Mini Travel Guides

Click Here to consider Asian Itineraries’ 3 levels of travel packagesHaving been effected by the business failing of Perth based airline “Indojet”, I am always on the lookout for more troubles in the Airline industry. Particularly the Low Cost model. Latest company having trouble ans suspending services is Viva Macau. A much larger airline, and probably many more people involved, both in Sydney, Melbourne and several other countries? This this their most recent statement :

Viva Macau Airlines Continues to Refund All Affected Passengers

March 30, 2010

Viva Macau Airlines would like to thank all passengers affected by the recent flight cancellations for their patience and tolerance. We have activated our refund procedure to efficiently handle all refund requests: a total of 1,642 refund requests were processed yesterday in our office to the customer’s satisfaction in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage.

Customers always come first at Viva Macau Airlines, and we will continue to do our best to help all passengers with refunds in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage, including those holding Viva Macau Airlines tickets not yet affected by the cancellations. We are now working to reinstate operations in the fastest possible timeframe.

Viva Macau Airlines has set up a special hotline at 853-28718880 or 853-28718883 for enquiries. Procedures for refunds registrations include the following:

• Come to Viva Macau Airlines office (12/F., AIA Tower, No 251A-301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau), Office Hours: 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri
• Email to refund@flyvivamacau.com , provide name, reservation number and detail contact
• Call Viva Macau Airlines overseas office hotline:
  Macau：853-28718880 or 853-28718883
  Australia：1300 363 044
  Vietnam：+84 42260 6688
  Indonesia：+62213926932 / 62212300892
  Japan :81(0)3 54303418

Viva Macau Airlines is continuing to communicate actively with all parties concerned. We are seeking to minimise the inconvenience caused to our passengers, as always we are keen to continue our mission to “Bring the world to Macau”.

Tags: Viva macau

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Having been to Bali many times over the last 25 years, after my last visit in 2008, I decided I was “All Bali’d out” and would not go back in a hurry. However, time takes the edge of memories, and come 2010, and the need for a quick, easy getaway, we decided Bali it was !

However, what we decided was to stay somewhere other than Kuta, because, in thinking about why I wasn’t keen to go back, Kuta was the answer! (having stayed there 13 times previously, I have probably been more exposed than most on its transformation).

Anyhow, we stayed in Sanur this time round. What a difference. To me, Sanur reminded me a lot of Kuta when I first stayed there in 1983! Green, low rise development, reasonably light of cars. All nice things. The main traffic carrying road is well away from the Beach and the tourist streets.

In addition, the boardwalk along the beach stretches from on end of Sanur to the other, and provides an excellent opportunity for small restaurants, cafes, shops and other services to operate in a low key, open air format.

No annoying hawkers,l no-one selling time share, no bemo and taxi hassles, and, to be honest, it feels a lot safer. In sanur you just don’t have an uncomfortable look at every minivan that drives past. Having said that, security still seams to be reasonably good, particularly in restaurants and hotels.

Yep, I am back onboard with Bali - but it is Sanur all they way (I must be getting old??)

Tags: Bali

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Having previously given details of times and costs of the ferry services from Sanur, Bali to Lembongan Island, I thought it was probably timely to give an update. Having returned from Sanur in February 2010, I noted the ferry times and prices as follows.

Public Boat

8.00 am - 60,000rph

10.30am - 80,000rph

Speed Boat

9.00am

12.30pm

14.30pm

16.00pm

These are quoted from the Optasal Office (0361)9189900

Hopefully, this updated information is useful

Tags: Bali

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It one of those things you always know you should do, but usually you don’t end up worrying about! At home, having an extra card is just an invitation for trouble, but once you are in a foreign land, things are very different. Let me tell you about the last time I went overseas without a backup card!

Last year, were travelling in Nepal and India, when our bank cancelled our credit-card (they had notified me by mail, but, of course, I was travelling). They had issued me with a new card, but again, that was at home, not were I was.

First thought was - use the wife’s card. But, alas, same account, same problem!

Second thought was - Its alright, I have my emergency, backup cash. Well, as these things happen as the most difficult times, that money lasted almost no time at all. It seams when you only have foreign cash (Australian, not exactly hot property),your position of negotiation is severely eroded.

Anyhow, with an alternate bank credit card, even with a small limit, I would have had no problems at all. Instead we spend 4 days waiting in a fleapit for banks to open after a public holiday, in the end without enough money to cover the Cab fare to the bank!

Now, I always have a second card in my wallet, that never gets used. But the day this happens again, I will be ready!

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A few days ago, I reviewed our recent stay at Parigata Villas Resort, in Sanur, Bali. I gave a description of the Villa we stayed in, as well as the facilities associated with the villa - in particular the private pool and courtyard that is attached to each Villa.

This post, was to give some more details on the overall resort, and facilities, and services.

Firstly, the entrance - A single security guard oversees the entrance from the street, although there is no barrier of checking of vehicles entering. However, the small size of the resort and low profile of the group, probably eliminates most security issues. The entrance, and the entire resort, is all surrounded by tall walls (probably around 10 feet) make sure the resort is very secure for theft etc.

Secondly, the Lobby - Very low key, not a grand statement as most of the upmarket resorts in the area. We were greeted by name on arrival, which was good, and given a welcome drink, that is fairly standard these days. We were politely shown to our room, but not an over the top greeting, although it was quite late at night.

Thirdly, Breakfast - Breakfast was included in our deal, and is served between 7 and 10 each morning. Being a small resort, it offers a menu breakfast, not a buffet. The choice was an American, Continental or Indonesian breakfast, and the American breakfast was quite extensive. Coffee (peculated) was provided initially, although they didn’t seam overly keen to give second servings. They were flexible enough to do variations from the menu, which was good.

Fourthly, the grounds  -Although small, like most Bali resorts, they were extremely well kept. Bali’s weather mean no trouble in keeping things green, and the garden staff kept it all orderly and weed free. Pleasant and friendly as well

Fifthly The Pool - Although each Villa has its own small pool, in the central courtyard of the complex, and very pleasant, mid sized common pool is available. This has pool chars surrounding, and a very nice stone pool/ fountain area flowing into the main pool. Although it appears to be rarely used by guests, it was always superb looking.(cant believe I never went in it!)

All in all, the common areas and facilities of the resort were excellent, well kept, quiet and peaceful. Service was excellent throughout. I would highly recommend this resort, thinking it is very good value in its price range.

Tags: Bali

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We recently stayed at the Parigata Villas Resort, that are located at 99 Duyung St, Sanur. As usual, I will give my genuine, honest opinion of the resort and its facilities, as well as a few photos.

First issue with this resort, is finding details of it on the Internet. As the company that operates the resort has 2 other locations, with very similar names, it is difficult to know exactly which of their resorts you are looking at, prior to booking. This is the same for getting to the resort, as it causes some confusion to Taxi drivers! More about the company and its 3 resorts later!

      

    

Firstly, the selling point to the Parigata Villas Resort, is that all “Villas” come with their own private courtyard, and each private courtyard has its own private pool. Not just a plunge pool, or spa, but a decent sized (about 5 meters?) little swimming pool. Deep enough to stay cool, long and wide enough to fit a couple or few people in, without banging into each other. The step in has Spa jets, so sitting on the step can give a gently Spa treatment. The courtyard is entered from the main room of the Villa, as well as a lockable garden door, off your entrance courtyard. All very secure, and very private!

The Villa itself, is really a single, large room, with kingsize bed, with a separate small room with mirror, basin,  bench, cupboard and suitcase stand, that removes a lot of your gear from the living/bed area. It also has a semi-open bathroom, with toilet and bath. Unfortunately, no real shower inside, just a hand held showerhead you can lift above yourself in the bath. It does have a heated, outdoor shower though, and being in the courtyard, this is completely private.

The open bathroom/toilet has some privacy issues though, and I would much rather a toilet that shuts off completely from the rest of the room.

There is a bar fridge in a useful cabinet in the main room, and an older style, picturetube TV, with a very limited number of non Indonesian stations. Two bottles of water are provided daily.

All in all, the room was good, mainly due to the pool. The rest of it was good, without being great (especially considering the cost). I would stay there again, but only if I intended to spend a lot of my day around the pool.

I will post again shortly, and give some overall opinion on the Resort in general, as well as the service, meals etc

 

Tags: Bali

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Looks like its all over for IndoJet, and any prospects of their unfortunate customers to get any money back. Below is a letter from the company to customers -

22 January 2010Dear CustomerAdministration of Indojet Asia Pty Ltd (ACN 126347706)

As of 20 January 2010, the directors of Indojet Asia Pty Ltd (”the company”) have moved for a resolution to put the company into administration. As you are aware, this has been brought about by a series of unfortunate events.

As such, the directors have requested the company’s accountants and solicitors to appoint an administrator. We believe that the administrator will be appointed in the next few days. The administrator will be in touch with you with respect to outstanding debts owed to you by the company.

If you require any further information, we request that you be patient and await the administration notice to you.

Yours faithfully

ILaw Barristers & Solicitors

 

Contact details are provided as follows -AA legal Pty Ltd t/as iLaw Barristers & Solicitorsenquiries: Andrew Chelvathurai/ Anton Shuli

Tags: IndoJet

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Ko Ngai is a small island, in the South Andaman Sea, south from Ko Lanta. The island has only the 1 main beach area, which is wonderfully located on the mainland side of the island. This creates an area very sheltered from the sea, and weather coming from the west. A reef offshore created almost lagoon like conditions off the beach.

Speedboat and ferries do daily transfers from Ko Lanta, and Ko Phi Phi, as well as from the mainland, at Chang Lang or Pakmeng Beach.

There are about 12 resorts, from very upmarket, at 200+ dollars per night, to simple bungalows, from about 600 baht (around $20USD) per night. And the beach and water are just as nice, either way!

pictured below is the vista from the beach!

Tags: 2009 trip, thialand

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Being a regular vistor to Phuket, and other parts of South East Asia, I like to research the different methods to get the best hotel rates. I have found, for Phuket, and in particular, Patong Beach, a thorough search of internet booking sites is the best and most effective way to go. (forget walk in rates, and travel agents!)

And, in my experiance,. the best way to check internet rates, is through a comparision site. To this extent, I always use, and recommend HotelsCombined

They compare nearly 40 different room bookers, as well as most of the major hotel groups sites, to find you the best rate. Definately consider HotelsCombined. Even if just to keep your regular provider honest!

Tags: thialand

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It is frustrating when you are booking a hotel through Wotif, and you see that bargain WOT hotel, but don’t know where or what it is. You have to take their word for it?

 Not if you are looking at Sukhumvit, Bangkok!!

I will let you know the hotel with the following description is:

new international chain property. brand new property includes breakfast and WIFI.Located in centre of the centre SUKHUMVIT, Syktrain Asoke meet Subway Sukhumvit station ONLY 2 min walk form this 4.5* Sukhumvit WOt hotel