where soldiers and beauty queens rub shoulders with performers in demonic masks.

7. Family by Bernard Mulcahy
Camp Bestival
When? July 30 - August 1
Where? Lulworth Castle in Dorset, UK
My daughter Isabella loved seeing her first gig, Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, sitting on my shoulders in the early evening sunlight. Camp Bestival’s friendly, bite-sized festival offers all the fun of larger events from top live music to fancy-dress tea-parties and hip-hop dance classes, whilst being very easy to negotiate.
Kids are especially well-catered for with craft tents, a circus skills zone and big top children’s shows, and the dramatic Dorset coastline is just a short hop away.

8. Music by Mat Osman
Bloodstock
When? August 13-15, 2010
Where? Catton Hall, Derby

Shh – don’t tell anyone but the Bloodstock Festival is a bit of a pussycat. Yes the headliners always have names that speak of death and depravity – it’s Cannibal Corpse and Obituary in 2010. Yes, leather and Viking helmets are virtually obligatory. And yes, the mosh-pit is a seething mass of hair, mud and testosterone.
But, there’s no more friendly crowd than the heavy rock crowd and the mass singalongs around the campfire and metal karaoke make this a surprisingly cuddly brand of festival.

9. Spectacular by Heather Sills

Loi Krathong
Where? Chiang Mai, Thailand
When? In November 2010

Thousands of fiery paper hot air balloon lanterns float up into the night skies over Chiang Mai. The eerily beautiful sight is punctuated with fireworks as the bad karma of its citizens drifts to eternity under the gaze of the full moon.

10. Spiritual and Religious by Louise McGrath

Day of the Dead
Where? Oaxaca, Mexico
When? November 1-2, 2010

El día de los muertos is Mexico’s upbeat and lively celebration of the dead. In Oaxaca of southeast Mexico, locals remember their ancestors by decorating the cemeteries, then spending the night there praying, singing, eating and drinking by the flickering candlelight.

Plenty of good ideas- one day, eh?

Tips to Make the Most of Your Hotel

2009-12-19T13:09:00.000+07:00

Taken from TTimes with our comments in red:

RESERVATIONS

Should you book direct or use a third-party site such as Laterooms.com or Expedia? It depends. In general, you’ll find the lowest rates online. Amy Garner, who works in reservations for the Soho and Tribeca Grand hotels in New York, says: “The best price we can offer you will always be at front desk or on our own website — these rates should match each other and are as low as we can go. If guests find better prices on third-party booking sites, then we cannot equal them.”

Garner’s comments tally with what we found — we telephoned six New York hotels, and not one could match the prices offered by BookingAdvisor.com (a metasearch engine that trawls through other sites, such as Hotels.com and Orbitz). For example, the cheapest room at the Pennsylvania on December 19 was $199 at the front desk and on the hotel’s website, yet BookingAdvisor.com found a rate of $122.

That’s not to say that begging on the phone never works. In London, we beat the best internet rate in all four five-star hotels we tried, so it’s always worth a try. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you may not be eligible for perks if you book over the internet, rather than with the hotel. If you are trying to wangle an upgrade, or special treatment, you’ll have much more joy when you book direct.

We always contact the hotel directly via email and request the best possible price they can offer us, saying that we appreciate any discount they can offer as we're on a strict budget. Once we get a price, we then ask if we get more off the longer we stay. It works a treat but only if you have the time to stay for at least two weeks. We get great discounts for month long stays...

CHECK-IN DESK

If you want the pick of the rooms, your best bet is to check in as soon as you’re allowed. But there’s an underused trick, particularly if you can’t check in promptly: when you book, ask which is the best room in that price range, then reserve it.

Carol Leppard, sales manager at Bailiffscourt, a country hotel in West Sussex, says: "The earlier you reserve, the better, as you’re more likely to get the best spot. And if you’re celebrating something, tell us — we will make a note and upgrade you if we can. The manager has even been known to put a free bottle of champagne out.” (Of course, there’s nothing to stop you fabricating a 25th anniversary or 40th birthday if you’re feeling particularly sneaky.)

The desk is the place to cheekily ask for an upgrade — there’s nothing to lose — but Leppard also says: “We’re more likely to upgrade guests who used our website than those who booked with Lastminute.com or Expedia. The latter rooms are sold at a low rate, so they’re classed as ‘fillers’ — and we invariably put these guests in the standard rooms.”

We always ask to see the rooms when we arrive and if they are not to our liking we request a room change. Again, long term stays give you a lot of bargaining power.

THE BELLHOP

As soon as the receptionist calls over a porter, you’ve entered the minefield of tipping. It’s enough to ruin a hotel stay, especially if you offend the wrong person. The theory is that hotel tipping is at your discretion, but you’ll soon notice the awful service you get if you don’t — especially in America, where staff are often earning as little as $3 per hour.

Why are staff wages the concern of the guest? Perhaps the bellhop should have done better at school or maybe they should consider a career change? I will not be blackmailed into subsidising a poor pay packet.

Make sure you get small bills when you exchange money at the airport, but if you don’t have the change for a tip, don’t be all British about it: just say so. Dion Moore is the front desk manager at the Catalina hotel, in Miami. “If you don’t have change, you don’t have to tip at all,” he says. “A bellhop will understand. Say you’ll catch him later. And if two people take care of your bags, just say to one of them, “Split this with the other guy.” You don’t need to be embarrassed.”

Has anyone tried getting small bills at a Bureau de Change at the airport? Neigh on impossible. We keep notes from previous visits, which helps.

As a guide, tip a porter £1-£2 per bag. You’ll be glad you did. An anonymous bellhop on the eHow.com forum posted this comment: “A warning: if you’re rude or stiff [fail to tip] a bellhop, your stay may be less than enjoyable. A guest might get an unwelcome wake-up call at 3am, followed by another at 3.30am. Word will get around about you to other hotel employees and the level of care will diminish. It is bad karma to stiff your bellman, and poor style. Don’t do it.”

Oh, per-lease. Who does this tosser think he is? An extra from the Sopranos? Will he add a horse's head to your pillow?

If anyone rings through at stupid o'clock, fine, mistakes and accidents happen. But if it repeats at any point, the first person I shall call will be the hotel's director at precisely the same time and we'll see who likes to be woken up.

Further, usually calls can be traced and so it's not too difficult to find out where it originated from and track down the culprit. I doubt it will be repeated again and if I meet with poor service from anyone else, I will discuss it first hand directly or take it further if things do not improve. Honestly, what a ridiculous load of tosh (ha!).

Talking of karma, avoid tipping in the Far East and Southeast Asia — staff there do not expect it, and you could provoke an embarrassing scene if you insist.

Rubbish- tip discreetly and there is no problem. Everyone is happy to get a little extra, just be polite and do it in private.

THE ROOM
You’ve every right to ask to see different rooms before you accept one — staff know full well when they have a few shonky rooms, and they’ll move you the moment you call their bluff. Don’t be afraid to insist on a room on a certain storey, too; in low season, hotels will bunch guests together so they only have to attend to a few floors. Avoid rooms near the lift and ice/vending machines — ask where these are when you check in.

Well said- also ask for a non-smoking floor and keep away from Reception too. It gets noisy and they get calls through at all hours.

It’s never too late to reject a room — Michael Chamberlain, a past guest at the Four Seasons New York, once accepted an upgrade, only to find that the bedroom wall was against the lift shaft: “I finally managed to sleep between 2am and 5am, when nobody was moving around. I’m sure they knew this was a noisy room and tried to leave it empty until the hotel was full. I should have guessed something was amiss when I got an upgrade without asking!”

If you have a problem with noisy neighbours after dark, ask for the night duty manager — desk staff may be too tired or busy to care, so go straight to the person who can do something. Grant Callaghan, deputy general manager at Hotel du Vin Brighton, is frank:

“We’d hope guests would come to us before they confront a noisy neighbour themselves, as that situation could easily escalate. One call from us is usually enough to quieten people [while you remain anonymous]; a second call would normally involve security, and this puts an end to most problems. The last step would be to expel the offending party from the hotel, and we can do this if things get out of hand.”

Not something we have ever done as usually the noise is just some party people coming in late and they collapse as soon as they hit the bed. However, we would contact the management and let them take care of things, if need be.

ROOM SERVICE

Think twice before blithely ordering coffee in your room; many hotels add not only a higher gratuity for room-service bills (between 12.5% and 20%), but a charge of £5 per tray.
If you do order room service, check the bill when you sign.

If service is included, you can ignore the line for “extra gratuity”, and should cross it through to prevent subsequent additions by dishonest staff.

We've had some fun and ganes with room service- see our recent stay at KK. :o)

THE CLEANERS

This might sound like a lot of tips, but when it comes to cleaners, the suggested gift is £2 per day. Try to give the money to your cleaner personally (or in an envelope to front desk) and daily, as the staff may change throughout your stay.

Is it really worth it?

YES. Always.

We also ask not to have daily cleaning and give them time off. 3-4 days is more than enough.

Allison Rupp used to clean rooms at the Old Faithful hotel, in Yellowstone National Park. She says: “My tips were paltry. I almost never received more than $1, and at times guests left religious pamphlets. If housekeepers were paid more than minimum wage — and the tips were a bit better — I might have cleaned the toilet, rather than just flushed it.”

THE CONCIERGE

What a concierge can do for you is inexhaustible, if we are to believe the salacious tell-all books (and subsequent television dramas), but you’re best approaching him when you’re in a big city — in resorts, the concierge is simply there to arrange excursions. He or she should be able to tell you exactly where to find the best paella or the hottest arrondissement — but be aware that if you ask for tickets for plays or sporting events, the hotel may add a hefty commission. While other hotel staff have a more definite price on their heads, the concierge is far too dignified to enter this territory.

Never used their services and doubt we will. Wifey is by far the best person to ask- she has it all researched and sussed before we even land.

Alan Noone, head concierge at the Berkeley, in London, can arrange last-minute tables at top restaurants and has even planned an entire wedding proposal, with circus animals, but insists: “Excellent concierge services are part of the five-star hotel experience and don’t come at an additional price.”

The National Concierge Association in America is not so coy. It recommends tipping $5-$20 per service (such as sourcing theatre tickets). If you’re just asking for advice or directions, a tip isn’t necessary.

Hopefully

2009-12-19T12:34:00.001+07:00

Catalonia voted yesterday to ban bullfighting, a move that campaigners claim could mark the beginning of the end of Spain’s most controversial sport. The motion must pass a final vote next year before a ban comes into force.

Let's hope it does. I have never understood this rubbish about it being a noble sport. It is barbaric and has no place in the 21st century. Another person who hates it is Ricky Jervais, who said:

“Shame on anyone who finds an animal being tortured entertaining. And shame on anyone who thinks that stepping into a ring armed with swords with a frightened and confused animal who has often already had the tendons in its neck severed so it cannot lift its head is brave.”

Rather well put.

On the Rocks?

2009-12-19T12:27:00.002+07:00

Boris Yeltsin's favourite breakfast was diced Spam in scrambled eggs with a vodka cream sauce.

Outstanding.

Tosh

2009-12-19T12:26:00.002+07:00

That's a good word and one I should use a little more.

Good or Bad?

2009-12-19T12:18:00.000+07:00

Click to Enlarge

London 2012

2009-12-19T12:09:00.000+07:00

An annual survey of attitudes towards the Olympics showed 80% of Londoners wanted the 2012 Games, with ratings in the five host boroughs of the East End rising to 85%.

All well and good when it's on your doorstep, but I wonder how other areas of Britain feel about it? Ah, here we go:

The poll of 4 500 people did reveal a disparity in attitudes between the capital and elsewhere in the UK, with ratings in some parts more than 10% lower. These findings will be of concern to ministers seeking to justify the £9 billion-plus cost of hosting the Games.

In the North-East of the country, 67% backed the Games, while 68% in Scotland and Yorkshire were in favour.

I'd suggest those figures would be more the accurate of the two sets.

Get Out of Gaol Free Card

2009-12-19T12:02:00.001+07:00

Remember the two burd backpackers in Brazil who were nicked for trying to claim off their insurance company for items that they said had been "nicked"? They were given 16 months' community service after pleading guilty to making a false insurance claim after their stuff was found under their beds.

However, after an appeal to the country's High Court, the law graduates (aye- doesn't that make you smile?) were released when it emerged police had obtained information to secure their arrest illegally. The court ruled an employee of the hostel, where they were staying, had entered their room without permission to see if the items they said were missing were still there.

The law is the law, but if they 'fessed up to it, how can they then be found not guilty of the charges?

One of the mothers said the two friends were traumatised by their ordeal and that it had been a misunderstanding at the end of their trip.

What misunderstanding? Nowt wrong with defending your kids, pet, but at least be honest about it. They got caught trying to con an insurance company and paid the price. Where's the "misunderstanding" in that?

England Really is Quite Pathetic

2009-12-19T11:52:00.000+07:00

Heavy snow caused chaos today as thousands were forced to abandon their plans for a Christmas getaway.

Airports were worst hit, with both Heathrow and Gatwick cancelling dozens of flights and diverting passengers to airports as far away as Manchester. Security queues were overwhelmed at Stansted after delays to the express train serving the airport.

Commuters were also badly hit as the storms swept the East of England, and many opted to stay at home to avoid the treacherous conditions. The Met Office said drifts up to 30cm deep had hit some areas, stranding motorists in their cars, while many more abandoned their vehicles to seek shelter. It warned the snow will continue into the early evening in the worst hit areas.

In Kent, tens of thousands of commuters were told to stay at home as police advised people not to travel unless they had to.

Parts of the M20 and M2 were closed but had reopened by mid-morning, although were severely congested. A Kent police spokesman said: “In some areas it is virtually impossible to get through in a two-wheel-drive vehicle.”

Forecasters warned that the snow would continue for the rest of the day in some areas. On the railways the line from Hastings, via Tunbridge Wells, into Charing Cross and Cannon Street was badly hit. However, central London escaped the worst of the problems and Transport for London said it had deployed its entire fleet of 36 gritters to keep roads clear.

Air passengers were forced to endure delays and cancellations. Gatwick was closed for two and a half hours this morning, with 25 flights cancelled. A spokesman said the airport was giving priority to outbound flights to ease congestion, and some incoming easyJet flights were being diverted to Manchester.

Heathrow has also cancelled 70 flights, as an estimated 416,000 passengers were expected to go through the airport today and tomorrow, the busiest two days of the Christmas period. Luton airport remained closed until 10am, with a number of easyJet flights affected, including flights to Glasgow, Paris, Geneva and Nice.

Stansted passengers were also warned to expect delays after the main train service was reduced, causing packed trains and security lines at the airport to become overwhelmed. City Airport was forced to close for 1.5 hours. Passengers were warned to expect “significant delays”.

It's been forecast for days that snow was going to hit the country and the moment it does, it's panic and chaos all around. Why is it only England has to close when a small amount of the white stuff makes an appearance?

How do airports in really cold climates cope? With ease and without trauma, that's how? Why do we have to continually keep embarrassing ourselves like this?

Story from TLES.

UK 2018 World Cup Bid

2009-12-19T11:44:00.000+07:00

FOOTBALL bosses have unveiled the 12 English cities that have absolutely no chance of hosting the World Cup in 2018.

Leeds, Bristol and Sunderland are just some of the venues set for eventual disappointment when a far more attractive country is handed the tournament next year.

FIFA head, Sepp Blatter, said: "The England bid is a very interesting one and should about 50 other countries be ravaged by some terrifying plague that makes your skin fall off and kills you wthin 90 seconds, then yes, you may well see a World Cup match in Milton Keynes."

Several cities were turned down for England's bid, with Derby, Leicester and Hull left out after bid organisers decided they wanted to stand a slightly better chance than Somalia.

Roy Hobbs, the deputy mayor of Hull, said: "I thought we'd developed into a modern, vibrant place for a major sporting event, but then I remembered all the people who live here.

"You might get car-jacked senseless in South Africa but at least you're not going to bump into a Phil Brown or that chap from the Beautiful South who looks like he's got no teeth."

An FA spokesman said: "We had some very attractive bids and the cities chosen represent the finest facilities in England. And Plymouth is in there because we want the rest of the word to think we're a nation of mentally ill pirates."

DMash.

Shoplifters of the World

2009-12-19T11:40:00.000+07:00

Where theft hits the retail trade hardest:

India's retailers suffer the highest levels of theft, according to the “Global Retail Theft Barometer” survey of 41 countries. Losses from a combination of shoplifting, worker and supplier theft, and accounting errors amounted to 3% of all retail sales. This “shrinkage” cost global retailers almost $115 billion in 2009, up by 5.9% from the previous year.

Much of this increase was caused by a rise in shoplifting, particularly in America and Europe. Branded clothes and fashion accessories were the most prized items globally, with items for the car and home-improvement goods a close second. In Europe the most pilfered grocery item is luxury cooked meat.

Indonesia Attractions

2009-12-19T11:32:00.000+07:00

Attractions in Indonesia are as varied as the 17,000 islands and give visitors endless things to do. Some of the best include viewing the volcanic sceneries in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park on Java. The island is also home to the grungy metropolis of Jakarta and the historic Yogyakarta*. Here you can find glitzy nightclubs to traditional puppet theatre. The neighbour island of Bali is an attraction in itself, luring visitors with white sands of Kuta beaches, endless surfing spots and Ubud's cultural attractions.

Sumatra offers visits to traditional towns such as Bukit Lawang and Bukittinggi and stunning landscape. The giant island of Borneo shares its jungle treks with visitors and native orang-utans alike. A lumbering ferry line connects all the island's attractions and is an adventure itself. The best time is visit is between April and October during the dry season which also makes transport easier.

Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppets)

Shadow Puppet performances have become a part of Indonesia's cultural heritage. The puppets are lovingly handcrafted out of buffalo or goatskin with moveable limbs that are worked by a highly skilled puppeteer from behind a backlit screen, casting the shadows of the puppets into... see full details

Prambanan Temple Complex

Rivalling the Buddhist monument of Borobudur, this magnificent Hindu temple is the largest in Java and the most beautiful in Indonesia. Prambanan was built in the 9th century, possibly to compete with the splendour of Borobudur, or to celebrate the return to power of... see full details

Borobudur

One of the greatest Buddhist monuments in South East Asia, Borobudur was built in the 8th century and stands on top of a hill surrounded by volcanoes and overlooking green fields. It is an immense multi-tiered structure with the Great Stupa (bell-shaped monument) at... see full details

Tanah Lot

Meaning 'Land in the middle of the sea' Tanah Lot is an exquisite sea temple built atop a rock formation off the island of Bali. A popular tourist spot and a great location for fantastic photographs, Tanah Lot is surrounded by poisonous sea... see full details

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

The national park is a spectacular volcanic landscape and one of the most impressive natural sights in Indonesia. The ancient Tengger crater in its midst stretches for six miles (10km) and within its sheer volcanic walls are three peaks, namely Batok, Kursi and the... see full details

Ampenan

The vast metropolis of Ampenan, Mataram, Caimanegara and Swete, with a population of around 250,000, comprises four towns, the boundaries of which are all but indistinguishable to the casual visitor. While Sweta is the main transport hub and site of the island's biggest market,... see full details

Jalan Jaksa area

Most South East Asian capitals have a backpacker area. This one is grubbier than most. Plopped in an unremarkable part of downtown it is thick with travel agencies and guesthouses. A few bars with live music cater to the travel... see full details

Jayapura

This is often the first stop for travellers to Papua, and as testament to its remoteness many of the visiting westerners are thought to be either mine workers or missionaries. Although the wilds of Papua are a quick trail away... see full details

Indonesia Miniature Park/Taman Mini

Contrary to its name, the Indonesia Miniature Park covers 100 hectares of land in cultural examples of all 27 provinces that make Indonesia. The best examples of these are the architectural structures that are true to their region's traditional designs. The park also regularly... see full details

National Monument

Visitors will inevitably be pulled to the National Monument to inspect the enormous phallic obelisk that can be seen from much of the city. The first president Sukarno began to build the structure as a symbol of nationalism complete with 35 kilograms of... see full details

Gunung Batur

The still-active Gunung Batur volcano, is known as Bali's second holiest mountain and symbolises the female element of the island, while the male element is symbolized in Gunung Agung, a neighbouring smaller volcano. A great place for hikers to stretch their legs, the walk... see full details

Pura Besakih

Locally known as the mother Temple of Bali, Pura Besakih is located on the slopes of Mount Agung and is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Dating back to the 14th century, the three main temples are dedicated to Shiva, Brahma... see full details

Pura Kehen

One of the most valued temples in Bali, Pura Kehen is a garden temple located in the town of Bangli in East Bali and can be traced back to the 11th century. Founded by Sri Brahma Kemuti Ketu, Pura Kehen is the second... see full details

Batubulan

The small village of Batubulan is marked by stone figures of gods and demons on the side of the road. Known mostly for its stone carvings, Barubulan is popular with cultural tourism and travellers looking for a unique souvenir to take home with... see full details

*Both places we shall be visiting. :o)

The Basics

2009-12-19T11:30:00.001+07:00

Time: Indonesia spans three time zones. GMT +7 (West, including Java and Sumatra), GMT +8 (Central, including Bali, Sulawesi and Lombok), GMT +9 (East, including Irian Jaya).

Electricity: Electrical current is 120/230 volts, 50 Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European two-pin and UK-style three-pin.

Language: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, but many dialects are spoken. English is widely understood in Jakarta and tourist resorts.

Travel Health: There are a number of health risks associated with travel to Indonesia and medical advice should be taken at least three weeks before departing. Malaria is a year round risk except in Jakarta, other large cities and the tourist resorts of Java and Bali. The dengue fever mosquito is found throughout Indonesia and visitors should be aware of a significant increase in reported cases of dengue fever throughout all the country's provinces during the rainy season. Outbreaks of chikungunya fever, also from mosquitoes, have occurred regularly in Indonesia in recent years. Visitors to Java and Sumatra are advised to ensure all polio inoculations are up to date before travel. Outbreaks of bird flu have also occurred and many people have died from the disease; Indonesia has the world's highest death toll from the virus. Travellers are not at risk but are advised to avoid close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds, and ensure that all eggs or poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked as a precaution. Outbreaks of Anthrax and leprosy occur. Travellers' diarrhoea is a major risk; visitors should only drink sealed bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat, salads and unpeeled fruit. Poor sanitation and eating contaminated food can increase the risk of cholera, typhoid and other diseases. The standard of local medical care is poor and very expensive. It is essential that you take out full medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities. A yellow fever certificate is required from those travelling from infected areas.

Tipping: Major hotels add a 10% service charge to bills in Indonesia and, where it is not included, a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill, would be appreciated. Airport porters usually receive around Rp 2,000 per small bag. Tipping taxi and rental car drivers is not mandatory, but if you do choose to tip, Rp 1,000 is sufficient for taxi drivers and a little more for rental car drivers.

Safety Information: *Following the bombings in Bali in October 2005, there remains a high risk of terrorism directed against foreigners throughout the country and reports indicate that terrorists are planning further attacks on Westerners and western interests and are likely to be carried out at locations frequented by tourists. Extreme caution is advised in public places, including transport terminals, shopping malls and public buildings, and especially in restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment in tourist areas. The security situation remains unsettled in Sulawesi and foreigners are advised to avoid parts of Maluku, particularly Ambon, and Central Sulawesi. Visitors are also advised to be cautious if travelling to Aceh. Religious violence between Christians and Muslims and unstable politics has also made many parts of Indonesia unsafe for travellers; there is continued risk of harassment of Westerners by fundamentalists. Indonesia has a high crime rate and theft and petty crime is common in tourist areas and on public transport. Credit card fraud is on the increase. It is strongly recommended that visitors contact their foreign office for the latest travel advice before travelling to Indonesia. **Flooding and landslides occur frequently during the rainy season between December and March. The safety of air travel in Indonesia has come under the spotlight following a series of fatal airline accidents; six of its airlines have failed to meet international safety standards, including the national carrier, Garuda, and in June 2007 the EU announced that all Indonesian airlines have been banned from entering the EU.

Local Customs: Indonesian people are generally friendly and polite and while they understand that western culture is different to their own, it will be appreciated if their customs are respected. Religious customs should also be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Visitors should always be polite and avoid public displays of affection. It is considered impolite to use the left hand for passing or accepting things. Appropriate dress is important in places of worship and women should dress conservatively, covering the shoulders and legs, especially in Muslim areas. The concept of 'saving face' is very important and public displays of anger, and personal ridicule and blame are considered extremely vulgar and bad mannered. In Jakarta a new law bans people from giving money to beggars, buskers and unofficial traffic guides in an attempt to 'bring order' to the city. Offenders could face up to six months in jail and $5,000 fines. Gambling is illegal.

Business: Due to the hot and tropical climate, when conducting business in Indonesia, formal business attire in a light, cool material is the best option. Indonesia is largely Muslim so dress should be conservative, especially for women. Business cards are often exchanged and it is customary to shake hands with a slight bow when greeting and leaving. Some Indonesian names can be long and hard to pronounce and making an effort to get it right when greeting someone will be appreciated. It is best to use formal titles such as Doctor, or 'Bapak' for Mr. and 'Ibu' for Madam. Business hours vary, government offices are usually open from 7am to 3pm and small businesses from 8am or 9am to 4pm or 5pm.

Communications: The international access code for Indonesia is +62. The outgoing code is 001 or 007 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the United Kingdom). When using Voice Over Internet Protocol, the outgoing code is 017. It is not necessary to dial the first zero of the area code. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 36 for Bali and 21 for Jakarta. For operator-assisted international calls, phone 101. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty Free: Travellers to Indonesia over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 100g tobacco; alcohol up to 1 litre; perfume for personal use; and personal goods to the value of US$250 per passenger or US$1,000 per family. Travellers not entering on a tourist visa will have to pay duties for photo and film cameras unless these have been registered in their passport by Indonesian Customs. Electronic equipment may not be imported to the country. Prohibited items include Chinese medicines and prints, narcotics, firearms and ammunition, pornography, cordless telephones***, fresh fruit or goods to be used for commercial gain.

*Swell- let's hope we don't look like your average tourist then...

**Super, we fly in January. :o)

***Cordless phones are contraband?

Overview of Indonesia

2009-12-19T11:24:00.000+07:00

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, comprising of five main islands and a multitude of smaller archipelagos, with about 17,000 islands strung across the equator.

A rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters has bequeathed it with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic scenery of changing landscapes.

Unfortunately it is this very diversity of ethnic groups and religions that has put a country of such exotic natural resources to the test. Racial divides and fierce religious hostility, government corruption, uprisings, economic negligence and, more recently, terrorist attacks have been frequent blights on the Indonesian fabric of society. But it is also these diverse cultures that have given the country a splendid heritage of traditions and art, and for centuries it has been a magnet, constantly drawing thousands of people to its shores despite its turbulent nature. Its position along the Pacific 'ring of fire' contributes to its uneasiness; the country is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Indonesia offers something for everyone. Sumatra has an untouched wilderness and a diversity of wildlife, highland tribes and unique architecture, wonderful resort-lined lakes and quaint hilltop towns. Java features steaming volcanoes, astonishing historical monuments, a sprawling capital city and traditional dance, music and art. The image of paradise is epitomised in Bali, an island of artistic people and elegant temples, stunning scenery, palm groves, beach resorts and diving. Further east, Komodo is the home to the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon.

It is a land of vigorous colour, of tensions and upheaval, but also of festivals and dancing, golden sunsets and friendly white toothy smiles.

Again, taken from Word Travels.

Our Next Stop

2009-12-19T11:19:00.001+07:00

Indonesia country map from Word Travels:

Addictive Drink

2009-12-19T11:16:00.002+07:00

Did you know that tea leaves contain trace amounts of nicotine? Apparently so.

Cheap Bubbles? Not Here

2009-12-19T11:15:00.000+07:00

We keep hearing about the glut of champagne and how in the UK one can pick up a bottle of the real stuff for less than a tenner. Not so here. A standard 0.7l bottle of Moet and Chandon is a staggering £69!

The Cost of Plagiarism

2009-12-19T11:13:00.000+07:00

The average monetary value of settlements in matters of copyright infringement in the States is $22 240.

I had better start saving...

McD's

2009-12-19T11:12:00.002+07:00

Why don't they have a turkey burger and call it their Christmas special? I bet it would sell by the bog full. If they all of a sudden introduce a turkey and cranberry sandwich, don't forget where you heard it first and I want my cut.

And how about a mince pie, pie? Another winner.

High Season

2009-12-19T11:10:00.000+07:00

It's really starting to fill up with Farangs* here. In town it's most noticeable as hordes of tourists and holiday makers are swamping the shops to buy Christmas presents (great for the local economy; what recession?) and mementos of their holiday in the sun.

Makes perfect sense too- who wants to be in Europe where we understand you've just been treated to an avalanche of snow? No, thanks. We'll stick to the shorts and T weather. :o)

*Ta to wiki:

Farang (Thai: ฝรั่ง) is the generic Thai word for a foreigner of European ancestry. While generally farang is a neutral word, it can be used in a mocking manner, or even as an insult depending on the context. For instance, the expression farang ta nam khao ( listen (help·info); Thai: ฝรั่งตาน้ำข้าว - which literally means "farang with a rice-milk-colored iris") would be considered an insult. It is common in Thai to just say "farang" to point out the presence of one, without making a whole sentence. People of African descent have been occasionally referred to as farang dam (black farang) in Thai: ฝรั่งดำ especially American servicemen during the Vietnam War. But we've mentioned this before, so you should have remembered this, OK?

Pen Nibs

2009-12-19T11:05:00.000+07:00

Absolutely minuscule here.

It's not surprising as the lettering of their alphabet is so intricate, delicate and ornate, but you try getting a nib fatter than 0.5 mm? Neigh on impossible.

Don't get me wrong; I love a fine, black line but it's a chore when it comes to addressing large jiffy-bag style envelopes as the writing almost disappears. Ho hum.

Subliminal Message

2009-12-19T11:03:00.000+07:00

To the b-i-l, Dave:

How about bringing Sharon out to Thailand for her 50th next year? Start saving now and before you know it, you can whisk her off to sunshine, 30 C+ temperatures and great food and drink.

This message is interspersed with flashes of Tiger towers and hot-chick waitresses; if you stare at it long enough. Maybe.