#Buy Singapore airlines miles

[muskokafarm]

Muskoka Farm Pre Training

Muskoka Farm is one of the country’s top Thoroughbred pre training facilities. It has been educating future racehorses for decades, and it boasts a stellar collection of horses, including several local Group 1 winners.

Located in Gunderman, NSW, the 280-acre property features numerous impressive facilities, from a 2.4-kilometer crusher dust track to a 16-horse walker and 10 large fully fenced paddocks. It also has a private jetty/pontoon, two-bedroom guest house, and facility manager’s cottage. To know more about Pre Training, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call (02)45663106.

The thoroughbred racing industry makes a significant contribution to Australia’s regional economy with stallion fees and sales profits supporting thousands of jobs. Preparing a horse for the races is one of the most important parts of training and involves a lot of work. Horses that are not well prepared can be a disaster at the races.

Dan Excel, who won last year’s Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup and finished runner-up in the Champions Mile, has arrived at Muskoka Farm for his preparation for his return to Australia this spring. The 280 acre property is located north west of Sydney and boasts a state-of-the-art horse breaking facility.

Located in Gunderman, the world class pre-training facility is surrounded by natural bushland and provides an ideal environment to tailor its care to the physiology of race horses. It offers breaking, spelling and agistment. The property is equipped with 10 large fully-fenced paddocks, a two-kilometer crusher dust track and a 16-horse walking machine.

Training your horse is an important part of getting it ready for the races. It improves the muscle tone and strength of your horse, and it also helps prevent behavioural problems. This is why it’s essential to follow a specific training schedule.

Toby Pracey, a world class horse breaker whose clients include Golden Slipper winners, owns Muskoka Farm. The 280-acre facility offers breaking, spelling and agistment services. It features a two-kilometer crusher dust track, 27 day yards and 10 large fully fenced paddocks. It also has a helipad and private jetty/pontoon.

Wendy Lapointe oversees the spelling and pre training activities of the facility. She has over 30 years of experience in the industry, and her skills include equine and bull anesthetics. She is also a licensed veterinary practitioner and has extensive knowledge of breeding. She has a Provincial Trainers License. She is a key member of the team, and she is known for her dedication to her work.

For the horse to perform well, it needs to be fully rested. Typically, a racehorse will require a four to six week break after its last race. During this time, it will be allowed to rest and gain weight.

If you are looking to buy a racehorse, make sure that you visit Muskoka Farm. This world-class equine facility is located in Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales. It has a number of facilities, including a high-tech treadmill and a lap pool.

It is also home to some of Australia’s leading trainers. It is able to accommodate up to 200 horses. In addition, it features a stunning four-bedroom main homestead overlooking the Hawkesbury River. The property also includes a private jetty/pontoon, helipad, large outdoor pool, two-bedroom guest house and staff cottages. The one-of-a-kind property is available through Inglis Rural Property. Those interested in the property should register interest before Monday, May 9.

A horse’s preparation for the races is a crucial stage in the racing process. Without proper training, your horse can become injured or not perform well. Preparing for the races includes a variety of steps, including putting in miles on the track and using different training methods to make your horse faster. To know more about Pre Training, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call (02)45663106.

Located on the Hawkesbury River in Gunderman, Muskoka Farm is one of the most prestigious horse facilities. Originally developed by Bob and Wendy Lapointe, the immaculate property now features a 113-hectare pre-training, horse breaking and spelling facility. It also has a 2000m turf track and 200 stables. It is also home to a state-of-the-art export quarantine facility that readies horses for Hong Kong.

[themileageclub850]

For those scratching their heads and wondering why they would ever need to buy KrisFlyer miles, we have the perfect answer.Buy as many miles you need from us.

[nadineeb]

CRAZY RICH ASIANS -  MOVIE REVIEW

Hi dears! It’s me again. After my tech review, I’m navigated to this 2016 movie -  Crazy Rich Asians which came from the first book of its trilogy novel. This is always at the top of my list and my favourite movie. Hope you’ll enjoy this movie review as it feels like you’re watching it when you’re really just reading. All credits goes to the owner of the photos and GIFs. Thank you so much!! Enjoy it as much as I do. 

- XOXO, Nads <3

New York City - Rachel Chu, a young, lovely, part-timer economic professor who dates for over a year now, a hunk, eye-turner, history professor, Nick Young, at New York University. Rachel already introduced Nick at their family dinners but since Nick's family are from Singapore, he hasn't presented Rachel formally to them.

Nick's closest female cousin, a double - heiress in her family, an icon in the fashion industry, had already chatted with Rachel. She's the only one that has known her cousin's girlfriend. Astrid was always busy with the Paris' fashion week, shopping spree every week, buying ancient jewelries that costs a fortune and building her own family with her only son and her husband who's also busy gaining investors in his technology business. 

(Astrid down below)

Being that it's Araminta and Colin's wedding, Colin, who happens to be Nick's bestfriend and cousin since their diaper days. Colin wants him to come home for he is his bestman in his wedding. He wants to take this chance for Rachel to meet his gigantic family and have her experience his childhood in the country where he grew up. It's also a great opportunity for her to visit her college bestfriend, Peik Lin , who always asks her to come to Singapore where she lives.

Excitedly, Rachel asks his mom for help with what dress will she be wearing when she meets his boyfriend's Ah-ma (grandmother in Chinese) during the family dinner to welcome the guests of the wedding. She forcibly agrees when her mom tries to get her wear the red dress. Her mom says that red is a color of good luck in Chinese traditions and also a little bit more of a plus point from Nick's Ah-ma though she also got a pure Chinese blood but grew up in America which promotes an entirely different culture.

Amazed by their First Class seats and soft silk pair of pj's given by the airlines, Rachel couldn't contain her happiness while sipping on their glass of champagnes on their flight to Singapore. Astonished as she seemed, she nags Nick on why he can afford the First Class tickets to a country miles away from them while Nick uses her Netflix password. He admits that they are living "comfortably" which what exactly a member of a crazy rich family says.

As soon as they land in Singapore, Araminta and Colin, the soon-to-be wedded couple was there at the airport with balloons in their hands and joy in their auras. After introducing them to Rachel, they plan to eat Newton Food Centre, a place where they serve delicious street foods especially laksa curry and satay bowls from street food vendors which gained Michelin stars.

Right before the Nick's family welcome dinner, Rachel visits Peik Lin in her house which everything is brilliantly gold-plated and was inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. While catching up over their food for lunch, Peik Lin's mom interrogates her about her coming to Singapore. When she said that it's for the wedding of his boyfriend's bestfriend Colin, Peik Lin's family were shocked, they said that it is the wedding of the year and even them having that rich, they aren't invited to the wedding. It seems like Rachel didn't do a research at his boyfriend's family!

Peik Lin also warned Rachel that the Youngs are kind of snobbish that would belittle a commoner. She would not let Rachel wear that little red dress to the dinner so she gathered all of her fancy clothes and choose the best for Rachel to wear.

The Youngs - migrated in the 1800's to the small island of Singapore from their main land, China  with a vast amount of fortune. They started real-estates business until this family became most probably the landlords of Singapore.

Nick escorted Rachel and Peik Lin to his Ah-ma's house which is the largest, most beautiful house that Rachel didn't expect to see. A house that Nick and Astrid grew up in. A house that has lots of wings that you'll probably get lost once you enter the wrong one.

Finally, Nick introduces Rachel to all of his cousins. Nick's mom, Eleanor, is busy in the kitchen scrutinizing every detail of the food to serve to their guests. When the couple went down to the kitchen, Rachel thrillingly hugs Eleanor which made Eleanor uncomfortable around Rachel. That is why Rachel immediately concluded that Eleanor doesn't want her for his son.

In the middle of the garden, sits a fragrant Tan Hua flower which usually blooms fully once a year, a great opportunity for the guests to see this once in a year. While waiting for it to fully bloom, Nick introduced Rachel to his Ah-ma, surprisingly, she likes Rachel the moment they talked in Chinese. She said that Rachel should come back to the mansion when there are no more craining necks so that she can teach Rachel how to make their family's traditional dumpling recipe which was passed to generations.

The Bachelor and Bachelorette's  Party where Nick and Rachel's love was tested. The Bachelor's party is located literally in the middle of the ocean, filled the cargo-like ship with sexy girls and men that is enjoying the scenery. As they are talking about anything under the sun and with the influence of alcohol, some men questions Nick on Rachel's details. Though the men want to know more about Rachel, Nick went hot-headed as the men start to sexualize his girlfriend. He decides to leave the ship that day with Colin, the bachelor, to an island with a small wooden floating house and a raft.

On the other hand, Rachel met Nick's ex-girlfriend, Amanda, in Araminta's Bachelorette party at a private island. She did not know that Amanda wants to be friends with her so that she and her mean friends can pull off their plans and that Rachel would want to leave. Their plans succeeded, while crying Rachel went to her villa to get her things and leave, she bumped into Astrid. They two found that Rachel's bed was covered in tuna's blood with a tuna head at her headboard.

That incident led to them to the seashore talking about why Amanda is like that. Astrid also opened up to Rachel how she found out that her husband is not really busy going to business trips but rather he is busy having an affair with a woman she doesn't know. It seems like the two found comfort in each other.

Dumpling day comes and also another day to test their relationship. While making dumplings, Rachel found out that Ah-ma doesn't want Eleanor for Nick's father way back then and she doesn't have the heirloom engangement ring of the Youngs since Ah-ma didn't approve of her. Ah-ma arrived at the dining table exactly after Rachel knew the backstory of Eleanor and Nick's father. Ah-ma was pleased after seeing Rachel again. She adoringly expressed her interest in Rachel's face features which made Eleanor jealous of Rachel.

On her way to the toilet, Rachel's lost in the mansion and was shocked that Eleanor found her. Eleanor talked to Rachel and frankly told her that she will never be enough for her son.

(Rachel and Eleanor Scene)

The wedding of the year came, famous business elites and the royalties attended. Rachel wore a pretty blue elegant dress paid respects to Eleanor and Nick's aunties though Eleanor doesn't want her to sit with her.

Princess Inta, who demanded a whole row of the front seats to herself so she would not be bothered by anyone, approached by Rachel who doesn't have seats, she talked about the princess' book about economics and that they have the same stand. They immediately been comfortable with each other. Escorted by Astrid, Ah-ma came and everyone was shocked at her presence. They said that Ah-ma never came to such events.

Not long after Ah-ma arrived, the grand wedding started which left everyone in awe on how beautiful the oriental, Gothic-themed was.

After the ceremony, the program continued at the Gardens by the Bay, a reception for the wedding. It was filled with laughters, everyone is having a great time dancing and enjoying the beat. In contrast with this, stands Rachel and Nick called by Ah-ma and Eleanor for the truth behind Rachel's identity. They said that they cannot let Rachel join their family for the fact that she lied to them about his father after they hired a peivate investigator. Little did they know that Rachel only found out then that her mom's husband, which all throughout her life she believed wa sher father, isnt really her biological father. Rachel walked out for she is deeply hurt by their actions. Ah-ma later then gave Nick an ultimatum. Once he leave, he can't come back. Who will he choose? His family or Rachel?

After a few days of crying, Rachel's mom found her in Peik-Lin's house and not eating. Her mom admitted that she left her husband because she was impregnated by Rachel's father and that her husband was not kind after all. She flew all the way to America to start a new life with her baby, Rachel.

Before leaving Singapore, Rachel wanted to talk to two people; Nick and Eleanor. She ended her relationship with Nick and declined Nick's offer to marry her and start a new life in New York as he will cut his ties with his family.

Rachel meets Eleanor at a Mahjong Parlour where they had a mahjong game along with two deaf players. She told Eleanor everything that had happened before she met with her and that she knew that Nick loves his family so much that even though Nick decided to leave his family for her, she couldn't stand to see Nick away from them. He is the only son that would inherit their wealth. She decides to let him go.

Also broken-hearted with her cousin Nick, Astrid decides to leave his husband for she cannot be blinded by her husband's affair. She decides to take their son with her.

Rachel and her mom are boarding the aircraft when Nick chased her to fly to New York with her.   She don't want to listen to Nick at first but when she realized what Nick's doing, she decided to  clisten to him and is completely speechless when Nick get down on one knee. Her face brightened when she saw the small box with the emerald stone ring embedded in diamonds that Eleanor wore on their engagement with Nick's father is vividly shining right infront of her eyes. She said Yes!

Them three left the aircraft to celebrate their engagement with their friends at the top of Singapore's most popular hotel - Marina Bay Sands. Ended as Eleanor genuinely smiles at Rachel as Rachel shows her engagement ring.

This movie taught me that you can’t choose who you’ll love. If you're looking for someone with the same wealth level as yours or even the same race as yours, you may never find your true love. Given the circumstances of Rachel and Nick, they don’t want their wealth status to be a hindrance in their relationship.

Though family always comes first, if it's a matter of going through what your family wants for you or going through what you want for your future family, always choose the latter. I only get one chance to live and I don’t want any regrets, so for as long as possible, if my decisions don't violate a person's right, i’ll do everything and whatever it takes.

This part below, where Rachel met Eleanor at the Mahjong Place where they talked about why Eleanor didn’t want Rachel for Nick the second she arrived in Singapore. Eleanor said that there is a Hokkien phrase “Ka ki lang” which means “Our own kind of people.” This is why the Chinese people tend to want to marry the same ethnicity as them because they want to preserve their traditions and would want to keep it going for as long as possible, which Rachel is not. Not because she is not wealthy, but because she is a foreigner, an American, although the Chinese blood runs through her, she grew up in America and Eleanor doesn’t want that.

One of the Chinese’s cultures is that they are taught to build things that last and not to feed in what they want, but in what they need. I understand Eleanor in this part because as an Asian, we are taught by these things - to prioritize our needs and build connections that will benefit us in the future. But for me, we should give respect to other cultures and not close our circle entirely. We all have different perspectives regardless of our race, that is why we should not judge one’s personality based on their race.

Rachel said that Nick proposed to him the day before and she turned him down, though Nick stated that he will stay away from his family for good. She said that if Nick would choose Rachel, he would lose his family, and if Nick would choose his family, he might spend the rest of his life resenting Eleanor.

Eleanor shows her Mahjong tiles which she thought she won, but Rachel looks at her, sighs, and says,

“ I’m not leaving because I’m scared, or because I think I’m not enough, because maybe for the first time in my life, I know I am. I just love Nick so much. I don’t want him to lose his mom again, so I just wanted you to know that one day, when he marries another lucky girl, who is enough for you, and you’re playing with your grandkids, while the Tan Hua’s are blooming, and the birds are chirping, that is was because of me. A poor, low-class immigrant nobody.”

Then she showed her Mahjong tiles and she won to Eleanor. She left the table and fetched her mother with a smile at the other table to leave the place. What a queen! Powerful. That is the best scene ever. The feels, the script, the emotions, they are just so perfect.

Astrid, my favorite character, not just she is stunningly beautiful but among all the cousins, she has the purest heart. She doesn’t want the people around her to feel that they are left out when they are with her. She wanted everything to be perfect when it comes to her family. Though her shopping spree every time she’s going to Paris fashion week is a bit overwhelming to commoners, she deserves all of it.

Astrid and I have similarities in our personalities. I’m also calm when there are problems that are coming my way. I can remain composed and I buy my time until I can find solutions to it. I remember the time when the man I loved cheated on me just like when Michael (Astrid’s husband) cheated on Astrid.

I can relate to her when she said that she’s wrong when she’s turning down jobs because Michael might feel lesser than her. I used to lower myself when I’m with him because I worry that he might feel that I’m the superior one between the two of us. But when he cheated, I realized that it shouldn’t be like that. It will be his fault for being insecure in me. Just like what Astrid said,

“It’s not my job to make you feel like a man. I can’t make you something you’re not.”

[rovervisa]

Myanmar

Myanmar (Burma) Tourism

Tourism in Myanmar( Burma) : Visa requirements, currency, flights, navigation, and the best tourist destinations to

visit

in 2021 (with photos) . Myanmar's captivating beauty has an indefinable aspect that makes you fall in love with its towering mountains, beautiful beaches, tranquil islands, mesmerizing lakes, and amazing food. Myanmar Tourism welcomes you to experience a fusion of cultures and traditions that has resulted in a fantastic view of wonder. You will be struck by the kind and inviting character of the inhabitants, which may help you realize Myanmar's attractiveness, thanks to its profound culture and friendliness.

Visa process to Myanmar (Burma)

Visitors from all over the world have been coming to the nation since it opened its doors to tourism in 2011. The procedure of

visiting

, on the other hand, has been much easier since the introduction of electronic visas in 2014, which can be obtained from the comfort of one's own home as long as one has access to the internet. Filling out the online visa application form should take no more than 10 to 20 minutes.

For Indian citizens, a visa to Myanmar can be obtained for either tourist or business. These visas are only good for one entry and are valid for 90 days. The maximum number of days a tourist electronic visa bearer can remain in Myanmar is 28, but electronic business visa holders can stay for up to 70 days.Documents required for E-VisaFor Indian nationals, the following is a list of Myanmar visa requirements:

⦿ Page from the bio section of a passport that has been scanned

⦿ A color image taken during the last three months.

⦿ There must be at least one blank passport page for the visa stamp.

⦿ Indian passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival into Myanmar.

⦿ A valid credit or debit card is required.

⦿ Email address that is valid

In case of mistakes, applicants should double-

check

the information given as well as the attached needed papers, since they might delay the visa application process or possibly result in the application being refused entirely. Is the Myanmar visa cost non-refundable for Indian citizens?The Myanmar visa cost for Indians is non-refundable in the event of refusal or cancellation.Documents Required for Tourist Visa⦿ Flight ticket has been booked (onward / return)

⦿ Hotel reservation confirmation

⦿ A personal cover letter indicating the duration of the stayNoteIf you are

visiting

Myanmar with children under the age of seven who are endorsed on a parent's passport, they are permitted to go to Myanmar on their parent's approved e-visa as long as the parent fills out the minor's part of the online application form on their own.Information and Requirements for the Visa Section⦿ Hours for Visa Applications (Monday to Friday) morning   (10 to 11:00 a.m.)

⦿ Hours of Visa Collection (Monday to Friday) Evening (04:00 to 05:00 pm)

⦿ Processing time is usually two  business days.Visa fees ⦿ Fee for a tourist visa is 40 USD (RS 2800 /-) for a stay of 28 days.

⦿ Fee for a business visa (single entry): 50 USD - RS. 3500/- Duration of stay: 70 days ( may request a stay extension in accordance with the laws and regulations )

⦿ Business visa fee (multiple) -200 USD - RS. 14000/- duration of stay 3 months( may request a stay extension in accordance with the laws and regulations )

⦿ Business visa fee (multiple) -400 USD - RS. 28000/- stay period 6 months( In line with the rules and regulations, may request a stay extension)

⦿ Business visa fee (multiple) -600 USD - RS. 42000/- length of stay 1 year( In line with the rules and regulations, may request a stay extension)Ports of entry for tourists with electronic visasOnly registered hotels, inns, motels, guest homes, and resorts are allowed to stay. In addition, applicants must identify the port of entry via which they would enter Myanmar as electronic visa holders.

The following are the eight ports of entry for tourists with electronic visas visiting Myanmar:⦿ Rihkhawdar Land Border Checkpoint⦿ Tamu Land Border Checkpoint⦿ Kawthaung Land Border Checkpoint⦿ Myawaddy Land Border Checkpoint⦿ Tachileik Land Border Checkpoint⦿ Yangon International Airport⦿ NAy Pyi Taw International Airport⦿ Mandalay International AirportIs Indian passport holders can obtain a Myanmar visa on arrival ?Only a few countries including India are now eligible for a Myanmar visa on arrival.

For Indians, obtaining a Myanmar visa on arrival is as simple as waiting in line at the airport and paying the visa cost. The visa will be stamped on an empty page of the passport once it has been completed. The Myanmar visa on arrival allows the applicant to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days.

For Indian nationals, obtaining a Myanmar visa on arrival is a fine option, however applying for an electronic Myanmar visa is a much

easier

and faster option.Keep in MindThe Myanmar visa does not allow Indian passport holders to travel into Myanmar's Restricted Areas.

Applicants should expect approval within three business days after submitting the online application form, completing the Myanmar visa criteria for Indian citizens, and paying the visa cost. The approved visa will be emailed to the applicant, who should then

print

it and bring it with them to the airport when they arrive.

Currency in Myanmar

The Myanmar Kyat (MMK) is the currency of Myanmar's Republic of the Union, formerly known as Burma. 100 pyas are subdivided from one kyat. However, because a pya is such a little sum of money, it is rarely utilized. The money is represented by the letter "K" in writing. The Myanmar kyat has dominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 kyats. Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 50, and 100 kyats. The Myanmar Kyat is approximately 22 Indian Rupees.Currency ExchangeWhen buying at small stores, market stalls, or using cabs, the Kyats are the only money accepted. Apart from Kyats, most shops, hotels, and airline counters take US Dollars. You will receive your change in kyat if you make a payment in US dollars. As a result, make sure you have these two currencies in your wallet, or at the very least US dollars, for easier transactions. You have the option of exchanging your money for Kyats at approved money changers or major bank branches while in Yangon.

Flights to Myanmar from India

Myanmar has a number of international airports, making it easy for travelers to visit this interesting country. Traveling from New Delhi, you may take a trip to Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital. Yangon, on the other hand, is the city that most tourists

visit

. From Delhi, there are more than 120 flights each week to Yangon.

Air India, Myanmar Airways International, and Myanmar National Airlines are the airlines that fly from India to Myanmar. Thai Airways, AirAsia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern, SilkAir, Thai AirAsia, China Southern, Emirates, Thai Smile, Tigerair, Bangkok Airways, Air China, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines are among the other airlines that fly to Myanmar.

Is any direct flights from India to Myanmar ?

Air India and Myanmar Airways International both fly direct to Myanmar.What is the cheapest way to get from India to Myanmar?Flying from India to Myanmar is the cheapest option, costing between 9,000 to 20,000 rupees and taking 5 hours and 34 minutes.What is the distance between India and Myanmar?India and Myanmar are distanced by 1901 kilometers.

Best places to visit in Myanmar ( Burma )

Myanmar (previously Burma) is a Southeast Asian country bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand, with more than 100 ethnic groups. The country's largest city, Yangon (formerly Rangoon), is home to bustling markets, several parks and lakes, and the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which houses Buddhist relics and dates from the 6th century.

Myanmar is an incredibly beautiful nation. Myanmar's beautiful surroundings are extremely amazing, with beautiful water and white sand beaches, misty mountains, tangled jungles, majestic Inle Lake, the huge Irrawaddy River, rough peaks, and lush lowlands.

BaganBagan, in contrast to Yangon, is a lovely location where time seems to have stopped. Bagan welcomes you via the crossing with huge Buddist Paya created in the 11th century, which is filled with over 2,500 pagodas and temples. It is also regarded as one of the most magnificent ancient capitals of the Burma Kingdom.

Enjoy a hauntingly stunning sunset trip on the Irrawaddy River, followed by a fascinating traditional workshop. Bagan is my favorite spot to

visit

in Myanmar because it offers infinite photo opportunities, including a spectacular sunrise with hot air balloons.

YangonYangon (formerly Rangoon) is Myanmar's largest city and the one that has transformed the most since the country's doors opened to foreigners. All around the city, boutique hotels, rooftop bars, and gourmet restaurants are currently rising. It is also the most favorite location for foreigners because it is a commercial hub and home to the country's major international airport.

Spend an evening touring around the Shwedagon Pagoda, not only because it is illuminated so wonderfully at night, but also because you won't be scalded by the afternoon sun on your bare feet on the street.

Inle lakeIf you're looking for a peaceful vacation in Shan State while surrounded in a distinct lake culture, Inle is the place to be. This country's second largest lake is home to a beautiful floating garden where Inthar fisherman practice a unique one-leg rowing technique.

Inle Lake, roughly 210 miles west of Bagan, is likely Myanmar's second most popular tourist site. The men who paddle fishing boats with their feet are well-known around the lake. Although it is currently largely performed as a tourist attraction, it is still a delicate balancing act. If you take any photos, expect to offer them a little tip.

MandalayMandalay is highlighted in many Myanmar tours due to its reputation as Burma's former capital. The holy Maha Muni gilded Buddha statue, the beautiful Ubein bridge, the never-completed Mingun, and Sagaing Hill are all must-sees in Mandalay. Mandalay is also a meeting point for several northern regional cultures.

You can only imagine how beautiful Mandalay would have been when the mighty Shwenandaw Monastery glimmered with its gold leaf coverings, and it's easy to

see

why the name of this mysterious temple-topped town in central Myanmar has inspired poems and lines by perhaps Asia's most prolific English eulogizer-Rudyard Kipling.

Kalaw When visiting Myanmar, Kalaw is a must-see destination. The mountain hill station, which is bordered by pine forests, tea plantations, and British Era palaces, has cold weather. Untouched by technology or western influences, this land resembles something out of a fairy tale.

Kalaw has a wide variety of hiking paths. Local tour operators have promoted the treks to help international visitors have a better understanding of the lives of the Padaung and Pa-o hill tribes.

NgapaliNgapali is Myanmar's best world-class beach, stretching over 17 kilometers of sandy coastline and making it one of the top places to

visit

in Myanmar.

Ngapali has it everything, whether you're looking for a relaxing seaside resort or want to participate in some watersports. Ngapali is the country's only beach with a wide range of luxury hotels and a superb restaurant overlooking the Andaman Sea.

There are ocean adventures for scuba diving and island visits, as well as bicycling rides to huge viewing sites that pass through rice fields and local towns. A trip to Thandwe town may make you feel delighted and interested if you want some local interaction.

Hpa AnHpa An offers an excellent supply of amazement rice fields and beautiful sceneries, as well as a crazy amount of caverns, tucked away from all the busy places in south Myanmar.Hike up Mt. Zwe Ka Bin, see the world's largest lying Buddha, shop at local markets, or travel to the sacred mountains. Hpa An is also an excellent location for a walk with few  visitors.

With the completion of the Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Corridor expected by the end of 2015, when improvements to the road between Mae Sot in Thailand and Mawlamyine are expected to be completed, Hpa-an will have a lot of

opportunities

to export to Thailand, and the town and surrounding area will likely boom.

Transportation in Myanmar

Many sections of Myanmar are closed to foreign tourists, notably border areas and places where the government is at odds with ethnic minority groups – such as large swaths of Shan and Kachin states – or need permissions that might take weeks to get. Furthermore, these restrictions and criteria are subject to change at any time. In late 2012, parts of Rakhine state, for example, shuttered and reopened many times.

Cars and motorcycleMyanmar's roads are rough in comparison. Also, international guests are concerned about the outdated and uncomfortable cars. However, if you have your own private drive and travel with a modern motorbike or select an air-conditioned vehicle over a crowded bus, automobile and motorcycle travel are still attractive modes of transportation in Myanmar that provide a fantastic experience.TrainIn Myanmar, train travel may not be as comfortable or quick as bus travel. However, in Myanmar, it is still a practical mode of transportation for getting about the nation. Myanmar's railway system usually contains routes from Bagan to Yangon through Taungoo and Kyaukpadaung; Mandalay to Lashio; Yangon to Mawlamyine via Bago, Kyaiktiyo, and Mottawa; Pyinmana to Kyaukpadaung; Thazi to Shwenyaung; and Yangon to Pyay.Myanmar Hot Air BallooningNothing compares to seeing the entire gorgeous scenery of this centuries-old land from the air. Hot air balloon rides in Myanmar, notably at Pindaya, InLe Lake, and Bagan, are becoming increasingly popular. With this sort of transportation experience, you can get more fantastic things than you can think when visiting this nation of religion.

The enjoyment of viewing the sights from a hot air balloon is incomparable. Travel to Bagan, a region of magnificent beauty, diverse culture, and architecture, for a hot air balloon trip and aerial views of Bagan's historic monuments. This will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Myanmar trip.Taxis In Myanmar, taxis are Japanese saloons or estate cars, and there are a large number of them on the road. If you don't want to take one of those Japanese saloons or estate vehicles, another option is to take one of the "blue taxis," which are little pickup trucks with two small benches in the back. Each travel will have a varied fee depending on the distance travelled. Almost wherever you go, you can take a taxi. Taking a taxi from restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers, on the other hand, is more expensive than other options.

If you intend to travel across Myanmar by vehicle, it is recommended that you rent a contemporary vehicle with air conditioning and a private driver to provide optimum comfort and flexibility.BusFor long-distance travel in Myanmar, the bus is the most common mode of transport. Taking a bus to go around cities and observe local people's everyday life is one of the most attractive things to do. When

visiting

Myanmar, a native bus trip is a great way to have a unique experience in this nation of centuries-old stupas.

Local bus:

This is the most basic variety, with no air conditioning and small seats. Those buses aren't as luxurious as the A/C and VIP buses.

Air-conditioned bus:

The most common mode of transportation is the air-conditioned bus. Those buses provide nighttime travel.

VIP bus:

For a lengthy travel, VIP buses are usually a good option. Large seats, air conditioning, a blanket, drink, a personal seatback, numerous restroom stops, and good service are all available on VIP Myanmar buses.BoatOn Burma trips, travelling by boat is enjoyable. On the road, you have the option of taking a bus, cycling, or walking alone. If you're being moved on the water's surface, though, a boat is one of the most popular forms of travel. It's practical as well as fascinating.

Slow and fast boats are frequently used to classify boat journeys into two categories. Slow boats are the most cost-effective method to travel on the water, and they also provide overnight accommodations for longer excursions; rapid boats, on the other hand, are considerably more expensive than slow boats, but they allow you to go

swift

ly and comfortably.

Top10 Recommended Hotels in Yangon, Myanmar with address

1. Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon40 Natmauk Road, Tamwe Township, 11211 Yangon, Myanmar 2. Hotel Esperado No. 23, Kan Yeik Thar Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, 11221 Yangon, Myanmar3. BEST WESTERN Chinatown Hotel 127-137, Anawrahta Road, Corner of Lanmdaw Street, Yangon downtown, 00127 Yangon, Myanmar4. Merchant Art Boutique Hotel 67/71, YarTarShae Lan Thit, Bahan Township, Bahan, 11221 Yangon, Myanmar5. Sedona Hotel Yangon No. 1, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Township, 11181 Yangon, Myanmar6. PARKROYAL Yangon 33 Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Township, Yangon downtown, 11181 Yangon, Myanmar7. Sule Shangri-La Yangon 223 Sule Road, Yangon downtown, 11181 Yangon, Myanmar8. Rose Garden Hotel 171 , upper pansodan road, 11211 Yangon, Myanmar9. Savoy Hotel 129, Dhammazedi Road, Bahan, 11181 Yangon, Myanmar10. Inya Lake Hotel37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township, Mayangone Township, 11181 Yangon, Myanmar

[narizoco-blog]

Where to Find Singapore Electronic Arrival Card

http://nl.ivisa.com/singapore-electronic-arrival-card

Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Explained All you need to do is select the expense you would like to pay for with points and comply with the upcoming actions to redeem. On account of the rebate, it is a vicious cycle of attempting to earn enough miles to hit a redemption threshold. Additionally, this card has primary rental vehicle collision coverage, therefore it's wonderful for renting cars.

The Fight Against Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Review the help document to make sure that you have all you need to fill out the form. For instance, the info could be employed to trace a fellow passenger that has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. Details of its implementation is going to be announced after the conclusion of the 3-month trial.

When you cancel a card, it will nonetheless remain on your credit report for 10 decades, therefore it won't impact your typical age of account. If you're interested in the way the card compares to other travel cards play with our charge card modeling tool to learn how different cards perform in regards to rewards. If you are searching for a new travel rewards credit card, you must check out these offers first.

Amazing exchange rates can likewise be found using your charge card. Generally speaking, it involves buying things you can easily liquidate to pay off your charge card. Then use the bill pay feature to repay my charge card charges.

So long as you maintain your card open, you'll receive a ShopRunner membership. That means you can continually earn utilizing this card. By explaining each card to the representative, you are more inclined to be qualified for another card.

The Fight Against Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Think about getting the task done by charging a few purchases to your card now's an excellent time to modify the carpets or replace aged appliances. Since you may see, it is a card that packs a whole lot of perks, and one you are able to rack up miles with pretty easily. Few U.S. cards arrive with this capability, but for people who travel internationally, it's vital.

Be ready to explain why you want each line of credit. Subprime borrowers have a tendency to carry massive balances, pay plenty of interest, and sometimes not pay the card off in any way. It is possible to see all the fees connected with many transactions here.

All you have to do is enter some of your own personal details utilized in your charge card application directly on Barclaycard's website. Provided that your travel purchase is over $100, you may use miles for the precise quantity of the transaction. Another choice is to use your points to pay the yearly fee.

New Ideas Into Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Never Before Revealed You might even get bonus points or miles for certain varieties of spending. Free breakfast is my preferred perk when I want to book a hotel! The yearly fee is also waived for the very first year.

The passenger is liable for consulting her health care provider before undertaking any flight. Don't forget, all-inclusive resorts include your food and beverages in the purchase price of your room (such as alcohol). You would have to purchase the airline or hotel certificate right from the airline or hotel's website.

[noqizeve-blog]

Finding the Best Singapore Electronic Arrival Card

https://es.ivisa.com/singapore-electronic-arrival-card

For instance, you should always pay your charge card bill in-full, even if this means paying several times each month to keep on budget.  The soonest time you'll be able to redeem is as soon as the purchase hits your account.  Instead you might get a $25 cash back statement credit once you've got 5,000 miles.

Over the last couple of decades, my husband and I've signed up for dozens of new charge card accounts.   Third, you always need to pay your bill in time.  The business creates customized, co-branded charge card programs for a few of the nation's most prosperous travel, entertainment, retail and affinity institutions.

You might even get bonus points or miles for certain varieties of spending.  When you arrive, you merely have to clearly show your passport for immigration clearance.  Since you may see, it is a card that packs a great deal of perks, and one it is possible to rack up miles with pretty easily.

Inside my experience, the earlier you call the better your odds.   Foreign visitors travelling with their families or in little groups will have the choice of earning a one-time group submission.  Back in the fantastic old days of 2012 you might have quite some of their cards and even get multiples in 1 day.

Chase The general guideline is that with Chase, you can just receive a signup bonus once for a particular card product.  Generally speaking, it involves buying things you could easily liquidate to pay off your charge card.  You are able to find out more about charge card approval through our in-depth article.

Visa or American Express gift cards are fantastic choices because it's possible to use them anywhere.   Ensure you print your receipt immediately.  The plain Arrival card doesn't provide that.

The Barclaycard Arrival is fast becoming one of my favourite rewards cards.  The Barclaycard Rewards Master Card is a normal cash back card that includes no yearly fee.

The reality is, there are dozens and dozens of ways that banks make money.  Most men and women pay their taxes once per year.  Just ensure you won't require the money for a little while.

Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Help! Besides having some facets of travel insurance provided, additionally it is simpler to dispute charges or find a refund. It is possible to also perform necessary repairs that you'd need to do later anyway.  Some providers especially health insurance and auto insurance businesses provide discounts if you purchase coverage a couple of months at a moment.

Car rental businesses calculate their loss of use in accordance with a formula that frequently employs a theoretical pace.   Since you may see, you may also opt to just partially redeem towards the price of a buy.  Learn more regarding the present offers here.

Instead, it's on the World MasterCard network, which doesn't arrive with nearly the exact number of advantages. Another choice is to use your points to pay the yearly fee.  Not much has changed during my latest visit once I purchased the membership.

New Questions About Singapore Electronic Arrival Card The Barclaycard Arrival Plus is a good travel card that earns miles that may be redeemed towards the price of a travel buy.  Costs also have an excess night of accommodation at a lovely alpine resort in Chamonix.   The JetBlue Card from Barclay is a remarkable selection for families or those who need to fly using JetBlue's service.

| Remember that simply because you're able to get qualified for the card, that doesn't indicate that you will obtain the bonus.  Though the card doesn't provide a sign-up bonus, it may be worthwhile to anybody who is searching for a basic rewards credit card particularly if they expect to spend $25,000 a year.  Other cards could be more difficult to figure out.

The Barclaycard Arrival Plus is a good choice if you desire a cash back'' rewards card for your trip purchases.  Ensure you print your receipt immediately.  The plain Arrival card doesn't provide that.

Still, it is a lot to keep an eye on which is the reason why I keep a credit score card rewards spreadsheet with each of the critical specifics.  You also have the capacity to reduce 1 credit line to create a credit score line for a new card.  This card is awesome since it provides you the choice to find a travel credit for any qualifying travel purchase but in addition offers you 2 points for every single dollar spent on anything.

For instance, you should always pay your charge card bill in-full, even if this means paying several times each month to keep on budget.   Subprime borrowers have a tendency to carry massive balances, pay plenty of interest, and sometimes not pay the card off whatsoever.  Barclays is more generous than the majority of other issuers when it has to do with labeling purchases as travel.

Most applications are accepted within minutes.  If you're apply for the SAME card make sure to wait 6 months and attempt to limit the number in credit inquiries on your account.  When the provider won't justify the fee by failing to reveal you the paperwork, a thriving charge card dispute might be a slam dunk.

The Meaning of Singapore Electronic Arrival Card The reality is, there are dozens and dozens of ways that banks make money.  Most men and women pay their taxes once per year.  You must find someone who you trust who you're able to send the money to.

Ruthless Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Strategies Exploited Travel doesn't need to be extremely costly.  Keep in mind, all-inclusive resorts include your food and beverages in the cost of your room (such as alcohol).  You would have to purchase the airline or hotel certificate directly from the airline or hotel's website.

Singapore Electronic Arrival Card: No Longer a Mystery The business has operated in over a hundred countries for at least 100 decades.  Foreign visitors travelling with their families or in little groups will have the choice of earning a one-time group submission.   Back in the fantastic old days of 2012 you might have quite some of their cards and even get multiples in 1 day.

Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Features Instead, it's on the World MasterCard network, which doesn't arrive with nearly the exact number of advantages. Another choice is to use your points to pay the yearly fee.  Options For The Fee lots of people have reported that you can merely call and request the fee to be waived and it's been waived.

Want to Know More About Singapore Electronic Arrival Card? Many insurance providers refuse to pay loss of use, and as soon as it comes right down to it, the losses suffered by means of a car rental company needs to be thought of as a price of conducting business in the automobile rental market.  A residence permit may also be issued for the use of vocational education and training.  Some providers especially health insurance and auto insurance businesses provide discounts if you purchase coverage a couple of months at a moment.

Car rental businesses calculate their loss of use in accordance with a formula that frequently employs a theoretical pace.  Take a look at the full benefits guide to observe the other exclusions.  Learn more regarding the present offers here.

The automobile rental business has flown under the radar in late decades,'' he adds.  When you arrive, you merely have to clearly show your passport for immigration clearance.  Since you may see, it is a card that packs a great deal of perks, and one it is possible to rack up miles with pretty easily.

| Typically, transferable points are definitely the most valuable kind of reward.  Rather than waiting to devote money till you need to, spend while you're attempting to collect your signup bonus.  Options For The Fee lots of people have reported that you can merely call and request the fee to be waived and it's been waived.

The Secret to Singapore Electronic Arrival Card The business has operated in over a hundred countries for at least 100 decades.  Though there are lots of different favorites within the brand.  Back in the fantastic old days of 2012 you might have quite some of their cards and even get multiples in 1 day.

Approval Odds aren't supposed to imply or guarantee that you'll be accepted by the lending company or that credit is going to be extended. The soonest time you'll be able to redeem is as soon as the purchase hits your account.  Barclays is more generous than the majority of other issuers when it has to do with labeling purchases as travel.

Over the last couple of decades, my husband and I've signed up for dozens of new charge card accounts.  Third, you always need to pay your bill in time.  Our March financials seem great.

Remember that simply because you're able to get qualified for the card, that doesn't indicate that you will obtain the bonus.  It offers flexibility and is pretty generous when it comes to earning rewards.  If you've got more than 1 card with them, tell them why each card is valuable to you.

You may read our review here or go right ahead and apply for the card at this time.  If you're interested in the way the card compares to other travel cards play with our charge card modeling tool to find out how different cards perform in regards to rewards. If you're looking for a new travel rewards credit card, you must check out these offers first.

When you're prepared to initiate the change, simply call into the number on the rear of your card and inform them which you need to product change the card.  You also have the capacity to reduce 1 credit line to create a credit score line for a new card.  A no-fee cash back card could be a better choice for the majority of people.

Singapore Electronic Arrival Card Ideas Travel doesn't need to be extremely costly.  Costs also have an excess night of accommodation at a lovely alpine resort in Chamonix.  The JetBlue Card from Barclay is a remarkable selection for families or those who need to fly using JetBlue's service.

The reality is, there are dozens and dozens of ways that banks make money.  Most men and women pay their taxes once per year.  You must find someone who you trust who you're able to send the money to.

You might even get bonus points or miles for certain varieties of spending.  To put it differently, it's holding you responsible for at least the car rental bill and the repairs.  On account of the rebate, it is a vicious cycle of attempting to earn enough miles to hit a redemption threshold.

There's delayed luggage insurance included as well for you to be in a position to buy necessities as you're without your bags.  So long as your travel purchase is over $100, you may use miles for the precise quantity of the transaction.  There aren't any foreign exchange fees.

Car rental businesses calculate their loss of use in accordance with a formula that frequently employs a theoretical pace.  Since you may see, you may also opt to just partially redeem towards the price of a buy.   Except when it is a dingy cash only bar, needless to say.

[irvinenewshq]

Guide 1 of the worlds finest business-class flights from NYC to Germany for simply 56K factors

In case you’ve ever wished to go to Germany’s famed Christmas markets in individual, now could be the time to go to in final consolation and elegance. As a part of Singapore Airways’ Spontaneous Escapes offers for November journey, you possibly can e-book a super-luxurious business-class seat for 56,700 KrisFlyer — the airline’s frequent flyer program — miles every manner. This can be a financial savings of 30% over regular redemptions. Associated: It would not get a lot better than this: Singapore Airways’ A380 in enterprise class from Frankfurt to New York Join our each day e-newsletter Even in case you’ve by no means set foot on a Singapore Airways aircraft (or visited Singapore, for that matter), you most likely nonetheless have entry to loads of the service’s KrisFlyer miles. That’s as a result of Singapore is among the solely airways that companions with all 4 of the foremost transferable level packages: American Categorical Membership Rewards, Chase Final Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One miles. We’re highlighting the one U.S.-based deal on this promotion. Nonetheless, in case you’re on the lookout for onward journey from Europe — or journey between different world cities — you may additionally discover some redemptions price exploring as a part of the Spontaneous Escapes promotions. Associated: 7 takeaways from my 1st Singapore Airways business-class expertise Deal fundamentals Airline: Singapore Airways. Routes: New York to Frankfurt. Learn how to e-book: Create/log in to a KrisFlyer account after which choose “Guide a Flight” in your dashboard. Select “Redeem flights” and fill in your journey particulars. The redemption low cost might be mirrored within the reserving abstract after you choose flights. Journey dates: Nov. 1 to 30. (Be aware that there are sporadic blackout dates.) Guide by: Oct. 31. Pattern flights Usually, fares on this deal will value about 17,500 KrisFlyer factors in economic system, 36,400 in premium economic system or 56,700 in enterprise class (plus taxes of about $60 per phase). We discovered business-class seats on a variety of dates in November. SINGAPORE AIRLINES Be aware that after you choose your flights, you may be notified of further taxes and costs to pay along with the factors redemption. SINGAPORE AIRLINES Maximize your buy Don’t overlook to make use of a card that earns bonus factors on airfare purchases, similar to The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, which earns 5 factors per greenback on airfare booked instantly with the airline or by American Categorical Journey (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar 12 months). The Citi Premier® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve earn 3 factors per greenback on airfare, and the American Categorical® Gold Card additionally earns 3 factors per greenback on airfare when booked instantly with the airline or by Amex Journey. In the meantime, the Chase Sapphire Most popular Card earns 2 factors per greenback on journey. Be taught extra right here about maximizing your air journey purchases. SINGAPORE AIRLINES/GETTY IMAGES Backside line In case your schedule is versatile in November, now could be the time to reap the benefits of Singapore Airways’ Spontaneous Escapes offers and check out its ultraluxurious enterprise class. Originally published at Irvine News HQ

[joyway2018-blog]

Last Mile Delivery

The urban surroundings could be a specific challenge for provision corporations and notably thus in ASEAN. The walk of the provision chain, that accounts for an oversized proportion of cargo prices and complexness of operations, is usually the foremost inefficient. This distribution unskillfulness in urban areas comes from low load factors, long dwell times at loading and unloading points and a high variety of delivery needs to individual customers among a brief time.

Two of the main challenges common to the walk pertain to loose deliveries and high delivery failure rates. For the previous, the shortage of order and delivery coordination between retailers has resulted in customers receiving multiple deliveries and a considerable quantity of your time awaiting their parcels. At the speed that buyers square measure turning to e-commerce for his or her desires, this is often a difficulty that must be self-addressed. For the latter, delivery failure rates have exceeded fifteen per cent signalling a desire for improvement within the current procedure.

Failed deliveries incur additional delivery prices for corporations as they create continual journeys to a similar threshold. because the e-commerce market in ASEAN grows to a foretold US$88 billion (S$120 billion) in but a decade, last mile delivery solutions should develop at a similar pace to satisfy the expectations of lots of customers. Singapore is presently undergoing some walk delivery developments and transformation:

TR46: Technical reference for walk delivery

Jointly launched by the Singapore producing Federation-Standards Development Organisation (SMF-SDO), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and SPRING Singapore, the TR46:2016 aims to standardise dataset formats and contour delivery processes between e-commerce retailers and provision service suppliers.

A common format can immensely improve communication between the varied players within the e-commerce provide chain; effectively reducing time, costs, and delivery errors, and sanctioning a seamless expertise for patrons.

Smart lockers

In Singapore, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has been tasked to deploy a nationwide united locker network to remodel the long run of walk deliveries in Singapore and cut back house-to- house delivery inefficiencies, particularly given the rise in on-line looking. Citing knowledge from provision suppliers, IMDA aforementioned that quite one in ten deliveries couldn't be consummated due largely to recipients not being reception. The locker system proposal won't be tied to any single operator, and might be utilized by all couriers, probably benefiting quite seven,600 provision service suppliers operational within the country.

Drone deliveries

The usage of drones is continually evolving in ASEAN with several developments in varied countries. Drone deliveries price less to control than ancient ground vehicles leading to price savings. Delivery time is additionally greatly shortened providing the fulfilment of same-day delivery for patrons.

In September 2015, Singpost with success conducted a recipient – documented delivery via associate unmanned Aerial Vehicle, its payload enclosed a letter and shirt. what is more, Singpost signed a partnership agreement with airliner Helicopters in April 2017, with aims to develop associate aerial drone delivery system for the urban town.

E-commerce case studies in Singapore

Amazon Prime

In July 2017, Amazon Prime was formally launched in Singapore with a 9290 Sq. m facility set within the west a part of the country. Prime currently in Singapore marks Amazon’s initial foray in Southeast Asia and it runs on a replacement operational model that leverages knowledge and technology like computing to realize bigger resource potency and near-real time delivery of products. Amazon Prime’s two-hour delivery service is simply created offered through the Prime currently mobile app. It provides shoppers in Singapore access to tens of thousands of product starting from groceries to physical science and equipment from its fulfilment centre.

Lazada (www.lazada.com)

Headquartered in Singapore, Lazada cluster could be a in private owned e-commerce company supported by Rocket net in 2011. As of 2014, Lazada cluster operated sites in state, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam and had raised just about US$647 million (S$883 million) over many investment rounds from its investors like Tesco, Temasek Holdings, Summit Partners, JPMorgan Chase, Investment AB Kinnevik and Rocket net.

In April 2016, Alibaba cluster proclaimed that it supposed to amass a interest in Lazada by paying US$500 million (S$681 million) for brand new shares and shopping for US$500 million price of shares from existing investors. land market company Tesco confirmed the sale of eight.6 per cent of its holding in Lazada to Alibaba for US$129 million (S$175 million). In June 2017, Alibaba cluster redoubled its investment in Lazada by an extra US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion), raising its stake from fifty one per cent to eighty three per cent. Alibaba invested with another US$2 billion (S$2.7 billion) into Lazada in March 2018. In Philippines, Lazada was graded the highest e-commerce player by iPrice, garnering a staggering sixty seven,679,800 monthly visits on-line in April 2018 compared to its nearest pursuer Shopee with nine,165,600 visits a month. In Singapore alone, Lazada has over five,000 retailers listed on the location, together with house names like Watsons, Best Genki and Gain town.

Redmart (www.redmart.com)

RedMart restricted was incorporated in 2011 and is predicated in Singapore. RedMart restricted operates a web grocery portal in Singapore. the corporate permits customers to shop for recent manufacture, meat and food, dairy farm and chilled, bakery, frozen, beverages, food cabinet, alcohol, health and wonder, house and pet, baby and kid, and residential and out of doors product on-line. It conjointly provides home delivery services. As per the dealings proclaimed on Christian holy day, 2016, RedMart restricted operates as a subsidiary of Lazada South East Asia Pte. Ltd.

Reebonz (www.reebonz.com)

Reebonz is a web platform for getting and merchandising luxury product. they provide premium brands at deep discounts privately sales and square measure modelled round the conception of ‘accessible luxury’, wherever members will look on internet or mobile for associate exciting assortment of recent and preowned luxury merchandise. Reebonz is one among the foremost established on-line luxury sales corporations in Southeast Asia, with business operations in eight countries, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan,Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and Republic of Korea. Reebonz was established in 2009 once e-commerce was simply starting in Asia and there was no clear market leader nonetheless. it had been conjointly the year of the worldwide monetary Crisis and lots of brands and corporations were handling buy in and Reebonz provided simply the platform for them to liquidate their inventory.

In 2017, Reebonz opened its 23225 sq. m headquarters in Singapore, housing its regional distribution centre yet as its international procural and promoting operations. The S$42 million (US$30 million) facility provides the corporate with a strategic platform to manage its regional cross border distribution from one single centre to serve the region.

Joyway offers last mile delivery solutions across the Singapore.

[shacklesburst]

Let’s talk about Miles

(no, not the Vorkosigan one)

Reward miles, or whatever they’re called by the airline of your choosing (my personal favorites: Qatar Airlines Qmiles, because they make you think of Qbits and lead to, like, entangled airplanes or some such; and Avianca’s Lifemiles, because that just sound like after you spent your last mile, you’re just going to drop (out of the air) dead) have become somewhat of a special interest of mine recently. So I thought I’d share what I’ve learned so far. Disclaimer: this post is written mostly from the European perspective, where carrier imposed surcharges (YQ/YR) are much higher than in the US and usually make up 80% of the price of an economy ticket.

Reward Miles - who are they for?

Even if you think gathering miles for flights will never really lead to anything -- because aren’t those just for constant business class flying jet setters? --, having a basic understanding of how miles work could save you some money in the long run regardless.

What’s a normal mile worth? Well, that depends very much on how you’re going to spend it and how you’re flying at the moment. Miles used for first class flights generally bring in the most, and that’s across the industry, but that just means that for the first class tickets you’d like to have, it’ll only cost you $3k instead of $8k, which doesn’t really help that much if the same ticket in coach is available for $500 (especially if those 500 are already straining your budget). Which immediately brings us to what is true for much of the economy:

miles are worth most to rich people flying business and up a lot

miles are worth quite a bit to moderately well-off people who want to fly business and up at least on long-hauls

miles are worth very little if the cheapest economy ticket is usually the only one you can afford

However, they’re basically never worth nothing. Using miles instead of cash might only save you a few bucks per flight, but there are hardly any flights where using miles doesn’t leave you any better off.

What can be done if you have them?

But first, lets get into some of the really cool things you could do if you just had a few miles lying around in your frequent traveler account.

Even if you’re usually not in the running for that sweet $8k private suite above the skies, flying first once, even if it’s just for the experience itself, isn’t actually that far out of reach for most people. Most airlines have various sweet spots where flying in the upper classes using miles approaches premium economy costs for the same distance. The bad thing about that is that those flights are usually starting somewhere you ain’t and lead to where you don’t wanna be. But if you ever find yourself in need of going from Frankfurt to Bahrain via Dammam somewhen between 14 to 3 days from now, that flight in Lufthansa First, including access to the FRA LH First Terminal and Lounge, including being brought directly to the airplane with a limousine driven by a chaffeur can be had ... for about €800 ($930 at current rates). Without ever having to have gotten any mile with any airline before!

Obviously some hacks need to be applied for this to work. First of all, you wouldn’t book that flight through Lufthansa’s own frequent flyer program. Instead, you’d use a Star Alliance partner, in this example KrisFlyer (the Singapore Airlines rewards miles program), where that flight would cost you 35k KrisFlyer miles + taxes and fees (about €200). Now, how to get those KrisFlyer miles if you’re not usually flying Singapore Airlines?

So how do I get them?

Many airlines actually just sell miles! For cash! Miles usually cost anything from 2¢ to 4¢, and depending on use case, they’re worth something between 2¢ to (in extreme cases like this example) 8-10¢. One of the most common sweet spots, flying business on specific long hauls, typically lead to mile yields of about 4¢ a mile. Buying miles at prices below 1.5¢ is almost always worth it, as long as you use them up pretty fast after that. Once bought, you cannot get back your cash’s worth again outside the specific usages the airline will have for the miles. Many airlines also sell miles at lower prices multiple times a year, so a wait and see approach (and never buying miles at the non-discounted rates) will lead to more yield.

Then there’s always promotions for (most notably) credit cards, insurance policies and the like, where getting a new card will net you some miles. Obviously there are associated costs with those promotions as well, but it doesn’t hurt anything grabbing any miles that come with something you needed to get anyways. Then the effective cost of a mile obviously approaches zero and they basically turn into free money.

The most common way shouldn’t be entirely forgotten either: flying and paying full price for your tickets, netting you some award miles. This is most useful if somebody else is paying that ticket price for you, though, because as outlined above, you can almost always save at least some money by exclusively using reward flights for all your needs.

Why don’t the airlines stop this?

So, by now we’ve basically realized that miles aren’t that hard to come by, and using them virtually always undercuts the regular ticket price. So shouldn’t airlines make it harder for people to use miles to their advantage? If everybody had to pay the regular ticket price all the time, the airline surely would net more money?

Yes and no. The airline would make more money if it really sold all those seats at their usual rates all the time. Even with all the talk about overbooked flights, they don’t really, though. I’ve been on planes with hardly any people on them before and airlines know how to make especially those routes they can’t fill that well attractive for people with some miles. That way they at least get some money, even if it’s not full price. (As for why more airlines don’t go for the easier route of lowering official ticket prices then? I don’t really know. Probably a combination of marketing strategy, tradition (also everybody else is doing it) and the limits of the algorithms that determine seat pricing nowadays.

Also, reward programs are designed to be hard to understand and effectively navigate. Most people will collect miles by activities where a single mile costs them more than the “ideal” 1-2¢ cents and spend them in ways that will net them much less per mile. Research into them takes time (and it’s really not enough to just know stuff about one program ... it really helps being familiar with multiple) and mental capacity, along with the opportunity costs associated with those activities. It’s hardly worth it for the airline to fill every last loophole when none but a few insistent people ever take advantage of those. And even then the advantages are certainly noticeable for the single traveler, but you almost never get to fly for literally nothing.

So, now for how to get the most out of your miles.

What airlines hate: flexibility.

Lufthansa has a special program for redeeming miles called mileage bargains (German: Meilenschnäppchen). With that program, you pay only about half miles for rewards flights on routes that Lufthansa chooses monthly. A non-stop return business flight to Asia (the farthest awards region Lufthansa has) would only cost you 70k miles under a mileage bargain. Let’s assume a regular buying price of about 1¢ per mile now. This is an average assuming that some of those miles were accumulated through promotions for stuff you’d have bought anyways, or that you transferred from another rewards program (eg a credit card rewards program where you collect points just for getting your regular groceries). So some of those miles literally didn’t cost you anything, and others probably cost you a bit above 1¢.

Then the 70k miles “cost” you about €700. Add to that taxes and carrier imposed surcharges of about €500 for a flight to Asia and we’re coming out at about €1200 for a business class return flight, lounge access in Frankfurt or Munich included on the ticket. If you have an Amex Platinum, that business class ticket will even be enough not only for the business class lounges but for the Senator/HON Circle/Star Alliance Gold lounges. (Lounges come with free food and showers, among other things, so lounge access at an airport should have assigned a value of at least 30-40€ per visit. Which is incidentally just about what paid lounge access usually costs.)

The same return flight would regularly come out in excess of €2800. Regular cheapest economy will come out at around €700. So we’ve just reduced the ticket price by about 58%, or, coming from the economy ticket, for less than double the price of our ticket we’ve just upgraded significantly and will travel much more comfortable for the more than 10 hours our flight’s gonna take to Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo (and back).

The catch: in September 2018 that mileage bargain is available to Tokyo and Osaka. Last month, it was only Osaka. Hong Kong and Seoul aren’t available at all this month. There’s also no destination available in Middle or South America this time. There’s almost always something available in North America, but one month it might be Chicago, and the next it’s NY.

The second catch: Lufthansa tells me I can only book that flight when I’m willing to go sometime between January 1, 2019 and February 15, 2019. Availability isn’t guaranteed for any specific dates (though it is in general pretty good, especially at the start of the month just after new bargains were released).

That’s why I named this section after the fact that airlines hate flexibility. Both in the sense that they’re setting very inflexible targets when there’s a bargain to be had for a customer. And that there’s always a bargain to be had if you’re flexible and either want to really go in that time frame, but don’t care so much where to. Or you know where you want to go and don’t much care about the specific time frame, so you can just wait one or two months until your preferred destination pops up under a bargain and then book it.

(Which nicely ties into that first class flight to Bahrain that we talked about in the intro. If you don’t care to end up in Bahrain, take that plane and enjoy first class. But for people on a schedule and no business in Bahrain, that flight obviously doesn’t have much value. And so even €800 would be too much to pay.)

Conclusion (for the time being)

This post is already pretty long, so I’m gonna cut off here. I’d be interested in any asks that come up and if I should expand this into a series. I’m guessing there are probably a lot of resources for stuff like this already, but the more I’m finding out, the more I want to share of course. Read and review, I guess. (Damn, I really should write more fanfic.)

[a380flightdeck]

FOR A WHOLE HOST OF REASONS, airports are often bewildering, maddening places. There is much to be found in the modern-day terminal to enrage, confuse, or vex the traveler. Where to begin?

The following list was inspired by a layover I spent not long ago at Incheon International Airport (ICN), serving Seoul, Korea. Not to take away from perennial survey-toppers like Amsterdam’s Schiphol or Singapore’s Changi Airport (amenities at Changi include a movie theater, a swimming pool and a butterfly garden), but Incheon stands as the most functional, attractive, and overall flyer-friendly airport I’ve ever visited. It’s cavernous and immaculate, with a cathedral-like calm throughout. Security and immigration are a breeze; international transit is effortless. The staff at the multilingual information desks are disarmingly helpful. Amenities include free internet, free showers, luggage storage, cellphone rental desks, a post office and massage facilities. Relaxation areas, with sofas and easy chairs, are set away from the main thoroughfares.  There’s a cultural center, a museum, and a full-service hotel inside the secure zone, allowing those with extended layovers to rent a room without the need to clear immigration. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, a tour desk arranges free excursions to Incheon city. If you’re headed into Seoul, the airport’s high-speed rail connection will have you downtown in under an hour. Why can’t every airport be like this?

FIFTEEN THINGS NO TERMINAL SHOULD BE WITHOUT:

1. A fast, low-cost public transportation link to downtown.

In a way, choosing a favorite airport is like choosing a favorite hospital: amenities aside, nobody really wants to be there in the first place, and the easier and faster you can get the hell out, the better. To that end, every terminal should have a public transport links similar to those across Asia and Europe. The examples of Portland, Oregon and Washington-Reagan notwithstanding, rail links in the United States aren’t nearly as convenient – when the exist at all. Or how about JFK, where for hundreds of millions dollars they finally got the AirTrain completed — an inter-terminal rail loop that connects only as far as the Queens subway. It can take 45 minutes, up and down a Rube Goldberg assembly of escalators, elevators and passageways, just to get from one terminal to another, let alone all the way to Manhattan.

2. In-transit capabilities

It’s a shame that American airports cannot, for whatever reasons, recognize the “in transit” concept. In the United States, all passengers arriving from other countries, even if they’re merely passing through on the way to a third country, are forced to clear customs and immigration, collect and re-check their luggage, and pass through security screening. It’s an enormous hassle, unheard of in most of the world. And it costs our airlines millions of annual customers. Why change planes in the US, where you’ll have to stand in three different lines, be photographed and fingerprinted, re-check your bags and face the TSA gauntlet, when instead you can transfer seamlessly in Frankfurt or Dubai? Indeed this is part of what has made carriers like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and others so successful.

3. Complimentary wireless internet

What do we do at airports? We kill time. And there are few better and more productive ways of killing time than logging on to the Web. Send an email to your mistress, read my blog, Skype your friend in Slovenia. Many, if not most major terminals do have Wi-Fi access, but it’s often expensive and cumbersome (few things in life are more irritating than those credit card payment pages). It should be everywhere, and it should be free.

4. Convenience stores

It appears the evolution of airport design will not be complete until the terminal and shopping mall become indistinguishable. I’m okay with Starbucks and souvenir kiosks, but it’s the saturation of high-end boutiques that always confounds me. Apparently there isn’t a traveler alive who isn’t in dying need of a hundred-dollar Mont Blanc pen, a remote-control helicopter or a thousand-dollar massage chair. And what’s with all the luggage stores? Who on earth buys a suitcase after they get to the airport? What we really need are the same sorts of things we buy at CVS or the corner convenience store: basic groceries and dry goods, stationery, and personal care items. Brussels and Amsterdam are two that do this right, with in-terminal food marts and pharmacies.

5. Power ports

I didn’t realize that passengers have a right—nay, a duty—to mooch electricity from their carrier of choice, but at this point it’s a lost cause to argue. I hope your battery isn’t dying, because good luck finding an outlet that isn’t hooked up already to somebody’s iPhone or computer. Airlines should throw in the towel and build more charging stations.

6. Showers and a short-stay hotel

Another amenity that is common overseas but sorely lacking in North America.  No serious international terminal should be without a place to wash up or crash for a few hours. Passengers arriving from overseas can shower and change before their next connection. Those with longer waits can grab a nap in one of those pay-by-the-hour sleeping pods.

7. Play areas for children

Truth be told, airport play areas encourage toddlers to shriek and yell even more than they already do, but at least they’re doing it in a localized area that’s easy for the rest of us to avoid. Ideally, this spot should be in a soundproofed bubble six miles from the airport, but a space at the far end of the concourse is a reasonable alternative. The Delta terminal in Boston has a pretty cool kidport, but nothing tops the “Kids’ Forest” at Amsterdam-Schiphol. I’d play there myself if nobody was watching.

8. Better dining options — i.e. fewer chain restaurants

Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Sbarro’s. Airport cuisine isn’t a whole lot different from the shopping mall food court. We need more independent restaurants serving actual food, ideally with a local bent.

The next time you’re at LaGuardia, check out the Yankee Clipper restaurant over at the Marine Air Terminal. That’s the circular building at the far southwest corner of the airport, with the art deco doors and flying fish relief along its rooftop. Yankee Clipper is a cafeteria-style place on the left-hand side of the rotunda. It’s good greasy spoon food with absolutely no corporate affiliation. The Marine Air Terminal was the launching point of the first-ever transatlantic and around-the-world flights, and the restaurant’s walls are decorated with historic photographs. You can eat in, or take your sandwich out to one of the wooden benches beneath the famous James Brooks “Flight” mural. Commissioned in 1952, Brooks’ expansive, 360-degree painting traces the history of aviation from mythical to (then) modern, Icarus to Pan Am Clipper. Its style is a less than shy nod at Socialist realism, and at the height of ’50’s McCarthyism, in a controversy not unlike that surrounding Diego Rivera’s famous mural at Rockefeller Center, it was declared propaganda and obliterated under gray paint. Not until 1977 was it restored.

9. An information kiosk

Where is the Yankee Clipper restaurant? Where is the nearest ATM? Where is the nonexistent subway link to the city? Every arrivals hall ought to have personnel who can give directions, hand out maps and make change.

10.  A bookstore

Reading on planes is a natural, am I right? Why then is it so hard to find a proper bookstore at an airport? (Not all of us pre-load our reading material on a Kindle.) Not long ago, every major airport had a proper bookseller. Nowadays they are harder and harder to find, and usually what passes as a bookstore is really just a newsstand hawking a thin selection of business books, thrillers and pop-culture trash. Believe it or not, travelers’ tastes extend beyond Sudoku, Suze Orman, and the latest CEO autobiography.

11. Sufficient gate-side seating

If the plane at the gate holds 250 people, there ought to be a minimum of 250 chairs in the boarding lounge. There is something uncivilized about having to sit on the floor while waiting to board. Do we sit on the floor when waiting for a table in a restaurant, or at the doctor’s office? When Changi was built in Singapore, the gates were outfitted with no fewer than 420 chairs, matching the number on the average 747.

12.  Escalator etiquette

Americans haven’t figured out how to behave on an escalator. If you’re not in a hurry, stand on the right and enjoy the ride, allowing those of us with a flight to catch to walk on the left. Instead we stand in the middle, hogging up both sides.  Ditto for moving sidewalks. The point of the moving sidewalk is to expedite your passage, not to indulge your laziness. You’re not supposed to stand on it, you’re supposed to walk on it. And to take yet another page from the Europeans and Asians, what prevents us from fitting escalators and sidewalks with a light-beam trigger that shuts off the motor when nobody is on them? Ours run constantly, riders or no riders, wasting huge amounts of energy.

13. A view

Why are so many architects intent on hiding the fact that airports are actually airports? Gateside seating always faces away from the windows, and the windows themselves are sometimes intentionally opaqued or obstructed by barriers. Why? Penty of people would enjoy the opportunity to sit and watch the planes go by. You needn’t be an airplane buff to find this relaxing, or even a little exciting. As a bonus, more windows mean more natural light — always welcome over harsh fluorescents.

14. Bring back the airstairs!

Have you ever taken a good look at a jet bridge (or Jetway to use the proprietary term), that strange umbilicus connecting terminal to fuselage? One thing to notice is how ridiculously overbuilt they are. Do we really need all of that metal and cable and wire and hydraulics for what is, at heart, a simple gangway?

Of course, I am opposed to jet bridges on principle. I prefer the classic, drive-up airstairs. Some of the international stations I fly to still employ those old-timey stairs, and I always get a thrill from them. There’s something dramatic about stepping onto a plane that way: the ground-level approach along the tarmac followed by the slow ascent. The effect is like the opening credits of a film — a brief, formal introduction to the journey. By contrast, the jet bridge makes the airplane almost irrelevant; you’re merely in transit from one annoying interior space (terminal) to another (cabin).

Save your emails. This is just me being romantic. The benefits to the jet bridge are obvious — inclement weather, disabled passengers, etc. – and I realize there’s no going back.

15. Last but not least, some aesthetic flair

If an airport has one aesthetic obligation, it’s to impart a sense of place: you are here and nowhere else. On this front, Europe and Asia again set the standard. I think of Lyon and its magnificent hall by Santiago Calatrava, or Kuala Lumpur with its indoor rainforest, and a dozen places between, where terminal design is a point of expressive pride — where it makes a statement, be it quietly stylish or architecturally stupendous.

Take the magnificent Suvarnabhumi airport (pronounced “Su-wanna-poom”) in Bangkok, Thailand. Its central terminal is the most visually spectacular airport building I have ever seen. At night, as you approach by highway from the city, it looms out of the darkness like a goliath space station — a vision of glass and light and steel, its immense transoms bathed in blue spotlight. Or for sheer character, try the little airport in Timbuktu, Mali. Here you’ll find a handsome, Sudanese-style building emulating the mud-built mosques ubiquitous in that country.

With scattered exceptions (Denver, San Francisco, Washington, Vancouver), there is nothing comparable in America. To the contrary, some of our most expensive airport renovations have been terrible disappointments. JetBlue’s wildly overrated home at JFK, for example. Terminal 5 – or “T5” as the carrier likes to call it — is a $743 million, 72-acre structure that opened in 2008 to considerable promotion and fanfare. Inside, the atrium food court and rows of shops conspire to make yet another airport feel like yet another mall. The Wi-Fi is free, and so is the noise and claustrophobia at the overcrowded gates. But it’s the exterior that’s the real tragedy. Although the street-side facade is at worst cheerless, the tarmac-side is truly abominable — a wide, low-slung, industrial-brutalist expanse of concrete and gray. Once again it looks like a shopping mall.  Or, to be more specific, it looks like the back of a shopping mall. All that’s missing are some pallets and dumpsters. The facility’s only visual statement is one of not caring, a presentation of architectural nothingness, absolutely empty of inspiration — precisely what an airport terminal should not be. Is this the best we can do?

It’s ironic that Eero Saarinen’s landmark TWA “Flight Center” sits directly in front of T5, itself part of the JetBlue complex. The TWA building is supposed to serve as an entryway lobby and ticketing plaza for T5, though for now it remains semi-derelict and only partly renovated. I wish they’d finish the thing so that more people could appreciate what is arguably the most architecturally significant airport terminal ever constructed. Regarded as a modernist masterpiece, the Flight Center opened in 1962 and was the first major terminal built expressly for jet airliners. Saarinen, a Finn whose other projects included the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the terminal at Washington-Dulles, described his TWA as “all one thing.” The lobby is a fluid, unified sculpture of a space, at once futuristic and organic. It’s a kind of Gaudi inversion, a carved-out atrium reminiscent of the caves of Turkish Cappadocia, overhung by a pair of cantilevered ceilings that rise from a central spine like huge wings.

And just to the north of T5 used to be the National Airlines Sundrome, designed by I. M. Pei. It opened in 1970 and was named in honor of National’s yellow and orange sunburst logo and its popular routes between the Northeast and Florida. After National was folded into Pan Am, the terminal was taken over by TWA. Later it was used by jetBlue, then abandoned and torn down. Pei and Saarinen, a half-minute walk from each other. Our airports ain’t what they used to be.

Am I making too much of this? While terminal design and passenger friendliness are important, isn’t it the operational aspects of an airport—the state of its runways, taxiways, and logistical infrastructure—that ultimately matter most? Indeed, but here too the situation is worrying, as any American who travels globally can attest. Once again, it’s a funding issue. Our airports are failing, and nobody wants to pay for them.

“Other parts of the world are more enlightened in their aviation policies than we are,” said Greg Principato, North American president of the Airports Council International, speaking at a conference in 2012. He added that members of the U.S. Congress have a poor understanding of how the upkeep and renovation of U.S. airports needs to be funded. “They have a sense that airports are economically important,” he explained, “but don’t really understand why.” Principato warns that the declining state of its airport infrastructure puts the United States “at risk of being turned into a feeder system for the global aviation network.”

But let’s change gears for a minute, and move from what airports lack to something they have too much of. To me, the single most annoying thing about airports is how noisy they are. I’m not talking about the noise from jet engines. I’m talking about the in-terminal noise. I’m talking about the sounds of humanity on the move, with our shrieking kids, and our beeping electric carts, our laughing and our shouting and our cellphone chatter. All of it amplified by the sadistic acoustics of the typical terminal.

And what makes this a distinctly American problem is our peculiar infatuation with public address announcements. As we’ve already seen, there are plenty of good ideas that American airports can borrow from their counterparts in Europe and Asia, but perhaps none would be more appreciated than realizing that passengers need not be assailed by a continuous loop of useless and redundant PAs: security alerts, boarding calls, traffic and parking directives, promotional and welcome messages. You’ll often hear two or more announcements playing simultaneously. I’ve heard up to four of them blaring at once, rendering all of them unintelligible in a hurricane of noise.

Intensifying this bombardment are those infernal gate-side television monitors blaring CNN Airport Network. These yammering hellboxes are everywhere, and they cannot be turned off. There is no volume control, no power cord, no escape. Every gate has one, and they run twenty-four hours a day. Not even the employees know how to shut them up (believe me, I’ve asked).

All of this sonic pollution does not make passengers more attentive or keep them better informed. What it does is make an already stressful and nerve-wracking experience that much worse.

On a lighter note, am I the only one struck by the phenomenon of teenage girls carrying big fluffy pillows onto airplanes? I’m uncertain when this trend got started, but take a look around in any terminal, anywhere in the world, and you’ll see girls clutching big fluffy pillows.

What’s wrong with this? Nothing. It’s a great idea, especially now that carriers no longer dispense even tiny, non-fluffy pillows on all but the longest flights. In a window seat, putting a pillow between your body and the sidewall creates a comfy sleeping surface. I only bring it up because, on behalf of guys everywhere, I feel excluded. It’s unfair. Grown men like me can’t walk through airports with big fluffy pillows unless we’re willing to get laughed at. We’re stuck with those neck pillow things.

But this isn’t right. To hell with dignity, I say. It’s time to rise up and break the pillow barrier. Who will be first? I’m thinking we should organize a march — a line of men strutting through the concourse, pillows proudly in hand.  

“We’re men, we’re strong, this is true, Fluffy pillows aren’t just for you! Downy soft, pastel blues, Come on girls, let us snooze!”

Later, in the parking lot, we can high-five and toss a few of those neck braces into a bonfire. And I smell a gold here mine for airport merchants. Instead of luggage and massage chairs, why not a pillow shop right there in the terminal? No need to lug one from home when you can pick one up gate-side for just a few bucks. You’d have a choice of foam or feather, and a selection of pillowcases to pick from. To entice the guys, cases could be emblazoned with camo patterns and beer logos.

[globalnewz1]

Weekly Review: March 6, 2021

Hope everyone has a great weekend so far!

In terms of points and travel, Amex added cell phone coverage this week to select premium cards, a Fly Armenia Airways 737 that has been mysteriously rerouted to Iran. Surinam Airways got rid of the new 777. Frontier Airlines narrowly avoided a catastrophic de-icing incident, an Air France, 777 was destroyed by Greenpeace and much more.

Here is a recap from this week on the blog:

Selected stories

12 best credit card deals March 2021

Every month I write a post with what I think is the best credit card deals, with a particular focus on the best travel credit cards.

It’s 2021 and there is a sense of hope for many of us. People will be vaccinated, and hopefully parts of the world will go back to normal (at least) sometime this year. This is a great reason to put your points-earning strategy in order so that you can plan your dream trip when the time is right.

While there are several excellent long-term credit card offers, the specifics of the top offers are constantly changing (be it the annual fee, minimum spend, or even the size of the welcome bonus).

Delta Pay With Miles: Everything You Need To Know

While Delta SkyMiles is not my preferred mileage currency, one of the things I like about SkyMiles is that the program has a higher “floor” value for miles than American and United.

This means you may be able to “cash out” SkyMiles for the cost of a ticket at a cheaper rate than AAdvantage and MileagePlus.

All of this is thanks to Delta’s “Pay with Miles” feature, with which you can redeem miles for the cost of a Delta purchase at the cost of one cent each. In this post I wanted to see how that works.

Yes, airline contracts of carriage are completely unfair

I can’t think of any other industry that has contracts with customers that are as one-sided as we see it in the aviation industry … but it’s been like that for a long time.

TIPS: Earn miles and promos

8 reasons to get the Hilton Surpass Card Save at Best Western with Amex offers American Selling AAdvantage Miles for 45% off 12 best credit card deals March 2021 Free flights for members of the New Alaska Mileage Plan in California Awesome: Amex Platinum $ 30 monthly PayPal credit Hilton honors points of sale with a 100% bonus (0.5 cents per point) Southwest Airlines points of sale for 40% off Wyndham Rewards points of sale with 40% bonus Awesome: Southwest Credit Card Companion Pass Bonus Offers (Last Chance) Finnair Plus points of sale for a 40% discount Huge welcome bonuses for New Delta Amex Qatar Airways Privilege Club New Member Bonus American Airlines Business Extra Bonus for New Members

TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)

Yes, airline contracts of carriage are completely unfair What does the new vaccination timeline mean for travel?

GUIDELINES & Programs

My Hyatt Concierge: How valuable is this benefit? Hilton Surpass Weekend Night Reward: Is It Worth It? Will Closing Credit Cards Affect Your Credit? Delta SkyMiles expands upgrade certificates and makes them easier to use Delta Pay With Miles: Everything You Need To Know Guide to Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences Gold Delta American Express Card Review (2021)

News update

SWITZERLAND Details New Economy Buy On Board Service JetBlue takes over A321neo with new mint seats The more than 21-hour journey of an Embraer E190 to Australia Surinam Airways wants to get rid of new used 777s Wow: Amex is adding cell phone protection to premium cards A bird strike causes KLM a six-hour flight to nowhere Hmm: United Airlines orders more Boeing 737 MAXs Exciting: Alila Napa Valley opening March 2021 (taking reservations now) Bizarre: Fly Armenia 737 flies to Iran, is “missing” Singapore Airlines is reconfiguring all 12 A380s with new cabins Uganda Airlines plans flights to London Heathrow with A330-800neo Frontier Flight avoids “catastrophic” de-icing incidents Surinam Airways is getting rid of new used 777s British Airways gives in to Ghana’s empty threat Boeing raises concerns about the safety of the Airbus A321XLR Lufthansa plans to start the new Business Class in 2022 Marriott rewards vaccinated employees UK passenger tax will rise (again) in 2022 New York eases restrictions on vaccinated travelers Air France 777 destroyed by Greenpeace China Needs Anal Coronavirus Test For Travelers American Airlines employee vaccination incentive SITA responsible for new airline data breach EgyptAir will fly to Israel and replace the mysterious Luft Sinai Aer Lingus’ Manchester Transatlantic flights will soon be on sale

I hope everyone has a nice rest of the weekend!

source https://globalconnekt.com/weekly-review-march-6-2021/

source https://globalconnekt1.wordpress.com/2021/03/07/weekly-review-march-6-2021/

[mehdiestavi]

The benefits of blockchain in loyalty programs

The adoption of blockchain is expanding globally and increasing customer loyalty as well as changing the narrative of customer loyalty in a variety of ways.

Loyalty programs are a huge $ 360 billion industry that annually issues more than 16 trillion loyalty points to 7.6 billion consumers. This is an important industry that businesses use to attract costs and customer loyalty.

Loyalty programs are noticeable but fragmented. There are many loyalty programs, each with its own way of earning points and spending. This can lead to customer frustration and a flood of unused privileges. According to a study by Colloquy, an average American has enrolled in at least 29 different loyalty programs. Approximately 50% of these loyalty programs are inactive and 30% of customers never spend a single point.

Most loyalty programs are very limited and this can discourage the customer. Customers can usually spend points only at the same retailer from which they earned points. Putting restrictions on how and where points are spent reduces the overall value of the loyalty program.

Through blockchain, companies can decentralize their loyalty programs and reap the benefits of this technology.

This article outlines 5 ways to improve blockchain loyalty programs.

A more efficient experience When companies have more than one loyalty program, it becomes difficult for the company and its customers to manage. Lack of a simple customer loyalty program leads to missed opportunities, lost privileges, and frustration. Forbes article examines the use of a blockchain-based system using a single digital coin, such as Bitcoin, across many brands or companies. This decentralized approach makes it easier to manage and track the loyalty program, which saves more time and value to the customer. With this approach, customers have more flexibility and choice, which encourages them to spend more. Although this method is effective, it is not suitable for all jobs. If loyalty programs are managed independently, their outsourcing can be costly. This approach is suitable for larger companies and large assemblies such as Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy, or companies that enter into a strategic partnership with other brands from a complementary industry. Such as chain hotels, airlines, and transportation companies. Blockchain shows the future and present of some consumer loyalty programs. Singapore Airlines and Delta Airlines, for example, have recently introduced a blockchain-based loyalty program, replacing cryptocurrencies that customers can use for retail purchases with air miles.

The reward of loyalty that increases in value If brands are reluctant to build a global digital loyalty coin shared with other brands, they can choose the next best option, interchangeable coins. According to a report by Kaleido Insights, the ability to exchange these digital reward coins is a business opportunity for brands. Blockchain-enabled digital coins are very flexible and can be exchanged for loyalty points, as they can be treated as currency. The customer who joins these loyalty programs can exchange loyalty coins with several other digital currencies. This gives people more flexibility in how to use digital reward coins, which of course increases the value of the loyalty program and encourages people to buy more of that brand. Digital reward coins can even be exchanged for products or services from other brands because the digital coin goes beyond the company that issued it. The result of this digital coin-based economy is a reward for loyalty that increases in value the more it is used. Mehdi Estavi

[cardsvistas]

13 Things You Won’t Miss Out If You Attend American Airlines Credit Card 13 Miles | american airlines credit card 13 miles

American Airlines is the leading airline in the U.S. and they use their credit card to give great rewards and incentives for passengers. The best part about this card is that American Airlines will give you 75000 miles for every dollar spent on airfare. You can earn extra miles by flying to certain destinations or getting free upgrades.

This is just one reason why they are the most widely used airline for airfare, especially for people who don't have much extra money to spend on a flight to the destination they want to go to. Other reasons include the fact that American Airlines credit cards are very affordable when compared with other credit cards, as you don't have to pay a high interest rate.

Most of the airfare discounts are available for passengers that book online. You must first make a reservation at an airfare agency online and then you can choose from the various available airlines. All you have to do is fill out your credit card information on the application and submit it. American Airlines will contact you if any discounts are available.

Some of the discounts that American Airlines offers include: free seats, discounted baggage charges, complimentary meals on board, frequent flyer miles, and more. The good thing about American Airlines credit cards is that you can redeem them towards any international airfares including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and more.

You may also get free upgrades to your preferred international flight if you spend the money from the airfare agency and have an airline credit card. These are some of the benefits that you can get from American Airlines credit cards. It's best that you check out their website so that you can get the exact amount of points that you can redeem and get discount tickets.

There are many different companies that offer travel rewards cards so it's important that you look for the one that offers you the best deal and the most rewards. You will be able to save money by using such a card for airfare, because you will not have to pay any extra for the credit.

With airfare cards, you will have the chance to save even more money because you won't have to pay for fuel surcharges on your journey. Most of these cards allow you to earn a certain amount of points each time you use the card to buy tickets for your trip.

Another advantage of these credit cards is that you can redeem them at any American Airlines airport. In fact, you can use this to your advantage by saving more money. For example, you can get a free ticket if you know where the nearest terminal is. or if you know the closest bus station.

There are many airline reward programs available from American Airlines, which includes many free flight tickets, free rental cars, free airline checked bags, free meals, and a lot more. You can find out more information about them from their website.

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[sharyjournals]

Sharkwater Extinction (2018) - another must watch for everyone! i’m so amazed by the shark conversationists & activists for doing whatever they can to help save sharks and enlighten people about this devastating problem happening in our world today. i have never thought that 100 million sharks get killed every year not only for shark fin soup but are also turning up in pet food, livestock feed, fertilizer and even in cosmetics. some also kill them for fun and enjoyment which is just totally horrible. 

shark finning in costa rica (illegal)

it’s always the same with the government they say one thing and do another

illegal activities are still happening like, to bring illicit fins in a country all you have to do is land them in port on the weekend when there are no security officials around, no operations & establishments are closed 

people don’t realize there’s so much money in the trade of animals, especially of fins, it’s a billion dollar industry 

there’s multimillionaires playing mafia rings like puppeteers trying to EXPLOIT THE RESOURCE

there are mafia warehouses drying shark fins

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP SAVE SHARKS WORLDWIDE?

taiwanese companies pay huge to buy docks in costa rica. these were multimillion dollar deals that lets them work without fear. they have thousands of boats fishing in eastern pacific & bring their catch to costa rica through these private docks which is then shipped out through the airport. they are a VERY POWERFUL MAFIA. they bought this government and the past ones too. 

sharks are worth an enormous amount of money, and mostly for their fins where a single pound of fin is worth over $200 so fisherman around the world in poor countries pull up sharks and CUT OFF ITS FINS, THROW THE REST OF THE BODY BACK, dry the fin. you don’t need refrigeration systems on your boat so even the most decrepit boats can go out there and make enormous amounts of money. SHARKS ARE BEING KILLED EVERYWHERE.

costa rica is a good country but unfortunately there’s very bad layers in it. the problem is a big local company owned by a costa rican millionaire owns two boats and bring in FIVE TONS OF SHARK FINS EVERY WEEK. they unload at night because no authorities are working then and dry the fins to sell to singapore or taiwan. he has helicopters, apartments, hotels, all thanks to shark fins.

in bahamas, one of the most amazing sharks in the world, the oceanic whitetip shark goes there only on May, was once of the most abundant large predator on the planet, they were everywhere but because they have massive fins that are highly valued in the fin industry their POPULATION HAVE DROPPED 99% in the atlantic and caribbean

in miami, there are shark hunting businesses, some of them does not believe in endangered sharks and think of them as just propaganda, for them there’s plenty of sharks to catch every trip, and believed that sharks are just animals on earth that are meant for people to eat

people tell you your whole life to be afraid of sharks. everything we’ve been receiving from the media, from everybody, is that sharks are dangerous and they’re gonna kill you and eat you. but the reality is totally different. they have been on earth for 400 million years and survived five major extinctions that wiped out most life on the planet. they’ve seen life on earth rebuilt from scratch five times. 450 million years of shark’s presence on earth we have decimated in 30 years. shark populations dropped 90% in 30 years. 90%!!! HOW COULD THIS BE HAPPENING?!! 

it’s so terrible and fucked up how boats catch sharks, smile and take pictures while leaving them injuries, if not kill them. when people do those kind of stuff for fun, i have absolutely no contemplation of what’s going through that person’s head, why that’s fun for someone, said madison. 

the killing of sharks is one if the biggest concerns that we should have on the planet ecologically today. we depend on ecosystems for survival. we depend on other species. they’re part and parcel of ourselves, of out daily lives. removing sharks is removing part of the framework that allows life to exist on land. it’s the animal that sits on top of 70% of the oxygen in the air that we breathe from phytoplankton in the oceans. if you remove one species, the consequences ripple through entire ecosystems. and right now, we’re removing the most important predator the planet has. and the consequences are going to not affect oceanic ecosystems, they’re going to affect our ecosystems and ourselves. 

we’re now killing up to 150 million sharks a year, and it’s not just shark fin soup anymore. sharks are now being killed and renamed and fed to us, so we don’t know we’re eating shark. there’s a massive scandal representing tens of millions of sharks every year. eating sharks is a bad idea. we’re eating endangered super predators. we’re eating animals that can take 40 years to reach sexual maturity. they can have very few young. most of the pollution we’ve ever made as a species has gone into the environment untreated. and that accumulates in living animal matter and concentrates as you go up the food chain. by the time you get to sharks, they’re enormously toxic. with things like lead, and mercury and even neurotoxins. so it’s important that we keep sharks out of our food. and it’s recommended, women and children, don’t eat them at all. it’s really important to bring this message to the public. 

in panama, shark fins are just $5 and in china it’s 200 bucks. a pound of the little sharks are also 50 cents. they even kill baby hammerheads. there are confiscations, fins are kept in custody at the coast and ocean department of the environment ministry. 

rob: we’re here in a parking lot in panama city, with hundreds of dollars of shark fins confiscated from people that were trying to check these into airlines and fly them to asia. a seizure of 800 pounds of shark fins in panama representing $300,000 in shark fins many of which are illegal and on the endangered species list including the scalloped hammerhead shark, our favorite species. there’s 38,868 fins confiscated. we’ve seen many different shark species of many different sizes. among these, probably the largest hammerhead fins, to the newborns, to lighter ones. they seem to really get a little bit depressed when they see these little small shark fins from hammerhead newborns, plus 1, plus 2 years, which are the sharks that hang around the nursery areas. it’s disappointing to see the large amount of baby hammerheads that they’re using for the shark fin trade because they’re destroying the whole population. it’s sad. and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. panama is one of the important places where the big mommas come to give birth.  it’s an important nursery area. it’s part of the heritage that panama has so it’s important to protect them. 

when we started making sharkwater, there were four countries that have banned shark finning. when we were finished, there were 16 countries. now there’s more than 90 countries around the world that have banned the process of finning but none of them have banned the importation of fins which means you can fin as many sharks as you want as long as you put the fins on a shipping boat before you bring them into port, not a fishing boat, which is a massive loophole. 

in africa, there are reefer containers full of frozen shark. you can actually see a fin just laying on the wharf and some blue shark tags stating that blue sharks that were landed there were caught in spain. so apparently they’re not really trying to hide it. 

we just saw two japanese longliner boats that showed up in cabo verde. one of them appears to be transshipping onto a freezer container ship. at the end of the dock they’re unloading blue sharks. there’s tons of them. they’re all big blue sharks in the container. blue sharks are cute, they’re dopey, big eyes, they don’t really ever bite people. they’re loading the shipping container full of tens of thousands of pounds of blue sharks onto a shipping boat to leave the country. the word is out around the world, that sharks mean money. 

you know we spent 4 years 15 countries trying to figure out what the biggest environmental issues were out there only to discover that one of the biggest destructors of our life support system is in our own backyard. we are in a little plane looking for DRIFT GILL NETS and later see what’s caught in the nets that are A MILE LONG, that just hang as a curtain at night. it’s a hugely destructive method of fishing that catch everything that comes into it. dolphins, whales, turtles, tons of sharks. 

some fisheries will waste 85% of what they bring to the surface as bycatch. right now, we’re wasting 54 billion pounds of dead fish every year that’s brought out of the ocean and killed and thrown back because it wasn’t our target fish. we wanted the more expensive ones. we threw back all these amazing animals. 

we’ve seen a blue shark and a thresher shark that are still alive and caught in the drift gill nets. you can see their mouth’s opening and closing and then struggling. the blue shark had the mesh caught in its mouth and the thresher shark was mangled, all messed up from thrashing around within the net. really sad to see an endangered majestic super predator stuck in a primitive fishing method. 

the biggest issue we have on the planet right now is aside from the environment, is our lack of awareness of what’s going on. we don’t know about our individual actions, about our consumption, about out governments and corporations destroying our life support system. if we did, our morals would engage, and we’d be guided to a world that works. we’d hold our friends and our family, and our governments accountable for this stuff. we just don’t know what’s going on. so, knowing how we’ve already so decimated the oceans, this method of fishing should not be happening. THE ONLY REASON IT’S HAPPENING IS ‘CAUSE PEOPLE DON’T SEE IT. they don’t know what’s happening here. 

in miami florida, 33% of pet food products tested positive for shark DNA, including blacktip and mako shark which is a vulnerable species known for very high mercury levels. we also found traces of scalloped hammerheads, milk and blue shark DNA in the beauty care products we tested. 

shark population has dropped an estimated 90% in the last 30 years. 100 million sharks get killed every year and nobody notices. it is astronomical. and this is a huge consumer awareness issue that can be fought and can be won. we’re not just killing sharks for shark fin soup, we’re killing sharks for a myriad of crazy reasons. sharks are now being killed and renamed and fed to us. things like rock salmon and flake so we don’t know we’re eating shark. sharks are also turning up in pet food, livestock feed, fertilizer and even in cosmetics. we’re smearing endangered super predators on our faces without knowing it. 

it’s important for all of us if we want to ensure a healthy environment into the future to make sure that things we buy, foods, cosmetics, are shark-free. insist on a world that’s shark-free. 

elephants kill 200 people a year. sharks kill 5 people a year. we kill 100 million of them and nobody notices. the reality behind sharks is that they are not predators of people. you know if sharks ate people the oceans would be a really dangerous place and people would be getting eaten every day but they are not. what is unfair and irresponsible is wiping out 90% of the most important longest lasting predator the planet has for the sake of soup. conservation is the preservation of human life on earth. people don’t understand how ecosystems work because they never taught it. if you look at the education system why are we taught shakespeare and algebra before we are taught conservation or we are taught how to survive on the planet. especially if we know by mid-century that our survival is very much in jeopardy. 

this is really important. we depend on the oceans to survive. we depend on life. it’s life that gives us our food or water and our air. this is the generation. this is the task of your time. are we going to save the ecosystem we depend on for survival or are we going to live in lack and starvation and crisis and fight each other over what is left? we are all entirely morally bound together and that if we are made aware of these issues we will make different decisions. be conscious of what you eat, where you put your garbage, and how you live your life. nothing is more important than this. there’s never been an issue this big. there’s never been an issue that needs your involvement more than this. you’ve got an opportunity to be a hero, so be a hero.

[butch-ghibli-blog]

Expedia Coupon and Discount Air Travel in Japan

Japan isn’t the best place for the ‘budget’ vacationer, the cost of food, accommodations, and travel is much pricier than in other Asian countries. However, it’s also Japan. There really isn’t any other country like it in the world. If visiting Japan is something that you’ve always wanted to do (or do again!) then here are some tips to save yourself some money.

Save Money on Accommodations and more with an Expedia Coupon

Hotels in Japan, especially in major urban areas such as Tokyo can range from expensive to stupid expensive. That being said, they also tend to be pretty upscale with an emphasis on great service which is nice. I’m of the opinion that everyone should experience a luxury vacation at least once in their life. In order to not totally break the bank with your accommodations budget, we found some Expedia coupons at. They have lots of general purpose promo codes that can be used for destinations around the world including Japan. Saving money on your hotel means that you can buy more delicious Japanese food! 

Flying High and Cheap in Japan

Air travel in Japan has long been relatively expensive due to the limited amount of airlines and not much competition among them. But just like in the United States and Europe, over the past decade or so a number of new, mainly low cost carriers (LCC’s) have been set up, competing on similar routes, forcing the prices to go down and making air travel much more affordable for many more people. If you are visiting Japan on a tight schedule, the airplane will allow you to see a lot of this interesting and diverse country in a short time.

Where the national flag carrier Japan Airlines and its main direct competitor ANA used to dominate the market, flying to all main destinations throughout the country while feeder airlines brought in passengers from smaller airports, the Japanese aviation market has opened up considerably. Notorious high-density wide-body airliner flights have been joined by more frequencies with smaller aircraft, giving the passengers not only lower fares but also more travel options. LCC’s include Air Do, Air Next, IBEX Airlines, Skymark Airlines and Skynet Asia Airways. Japan Airlines (JAL) has also started its own low cost offshoot, JAL Express, much like other main carriers such as Qantas with Jetstar and Singapore Airlines with Tiger Airways.

The fiercest competition, and thus the lowest fares, can be found on the country’s most important air link, from Tokyo to Osaka. Both places have two large airports (Haneda and Narita for Tokyo and Itami and Kansai for Osaka). But airlines don’t compete only with each other on similar routes; they also compete against the railways, and more specifically the Shinkansen, the famous high-speed bullet train. These trains, which travel at around 200 miles per hour or more, form a serious competition to airlines, especially on the shorter routes. Adding check-in and waiting times at the airport, the airplane is not always the fastest way to travel from A to B. The train is often more comfortable than the plane’s coach class, and add to that the scenery that can be seen while zooming through the landscape, passing the famous Mount Fuji on the Tokyo to Osaka run. But the Shinkansen is quite expensive: Skymark Airlines, one of the LCC’s covering the Tokyo-Osaka sector, offers one way tickets for 5000 yen (about 45 US dollars.) A standard one way fare on the bullet train is 13,750 yen (120 dollars) - a price which can be discounted by buying a return ticket or a railway pass.

With the rise of the low cost airlines, it is now more affordable than ever to explore the land of the rising sun.