:: jotting the lines ::

My first digital camera Nikon 4100 coolpix is half way to the graveyard now. Thanks to fireworks show last Sunday, it underwent an hour of heavy pour. I hope it will come back in perfect condition without spending much to repair. I still want to keep it for nostalgia sake.

Nevertheless, my new toy comes along the way upon a visit to my photographer friend.

LX2 and LX1 It was a spontaneous shot for that moment.

I am not getting DSLR just yet even though I was introduced to the older Nikon model, D50 & D70 and latter entry level D40. Argh, and I was told about Canon Powershot S3 IS which is neck to neck comparing with some other semi pro compact camera in the similar price range. Anyway, I am not going into DSLR just yet after taking some professional advice.
See comparison between D40, S3 & LX2.

Everyones’ eyes will be setting on tomorrow’s (6 Jan 2007) grand opening of Visit Malaysia 2007 in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. Woohoo! I expect my hometown to be in famous amongst the Chinese & Indian ethnics community overnight. Usually nobody would know where Setapak is, I don’t blame them for being ignorant or lack of general knowledge and sense of direction.

I am proud of my neighbourhood for being chosen to have giant ferris wheel built at the lakeside. Poor old pint trees were sacrificed for Visit Malaysia 07. Perhaps one of the reasons Titiwangsa is chosen for Eye On Malaysia is her beautiful lakeview and beautiful reflection of skyscraper view. I personally assure you that it is the best place to watch fireworks where nothing ahead is blocking your view.

I snapped this photos one night earlier. As you can tell the park constructions are still ongoing. Road pavement were completed by stages, it’s almost 80% done.

So, ladies and gentleman … You see these pictures here first before the grand opening on tomorrow!

Eye On Malaysia, by lakeside

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‘Hey I am gonna wake up in clear vision, from blur to clear (that’s their tagline)!’

This is what I felt all the time before taking a preop LASIK test at Vista Laser Eye Centre.

I went through a 3 hours thorough check before the result can confirm if I can undergo LASIK treatment. Firstly I was put to a room which is equipped with a Bausch & Lomb machine. I went through a myopia vision test and later I was guided to another room to check my pupil size. My prescription is:
Right eye: - 6.5 sphere, 0 cylinder

Left eye: - 2 sphere, -1.5 cylinder

My pupil size measurement is at above average 8mm diameter before it is dilated. Gosh imagine how much light my eyes can take in at night!? I did not know I am quite an abnormal one with huge pupil, ratio 1:10? Average size is 5-6mm. Read the rest of this entry »

My apologies for dragging too long to blog about Travel Smartly Part 2. I am still doing some research on the ticket conditions. I will not present you Part 2 until I am certain about the facts and figures.
There are going to be changes on IATA air ticket now as Malaysian Airlines is soon implementing CSP (Consumer Selling Price) on all ticket they sell. That means the amount reflects on the air ticket will be much lesser compared to your ticket receipt. I think you’ll definitely need another illustration before we go further.

As you can see from the picture above, RM1788 is the published fare + RM45 airport tax + RM152 YQ (fuel surcharge) = RM1988

I am sure you’re raising questions now like:

1. What is published fare?

2. Why it seems more expensive than what you have paid?

3. How CSP will change consumers’ perception in buying air ticket from the travel agents / or airline directly?

I did ask myself this question, Why am I writing all these? Well, why not if I do not breach any code of conducts or business ethics. I hope you, the readers will ultimately get benefited out of it.

Many of us here have probably taken flights for their business or leisure trips before. But are you a smart air traveller?

You probably have also heard of Malaysia Airline, our national carrier have shrinked in size. Thus it is no surprise for them to try every possibility to get extra revenue. So what do they do to fight the deficit?

Things you need to know for Pre-trip arrangement

1. It is a common practice for almost every leisure traveller to get a few quotations before paying for the fare. Prior to this, make sure you have checked with your travel agent on the availability and not just the fare + airport tax + fuel surcharge + agency collection fees (ACF).

2. If you are travelling to USA/ EUR, ask your travel agents for more alternatives. Sometimes having too many transits will result you in paying more airport tax. Quiz: Which country has the highest airport tax? It’s not US, not London, but Australia. The airfare may seem cheap by flying on Singapore Airline (SQ), but with the total amount you pay up for your trip can be more than flying on other carriers. Check out Virgin Atlantic or Austrian Airline as they usually do transit in KL, so you might get cheaper fare to fly to Sydney!

3. Always ask if you can fully utilize stopover. Some airlines will provide hotel accomodation in a very attractive rate. Ie. Flying on Thai Airways will allow you to stop over at Bangkok for a shopping tour before flying to Shanghai.

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