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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Letter from survivor in the recent Philippines Tourist Bus Hijack

Postcripts To A BloodBath
Mr. Mendoza was already upset even before he saw on television what the policemen did to his brother. The other tourists who remained inside the bus were complaining. Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry and the rest were just groaning and whining like they have forgotten that our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza’s hands.
The hostage taker, as you know him was really nice. He treated us okay and even let the elders and the children leave the bus. He said your policemen treated him unfairly. He was a policeman too and was accused of doing something he had no knowledge of. But your government didn’t listen so he used us to get everyone’s attention.
Things would have never turned for the worst if he didn’t see how his family was dragged out of their house and taken into custody. He was watching the news all the time as we huddled around each other behind the bus. He shouted some words in your language then started shooting in the air. A girl about my age started screaming. Mr. Mendoza demanded her to stop but she didn’t understand English. God, he had to slash her neck with a knife just to put her to rest. Her boyfriend who tried to hit him was shot in the head.
Tension was rising. You can see in his face how scared and confused he was. The bus driver ran away leaving him alone with strangers from a distant land. I can see him walking across the aisle, sometimes pointing his machine gun to one of the tourists. But he tried his best not to hurt us, especially those who really cooperate.
I guess its in your nature not to inflict pain on others unless it was necessary. I remember him saying that he will free us before sundown and implored us to forget everything when we return home. But his words don’t matter now. The policemen were trying to force their way in, while we all lied down to shield ourselves from bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly shoots at his enemies which I think kept them from rescuing us. I hear sobs under the chairs. Some were even shouting the names of their loved ones even when the air merely eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to escape when the glass door was was shattered, but one shot and he slumped on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth.
Heavy rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop. In old Chinese saying, it means an end to a struggle. Finally, somebody was able to open the escape hatch at the back of the bus. Freedom. But I knew Mister Mendoza was still alive. I knew he was just waiting for a chance to strike back at his enemies. So I told those around me not to escape. Let the authorities come for us instead. Then there was gunfire. He was firing at his enemies with a machine gun. Those who were at the escape hatch fled abandoning us once again. It’s like a nightmare with no end and to wake up means a certain death. Then somebody from outside the bus threw a canister. It forced out a black smoke that is so painful to the eyes and putrid smelling to the nose. People started screaming. We cannot breathe. Some ran in front of the bus but Mister Mendoza warned them of stray bullets. It was too late. One was hit on the head, the other was hit on the shoulders. Bullets were now flying. Its like the authorities thought we were all dead. Mister Mendoza finally admits his mistake and said sorry to everyone, dead or alive. He then ran towards the front of the bus where he would meet his maker. As he passed by my chair with bullets whistling overhead, I clutched my hand on the velvet curtain and wrapped it around my face. All I could think of was to stay alive – for my child who is waiting for me back in Xinjang. I know I will survive,
I will come home.

Bang Lu Min, Survivor, Quirino Bloodbath

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Ayana Rock Bar, Bali

A perfect spot for sunset in Bali, Rock Bar @ Ayana Resort. A glass of wine in your hand with the stunning view of sunset, I should say is the best sunset you can get in Bali, Indonesia. Let the picture amaze you. 







Enjoy ya... !!!

Experience Bali: A travel guide (2010) 

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

What to SEE and DO in Chengdu

Hurray! Airasia (AK) commerce its flight to Chengdu (China) on the 20th October, the home of Giant Panda. Chengdu located in southwest of China, is the capital of Sichuan province.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8 killed at least 68,000 people on May 12, 2008. It gives the tourism industry a big impact as September and October is the peak season for Chengdu. Many people around the world flocking into Chengdu to visit the UNESCO world heritage site - Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. 

Let me share with you guys the must Do and See in while traveling in Chengdu;

See the Giant Panda
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda is the largest of it kind in the world. The park covers a large area which includes a Giant Panda nursery, museum, restaurant and a lake.


Walk at Jinli Pedestrian alley
A alley with Sichuan snack stalls, teahouses, souvenier shops and inns. For those with a tight budget, experience a night stay at Jinli alley will be unforgettable as the surrounding architecture has been restored to look like ancient Sichuan. 



Watch Sichuan Opera, "Changing faces"
Changing Faces or "Bian Lian" is an ancient Chinese dramatic art that is part of the more general Sichuan opera. Performers wear brightly colored costumes and move to quick, dramatic music. They also wear vividly colored masks, which they change within a fraction of a second.

Explore Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve
Jiuzhaigou is all about seeing! The colours of its lakes, trees and mountains are breathtaking and defy adequate description. The altitude changes within the valley to create continual variations of flora, which give each lake and waterfall a unique quality.

The tourist spots listed above are MUST visit places while you are in Chengdu. The best season to visit is between Spring and Autumn.

To be continue....

Monday, September 28, 2009

Malaysia Airlines reconsidering A380 ?


With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2009 financial forecast losses of US$9 billion, many airlines are postponing their intention to launch the mega jumbo A380. Malaysia Airlines also facing the same faith as it may also reconsidering swapping the A380 order for smaller wide body aircraft to avoid US$300 million in penalty for canceling the order, according to S&P Asia Equity analyst.

In view of the current economy which effect the aviation industry the most, many business travelers choose low cost carrier as a cost saving alternative. This will effect the passengers traffic for full service airlines the most. According to some report saying that most likely these business travelers wouldn't switch back to full service carrier in the near future. So, what the benefit of having a A380 without those passengers traffic coming in?

Please share your thoughts on this.

Updates: Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) will take the delivery of its Airbus A380 order from 2011 onwards. No change in plan.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Online Travel Agency in Malaysia

Let me share with you guys some of the Online Travel Agency in Malaysia which I knew. These travel portal enable travelers to book and receive confirmation online rather than those which needed to wait for email reply or agency staff calling back.

1. www.12fly.com.my
2. www.holidaytours.com.my
3. www.harperstravel.com
4. www.pyotravel.com
5. www.asiatravelmart.com
6. www.cit.travel
7. www.g2travel.com.my
8. www.srisutra.com.my

will updates more.....

Monetize Travel 2.0 in APAC

In May last year, I've sent an email to The Boot (http://tims-boot.blogspot.com) on the topic monetize travel 2.0 in Asia Pacific.

Hi Tim,


I'm one of your blog reader, found it very interesting on your view on asia travel industry. Recently, saw a emerging market for social networking website in US also europe such as tripit, triptouch, tripwiser, wayn etc. Will this a proven model in asia ?

I found out that each of the social site only provides a small segment of travel service to user, and user still need to search for more info on other website or google, its there any way to group all this info together ?

Based on online research, social network site really have a lot of users in asia, but why the advertiser no interested in this segment ? Because of the conversion ? Our really lacking back of exposure ?

Thanks,
Alvin 



From The Boot reply, I found it to be very true and would like to share with all the readers or starts-up in Malaysia who wish to venture into this segment.


http://tims-boot.blogspot.com/2008/05/will-travel-20-work-in-asia-yes-just-as.html

Please share your thoughts in this.
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