Continental Airlines ~ Why are you so terrible?

I have had to make 2 phone calls and been on the phone for more than 30 mins for both calls to change my return flight from Singapore.  I am actually still on hold since the website cannot process the ticket change. I would like a refund on all change fees because being on hold for close to an hour is unacceptable, especially when the website advertises that these services can be completed online.  I'm a US Airways PLATINUM dividend mile member and this experience is extremely frustrating and should not occur PERIOD. The cost of the international phone calls from my mobile will be close to the change fees that will be passed onto me by Continental Airlines. Terrible... Just terrible.

 

I've forwarded this information to Continental, a Customer Care case has been created for my request.

 

Reference number: 5179913

 

Anyone want to wager as to whether I'll have to call 1800-932-2732 to resolve this issue further?

 

Here are the initial comments from the Customer "I DON'T CARE" Worker.

• She says Continental Won’t refund any fees ~ even after spending over an hour trying to get someone on the phone and another 10 minutes for her to try to price the ticket.
• I informed the woman on the phone that the ticket was $50 more and $250 for the change.  I was able to see this online.  I had to repeat this information twice.
• The reason I had to call was that the Continental website, take the credit card verification info.  I had to repeat this information twice.
• What's the point of having voice recognition for the flight details when the call is answered if this information is not passed on?

Now I'm supposed to believe that the worker is going to rebook my ticket and that I can hang up, since I already know what the price will be.  She evidently can't get anyone to verify the price that appears on http://www.continental.com/. 

Looks like I may have another battle on my hands.

THE WIRK

My dad says he'd look like Kevin Garnett if he shaved his head

I went to visit my dad last weekend.  For those of you that haven't met him and never will, you're definitely missing out on all sorts of humor. 

Here's his latest gem...

Dad: It's getting harder and harder to cover my bald spot.
Me: Just shave your head.
Dad: Then I'll look like Kevin Garnett...
Me (completely perplexed): Really?

I assure you.  My dad has never and will never resemble Boston Celtics, star Kevin Garnett, but he does know his basketball...  Then again, he did say he needs new glasses...


THE WIRK

This blog isn't dead ~ I just need to catch up and rev up

For those that are curious about whether this blog is dead or not - I'm back to tell you that it's not.  I'm alive and well.  I've just been busy.  Further, as I was waiting for the NBA Lockout to end - I was in Singapore working and traveling through SE Asia.

I might try to catch this blog up with pictures from my previous voyages, in addition to tackling sports topics that are current.  As I'm the master of this domain - I guess it's up to me to make this endeavor the best it can be, and after a long break - I need to get to it!

Be patient with me.  I'm back in the USA and getting my "voice" back...


THE WIRK

Bali ~ Friends, Margarito v Cotto fight, UC Silver, and Bali Zoo

In early December I ran out to Bali again.  My friend was in town from the US, and there was another group of friends from Singapore that were out celebrating another friend's birthday.  What better place to celebrate your birthday, than Bali. 

I'm generally a good planner, but I didn't book accommodations early for this trip.  I ended up choosing a 1 bedroom villa at Danoya, because it had its own private pool and was two levels (i.e. had stairs).  I have always liked stairs.  Further, even though the property didn't have a restaurant on-site, the villa had a kitchen and it was nice to have a couple of people come over and make breakfast.  I enjoyed the mee goreng (i.e. noodles) one morning and the nasi goreng (i.e. rice) another morning.

****  My friends stayed at Villa Massilia and it appeared that the party of about 20 people had the complex to themself. 

On Friday night, I went out to Ku De Ta for drinks and a quick bite.  There I met Sanaz and her husband.  We share mutual friends and they had been traveling throughout SE Asia, so it was a treat to meet and chat.  Another thing that was cute was that Sanaz and I carried the same Chanel handbag!

Saturday, was spent lounging by the pool and with friends. 

Sunday, before running around and showing my friend, Taiwanna, the sites I had to watch the Margarito v Cotto boxing match.  As the fight was starting, there was a knock on the door and the hotel staff asked us if we needed help with our luggage.  OK, most people may consider this rude ~ but I knew I was already overstaying my welcome and there was a driver waiting for us so we could see the sites.

After checking out, I asked the driver to please take us to a bar so we could watch the fight.  Within 10 minutes we were at a bar and taking in all the action from the ring!  Talk about a good driver, and lucky man since he was able to watch the fight as well.  Miguel Cotto won the fight, and Margarito lost AGAIN.  Honestly though...  What's it going to take for Antonio Margarito to stop risking his vision?!!?

Anyway, another great trip with some sports (i.e. even if it was only on TV)... 

After the fight we went to UC Silver (i.e. took a tour and stopped in the shop). I was determined to check out the store since I'd seen so many ads.  Admittedly, I'm not a silver person, but I was taken in by the design and the dragonfly. 

We were greeted by a gentleman who gave us a tour.  It was a public holiday so there weren't many people working. 

After our tour we went to the store and I discovered that they also sell gold.  However, the name of the company IS UC Siler (i.e. and not UC Gold) so I decided to stay true to the name.

Afterwards we visited the Bali Zoo to ride the elephants.  Yes, I've done it before...  BUT you can never ride too many elephants...  Ha!!!

THE WIRK

My first trip to a fish spa in Singapore

Ever been to a fish spa?  Do you know what a fish spa is?  When my friend, Taiwanna, was visiting in Singapore we visited Kenko to see what all the fuss was about.  I can't really remember but I think we spent 30 minutes with the fish. I can't recall what we paid, but it wasn't anything relative to the experience. 

At the start, the employee washes your feet and you're given slippers to wear.  Since we paid a little extra for a shoulder and neck massage, we had that service while we started with the smaller fish.  Approximately half way into our service, we were asked if we wanted to transfer to a different tank with larger fish. 

Personally, I think the smaller fish were ticklish.  The larger fish definitely have a stronger "bite", but there's no pain.  Think pins and needles after your arm goes numb, but much much less severe.  I could handle it, but Taiwanna didn't like it and just kept me company while waiting. 

The fish are thorough and go after your cuticles as well.  If you're sharing a tank with someone who has feet that are worse than yours, take note that the fish may abandon you for more "food".

All in all, I'd do it again ~ but I haven't.


THE WIRK

The Datai ~ Luxury in Langkawi, Malaysia

I finally had the chance to see Malaysia, when I visited Langkawi and stayed at The Datai.  I'd been wanting to go on vacation and see Halong Bay in Vietnam, but the flight times weren't working with my schedule and the temperatures were cooler than I wanted.  When a trip to the Datai was suggested, I quickly "Googled" and there was no question that I wanted to go.

I'm a huge fan of the Datai and my experience in Langkawi.  I can't tell you a single thing about Langkawi.  I really can't tell you much about the property itself.  I can tell you that food, level of service, and time I had at the resort were top notch.

The property itself might be a little dated.  It has a more masculine feel with the heavy and darker woods, but it's very comfortable.  The deluxe room I had overlooked the pool.  The resort is located in the rainforest, so there is animal life in the treetops. 

If you're afraid of creatures, you need to know that they tell you to keep your balcony doors locked when you're not out there since there are "naughty monkey".  I didn't find the monkeys to be a problem at all.  In fact, i enjoyed the ones that came over towards the pool one early evening.

While enjoying the resort, I spent plenty of time sunning at the pool.  The water temperature for the pool was comfortable and refreshing since it was very warm while I was there.  Another plus, was that the staff kept refreshing our ice water.  The bar was conveniently located near the pool for when we needed food and drink.

Breakfast was good and there was a wide selection of items. 

I'd highly recommend The Datai to anyone.  From the moment we stepped into the Mercedes for the transfer, I knew we were welcome and in good hands.  Another fantastic benefit occurred when we learned that we would have a late check out of 7PM, without any additional payment.  ****  I'm so used to traveling and getting "offered" the opportunity to extend my stay for about half the nightly rate at other hotels and resorts that this was definitely noteworthy and very classy of them.

My trip to The Datai was definitely a peaceful, relaxing trip I'll never forget

THE WIRK

Siem Reap, Cambodia ~ Amazing temples, great food, and wonderful people

In early November, I went to Siem Reap.  For those of you that don't know, that's Cambodia.  Since I'd been working in Singapore, I had the chance to talk to my coworkers about the best places that they've visited and Cambodia always seemed to be at the top of their list.  In early November I went to see what all the hype was about.

Getting to Siem Reap was an adventure.  I'd been out a couple of nights before and hadn't taken the ID picture I needed for the visa on arrival.  Further, I was leaving for Kuala Lumpur via bus from Singapore since all the flights to Siem Reap were either really expensive or booked up since there was a public holiday the following week.  After taking my ID photos at a booth, I settled in for a few martinis, before scrambling home to pack and catch the bus.

The bus ride to KL was a piece of cake, since I slept most of the way.  After arriving in KL, we took a cab to the airport and with no time to spare boarded the plane to Siem Reap.  Ever seen the show "Amazing Race"?  Let's just say, my friend and I would've won had that been one of the challenges.

Once in Siem Reap, I was impressed to see a modern, beautiful airport.  It reminded me of Hawaii.  Acquiring a visa on arrival was easy and I was on my way to the hotel.  After a quick nap, I was ready to see what Angkor Wat and all the temples were all about.  Armed with my 3 day ticket (i.e. cost $40 USD), I had no idea how much fun and hard work (i.e. we did a lot of climbing, but you don't have to) seeing all the temples would be.

If you've never been to Siem Reap and you have the chance, you MUST see the temples.  The architecture is amazing and I'll argue with anyone that says that "they're all the same".  Each temple is unique and the craftsmanship is amazing.  Nature has affected some of the temples (i.e. think the temple from the "Tomb Raider" movie with Angelina Jolie) with tree root growth etc., but these monuments are still amazing.

I know the word "amazing", is over used - but they are AMAZING.

My tips for a trip to Siem Reap:

• Hire a tuk tuk driver - Some of the temples are spread out and depending on how many days you want to spend, the driver can recommend which temples to group together and routes to follow.  Further, the driver will know where you can eat lunch and scope out the best sunrise and sunset.
• Pace yourself - These temples weren't built in a day and there's no way you're going to see them all in one day.
• Wear comfortable and appropriate clothing - If you're going to go into a special area of Angkor Wat, you have to have sleeves on.  I'm not sure if you'll be able to get in with shorts or a shorter skirt on.  I wore long paints and a tank top.  I had a long sleeved sweater around my waist, just in case I needed it --- and I needed it for the special area of the temple.  If you're not dressed properly, they won't let you climb the stairs. 
• Wear underwear, especially if you're wearing a skirt and climbing - Trust me.  No one wants to see you.
• Wear a shirt - You're not in your house or in your backyard.  These are temples.
• Bring US dollars - If you don't have US dollars, you're only hurting yourself.  I couldn't tell you what the Cambodian currency is, because I never had a need to touch it.  Souvenirs and restaurants use the USD.
• Don't be shy to eat in Cambodia.  The food is great and since it caters to tourists (i.e. Pub Street) there are plenty of choices!

For a hotel, I stayed at the Empress Angkor Hotel.  I'd recommend it.  It's a great hotel.  Closer to the airport and a little further from the temple, but the amenities are nice and the people are friendly.  Come to think about it, just about everyone I encountered was very nice and welcoming.

Oh and if you need a tuk tuk driver, I can recommend mine to you: Thy Tuk Tuk.  His email is thytuktuk1981@gmail.com and his card is pictured here.


THE WIRK