need a verdict

Not knowing what happens is not what I was expecting. I thought I had it all figured out. But it seems to have evaporated just like that. Now the uncertainty boils. Fate stirs me to a different direction. Not what I wanted but it is practical. Should I dare defy the flow? I am not sure. If its worth it, then yes! Indeed, I reckon it is.

Fly SQ Biz Post Covid

Flying business class in Singapore airlines post the pandemic peak seems to have shifted far away from how I got used to be pampered.

That is the meal I had which was quick to arrive since I chose it in advance few weeks ahead of my flight. A "Matt Moran creation". Doesn't look perfection but taste good. Orange and Duck - mindblowing rocket science!

Never had a proper bread service cos the Flight Attendant kept on passing by me without offering. I felt it was really rude but cant be bothered with additional carbs really. 

There was no amenity kit even on more than 6 hour flight. I remember back pre covid we were at least offered socks!

Heres my sad little dessert. Even on business for crying out loud! Used to have nice tubs of ice cream even in Economy way back when.

For $$$ i spend for revenue ticket. The value has gone out the window. 

Ps, still waiting for my espresso i asked for 20 mins ago. Hence my sad tiny tiny sliver of choc still untouched. 😆 

The Ordeal

As you know, I started AirBnb for about 3 years now but then after a year of success, Covid-19 pandemic hit me oh so badly. 2 years of no revenue stream to fund this project. I was bleeding money.

Then when a small window hope has crept in. It was soon taken away from me by Asia Affinity who manages the building management. Can you believe it, initially they blame it on Covid, now they say the House Rules doesn't allow short term stay as it is construed as commercial undertakings. No matter what angle I see, the reasoning is flawed.

Anyway, they did allow to honour guest that have booked in the next few months. So all is good. So it seems...

Then this Russian bloke who appears to have angelic face 🙄 completely is the exact opposite. They were being Supremely pedantic about the way the condo was cleaned. To be fair, I talked to her pinay girlfriend who talks with a fake accent whilst still has Filo passport (go figure!) And she was utterly frustrated as they travelled like 24hours+ only to see stains in the sink faucet and toilet that is not sparkling clean. Totally understand their concern. As gesture of goodwill, I told them they can leave and I will provide full refund. Also refunded them the cleaning fee charged, too easy! But thats not the end of the story.

They went on and on about how the internet was slow and they couldn't work remotely. For crying out loud, they should have told me that before so I could have warned them about the internet speed. Hey you guys are in the Philippines so what do you expect? Also refunded them the internect cost, too easy! They were not too happy and told me that £1.50 doesn't help at all. 

They then took other photos of the premises that were "not clean" even when it was obviously fault finding. Oven stains, really? No one touched those ever since. And fridge moisted stains, far out! are they for real?

Again, I told them to leave and will provide them with refund after deducting consumed nights. But they said that it was unacceptable that they move because the prices elsewhere now are too expensive for them. (Only means that my place is low value but great location, proves ny point that they have "5-star hotel expectation" since the onset...)

The way I see it. They were just being too rude, condescending and lacking respect in the manner they took the issue. Had they been courteous, calm and collected, I would have been generous to them and even offer to fix all their issues right then and there. It just shows that some people lacks empathy and nobility that they choose to take low blows.

Nuff said. Now its cold war. They still are staying as we speak. Beggers can't be choosers,  right? So hopefully, the days passby quickly and... let them eat cake!

2021

What happened in 2021? We were so deep into the pandemic that year and I remember working long hours trying to recoup all monies paid to airline, hospitality and travel industries. Trying to get them either to pay a refund back, convert to future travel credit or worse total writeoff.

During this time, I setup my work from home office and mental health was an issue for everyone. So there were lots of virtual games and meetings. And how many times do you remind your colleagues that they are on mute!

Travel was slow. Although I was able to go to Adelaide and Tasmania.

Adelaide was the first domestic flight I took and given slowness in returning to new normal it meant that my tour got cancelled. I had to bike uphill of the vineyards half drunk carrying 3 to 4 sample bottles of wine from the tasting. Hell of an experience.

Tasmania was refreshing. Hike uphill was good. Getting to Bruny Island meeting friends from India and Colombia. Then our tour bus ran out of fuel. We got stuck in the island. It was one hell of a tour but managed to survive.

Finally end of 2021 I was lucky to do my first travel back to Manila in the height of Omicron. I was meant to visit Europe particularly Santa Claus. But got a major health dilemma so decided to recoup in the lovely Philippines. 

So yeah that's 2021 in a nutshell..

Xs, some events might be in 2020 but yeah let's pretend its in 2021.

Bridge Making Story

After seems like forever. The long pause has finally ceased. We begin the resume to a new horizon after the long dead night crept and stole more than 2 years of normality.

Slowly realising that this doesnt make any sense. We begin to paint a new colour and build a different bridge to take us to something we dont know. 

My Teeny-tiny World in the Age of COVID-19

It has been a long long long time since I posted here. So many things to say and looking back I have been blogging for almost 20 years now. Time indeed has passed by too quickly.

Well, at this stage. I reckon its about time to say something and I don't have any excuse not to. Given the COVID-19 pandemic has vastly changed our lifestyle - I have been given time to pause and reflect. As I often phrase it: "Analysing ME".

Day-in, day-out. I count the days til I can travel again. I squeeze my budget to meet ends so I can afford to spend on my passion. Travel. Aviation. Premium. But given the current scenario, it impedes such plan for how long I don't know. Maybe someday when I reach like 50 countries or travelled all possible permutation and combination of airline mile accruals and redemption - I would then start my own Vlog. Anyway, I digress but the point I was making is that I haven't been traveling for awhile and I am getting quite anxious. Travel advisory for AU is saying that all borders are still shut. News and opinions are all saying that it is not quite possible in 2020. Unless, domestic. Or possibly, NZ. Though I am still hopeful. I wanted this blog to document my journey including unintended misadventures. Not that I want to highlight that but sometimes mishaps are key in learning. Yes, you heard it from me first.

Working from home since mid-March this year, is both good and bad. Good cos I can wake up 8.59 still wearing my pyjamas and messy hair. No one can see me. Its just my mind and fingers typing away on a spreadsheet. Zoom, Skype and Teams are my best friends in interacting in this new normal world we live in. Few weeks back, we can't even go out not wearing masks and paranoia was just crazy hell. Each time I get back home, I had to wash my hands incessantly. As we lockdown is slowly easing, I had the best brekkie I ever tasted. I bought a slider and a coffee at Birkenhead point. First time shops reopened after the strict lockdown. I was so eager to see people. Immensely filed with joy when I saw my friends. So I am super looking forward to seeing my family back in PH soon. But I don't think this will happen any time soon...

I started walking and walking thinking I am doing this somewhere in Greece or rekindling my endless stroll as I got lost when I was in Seville. Of course, I had to tap back to my memory bank and listen to music I played at that time. Yes, music can be a portal back in time. All the while, I was doing the 10,000 steps challenge from work. And proud to say I am currently #1. Also, I got introduced to Qantas' Wellbeing app where every step you make is a mile earned. Not literally but QF miles wise, I mean. Now I have like almost a 1,000 QF points in less than a week. That's an achievement right?

I also got so hooked up in watching so many historic TV shows, from the Tudors of UK to Catherine Great of Russia. And also Mary Queen of Scotts to the Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon. It is both educating and entertaining. Of course this was during the mid-phase of COVID-19 lockdown. I realised that I gained and gained weight. Too much Netflix and Netflix (the Ben & Jerry's ice cream). And then out of curiosity I wore my work clothes and they don't fit! Far out, I was leaning towards obesity. Not just over-weight. Major red flag! So I decided to use dust off my yoga mat. Purchase a stationary bike. Ignore the Doritos and Cadbury's for a while. TBH, I want to throw them but they are still food. I never throw food. Anyone reading, you shouldn't throw food, don't buy it if you can't finish it. Each ingredient from the food you eat has been due to hard labour of farmers and local producers. So think twice before buying. Also save $ in times like this. Rather than buy in bulk. Buy only what you need. If you buy as frequently, then you walk more. More steps. More Miles LOL :p

So, I also got to cook a lot. Tried every possible dish I can make. But at the end I still rely on my premixed cooking powder or the old trusted pasta sauce. Or in times of extreme laziness, yeah I do resort to the instant MeeGoreng.

It's half way before the calendar year ends. I am still hopeful that vaccine will be found hopefully in the first quarter of 2021. I hope that we can totally find a solution to this crisis. I am hearing at the time of writing this entry - that the vaccine may not prevent the virus but it can weaken it that it will not cause major sickness and eventual death. But I leave it to science to find a way out of this. And one day, I will bring my shiny luggage. Check-in and enjoy the fresh cabin air to a new horizon and continue in my journey to see the world.

Bucharest such a mystery

I arrived quite late in the capital of Romania. Was so tired so I got myself an uber. Normally I would try local transport but I feel intimidated by this city. My driver doesn't know much english so it kept me focused on rehearsing my romanian thank you. Such a hard word, really.

Maybe because it is close to Istanbul thats why the words are quite similar. The cith itself felt so old and ruined. It looks really much affected by its past, the Soviet era. We reached my apartment after nearly 20 mins. Not bad traffic at all. I did say 'mulțumesc' for such a breezy ride.

Code was provided to me by my Airbnb host to enter the building. It looks really old, ironically next to much modern shops in front of it. When I entered darkness enveloped the hallway. Beam of light is visible towards the enormous stairway that leads endlessly to my apartment. And is like hundreds steps ascending circular towards fifth floor. I quickly transformed my luggage into a backpack. Thank God I bought this Samsonite light pack bag. After exhausting my last hurried breath, I did reach my room. Further hidden on another section called #15. It looks like an old school dormitory really. The door was kept opened and keh lying next to the table.

This will be a long night, I reckon.