Yup. The person from the travel agency called and confirmed the trip. Asked me to go down for a briefing on the trip and pay the balance of the payment.

The booking of this trip had been an adventure of its own. I booked a trip with ASA Holidays way back in September. At that time, I did ask if this trip was confirmed and I was told it was. I did pay attention over the months and did not see ASA posting any advertisement on this trip. Naturally, I assume that the group was filled up. The week just before the payment and the briefing was due, I started calling them to find out the exact time of the briefing. The person who answered told me the details were not out and asked me to wait for their call instead. The day before the briefing was supposed to be held, I called them up and left messages twice. The person on the other end promised to have someone get back to me soon. They never did.

On the actual day, the moment that they open, i called them up. It was only then that they told me the group was too small to depart. So I asked what were my options? The person said they can either give me a full refund or I can choose another tour package. So I went down to sort things out. I had really looked forward to this trip. On the way down, I went through possible options in my head. I could either join the group going on a later date, (I knew about this group when I asked them the dates available) or I can go to other destination in Australia. When I reached ASA, I told the person my problem. The person just said "So what do you want me to do?" I was taken aback. I asked whether I can join the group at the later date? The person said no such group. When I asked whether there were other group available during the dates I wanted, the person again said no. I was left with no choice but to asked for a full refund, which the person gladly did. As the money will be credited back into be credit card account, I have to wait for about 4 weeks to get my money back.

After this, when I went to the nearby tour agencies to ask if they still have vacancies for trips to Perth, I was told they were fully booked. This make me wonder why ASA did not advertise my trip. I believe if people know this group was available, it would be filled up quickly. If ASA has no intention of proceeding with the group, they should have the decency to tell us earlier so that we can make alternative arrangements. The next few days, I scanned the papers and managed to find this current package with another agency, simply because they put up an advertisement to indicate that there were still available vacancies. So much for service from ASA Holidays. I would definitely not use their service again.

The good thing from this is that the new trip provides better meals and destinations although I would not be going down to Albany. There's always next time. :)

Sent in the last of the documents required for the Australian PR application. All i need to do now is to wait for my visa. With luck, I'll get it as a Christmas present. :)

Today was the last day that I taught my form class. Had thought about saying some things to the class, but decided against it. I will still be around next year, so it does not seem to be the right time to bid good bye.

It had been an interesting change. For the first time in a few years, it felt nice to have a class like this. I hope next year they'll do well and move forward.

Facts:

We are encouraged to bring our own bags to do grocery shopping, so as to cut down on the usage of plastic bags. What is a little inconvenience compared to the contribution we make to saving our environment?

We are encouraged to use public transport instead of driving our cars. Waking up earlier and running the risk of being late is a small sacrifice compared to the greater good of protecting our environment, not to mention the reduction in road congestion.

We are hosting the only (at this point in time) night race for F1 in 2008. Using very powerful ( and energy consuming) lights for the drivers safety.

Sepang extended their contract to host F1 races and are not required to hold night races,

Been a long time since i last did a blog. Finally decided to restart another one as I embark on another phase of my life. Did my health check today. Will be collecting my Police Clearance soon. Then it is just the short wait until I get my visa. Can't wait to get off this island.

So what am i going to miss....??? Of course my friends and family, although I know they will be well taken care of. My form class. Been one of my better classes in recent years. They'll get a caring Form teacher next year and a good physics teacher, so that is one load off my mind. My car, definitely. Good handling, trustworthy.

Found the perfect way to handle those telemarketers who sell credit cards, insurance and overdrafts. "I'm migrating so i won't be needing those." Feel so shiok using the m word and it gets the other party to give up and end the call.

Jason
Islander




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