Destination Singapore from Jhingapore

We hear, people say, "Rome was not build in a day !!"
Nowadays, what we need to hear repeatedly for us all Nepalese to get inspired perennially would be, "Singapore (in short - SQ) was not build in a day!!" This thought repeatedly haunted me on positive framework of thinking during 1 week of stay in this beautiful island nation. Popularly also known as "PORT NATION.

Back in Nepal, we used to hear a lot of stories about SQ, particularly her "magic - like" development from scratch to riches, we heard of how dedicated their leadership are and were for the shake of people and nation, and many stories that kept our imagination floating limited to imagination !! Sometime, we used to get excited when our popular or [notorious] leaders continuously [falsely] promised in transforming Nepal like SQ did !! Years passed by, we saw all these promise(s) as mockery. Not at all, interesting, instead irritating !! We then started to hear such a humorous but pitiful analogy comparing KTM to Singapore, where SQ shines with richness, while Kathmandu loathes its visitor with its dirty stingy roads and river - that is why somebody said, "Don't even think, they (leaders) will transform KTM to SQ, instead they will turn it into Jhingapore!!" [Jhinga = housefly]

All in despair and eagerness, we always wanted to visit SQ once in our life time. At last, our dream came to be true, so we left for SQ on  7th  for 6 nights till 13 June, 2014. Here, I want to add, I have started to believe strongly, if you imagine and think on it seriously, your dream can be true provided you prepare your background !! As I said earlier, I always dreamed of visiting SQ. We used to hear every thing great about this country. For us leaving in Nepal with daily struggle in every step of your day, months and years, all those stories shared by friends or neighbors about SQ was like a fairy tales !!

Somebody said the main reason why SQ has developed so much in such a short period of time was simply its location, location & location. Before I believed this statement, I have second opinion why SQ developed. There are many countries located at such a junction that has potential for it to be a business hub or tourist hub, say Nepal. But they are perennially impoverished, so the location argument does not provide punch in the argument. I read some news, reports or books on SQ tremendous economic development - what are the defining principles, values or philosophy that guided SQ people to bring out of  so called "3rd world trap" to 1st world economic powerhouse. Now, I realize that the statement in its right must be partially but LOCATION only is not an important factor but there lies in its heart - learning from hardship, hard work, perseverance, patience, discipline and honesty. All these are the values that have guided SQ to it current success. I have to further add here that we have to read its history well to better understand how Singaporean people have achieved so much so to be a global economic powerhouse which must be half the size of KTM valley !! To closely observe and understand SQ, I need to visit again & again, read and read on anything that writes of SQ.

Before our visit to SQ, we surfed various government and other relevant websites that provided any information(S) we required. It is only in thorough preparation, you can save half your expenses on transportation, food and lodging. We need to travel in SMART ways. Avid travelers have found intelligent ways to travel around globe in both fun as well as cost effective way. Here I urge all Thakali youths to travel as much as you can, it is only in travelling that you learn to appreciate nature and people. It is only through travel and seeing others their way of life, we understand to appreciate diversity. Below are some of important websites, I strongly recommend you all:

1. About Singapore - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore / http://app.singapore.sg/
2. Public transport - http://www.publictransport.sg
3. Singapore tourist pass - http://www.thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg

For Arrival / Disembarkation / Immigration in Changi International Airport, you can go through the below links. In Changi, you can help wherever you look for, there are public relation staffs always on look out to help travelers. Here, internet is free so you can get in touch with your near and dear. For Nepalese, you do not need visa, the only document you get her in the immigration is travel visit pass. Remember - keep you visit pass carefully since you have to produce the pass at the immigration, when you return !!

1. Changi Airport - http://www.changiairport.com/
2. Immigration and Check Point Authority - http://www.ica.gov.sg/

Here, I would like to keep rest of my travel diary for next post. In short, before ending this post, i would like share with those who read this blog that I have felt a strong realization - it is only through hard work we shine. Only thick neocortex is not enough, when we cannot use it for better purpose like we donot in Nepal. We have lots of people with thick neocortex with exceptionally large frontal cortex in political area. But it is a matter of behavioral research, why are they not able to streamline those excellent neocortex for nation's development? This is a million dollar question each year we talk in tea stall !! Rest, it is up to you and me.

"Yawning" as always !!

ABC
22/July/2014

How to buy Cheapest air ticket???

It's the age-old dilemma faced by all holidaymakers - should you book your airline ticket early before the price soars or wait until the last minute when you might be able to find a bargain?

Well, dither no longer, as Japanese economists have come up with the answer - airline tickets should be booked eight weeks in advance and you should book them in the afternoon to get the best deal.

You're likely to get the best deal on your airline tickets if you book eight weeks in advance, claims a Japanese economist

The experts, who came up with the solution using the mind-boggling mathematical formula ∏A =gUG + min(k - g, (1 - g)(1 - r)), where ∏ apparently equals profit, said: 'When we book our flight to London weeks ahead we have to account for the possibility of u

TESTING THE FORMULA 

We decided to test the formula on two websites. Here are the results*. 

easyJet

Flying from London to Alicante on August 30 and returning on September 5

Outward: £50.99

Return: £132.81

Total: £183.80

Flying eight weeks later on October 18 and returning on October 24

Outward: £31.99

Return: £20.81

Total: £52.80

Ryanair

Flying from London to Alicante on August 30 and returning on September 5

Outward: £29.99

Return: £59.99

Total: £89.98

Flying eight weeks later on October 18 and returning on October 24

Outward: £21.99

Return: £21.99

Total: £43.98

*Flight quotes only, figures do not include airport taxes or luggage extras.

Unforeseen events which make our trip to London impossible.

'In order to make consumers take their chances, airlines have to offer advance purchase discounts. As a consequence, ticket prices increase as the travel date approaches.'

Booking more than eight weeks ahead may seem like the best option, but it could mean you risk having to pay to alter your booking if your plans change.

However, if you leave it later, there's an increased risk that prices will go up or the flight could be fully booked. The discrepancy between the times of day may be to take advantage of business travellers who are less concerned about price, tend to book trips from the office earlier in the day.

Holidaymakers will book at home later on, the economists suggest. But although the formula from Makoto Watanabe and Marc Moller, published in the latest edition of The Economic Journal, will be invaluable to holidaymakers, it’s not a complete answer to our indecision.The economists note how differently you must act when booking flights compared to tickets for a West End show. In theatre, last-minute bargains can often be available on the day of the performance. But then you run the risk it will be sold out.The report states: ‘The purchase of airline and theatre tickets are both examples where individual demand uncertainty and rationing risks interfere. ‘However, there is empirical evidence which shows that airline ticket prices typically increase overtime while theatre tickets are often sold at a discount on the day. When we purchase our theatre ticket last minute, there exists the possibility that the event has sold out. In order to make consumers bear this risk, theatres implement a clearance sale by offering last-minute discounts.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1305375/Formula-says-cheapest-holiday-flight-deals-8-weeks-advance.html#ixzz2uzdDbdxW
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Travel Cheap to Nagasaki, Japan from Seoul

Nagasaki is the capital of Nagasaki prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Under the national isolation policy of the Tokugawa shogunate, Nagasaki harbor was the only harbor to which entry of foreign ships was permitted. Even today, Nagasaki shows the influence of many cultures such as Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese. On 9 August 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, a nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing a total of over 100,000 people. Six days later Japan surrendered, officially ending World War II.

From Seoul to Fukuoka: 

You can take a cheap flight from Seoul to Fukuoka. The flight takes around 1 & 1/2 hrs. I suggest, if you want to travel to Fukuoka, Nagasaki or other places, then book your e - ticket in advance. The price of ticket may be exceptionally cheap as less as US $ 100 only. Scan time and then: 

http://www.jejuair.net/jejuair/ko_EN/main/main.jsp

From Fukuoka to Nagasaki:

Bus: Highway buses from Hakata station and the Fukuoka airport international terminal are the most economical way to reach Nagasaki from Fukuoka, costing about ¥2,500 each way and taking about 2.5 hours. In Nagasaki, the buses arrive and depart from a small bus station across the road from the main train station. They depart about every 15 minutes during the day, though not all stop at the airport.

Train: JR Kyushu runs the Kamome Limited Express train service from Hakata station in Fukuoka / vice versa from Nagasaki train station once or twice every hour. The one-way ride takes about two hours and costs ¥4,330. However, if you are travelling to many places in Japan and intends to travel economically then i suggest you purchase JR PASS.

Getting around Nagasaki:

Trams ( romen densha or "chin-chin densha") connect most of Nagasaki; they run about every ten to fifteen minutes during the day. The most frequently used lines will be the red (3) and blue (1); the blue and red lines run on the same track from the northern end of Nagasaki as far as the Nagasaki train station, where they split. The blue line continues to the You-me Plaza shopping mall, and later the downtown shopping arcade. A one-way trip is ¥120 and you can get a transfer ticket (”noritsugi ken") to continue your trip, if it requires two streetcars. These tickets can only be acquired if you get off at the Tsuki Machi stop. You can save money if you're doing a lot of travel by purchasing a daily pass for the streetcars (¥500) which you can purchase at most major hotels.

Buses also run through much of Nagasaki, including places that aren't served by the streetcars.

It should be mentioned that the street cars stop running around 11 PM, and most bus service also has downtime at night. This can come as a rude awakening if you go out in Shianbashi, only to find that you have to stay until 6AM for the first running densha. For the adventurous, it takes about an hour to walk from Shianbashi to Sumiyoshi. This timeframe is heavily dependent on how fast you walk, and what kind of night out you experienced.

Lodging:

I recommend Casa Noda Hostel, NS bldg 6-1 Motofuna-machi, Nagasaki city, Nagasaki, 5 min from Nagasaki Station, tel. +81 80 4270 1418 . It is a very new and small hostel with only two dormitories, but they are creating more rooms now. If you come with more than four people you get a discount of 300 Yen. dorm room: 2300 Yen per person per night with breakfast. The owner is nice and gives very good tips about the local restaurants and temple area. Good English is spoken. Use the map on their website to find it.

Source:  http://wikitravel.org/en/Nagasaki

Getting there and around Seoul

Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online. An alternative to walking and the subway is provided by the Seoul City Tour Bus. Taxis are inexpensive and don’t expect a tip, but finding an available one can take time.

Local transport

Taxi

Regular taxis are a good deal and are cheaper than the bus or subway for three people making a short trip. Regular taxis (ilban) cost W1900 for the first 2km and then W100 for every 144m or 41 seconds afterwards. A 20% surcharge is payable between midnight and 4am. Deluxe taxis (mobeom) are black with a yellow stripe and cost W4500 for the first 3km and then W200 for every 205m or 50 seconds, and don’t have a late-night surcharge. There are plans to drop these fixed prices in 2006 and if this happens taxis will charge varying prices.
Few drivers can speak English, but some taxis have a free interpretation service - you speak on the phone in English to an interpreter who then talks to the taxi driver in Korean. Writing your destination down can help as most Koreans are better at understanding written rather than spoken English. Writing your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) would be even better. All taxis have meters, but on the Incheon airport route passengers must pay the road toll on top of the meter charge. Tipping is not a Korean custom and is not necessary.

 

Bus & tram

Local

It is easier and usually quicker to travel around Seoul by subway, but the city has a comprehensive and reasonably priced bus system (414 5005; www.bus.go.kr) that operates from 5.30am to midnight, although buses run on a few routes until 2am. Some bus stops have some bus route maps in English. Most buses have their major destinations written in English on the outside and they usually have a taped announcement of the names of each stop in English, but hardly any bus drivers understand English. What were they all doing during their English lessons at school?

Long-distance express red buses to the outer suburbs cost W1400, while green buses that link subways within a district and blue buses to outer suburbs cost W800, and yellow short-haul buses that circle small districts are W500. The bus number indicates which district or districts the bus travels around or between - thus blue bus No 261 starts in zone 2, and goes to zone 6 via Line 1. Pay with a T-money prepaid card (the card costs W1500 and can be bought, charged and recharged at any subway station ticket office) and tickets cost W100 less and transfers are free, or at least cheaper. Put your card to the screen as you exit as well as when you get on a bus.

Long distance

Reasonably priced long-distance buses speed to just about every small town in South Korea. Most major roads have a special bus lane that reduces delays due to heavy traffic. Buses are so frequent that it’s not necessary to buy a ticket in advance, except perhaps on holidays and weekends. Superior-class buses have more leg room but cost 50% more than ordinary buses. Night-time buses that travel after 10pm have a 10% surcharge and are generally superior class. Buses go to far more places than the trains, but are not as comfortable or safe, so trains are the better option for travelling long distances to major cities.

The Seoul Express Bus Terminal (www.kobus.co.kr; subway Line 3 or 7 to Express Bus Terminal, Exit 1 or 7) is in two separate buildings:

Gyeongbu-Gumi-Yeongdong Terminal (535 4151; subway Exit 1) serves mainly the eastern region and has a tourist information centre (535 4151; 9am-5pm), a pharmacy, a post office and lots of shops and restaurants. Downstairs are bars, more restaurants and a sauna. On the nine floors above are countless stalls selling fabrics, bedding and clothes as well as flowers (3rd floor; 1am-1pm). Sample express/deluxe bus fares include Busan (W19, 300/28, 800), Gyeongju (W16, 300/24, 200), Sokcho (W13, 900/20, 500), Daegu (W13, 600/20, 100), Daejeon (W7600/11, 200) and Gongju (W5800/6300).

Honam Terminal (6282 0600; subway Exit 7) This smart and new terminal serves the southwestern region. Sample express/deluxe fares include Mokpo (W16, 400/24, 400), Gwangju (W14, 100/20, 900) and Jeonju (W10, 200/15, 000). This terminal is linked to the popular Central City Mall.

Other bus terminals:

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (455 3161; subway Line 2 to Gangbyeon, Exit 3) Serves the eastern part of the country and big cities elsewhere. Sample fares include Everland (W2200), Icheon (W3500), Chuncheon (W7000), Daejeon (W8300), Danyang (W11, 700), Daegu (W13, 700), Gyeongju (W19, 000) and Busan (W19, 400).

Nambu Bus Terminal (521 8550; subway Line 3 to Nambu Bus Terminal, Exit 5) Has services south of Seoul such as Daecheon Beach (W8700).

Sinchon Bus Terminal (324 0611; subway Line 2 to Sinchon, Exit 7) Has services to Ganghwado, a historical island northwest of Seoul.


Read more:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea/seoul/transport/getting-there-around#ixzz2o6CV05Pc