My trip to Perth (2 Nov 2012 -> 9 Nov 2012) Part 3

Perth city closeup

With my brother

With my wife, very hard to open up my eyes as I am not catching enough sleep. :(

Perth City view from King's Park

My trip to Perth (2 Nov 2012 -> 9 Nov 2012) Part 2

Fremantle Town hall

Fremantle Prison

My trip to Perth (2 Nov 2012 -> 9 Nov 2012)

Rockingham Beach

Fremantle, Perth

Burger King vs McDonald

Recently I tried out the Burger King's (BK) value meal  that is selling at RM5.95 from RM9-10. I have tried out two different branches of BK branches and I have come out with a conclusion - Burger King sucks in Malaysia.

I remember those days the BK Whopper cost around RM12+/- back in 2005. Those days the meat patty was very juicy and it taste good, even the fries also not bad. But recent my value meal experience really makes me give it two thumbs down compare to McDonalds (MCD).

Firstly, the BK burger bun is like falling apart when you try to hold it when you take your first bite. Well, for bun quality, MCD quality is not terrific either, but it was better than BK's bun, like that put more flour in it.

Secondly, I don't know how to describe about BK's meat patty, probably just one word - "It SUCKS!", compare to MCD burger which i tried it from time to time, somehow MCD still maintain the quality that it delivers, from the chair store business volume, MCD always beat the crap out of Malaysia.

Thirdly, the Fries... well, I remember those days some could have argued that BK fries taste better than MCD's fries and needless to say, In and Out burger fries are the best, just that they don't have it in Malaysia. Today's BK's fries, the standard was like dropping compare to few years back. I don't know about what you think, but it just doesn't taste good to me anymore! Not so crispy! MCD again, beats BK on the fries.

If BK HQ is reading this, I think they will have to try it out themselves, just to compare the taste that they are offering in USA and try what they are offering in Malaysia. If this continue, I foresee you guys will be flipping flies in coming years. Good luck!

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Flying Vios

Never know a Vios can fly...

Expiring Coffee

I was drinking this coffee everyday, it doesn't have strong coffee aroma, I thought may be is because it is a 'soft type' coffee, then just last week I notice the coffee is going to expire soon, I told myself I got to drink it everyday before it expires...

But wait..... it already expired!!! And it is close to 1 year... I missed out the year, which stated "2011"!

New Ericsson Vietnam office at Hanoi

The new office a Landmark 72.

Business trip to Hanoi, Vietnam.

The last time I came to Vietnam was back in 2010.

For this business trip, I am staying in Fortuna Hotel, as the rates are cheaper, about 85USD++. They don't have any king size bed so I can only get a twin bed room, so does it apply to my colleages, who also got a twin bed room, and a smoker's room too. A room that comes with a king size bed will cost like 20 USD more which we find it ununcessary.

Perhaps I am too impressed with last month's stay in Mulia's Hotel, till now, I am still thinking about it. The room in Fortuna is not very big, as it is a normal Deluxe room. Perhaps it is more like a 'standard  room'.

Fortuna hotel, being a four-stars hotel (my guess it is a 4 stars). What I think that the mattress could be better, it is firm at the sense that the 'topping' of the mattress had reached its' end of lifespan, where you can feel that you are just an inch on top of the pocket springs. Perhaps the hotel already started to aged and it doesn't gives me a good feel compare to when I came here 2 years ago. Again, may be the Mulia's hotel had over-pampered me, where a colleague highlighted to me they are using King Koil mattress when she saw the housekeeper changing bed sheets. I have to clarify that I am NOT trying to do any advertisement here, I believe each brand got their high end and low end products.

During dinner, my colleague told me there is a fruit plate in his room, however, I can't find any in my room, I wonder why? Anyhow I don't bother with the fruits that much, but it is a good-to -have thing, when u want to have something sweet after the dinner.

Just like most 4 stars hotel, the hotel provides 2 bottles of water per day as compliment drinks. It comes with a 330ml bottles, which you might want to get something outside or inside the hotel for more water, as the water given by the hotel is not sufficient.

The internet service is ok, even in a simple restaurant that doesn't have aircon, the wifi speed is much faster than some of the MCD chains or Starbucks cafe in Malaysia.

I noticed that the hotel elevator keypad had equipped with something fancy, if you refer to the photo below. It looks cool with the shiny lighting effect. But sometimes you won't be able to press it, you need to try it for 1-2 times. I wondered does the key pad have to read half of your thumb print then only it is effective? This might be for the purpose of preventing the kids playing with the elevator keypads.

Down at Fortuna hotel that was a big KTV with live band too. Me and my colleagues had a drink overthere that cost us USD10 per person. The band will only start at 930pm. We were tired for today's meeting and early flight, we couldn't wait that long so we decided to leave the place before 930pm.

I am yet to check out the breakfast which Fortuna hotel offered. But if you ask me if I will come back for Fortuna hotel? I think may be not, the key reason is due to the bed comfort level. Perhaps I will check out the new certified "Intercontinental Hotel' next time for 20USD more, if I got a business trip here again.

Hanoi hotel is not cheap, I think 8x USD can only get you a low 4 stars. Or may be I am wrong... Damn... what the hell I am doing now? I feel like I have been reviewing hotels now... Wahahaha

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Two nights of staying, I would like to conclude that the twin bed in Fortuna Hotel is not comfortable, the sleep quality was bad to the 2 nights stay. If I need to stay for another night or two, I would hv to move out. One of my colleagues also commented the same, so it is only me.

One thing I would like to comment is the breakfast of Fortuna Hotel is quite good for the price level standard. You get what you want in a 4 stars hotel, fruits varieties, western and eastern breakfast choices, quality juice, etc. I quite enjoy their cheese varieties + crackers. The only thing that they need to do is really replace all the single beds, I am not sure if the king size bed is better, but the twin size bed definitely need some upgrade or replacements.

Old Friend Reunion

Met my old friend, Antony Ho, from Utah State U, he used to be my room mate before. He found me through facebook, as I never get to find him due to I am searching for "Anthony Ho" on facebook with the extra 'h'. I guess this is one of the good thing about facebook, where you get to find your long lost friend.

Antony came to Malaysia for his honeymoon with his wife, Fanny. He was in KL on 4th May. So I invited him out for a reunion. It has been a while since we last met! :)

Hotel Mulia in Jakarta

Spent one night in Hotel Mulia, Jakarta. I have to say I really like this hotel. The bed is super comfy, soft but doesn't sink, fluffy pillows, high thread count bed sheets...

There are more than 2 complimentary mineral water for your usage, which is good for business traveller like me.

If you look at one of the photos, the room also comes with two oranges from China and 2 apples that taste like Washington's. If you wonder why I can tell the oranges are from China, this is because there is a layer of coloring on the orange. As far as I know, quite a number of oranges that imported from China had this kind of 'fake' orange color that makes the orange looks more 'orange'. Nevertheless, the oranges are sweet enough and the apples are crunchy, which means they give you the true fresh stuff and change their fruits regularly.

The room that you are seing was actually a upgraded suite. All things are in order, with good surrounding view.

The shower room is also great as they have fancy sprayers at the front and from the top, ensuring you are clean enough from every angles. Internet  connection speed comes with decent speed and you don't experience annoying prompt just to make sure you are not doing your BT (BitTorrent) stuff in hotel.

The hotel also comes with nice swimming pool, pretty good gym room, spa, sauna, steam room facilities which comes in standard as a 5 stars hotel. A company business partner once told me that this hotel was one of the best rated in terms of security level. Which is good too!

Also I would like to point out a good thing about it as there were no hotel boy that deligently offer to help you carry your luggages to your room, 'educate' you where are the switches and expect some tips in return. To be honest, I don't see this as a desired services and I am sure I will ask for help if I need one. I believe there are people out there who felt annoyed too which they don't really mind to check in their room by themselves without any hotel boy helping us to carry our luggages as most luggages already comes with wheels.

Downstairs, my colleague told me there is a nice CJ bar which comes with great live band, but too bad I am not into drinking and I was too tired and have to prepare for meeting on tomorrow morning, so I don't have the luxury to enjoy the music at the bar. However, I did dine in at the hotel, with my lunch and dinner that cost me almost Rm100 for 2 meals.

There are all kinds of food located in hotel, from western taste to asian cuisines, you are reminded not to wear slippers or sandals as some are "fine dining" restaurants with well-to-do  customers talking about Mercedes Benz and VW engine while dining in suit. Sorry I couldn't help but overheard the conversation from the table next to me.

Hotel breakfast was great, with juice that taste not far away from freshly squeezed juice. There are even sushi bar that served fresh sashimi in the morning. Both western and eastern breakfasts were served. Again, I can't get to fully enjoy my breakfast as I had to rush to the meeting early in the morning. In short, the food are great!

In case you wonder how much it cost to stay in such hotel? The price is RM660 for one night.