Airport Transfer: Starting and Ending The Journey

With value for money in mind, I would think at least 4 main considerations below:

1. Who you traveling with ?  Any children or elderly on your group?
2. Luggage: the less luggage the mobile you are…
3. Time available: do you have that extra 2-3 hour, for example, to travel with normal city bus ?
4. Convenience factor: how much comfort you want to enjoy to start/finish your holiday?

Remember, traveling with family, just yourself -or- with your extended family could spell totally different decision in term of the best airport transfer you can choose – even from the same address..

Take The Bus

The cheapest of all, but the most hassle and inconvenient of all. You probably spend less than $10 for each person each way but the inconvenience at least 3 fold:

1. It usually involves multiple bus ride: for Sydney Airport there is only bus route 400 that you can hop in/hop out at the airport terminal.
2. No baggage/luggage area on the bus
3. The time needed is enormous: 2-3 hours is not unusual as the bus can stop in all those bus stop.

Furthermore, it will not always be available at odd hour. For example your flight is 6am in the morning, how do you catch a bus at 2am?

Take The Train

Train supposed to be the best alternative in and out from the airport as it’s not only much faster (dedicated rail, no jam, reliable time schedule) but also can carry thousands of people at once. If train is fully accessible for you, by all mean, this will be the best alternative. Train got enough space even if you travel with big luggage.

However the fare will not be as cheap that you would think. At the moment the far is $15 one way. It will take around 1-1.5 hour from Parramatta station to the international airport.

Take Taxi

From Parramatta, expect to pay $70-$90 one way on normal traffic. That’s $35 per person if there are only 2 passenger.

For family of 4, $80 taxi ride will cost $20 for each – not that so much difference compare to train ride, but very big difference (better) when comparing any other factor. So for family of 4, Taxi is one of the good alternative. Just beware if traveling on peak hour – the meter will eat your money by the seconds…..

For more than 5 person, there will be some kind of surcharge even if you got the mini-van taxi. So for $80 ride, you will need to pay say $120 (1.5 x) and so on.

Traveling with children? taxi that has 2 booster seat for 2 or more child-passenger will be hard to get. You need to specially book it.

Shuttle Bus

Shuttle bus can be regarded as “cheap taxi”. As you will be picked-up/dropped-off at your address with small fraction of the cost. It’s flat rate at about $20 each person (depends on the address). However the annoying difference compare to the taxi: you might happened to be the first patron to be picked up, so you will do merry-go-round around the town to pick up all other 30 patrons from many addresses. Ouch… better watch out.

So as long as you have plenty of time, this method of transportation is good for 1 or 2 people (value for money) -or- group more than 6 (who need to get 2 taxis) – but for family of 4, taxi will be still better.

Drive and Park

You can just take your card with you and your family to the airport and the car is just waiting for you on the way back. Convenient!, but it really depends on the parking scheme that you need to pay. For example: some parking company (park and fly) charge $50 for up to 3 days, then a weekend trip to Gold Coast will cost you $50 and you just have to pay the petrol you consume. This is the cracker deal. But imagine if you need to go for 26 days. At $10 per day, you will be looking at $260 – better catch a taxi isn’t it ?

With more and more competition, a few weeks from your departure, especially in holiday season, check the website of these company if they offer a “cap deal”. For example at this moment (Dec 2010), Park ‘n Fly offer $148 cap (maximum that have to be paid) for travelling on this holiday season (between Dec 2010 and Jan 2010) – with that price, why bother paying taxi?

1 way Rent a Car

Other alternative is to just rent -a-car for 1 day. Do this with big company: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, etc where you can pickup the car on the nearest branch and drop it off at the airport. Some charge “1-way rental” fee (as you did not return it to where it get picked) but some are not – check your shop. With this you probably can get away with around $60 (including petrol top up) one way for 4-5 people. That’s cheap! ($10-$15 each one way). You can get even cheaper by denying to pay the increased insurance – as the risk is low (no overnight, just 1 drive, etc) but nobody could predict the unexpected.

Driven By Limo

I guess the word “limo” or “limousine” here is a little bit misleading as it’s not always meant a stretch limo (as pictured) – it could be as simple as  a chartered car with the driver (but not taxi).

Perhaps for your surprise, hiring a limo sometimes is even cheaper than taxi.

A luxurious Holden Caprice from Parramatta to Airport can be hired as little as $89 and this is flat rate (taxi will cost you fortune if there is traffic jam, while airport transfer limousine hire is point to point contract). For family of four this is better alternative than taxi – not only it’s flat rate, but the level of comfort and “cool” factor is high.

The stretch limo costs at around $230 one way from Parramatta to airport. Compare this with “maxi taxi” of $170 that I took . I would bet $60 is very cheap as a cost to impress your in-law!! Also, if you are traveling at peak hour, not only it will unleash your joy with those spacious leg room, TV, and leather upholstery, you probably save a little fortune that you will spent inside those crammed taxi ride with the meter. And what will be more bang to kick-start or finish your holiday compare to fully stretch limo ride? (for only a mere $60!??)

Driven By Friend/Family

On dollar value, if you have a friend or family that will drive you to the airport (and even pay for the petrol themselves) then you are the luckiest air-traveler on earth! Especially if they are the one who offer and insist the service – But consider several courtesy/etiquette for the favor:

• offer to at least to reimburse the petrol cost: estimate the distance (use Google Map!), divide by 8 (assuming 8km per liter) and multiply by price of petrol on the day and don’t forget multiply again by 2. Remember he/she need to go back home So, if the distance is 40km, it will consume 5 liter of petrol one way, so you need to reimburse at least 10 liters x price of petrol.
• pay all the add on cost on the way: toll road, parking cost, fine (if he/she got booked), the meal (if involve one)
• you need to buy him/her a souvenir/give of significant value as token of appreciation during your holiday

Conclusion

In the nutshell: (excluding driven by friend/family) – if you travel by yourself or just with your wife/husband – shuttle bus will be your best alternative. For family a rental car would be the best alternative. For extended family or group, rental car or even hiring a limo could be your best alternative rather than mediocre crammed taxi with nothing special.

Note for those travel with kids: a child seat/booster is usually extra cost.

Bon Voyage !!

p.s: what is you favorite airport transfer? Share it with us below…

The Understanding First

Before go to the real “action” of removing stain on practically any hard surface. You need to understand this very quickly. See illustration below:

Understanding Stain on Hard Surface

1. The stain sitting on top of the original surface. (as illustrated at no 1 above)
   This condition happened if the stain is new, or the surface is not porous, or laminated with some waterproof material (e.g: tiles, etc). The stain is the easiest to remove in this condition
2. The stain has penetrated inside the top surface (as illustrated at no 2 above)
   This condition usually happened if the surface is quite porous, or the original paint is attacked by the stain, or very old stain. The stain is the hardest to remove in this condition.

(and all other condition in between)

Then, basically there are 2 ways to remove the stain:

1. Chemical dissolve-ment: the stain is dissolved with our cleaner so that can easily be wiped.
2. Physical abrasion: the stain need to be physically removed (similar like scrubbing with sand paper). This will involve some imperfection on the original surface (as illustrated at no 3 above). If the abrasion/scrubbing is still within the thickness of the paint, you will not notice the difference. But if the abrasion is too deep, you will start seeing the original color of the surface.

The Tools

In my experience, the following tools below are quite adequate as a weapon in “war on stain at hard surface”:

Stain Removal Kit

1. The humble paper towel. The more absorbent the better.
2. Rub alcohol (IPA – Iso Propil Alcohol) – buy in chemist or supermarket. If you want stronger one, by Ethanol.
3. Any house hold cleaner as “Degreaser” (cut oil based stain). Pictured is BAM power cleaner.
4. Chux’s Magic Eraser: the white sponge. This eraser works as very fine sand paper that do the abrasion and absorb/trap the stain

Make sure the kit above is ready at all time !

Removing the stain: the tips

• Stain is best to be removed as soon as possible (to prevent the stain penetrate too deep to the surface – see condition no 2 on the illustration above)
• Choose cleaner: You need to guess what is the base of the stain: oil, water, or alcohol and use the appropriate cleaner as below (just guess, do not worry if you are not sure).
  If it’s oil based (crayon, lipstick, oil painting, etc) use the degreaser.
  If it’s alcohol based (marker, anything with quick dry alcohol smell) use the IPA
  If it’s water based (water paint, syrup, etc) just use water
• Spray or apply generously on the paper towel and rub it on the stain. The idea is to dissolve the stain chemically as soon as possible from the surface.
  If you choose the correct cleaner, you will see the stain immediately smearing. If not, try the other cleaner.
  Make sure you have plenty of paper towel to absorb the excess IMMEDIATELY – or you just making the blob of the stain larger.
  Warning: the cleaner that you choose COULD also dissolve the original painting. Just be prepare for this. Try at small area first !
• If the stain persist, then the stain has penetrated the surface (see condition no 2 above). The only way to remove the stain would be by physical abrasion.
• Wet the Chux’s magic eraser and squirt all the excess water off (just need damp one), then apply small pressure to the stain. If the stain did not come off, apply more pressure. Remember you don’t want to remove all the painting, just enough to remove the stain (see condition 3 on the illustration above). This white sponge will be soiled upon used. You need to wash it with water from time to time during use. After some usage, you will notice that the sponge become thinner – then just use the new block.
  Warning: if you have glossy finished surface, using this physical abrasion will possibly remove the shininess of the affected area – but I guess it’s still better than those marker drawing…:-)
• Removing the stain if a “repair job” – it’s still better to prevent the stain before happening. So, do not expect 100% recovery all the time…

There you go… Good luck removing that painting on the wall !

Disclaimer: don’t blame me if you stuff up – I just share what I usually do – so far it’s not bad at all – always try on small patch first before go Gung Ho…

Well, it’s not presidential election, so technically the Aussie will not directly choose their Prime Minister. They will choose the local member of parliament that belong to a party or an independent. The majority member will form a government that has been nominated before. So, if you want a Labor Prime Minister, then vote for Labor candidate nominated for your local neighborhood, and vice versa.

The real drawback of this system that quite annoying (at least for me) was what happen with PM Kevin Rudd: the labor party faction decides that Kevin Rudd is a liability that has to be replaced.  So, it did – a few people initiative was able to replace a Prime Minister that not even 3 years ago has successfully win the election toppling the previous government that has ruled Australia for more than a decade. For me, at least for Prime Minister position, which is the one running the country, there should be more difficult procedure to replace the office.

Anyway, back to the topic, what do you think the would be Prime-Minister-elect below.

Modern vs Traditional – who will win

Let’s compare side by side the two leader of the party that would become prime minister:

Julia Gillard vs Tony Abbott For PM

Domestically, many parents and Christian group voice concern about Julia as role model. Not only admitting publicly that she doesn’t belief in God and religion, but she’s also not married and living together as de-facto couple with her partner.

Tony on the other hand, not only still go to the church every week, he also said publicly that he wants her daughters to be still virgin on wedding day. Something that is quite rare in western world. Also, as a politician, he is super duper fit – recently at 52 years old he still can finish an Ironman Triathlon (that is 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running in a day – he finished it under 15 hours -  try this if you can !!)

Despite that, poll showed that Julia is significantly very popular as PM candidate to Tony by far. (mid July 2010′s poll: 57% prefer Julia vs 27% for Tony as PM). I guess not only she is a good looking red head woman, but also as the first female PM for Australia – which completes the dominance of female leadership in this country.

The only common denomination between both is that they are both migrant and born overseas !

So, between the modern and the traditional, which one you choose ?

Current Government:

• One of the major achievement that can be boasted about is that Kevin Rudd government has saved Australia from GFC (Global Financial Crisis). During the worldwide downturn, Australia has never entered a recession. Thanks to the quick action from government with its economic stimulus.
• Some people scream that Labor has plunged Australia into debt. I can say straight that these people are 101% wrong and most likely they don’t know anything about macro economics. It is true that before GFC, Australian Federal Government has no debt. But if there is indication of recession where private sector stop spending, the government need to step in go into debt and stimulates the economy. They have no choice, that’s the only way – any government will do this.
  The debt itself ? Again some people who whinge about debt, it’s screaming that they don’t know anything about finance. (They maybe ridicoulously scare about debt , have never study and understand debt and need further education) – Australia debt will peak at $153 billion at around 2013 . Looks big? No at all, Last year Australia GDP is $1.2trillion or $1200 billion, and with growth to 2013, the debt will be around 10% of GDP (Gross national Product). This is comparable to if you have $500,000 home and got a mortgage of $50,000. Really small and manageable. So, do not worry a single blink about Australia debt.
  For further comparison, the European country that recently have problems with debt (Spain, Greece, etc) has debt of up to around 200% of their GDP, of course this is problem – but not with Australia)
• However, the debt money that government spend could have much better impact if it being spent with more control: 2 big mess are the home insulation program and the BER (Building  Education Revolution).
  The home insulation scheme lack of check and control where scammer and unqualified people can claim as insulator, receive money from government and install dogy insulation at home all across Australia. Not only rorting the scheme, but also responsible of many house fire due to technical matter.
  Almost similar, the BER is practically giving money to school all over Australia to renovate or build new building. The problem is there is no control where the builder and/or the school giving a ridiculously high quote, but still get the money. For example: to make covered outdoor learning area in school, usually costs somewhere under $80,000 but some school can get it ballooned to $950,000 without any question.
  For both bungles, I fully understand that quick response is essential (hence not much rules/procedure can be fully established) but it can easily much better run if the government delegate the operation into the respected industrial body on each field. Not only they have more experience and visibility of the norm, government can sue back the money if they proven to be rorting the government. But instead both scheme were handled by government directly. This is not acceptable.
• Asylum seeker/Refugee matter: I believe without doubt, this government has failed to maintain preventing the low rate of illegal immigrant, especially the one come from illegal boat, come to Australia. This is the comparison: the last 2 terms of previous government (from 2001 – 2007) the averages is 4 boat a year with average of 48 people per year. But, just 2009, there were 59 illegal boats with 2750 people on it. (see http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bn/sp/BoatArrivals.htm for more statistic)
  I fully believe refugee need to be helped and Australia should help generously, but the way they come to Australia, I don’t really agree with. The problem with this is some of these “refugee” allegedly fly to Indonesia or other neighboring country before embarking on a boat coordinated by “people smuggler”. Some pay thousands of dollars  just to get in the crappy boat. So, some of them are not genuine refugee and unfortunately no way (or very hard) to prove this 100%.

  The fact that Australia is not in the direct vicinity of the conflict area (Afghanistan, Middle East, etc) then all refugee intake should be the ones coordinated by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) not by illegal people smuggler. The message need to be clear, anybody claim themselve as refugee need to be endorsed by UNHCR – the rest will be met by harder law. This is to prevent blooming business of people smuggler. It is really different if for example there is conflict in Indonesia or East Timor, then boat people from this direct neighbor will be likely a genuine refugee.

• This government has upset the mining community: the very industrial sector that made dodging GFC possible. Super profit tax or whatever the name should not be applied to mining company. Yes, they have huge profit, but also remember that they also contribute huge infra structure (railway, roads, township,etc) of otherwise just tiny rural town. Not to mention capital and infrastructure to do the mining itself. If the government want to have extra tax, apply this Super Profit tax to bank. The banks is not capital hungry they just provide service, mostly now automatid by computer, but yet their profit will be astronomically high if compared with the capital required.

To be franked, I am not really Labor supporter. But with all the above, I would think they didn’t do any big mishap. With the Liberals did not have much different policy anyway, I would say, let Labor continue govern this country, mainly to clean their own mess!

Well, the way democracy works, an opinion of one person does not really matter. The majority will rule. Happy election !

See analysis of Group A,B,C,D

Group E

No surprise here as the orange team sails trough as predicted. Netherlands wins 2-0 against Denmark and 1-0 against Japan.

World Cup 2010 Group E

My take: with “kamikaze” spirit, Japan will hold Denmark for a draw. So, Netherlands and Japan will through.

Update: Japan did better, they win. But the end result is as predicted.

Group F

Italy and Paraguay supposed to be the top of the group. Well they are (kind of), although Italy got the same diseases as England: under performing. The screaming underdog is New Zealand – force a draw against Italy and Slovakia, this Australian neighbor may prepare the next surprise.

World Cup 2010 Group F

Update: Italy cannot win and Paraguay draw. Slovakia through.

Group G

Probably so far only Brazil (win 2-1 against Korea DPR and 3-1 against Ivory Coast) and Argentina are showing their superiority quite consistently. Although Portugal try to as well: with their 7-0 win against Korea DPR (North Korea), after unfortunate draw against Ivory Coast.

World Cup 2010 Group G

Update: as predicted, although Brasil just score a draw.

Group H

In the first game, as expected Chile beat Honduras (1-0) but surprisingly the Swiss beat favorite Spain (also 1-0). Then it was “normal” on the second game where Spain beat Honduras and Chile beat Switzerland. With Swiss is due to meet Honduras and Spain to meet Chile on the last game of group’s round robin. This group is making the most interesting in term of league table. Chile with 6 points is not yet qualified, but Honduras with 0 point still can qualify. Interesting !

World Cup 2010 Group H

Chile just need a draw to qualify.Swiss need at least 2 goals win against Honduras – provided Spain win over Chile (or just any win if Chile beat Spain – actually a draw is enough to Swiss if Chile beat Spain by more than 2 goals).Even Honduras can still qualify if they win more than 3 goals against Switzerland provided Chile beats Spain.

All scenario above is still practically possible. (compare to group G where the scenario is possible but not practical/hardly unlikely) Interesting, right ?!

My take: Swiss will win with 2+ goal and qualify. Spain will win also with 2+ goal and qualify. So, Spain and Swiss Chile will through.

Update: Spain won and Swiss unable to score a win against the weakest Honduras. Hence Chile go through.

See analysis of Group A,B,C,D

The Top 16

So according to the analysis (read: “guess”) above, the top 16 are:

Let see how many I was wrong next week. Have fun !

UPDATE: hey, 13 out of 16 (81%)!, not bad…

See analysis of Group E, F, G, H

Group A

The cup is kicked start with the host nation South Africa make a surprise draw again more favorite Mexico, followed by yet another surprise that 1998 Champion, France also forced to draw by Uruguay.

Ireland can have a little bit smile seeing karma at work. Remember, France only qualified to the world cup by defeating Ireland 2-1 with hand ball’s goal. The superstar of 1998 world cup, Thierry Henry, admit it openly, but France still through. (Even Pizza Hut Ireland gives away 350 pizza for the Irish for each goal any country put into France as token of consolation)

And after that France only see bad things one after another: criticize by their own minister to be too luxurious, defeated by Mexico, their striker Nicolas Anelka sent home, fight between coach and players, even  the player refuse to do training session. What a laughable matters…..

World Cup 2010 Group A

If Uruguay beats Mexico, say 1-0, then for France, they can qualify by winning with at least 4 goals against South Africa to overcome the goal difference. For South Africa, it is tougher because they need to beat France with 6 goals to qualify.

If Mexico beats Uruguay, say 1-0, then for France, they can qualify by winning with at least 5 goals against South Africa to overcome the goal difference. For South Africa, it is tougher because they need to beat France with 7 goals to qualify.

My take: despite Uruguay’s coach claiming they will play to win, with the risk of injury, yellow card and fitness of the player, it will be very economical for both Uruguay and Mexico to spare a draw, meaning: France and South Africa are out.  So, Uruguay and Mexico will through.

UPDATE: Uruguay win, but as predicted Mexico and Uruguay through…

Group B

No surprise in this group as Argentina cruise along with 2 wins and Korea beats Greece, but  Greece beat Nigeria.

World Cup 2010 Group B

My take: with Maradona (Argentina’s coach) got a beef with Pele, plus Portugal kills North Korea (the other Korea) by 7-0, Argentina will go for win, maybe a big win, for the prestige. So, Korea and Nigeria will fight for their spot in top 16. But Nigeria need 2 goals, Korea need just a draw. With Argentina wins and Korea wins, so Argentina and Korea will through.

UPDATE: Korea only draw, but as predicted Argentina and Korea through…

Group C

Group C is one of the dull group. England supposed to be in “easy” group but way under performing and only produce 2 draws against USA and Algeria. Only a just win by Slovenia against Algeria 1-0 make them on top of the group.

World Cup 2010 Group C

My take:  With all play all out, England and USA will be the most probably to win. So, England and USA will through.

UPDATE: As predicted.

Group D

When Germany was seeded in this Group D, no body would dare that Ghana is the one topping the group after 2 matches. The biggest surprise is that Serbia can beat German on their own game. Australia was given a football lesson 0-4 by Germany when Pim Verbeek (Australia coach) made a weird decision to play 4-4-2 where they never play or try it before (instead of the usual 4-3-2-1 pattern).

World Cup 2010 Group D

My (bias) take:  German and Australia will win. But for the Aussie, the goal difference probably is still not enough to qualify (Hopefully If German win 4-0,  Australia still have to win 2-0). So, Germany and Australia Ghana will through.

UPDATE: As predicted, but both German and Australia did not make enough goal, so Germany and Ghana through…

See analysis of Group E, F, G, H

The Top 16

So according to the analysis (read: “guess”) above, the top 16 are:

Let see how many I was wrong next week. Have fun !

UPDATE: hey, 13 out of 16 (81%)!, not bad…

The Ads & The Lyric

You can judge yourself. But before you do that, make sure check the lyric and watch it in full first below. (For a start, half of the critics did not really know for sure what the lyric is, but already voicing something negative). Here they are: (Tourism Australia owns the copyright)

1. “There is nothing like it, is it ?!!”.
   “No…” [Somewhere at east coast beach on sun rise. Early morning surfing with a mate, watching a couple of Dolphin playing while waiting for the wave]
2. “There is nothing like the sunrise, the first wave of the day” [Playing piano on the beach]
3. “The trip along the coastline” [In a plane]
4. “It’s right across the bay” [Ferry at Sydney Harbour]
5. “There’s nothing like this ancient place” [Aborigine Elder on the rock]
6. “Sunset on a camel” [Northern Teritory]
7. “This organism” [Great Barrier Reef]
8. “This billabong” [Aborigine kids]
9. “Or this duck-billed mammal” [A ranger holding platypus]
10. “Ta ra ra ra” [Train trip with boyfriend across the bush]
11. “Ta ra ra ra” [BBQ on the beach with mates]
12. “Ta ra ra ra ra ra ra ra” [Rowing in Brisbane(?) River]
13. “There is nothing like the people here” [Outdoor tenor singing in a winery]
14. “or here” [Gold coast beach lifeguard]
15. “or here” [At fresh water river inside a tropical rain forest]
16. “or there” [In front of Melbourne Central Station, basking on the street]
17. “My mates up here” [A boy sitting on a branch of tree with couple of Kookaburra bird]
18. “My friends down there” [On a reef with Colourful fish]
19. “There is nothing like this bear” - “That’s not a bear” [A Girl Holding Koala, with ranger behind]
20. “There is nothing like this giant shrubs” [In a national park]
21. “This rock” [Uluru]
22. (muffled) “This Fish” [Diving near a whale shark]
23. “These birds” [With Australian Budgies]
24. “There is nothing like this furry thing that bounce around in herds” [Driving in a prairie with Kangaroos]
25. “There is Nothing Like, Australia” [At the Twelve Apostle, Victoria]
26. “There is Nothing Like, Australia” [Girls night out with train]
27. “There is Nothing Like This wondrous land” [On the top of the valley to the desert with 4WD]
28. “From Darwin to Bass Strait” [2 girls in a car]
29. “There is nothing like the people here” [People at rock pool]
30. “Where everyone is mate” [Drinking in a Pub]
31. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Bridge Climb at Sydney Harbour Bridge]
32. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Concert at outside of Sydney Opera House]
33. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Firework starts]
34. “There is Nothing Like Australia” [Firework continue]

Petty Critics

So, do you like it ? Well, it’s a free country, you like it or not it’s purely your opinion and you can express it.
However, some of the critics around the social media (youtube, vimeo, etc) are just petty critics, some of the popular one:

• Koala is not a bear ! (Well, obviously someone cannot catch the wording straight after that – see row 19 – actually the ads has done terrific job to “fix” this common error, imagine this: if your kid is given a Koala doll and he/she put it side by side with the Teddy bear. Due to the physical structure similarity, of course everybody will now call it “Koala Bear” to match “Teddy Bear” – what? you want to call it “Koala marsupial?” – The fact that’s Koala is not bear now can be taken just by seeing this ad – no need to wait the Biology class at year 10 or visit to a Koala park – isn’t that great ?)
• A group of kangaroo is called mob not “herds” (Complete boo-boo, the critics obviously doesn’t know that you can use even grammatically wrong structure to make a song. This is not grammar presentation, it ads… “herds” in a way rhyme with “birds” (previous sentence) – also “mob” have very bad connotation in English language i.e: criminal group. So, I bet “herds” was carefully chosen.
• Racist – only see white people (Another complete boo boo. You can see Aborigine, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc)
• Why the girls driving left handed car (Yes, in Australia the steering wheel is on the right side of a car. This “complain” most probably is just technical matter, for example: after the 4WD is panning from left to right, then zoom in to the inside need to show left to right movement – if the shooting was done on the other side then it create conflict of flow, so they just flip the clip. Maybe- I am not the editor. Also other alternative explanation, since it’s a desert, the rental company can provide left handed car for overseas tourist – in short – not a big deal)
• Copying Discovery Channel Ad “Boom De Ah Dah” – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0 (Have a look at that ads, yes the flow and the framework is the same but nothing in the content is similar, not the song, not the text, not the scene. This is not copying, this is call “adaptation” – Obviously the creative team agreed that Discovery Channel Ad is very suitable for this campaign and just work their adaptation.
• Copying Mickey Mouse theme song – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZoKsU0OAQ (The only similarity probably just the last 3 bar. But that ending (note sequence and tempo) is very common being used in uplifting and climax ending that will encourage the audience to clap. Probably a few tens of known song use the same ending. Also, since the tune is simple, the chord progression is also similar with many other popular and simple song. The creator of this ad is expert in his field, there is little possibility that he did not know about Mickey Mouse song..) Just another petty critics.

The sad thing is, people make serious comment like “I am embarrass being Australian because of this ad” or “lame” or “idiot” based on those petty factors.

Probably the only critics that missing from the ad is didgeridoo and the snow. Yes, Australia also has snow !

The Real Value

If you really want to judge the ad, then be a foreigner. Say you live in Siberia and consider for a nice holiday then stumble upon this ads, what can you derive by just watching the ads:

Sydney Opera House in the Ad

• Australia is thick with beach culture (surfing, BBQ on the beach, diving, swim with dolphin)
• Multi-cultural society
• Great scenery (desert, archipelago, valley, bushland, etc)
• Exotic indigenous animal (Koala “bear”, Kookaburra, Platypus, Kangaroo, birds, camel, even whale shark)
• The home of the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge (mm apparently you can climb on it, I’ll try that…)
• Winery, pub and sport culture – also music culture (the tenor singer and concert outside Sydney Opera house)
• People so relax, casual and friendly
• Funny and humorous ads – not serious boring ads.
• And the tune is catchy (Try just hear the ads 2 times, and it will come back to you when you are just doing nothing)
• Catchy simple slogan “There’s nothing like Australia”
• And what’s that fabulous firework ???

Now, if a 90second ads can give all of the above, I would say it’s quite bloody good ads !

To tell you the truth, the first time I hear and watch this ads, after having a small laugh and giggle  on the content, I burst into tears after that final cresendo, full with proud and awe that I can call Australia home.

Just wait until this ad runs during the world cup break where Australia united behind Socceroos, this would become unofficial national anthem that people will sing !! You betcha !

Want to try to watch it again?

Visit: australia.com for further info about traveling to Australia.

A few years back, after living in Australia for a while (I was born and raised in Indonesia), I and family have a chance to go visit Bali. And there sitting on the sand of Kuta beach, I left with my mind wondering: why fellow Aussie so keen to go to Kuta beach. I mean, compare to Bondi Beach, Manly or Coogee – the beach and surrounding itself – Kuta is not better than local beach at home. Some worse: no privacy (try to sit somewhere on the beach and every 10 minutes, people will approach you to sell something) and the beach is  not that pristine (check the sand and water). Yes, I am talking the public beach area – much better in private/hotel area.

But no later after walking around on those shops and hotels in Legian Street, I realized that much more is on offer at Kuta: cheap shopping, massage on the beach, dirt cheap rent a car, cheap beer, lively pub, extravagance traditional art and culture. So, just come with friends or family, it will be an unforgettable tremendous experience.

Travel to Indonesia

1. It’s much more crowded – get used to it

Comparing Sydney and Jakarta (both the largest city in the country): Sydney (4+ million population) is 5 x larger than Jakarta (20+million population), but have 5 x less people. So, if you go a shopping mall in Sydney and see 20 people on site, you would see 100+ people in Jakarta. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just something that you need to comfortable with.

2. Foreign tourists stand out from the crowd

If you are Caucasian, probably you would expect this. But this also apply to any race and color of skin. Indian, Malaysian or Filipino are probably the closest look with similarity to local, but remember item (1) above. Since it’s crowded and all of this crowd pretty much behave and act in similar “usual” way, any foreign tourist will stand out in the crowd.

3. Pricing: almost across the board 2 tiers pricing: for local and for foreigner. (But still cheap!)

It’s not fair, but that’s the reality. Try to go to a hotel and ask the stand by rate, say you are quoted US$40 (US$ is common denomination for tourist destination) per night – which is pretty much already very cheap for your standard. But try to ask a local to ask the rate for the same room, probably they will be quoted Rp 150,000,- which convert to just above US$15. Not only that, even at some local tourist destination where you need to pay “Entrance Fee”, do not shock if you see official price that different between local and foreigner. That $30 massage on the beach, the local will only pay $5. That cheap $15 Quick Silver T-shirt ? It’s only $3 for local. (Yes, even it was ticketed).

As resident in a country that have higher living cost, you should just accept this situation and consider that your money will boost the local economy more. Probably even proud that you contribute more to local businessmen/businesswoman. But if you cannot take this, my advise would be: get local that you trust (local staff employee, friends, or even your pen pal that you pursue especially for this) -or- get use to bargain down every offer (aim to get at least 50% or cheaper than the original offer) .

4. You have more money than local.

Probably related to item (3), but if someone is very friendly, the chance are they are after your money. Don’t take it all negative, only a very few criminal that all is actually try to rob you or rip you off in direct way, most of them is expecting that you trust them enough, then they can provide some service to you with generous tip – or similar at that ball park.

For example: just collecting your baggage at Airport, you will be greeted by troops of porter that offer their help to carry your bags. Just ask a firm price for their service before they touch or take your bag. Otherwise, you will need to pay whatever they want or your bag will not be returned. (Remember they probably have many supporting friend there)

If you study some sociology about Indonesia, you will know that the living standard of most the people is low. The disparity between the rich and poor is very big gap. 80-90% of the nation economy is controlled by only a bunch of people. So, the rich is super rich but the rest is not that fortunate. So, knowing that you are a tourist (see item (2) above) – the economical motivation can make people do anything at all if the price is right.

5. Driving? Just forget it

Not only requires International Driving License (or local license), you will be astounded by the amount of motor cycle on the street. Changing lane will be a huge task  as the more you give sign, the more people will not give way. The one who braver will get the way. So, it’s very easy to have minor accident. But because of item  (2) and (3) above, you will be end up paying (who is at fault will be determined by who shout louder).

Then come the adventure when you got stop in a traffic’s red light. Beggars, busker with guitar, hawkers selling cigarette and newspaper – even drink will surround your car in almost every traffic light. If you are “”lucky”, some criminal with red axe will just crush your windshield robbing you out in the broad daylight.

I would suggest strongly to just use taxi that you book from phone to move you point to point. Bus, train and other transport , not only crowded, it carries more inconvenience and risk for foreign tourist. Better yet, indulge your journey by organizing a driver together with the car from your hotel for your maximum convenience – it’s not that expensive !

6. Some practical culture different

• Indonesia is tropical country (hot, 30 degree all around), so unless it is in high mountain, the locals is not usually drink alcohol. Alcohol is embraced mainly by the youngster who are not foreign with pub, disco and active night live. So, drinking alcohol and clubbing are not that common and wide spread and these club, pub and disco are commonly judged as “sin place”
• Although probably not in shopping mall and hotels, the toilet sometimes doesn’t have toilet paper. Water, soap and bucket instead. So, in your wallet: a facial tissue and wet tissue would be very handy if it’s always there.
• Don’t get offended if in some restaurant, they use toilet paper on the table (with some enclosures) as your serviettes.
• Kissing and romancing in public is kind of taboo – and starting 2008,you may get yourself charged breaking the controversial “anti pornography” law doing so – be careful with your swim suit as well.
• Eating is with fork (on left hand) and spoon (right hand) . Doing otherwise will be judged “silly” -  knife is only “there” in good restaurant  or available upon request.

And final item. Before book your ticket , or at least before go to airport, make sure to read the latest current affairs and advisory maintained by Australian Federal Government about Travel to Indonesia in here: Smart Traveler’s website.

This article is by no mean try to scare you, instead by knowing all of above, you will be more prepare and have more fabulous journey. Don’t treat this as rule, but when it happen you know why.
“Selamat Jalan !”

Who is Marcus Einfeld

ex-Justice Marcus Einfeld

Marcus Einfeld was a judge for Federal Court and also for NSW, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory Supreme Courts until he retired in 2001.  Since his retirement, Justice Einfeld also has become Chairman of a number of public companies and regularly advises corporations on corporate ethics and governance.

He received the Order of Australia (AO) for services to international affairs and the promotion and protection of human rights. He is also UN Peace Laureate. He has been a leading human rights lawyer since the 70s and prominent member of the Jewish community: Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants, Sydney Jewish Museum, as Ambassador of Hope for Jewish Care.

He has 4 children from 2 marriage. He is also a pianist who enjoys theatre and arts.

What a impeccable life… flooded with achievements not everyone can fulfill!  At lease, until the incident…

Events Chronology

This saga begun on quiet Sunday afternoon, 8 January 2006 when a speed camera caught his car doing 60 kmh on a 50 kmh  zone along Macpherson Street in Sydney Rich’s suburb of Mosman:

• Feb 2006: he received a notice of infringement of speeding : 10 km/h above speed limit. Instead of just pay $77 fine and got the demerit points, he chose to challenge the infringement and request a court hearing.
• Aug 2006: on court hearing he said a friend of his, American college professor Teresa Brennan, had been driving the car but had died after returning to the US.. He stated that he would sign a statutory declaration saying about this.  So, the magistrate of this case dismissed the offence as it’s not proven.
• A journalist of Daily Telegraph doing his research leave the prosecutor no choice but re-open the case as it later emerged that Ms Brennan had died three years before the speeding offence took place (D’oh!).
• Since his feet already wet with lie, he chose to have another lie and change his story. He said that he was not driving at that time and nowhere near Mosman. But mobile phone records showed he was in the area at the time and was actually driving a companion, former SBS journalist Vivian Schenker (D’oh!)
• He again changed his story and claimed he was driving his mother’s Corolla on January 8. However, security footage taken at Mr Einfeld’s mother’s apartment block in Bondi Junction allegedly showed her vehicle did not leave the car park at any time on that day (D’oh!)
• A friend of his, Ms Angela Liati, not sure want to help voluntarily or under duress, try to “help” Mr Einfeld and told the police that that she had been using Mr Einfeld’s car at the time of the speeding offence. This is later proven to be not true and she was found guilty last month of making a false police statement. Ms Liati is currently on bail awaiting sentence. (D’oh! D’oh!)
• March 2009: he is convicted of perjury and making false statement and grant him at least 2 years in jail. The judge of this case, Justice Bruce James said “Any lawyer, and especially a lawyer who has been a barrister and a judge, who commits such an offence is to be sentenced on the basis that he would have been fully aware of the gravity of his conduct” Marcus Einfeld is 70 years-old.

Insights

Can we see ourselves in the story above ? Within our domain: work, family, school , community, etc we surely have the advantage knowledge about the inside of our domain with our expertise. And for sure, whether you want to admit it or not, from time to time we use that advantage for our own purpose, to give a favor for a friend or something similar.

Then what happen if someone caught you red handed doing something that you are not supposed to be doing? Will you be admissive or defensive ? Well, it’s natural human behavior to avoid himself/herself an embarrassment that will make himself/herself like a fool. A lie or excuse then produced. Now this is the turning point: if someone then question or challenge this excuse, what will you do:

• Escalate the reasoning with further excuse: arrogance kick in? – or-
• Admit the mistake, apologize and move on: arrogance replaced with humility?

Let see the hypotetical conversation below:

A: “Hey, did you just pick your nose? it’s very gross…”
B: “No!!, I just scratch my nose..”
C: “Are you sure? I saw you picked your nose”
B: “Never, I would not do such thing…”
C: “Let see, I have the recorded video, you know?”

Similar situation with much more simple matter… Which path we will chose: following our arrogance and comeback with further defensive strategy -or- follow our humility, apologize and move on ?

Usually we brand certain people as arrogant as if it’s their “name”. For example: If we say “Tom is arrogant” , the arrogance stick with him all the time (similar to “Tom is  male”==> he will be all the time male, cannot change. Compare to “Tom is happy”: the happiness perceived to be temporary, he won’t be being happy at all time)

But the thing is, arrogance is just one of the ‘tools’ to help we to assess the situation, which is part of human nature behavior. Everybody has it. Some people chose to give it more priority, some people control it. So, it’s something that you decide whether consciously or unconsciously. Arrogance is the one who defend you against humiliation and embarrassment. If you do something to avoid yourself being humiliated or embarrassed, that’s your arrogance kicks-in. After the ‘danger’ gone, so does your arrogance.

So, what is the point? My point is: in whatever we do, we as human being always make a decision about what we do. It’s not something automatic as a result of someone else provocation. It’s always your own decision. Some people with more self control make that decision consciously, some people still make it unconsciously. But still you are 100% responsible of what you do, because it’s your decision. Simple example: some one punch you on the face: you don’t always punch back, you make a decision whether you want to punch back or just walk away. If you did punch back, that’s not because he punched you first, but because I decide to punch him. See the difference ?

Well, let see more common situation:

• people blaime cigarrette company to give them lung cancer, they forget that it’s their own decision to smoke it or not.
• people blaime fast food chain to make them fat, they forget that it’s their own decision to eat there
• people blaime their broker for recommend the stock that tanked, they forget that it’s 100% their decision whether or not to follow the recommendation and made the actual transaction

Conclusion

We, as human being, have to realize that we have many ‘tools’ to assess our situation. Our arrogance is one of them. But what we do after that is totally our decision. Some people decides consciously, some make a decision without realizing that a decision was made. But the moment you realize that you are fully responsible of what you do, you become better person.

In this story, Marcus Einfield made a decision to follow his arrogance and trapped inside. The moment he decide to cover his mistake and protect his mistake, he decided his own fall.

BTW, a praise is in order to Australian Justice System to prove to the world that law are applicable to all including their own. Previously,  at 2004-2005, another NSW Supreme Court Judge, Jeff Shaw who involved in minor car accident and tried to hide/remove his blood sample for drink driving also has been fully scrutinized although there was no confiction due to insufficient evidence. But Mr Shaw was force into immediate resignation cited health reason.

Update May 2010:

Mr Einfield appeal has been rejected. He is serving a two-year non-parole period as part of a total sentence of three years. The court upheld the seriousness of the offence based on Einfeld’s status as a barrister and as a former judge of a superior court and its effect in striking at public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system. Einfeld is due for release in March next year.

Living in one of these suburban area, every morning, I am queuing in one of those access road to go to the main road. Here is the illustration:

Turning Right At Intersection

I am in the A2 lane, turning right to go to D3 lane. D1/D2/D3 are the busiest lane as it’s the direction to the city. Perhaps because of that, the Sydney’s RTA (Road Traffic Authority) have made C4 lane to be left turn only to speed up traffic.

So, basically there are 6 streams of traffic when the light turns green, from the busiest to the least busy:

1. From C4 to D1
2. From C3 to B1
3. From A2 to D3
4. From A1 to B3
5. From C3 to A3
6. From A1/A2 to C1/C2

People blocking traffic

The queue in A2 lane during the peak hour is actually not too bad, average maybe only 3-4 cars. And it usually always be clear with only 1 cycle of the traffic light – so wait time approximately 2 – 3 minutes.

But from time to time (say every third day), some times I will have to wait, queuing on this intersection for 20 minutes. Why? Because people is blocking traffic due to having little knowledge or little confidence to handle this problem below.

Most of the mistake for these people is to wait traffic from C4 to D1 to be empty first before they want to turn right from A2 to D3. It will hardly be empty as it’s the busiest stream. So, after 2-3 cycles without moving, with angry motorist beeping their horn, they finally move their vehicle merging to D3 lane while C4-D1 still active.

As long there is no traffic go straight from C3 lane to A3 lane, motorist should merge (turning right) from A2 lane into D3 lane regardless the condition of traffic of C4 to D1.

Is this safe?

Of course it is. The merging road have 3 big lanes (highway standard). The one moving from C4 by road rules have to merge into D1, cannot go to D2 or D3. Then traffic from A2 – as long as there is no traffic from C3 to A3 – can be safely merging into D3 with D2 will be the buffer space . I don’t see any problem with this reasoning. Simple and easy.

There is one caution, though… Sometimes, as C4-D1 is moving fluidly compare to C3 (that need to wait non-turning traffic from A1/A2 and also have to follow separate ‘right turn’ traffic light), people who want to go straight from C3 to A3, is breaking the road rule and use C4 lane to go straight to A4. This could be a problem as the right-turning traffic from A2 will only expect and watch C3 lane for non-turning traffic to A3. But if an accident happen because of this, its very easy to determine who is at fault (of course the driver who breaking ‘left turn’ only rule and making a move from C4 to A4).

Hopefully, this article can help people moving through the intersection safely and confidently, without blocking the traffic.

p.s: The highway above is Cumberland Highway

HP C6180's Paper Bay

What Happen to My Printer?

My 3-years-old HP C6180 multifunction top of the range printer has been quite reliable, until a few weeks ago. Suddenly a paper jammed inside the feeder and there is no way I could access the bay easily without disassembling the chassis.

And immediately my engineer brain starts to whinge: printer and paper jam should be very common and closely connected. Isn’t it ? I mean paper jam in a printer will not be a rare or weird occasions.

But, if it is so, then , how come such a big name like HP does not anticipate such common event? (By making it at least easy to remove the jam when it happen)

A piece of paper jammed inside

And so there I was, on sunny Saturday morning, I ended up spend almost 2 hours fishing a piece paper from a printer with my MacGyver’s tools: a torch, a pair of 30-cm-rulers and sticky tape (Enjoy the pictorial on the right). And to my surprise, the jammed paper is actually a fresh new paper – it’s not even the recycle one

I mean, if HP really care about customer experience, a hinged opening on the chasis will fix the problem in 10 seconds flat. I keep wondering until I got “Eureka!” moment when thinking about the new face of the consumer electronics that hold the answer of this simple problem.

A closer look

What Happen to Consumer Electronics?

I remember vividly when I was in school and the tape player in my house was broken, I and my parents drive half around the town to have it fix to a reputable repairer. Have you ever got that similar experience recently? Probably not.

These days, most of consumer goods, especially electronics one,  are designed for “single use” only. They are not meant to be repaired when they have broken.

Thanks to the low cost of mass production, the true cost of getting a new unit will be cheaper than making it easier to repair, maintain endless supply of spare part, training program for repairer and its support infrastructure.

My sophisticated tools

Yes, companies still offer “warranty period” which is actually simply replacing your faulty unit with brand new one that has been made by mass production – or at most to some modular level that make it easy to just plug and play.

The ages of the product is also has been designed to be quite limited. Three or four year would be an eternity. Why? This is also caused by the rapid advancement of technology which made 3 years old technology significantly obsolete.

But more than that, a repeat purchase will be the ultimate goal for every consumer electronics makers. That is their livelihood.

2 hours later

The modus operandi would be make the customer hunger of features. Then the new model with that features released.

Particular for printer, the real profit model of printer product will be more on the consumable: ink and paper to name a few. Not only because they are consumable (repeat buy while being used) but that consumable will have the highest profit margin. Printer company can literally just give away the printer as long as customer will buy the genuine ink.

For example: Deskjet F2480 Inkjet Printer a multi-function device (print , copy, scan) at this moment still can be purchase at Officework for only $39. Yes, $39. Furthermore, a few weeks back HP is giving away $20 cash back make it practically only $19 to purchase. But…. the combo pack for the ink (black and tri-color) will set you back just under $60. See the pattern ? Economically, once the ink run out, it’s cheaper for you to buy a new unit. Not really ‘normal’, isn’t it ? Well, get used to it…

Look! No more jammed

So, what?

Back to my original problem, making sure paper jam can be easily rectified, probably in the bottom of priority list from printer company (if it makes to the list at all).

If other people who does not a great passion like me (read:have 2 hours to spare and was watching MacGyver movie too much), will take the printer to “repair center”. And I am quite sure, it will not be the things that covered even under warranty.

They probably will categorize this as “misuse” (maybe the paper too thin, too thick, not inserted properly,  misalign,etc) and end up you will pay premium to open the chasis and put it back. Well, good for local business, but if you don’t want to pay the price, it goes back to the question “will you let a piece of paper bring this $300 printer down ?” Frustrating… you betcha…

Hopefully, my mumble about consumer electronics above will ease down your pain as it helps when you understand.

And.. next time you buy a printer, make sure the printer allow for paper jam to be rectified easily !