Travel Emergency

This applies to US residents.

You lose your passport

To get a new passport, you need to go in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Visit travel.state.gov or call 202/ 501-4444 to find the location nearest you. Here's where that photocopy of your passport everyone recommended comes to the rescue. (Don't have one? Get a copy made now. No, really--now. And pack it separately from your passport.) The photocopy, along with a driver's license or other ID, should be acceptable proof. If you're scheduled to depart within 14 days, you can get an emergency passport on the spot, valid for up to a year. Standard passports valid for 10 years can also be issued abroad, but the process takes about two weeks. For someone in the U.S., getting a passport issued within 14 days costs $157. But somehow, if you're in another country, the cost is only $97 for either an emergency or a standard passport. Travelers without a passport photocopy or any ID will need to prove their citizenship, which will probably take a few days. And everyone applying for a passport abroad must visit an office during regular business hours. In the past, when an embassy was closed, an officer could write a "transportation letter" to try and get you on the plane. After 9/11, that no longer happens. Missing a flight is not a big enough emergency for exceptions to be made.

You're sick--really sick

Some health plans, such as Medicare, offer no coverage outside the U.S.; others will reimburse you for payments made out of pocket (Aetna is one); and still others may pay foreign hospitals directly if you arrange this in advance or upon admittance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield). Remember that 800 numbers often don't work overseas, so keep your insurer's local number handy. Depending on your plan, or lack thereof, consider travel insurance. Compare options at insuremytrip.com, and read the fine print carefully. If you have no coverage and are critically injured, the local U.S. embassy can arrange to send you home, at your expense. Read up on your destination's health-care system and health threats at travel.state.gov.

Your wallet is stolen

First, cancel your credit and debit cards. The maximum you'll have to pay for unauthorized charges is $50 per credit card, but you'd be wise to try and cancel before any purchases are made. Every credit card company has a 24-hour hotline that accepts collect calls. Cash advances and replacement cards won't be available immediately--one more reason why you shouldn't keep all your cash and valuables in the same place. Hiding a few $100 bills or traveler's checks in a separate bag, your shoe, or several different spots is a good idea. File a police report--if not in the hopes of recovering your wallet, then because it'll help with insurance claims and at airport check-ins. If you're traveling within the U.S. and have no photo ID, call and tell the airline about your predicament. Airline staff know that getting a duplicate license may take weeks, and can allow you onto a flight without photo ID. Show up ahead of time for additional screening, and bring a copy of the police report and any ID you still have.

Your luggage is damaged, or worse

File a report with the airline for damaged bags within 24 hours of arrival, or your claim could be dismissed. Airlines generally pay compensation for bags (and any damaged items inside) when luggage is torn or dented in transit, but can refuse to pay when there's no external damage. (Pack fragile items very carefully in checked bags, or better yet, keep them in your carry-on. Mailing some items might be smarter.) If luggage is destroyed or completely lost, you must list all the items inside to get reimbursed, as you would on an insurance form for a burglary. Airlines pay a maximum of $2,800 per passenger for lost luggage on domestic flights, though each carrier's policy is a little different (many exclude coverage of jewelry, camera equipment, and medications). In 98 percent of "lost" luggage situations, bags are eventually recovered. When delays occur, airlines may advance passengers cash or reimburse them for necessary items, such as toiletries and a change of clothes. (Ask how to proceed before leaving the airport; you'll need to fill out forms and perhaps keep receipts.) The airline will pay for shipping delayed bags to passengers, even if they're at a resort five hours from the airport. Always label your bags clearly.

The flight is canceled, or you're bumped

When a flight is canceled, the airline is responsible for getting passengers on its next departure with open seats. Waiting at the airport counter isn't the only option--calling the airline's 800 number is often a quicker way to rebook. Some carriers put stranded passengers onto competitors' flights, though they're not required to do so. They're also not required to provide snacks, bottled water, or lodging unless delays last a certain period of time (generally a minimum of four hours). Most airlines make efforts to ease the pain of waiting, but they do so on a case-by-case basis. As for overbooking, the Department of Transportation requires compensation for passengers who relinquish seats voluntarily. There's no federal standard for that compensation--you're only guaranteed something, usually a flight voucher. For passengers who are involuntarily bumped on domestic flights, the rules are as follows: If you're on another flight within an hour, you get nothing; within two hours, the airline pays you the equivalent of your one-way fare ($200 max); more than two hours later, you get 200 percent reimbursement ($400 max).

You're in trouble with the law

A third of the 2,500 reported annual arrests of U.S. citizens abroad are drug-related. To avoid trouble, do the obvious: Just say no, and never leave bags unattended. Familiarity with local laws is essential, especially in strict countries. In Turkey, all "antiquities" are owned by the state, and trying to bring home a souvenir that's a few centuries old could land you behind bars for a month. During any run-in with the law, be respectful and apologetic. If you're locked up, actively request that local authorities inform the U.S. embassy, which, according to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, must then happen "without delay." A consular officer can visit you, provide contact info for local attorneys, fill you in on the basics of the local legal system, and inform your loved ones of the situation.

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Wee Siew Kim to step down

With Halloween fast approaching, Netizens are going for blood. Wee Shu Min has retained the number 1 position at technorati's popular searches for the past 5 days. Even after repeated apologies by Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Wee Siew Kim, father of the 18 year old RJC girl, the flaming continues. It appears that the saga would not die down anytime soon unless Netizens get what they want - for Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Wee Siew Kim to step down.

Some have argued that Wee Shu Min would only truly be humbled if her father was not bringing in a pay check of over S$10,000 per month as a result of being a Member of Parliament of Singapore. It is a well-known fact that politicians in Singapore are one of the highest paid in the world. The recent (Wee Shu Min and Wee Siew Kim) vs (Derek Wee and Netizens) saga has been likened by many to the old NKF saga not too long ago where Mrs Goh Chok Tong, a patron of the old NKF and wife of the former Prime Minister of Singapore, commented that a salary package of S$600,000 a year was peanuts. As a result of the old NKF saga, the former management team was forced to step down, investigations into possible misuse of funds were initiated and several lawsuits were filed against the former board of directors.

But the bulk of the argument for MP Wee Siew Kim to step down stems from the first apology that he issued which many have argued shows the fundamental lack of empathy and compassion for the citizens that Mr Wee Siew Kim is supposed to serve. Netizens have made use of simple arithmetics to calculate that if Wee Siew Kim were allowed to serve out his 5 year term as a Member of Parliament of Singapore, he would be bringing home more than S$600,000 (5*12*$10,000++) or what Mrs Goh Chok Tong term peanuts. Good money that would indirectly go towards paying for Ms Wee Shu Min's expensive holidays and overseas trips (evident from the many photos that netizens have dug up of Ms Wee Shu Min enjoying herself on overseas trips). Wealth that has perhaps resulted in Ms Wee Shu Min's elitist viewpoints.

In a society where the income gap is widening and the poor have been driven to take their lives by jumping into the paths of oncoming MRTs, do we really need politicians in our parliament who show by their words/actions that they do not have the interests of the people they are supposed to be helping at heart?

Port Dickson Ostrich Show Farm

I visited the Port Dickson Ostrich Show Farm sometime back in 2004 but did not have a chance to ride the birds or eat the meat. I think I paid RM2 for the entrance fee. Be careful when you stick too close to them. They will peck you.... I will try to go back there again since it was fun !

One of two ostrich farms in Negeri Sembilan, the PD Ostrich Farm is a day-trip destination that's hard to beat. Bring the entire family to see the ostriches reared here, from 8-foot tall behemoths to cute and cuddly ostrich chicks. You can have a tour of the facility producing items made of ostrich leather, where you can see the specialist equipments and tools used to produce ostrich leather products such as handbags, ornamental ostrich eggshells, as well as the highly sought-after cosmetics derived from ostrich oil.

Don't miss the chance to savour delicious ostrich burgers, ostrich satay fresh off the barbeque, and dried ostrich meat here - you may not easily find ostrich meat anywhere else! There are plenty of fun filled activities at the show farm such as ostrich rides, horse rides, a rabbit petting area for kids. Take a peek into the show farm's private collection of rare and beautiful birds including peacocks, pheasants, ornamental chickens and parakeets. Then take a picture of your kids standing on real ostrich eggs without breaking them!

The PD Ostrich Show Farm is located about 1 1/2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Take the Seremban Highway and head towards Port Dickson. From there, take the coastal road (Jalan Pantai) until you reach the 9th Mile turnoff where you'll see signs leading you to the PD Ostrich Show Farm.

The PD Ostrich Show Farm source

Miri, Sarawak

My 3rd day in Miri, Sarawak for 2 weeks bussiness trip.

Miri is a city in northern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Miri has always been known to have the more livelier nightlife compared to the other towns in Sarawak. Hope I enjoy my stay here!

Things To Do in Miri:

* Crocodile Farm
* Sarawak Shell Complex
* Taman Awam Miri
* Miri City Fan
* Canada Hill (Bukit Kanaan)
* Fantastic Scuba Diving
* Get a traditional massage by Mak Eton
* Beach
* Pretty flowers
* The Grand Old Lady of Miri

» More Things To Do in Miri

More info about Miri at http://www.miricity.com.my/Miri/index_Miri.htm

But one thing I hate in here is the taxi fare is expensive and it's raining for the first 2 days!

Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival

Yup, the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival is back!

Date : 23 Jul 2006 - 3 Sep 2006
Venue : Throughout Malaysia

Grab the opportunity to enjoy amazing discounts and special offers during Malaysia's biggest annual sales carnival! From designer wear to electronic items, from cosmetics to footwear, there's something for everyone at the countless shopping malls and stores nationwide.

More info here

viva italia!

Off topic but can't help it since Italy managed to be in FIFA World Cup Final tomorrow. Prediction:Italy 2 - 1 France :)
But hey last April I had a chance to travel to Rome, Italy for 3 days 2 nights. It was really not enough to see all the rome. a lot of things to see in here! but at least enough to cover the main ones :)
we arrived on friday afternoon at Fiumicino Airport and took a train to Termini. first impression when arrived at Termini was its quite a dirty place with all the rubbish loitering around & hardly see a dust bin anywhere. they are crazy drivers as well even though the roads are a bit narrow. not like in nederlands where bicycle is the main transportation, here is scooter beside metro & bus, you can see them everywhere, cilok sana sini and somehow italians hardly speak english. so its quite challenging.
More story & pic here

Turtle Watching in Terengganu

Although I've lived 31 years in Malaysia, I've never had a chance to see the turtles lay eggs in Terengganu. The place to see it is Rantau Abang.

The warm grainy sands of Rantau Abang are thought to be the ideal nesting grounds for the giant Dermocheleys coriaca (leatherback turtles). Rantau Abang is one of the few leatherback nesting sites in the world. Turtle sanctuaries have been established in an effort to reverse the decline of leatherback turtles. Collection (except by licensed turtle egg collectors) or eating of turtle eggs are forbidden. In the Rantau Abang Visitors' Centre, a documentary on the turtle and its nesting habits is screened at regular intervals.

Rantau Abang, 56 km south of the state capital, Kuala Terengganu, on a stretch of beach 32 km long, giant leatherback turtles come back year after year. The egg laying process is carefully protected by local authorities now - until 40,000 baby turtles have found their wy back to the sea per year.

Check out the turtle watching tour here