Australia held its federal election over a week ago, and it is still not know who will run the government for the next three years. Neither of the two large federal parties received a majority of the seats in the Parliament. As several independent Members of Parliament were elected, they are taking their time in deciding which party to support. It will come down to three or four independents choosing the new Prime Minister of Australia.
It is most likely that the right-wing government will be chosen by the independents, as the independents' ridings are in rural areas where people are mostly pro right. Unfortunatelly, this means that the current government will be ousted. That is very unfortunate, as the potential new Prime Minister does not seem very bright at all. And it gets even worse when you look at the potential cabinet material.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
IELTS Test
A list of tasks to complete for our immigration to Australia is getting shorter and shorter every day. Taking an IELTS test today took another task off our list.
IELTS (International English Language Test Sytem) is a test which is supposed to provide an objective assessment of person's English skills in the areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. The test covered each of those areas and took about three hours to complete, not including a twenty minute speaking session later in the day. Each of the four areas (listening, reading, speaking and writing) is graded on a scale of 1 to 9.
Taking tests is always unnerving, no matter how well you are versed in the subject. I spent some time writing sample tests to prepare for the actual examination. The biggest challenge I had was answering the written portion of the test. This component of the test requires you to answer two questions writing a 150 word long letter and a 250 word analysis. To do those two tasks in sixty minutes on topics that you've only read a couple of minutes ago is a real challenge.
I was suprised how well the test went. I cruised through the reading, listening and spoken tests, and was able to complete the written test just in time. I only need to get a score of 7 on each of these tests in order to get the extra marks for immigration purposes. To get a 7, you have to score better than 85% on the test. To get a 9, you have to score 100%. I will know the results in about a couple of weeks.
I can finally use my weeknights to do something fun, as opposed to studying for the IELTS test. Ahhh, what game should I play first? :-)
IELTS (International English Language Test Sytem) is a test which is supposed to provide an objective assessment of person's English skills in the areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. The test covered each of those areas and took about three hours to complete, not including a twenty minute speaking session later in the day. Each of the four areas (listening, reading, speaking and writing) is graded on a scale of 1 to 9.
Taking tests is always unnerving, no matter how well you are versed in the subject. I spent some time writing sample tests to prepare for the actual examination. The biggest challenge I had was answering the written portion of the test. This component of the test requires you to answer two questions writing a 150 word long letter and a 250 word analysis. To do those two tasks in sixty minutes on topics that you've only read a couple of minutes ago is a real challenge.
I was suprised how well the test went. I cruised through the reading, listening and spoken tests, and was able to complete the written test just in time. I only need to get a score of 7 on each of these tests in order to get the extra marks for immigration purposes. To get a 7, you have to score better than 85% on the test. To get a 9, you have to score 100%. I will know the results in about a couple of weeks.
I can finally use my weeknights to do something fun, as opposed to studying for the IELTS test. Ahhh, what game should I play first? :-)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Internet connection getting cheap(er) in Australia
Over the past 12 months, I have witnessed a drastic dop in prices of Internet access here in Australia. Combination of added capacity and market competition had lowered the prices and increased the monthly quota.
There are three ways to get an Internet connection in Australia, excluding a dial-up connection. You can get Internet through ADSL, cable, or wireless (through a 3G network, or through a limited WiMax network). Most of the connections are through ADSL, as cable installations are not very popular in Australian homes. Wireless connections are becoming more popular with recent drops in prices.
Internet connections are often purchased based on the amount of data that you are going to download a month. You can get a 10GB monthly plan, 30GB, 60Gb and various other quotas. Rarely will you get an unlimited plan, and if you do, it will cost you over $300/month.
Australia had only two submarine cables a year ago, and had added another submarine cable connection to the US late last year. There is some talk of adding an additional cable connection to the US in about three years. Existing submarine cables have also been increasing their capacity by upgrading equipment, effectively increasing the carrying capacity by a factor of four.
All these improvements in Australia's connection to the world have put a downward pressure on Internet connection prices. A year ago, when I setup my ADSL connection, I was paying $85 a month for a quota of 25GB. After several price/quota plan changes over the past year, I am now paying $60 for a 70GB plan. Other companies offer even better deals of 150GB for $50 a month, but they bundle the phone service with it.
I am very happy to see that market forces have worked for the benefit of consumers in this case. This is how capitalism is supposed to work!
There are three ways to get an Internet connection in Australia, excluding a dial-up connection. You can get Internet through ADSL, cable, or wireless (through a 3G network, or through a limited WiMax network). Most of the connections are through ADSL, as cable installations are not very popular in Australian homes. Wireless connections are becoming more popular with recent drops in prices.
Internet connections are often purchased based on the amount of data that you are going to download a month. You can get a 10GB monthly plan, 30GB, 60Gb and various other quotas. Rarely will you get an unlimited plan, and if you do, it will cost you over $300/month.
Australia had only two submarine cables a year ago, and had added another submarine cable connection to the US late last year. There is some talk of adding an additional cable connection to the US in about three years. Existing submarine cables have also been increasing their capacity by upgrading equipment, effectively increasing the carrying capacity by a factor of four.
All these improvements in Australia's connection to the world have put a downward pressure on Internet connection prices. A year ago, when I setup my ADSL connection, I was paying $85 a month for a quota of 25GB. After several price/quota plan changes over the past year, I am now paying $60 for a 70GB plan. Other companies offer even better deals of 150GB for $50 a month, but they bundle the phone service with it.
I am very happy to see that market forces have worked for the benefit of consumers in this case. This is how capitalism is supposed to work!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Outing to an AFL game
Few weeks ago, a coworker of mine offered to accompany us to an Australian Footbal League (AFL) game here in Sydney. As neither Carla nor myself know the rules to AFL, we were glad to take him up on the offer. Last Saturday, Carla and I joined my coworker at Sydney Cricket Ground (same stadium is used for cricket and AFL) to watch Sydney Swans take on Hawthorne Hawks. Sydney won with a score of 123 to 86!
It was a good thing we had someone to explain the rules, because I did not know a single thing about the game. I could not even figure out how they score points. AFL is nothing like American/Canadian football nor like soccer. It is most closely related to rugby. As a matter of fact, Australia has three rugby leagues, each having different rules to the game! Rugby Union (which is the international version of rugby), Rugby League and Australian Football League.
Basic rules of AFL are, you play four quarters of 25 minutes each, and the team with the most points wins. There are 18 players on each team (I know, that's a big team) with four subs on the bench which can be used as replacement at any time, any number of times.
You score by kicking or throwing a ball through one of the goal posts, to get six or one point per goal. There are four goal posts. Kick a ball between the two centre goal posts to score six points. If the ball hits one of the posts and does not go in, then you get one point. You also get one point if you get the ball between one of the the centre posts and outside posts. You also get one point if you throw a ball or run it through between any of the posts.
To move the ball (shaped similarly to an NFL ball, but bigger), you can either:
The game is much more fun to watch live than it is to watch on TV. The TV shows only a small slice of the whole field, while, for full enjoyment, you really need to see at least a third of the field.
Watching the game live was a fun experience, but as tickets and transportation costs added up to more than $50 per person, I don't think attending AFL games will become a habit for us.
It was a good thing we had someone to explain the rules, because I did not know a single thing about the game. I could not even figure out how they score points. AFL is nothing like American/Canadian football nor like soccer. It is most closely related to rugby. As a matter of fact, Australia has three rugby leagues, each having different rules to the game! Rugby Union (which is the international version of rugby), Rugby League and Australian Football League.
Basic rules of AFL are, you play four quarters of 25 minutes each, and the team with the most points wins. There are 18 players on each team (I know, that's a big team) with four subs on the bench which can be used as replacement at any time, any number of times.
You score by kicking or throwing a ball through one of the goal posts, to get six or one point per goal. There are four goal posts. Kick a ball between the two centre goal posts to score six points. If the ball hits one of the posts and does not go in, then you get one point. You also get one point if you get the ball between one of the the centre posts and outside posts. You also get one point if you throw a ball or run it through between any of the posts.
To move the ball (shaped similarly to an NFL ball, but bigger), you can either:
- Run with it for about 15 paces, then you have to bounce it off the ground and can then continue running for another 15 paces.
- Kick it. If someone from your team receives it over a distance of 10 metres, they get ten seconds to do a free kick.
- Punch it. You cannot pass or throw the ball to a teammate, you have to hold it with one hand and then punch it with the other hand in the direction of the pass to get it to your teammate.
The game is much more fun to watch live than it is to watch on TV. The TV shows only a small slice of the whole field, while, for full enjoyment, you really need to see at least a third of the field.
Watching the game live was a fun experience, but as tickets and transportation costs added up to more than $50 per person, I don't think attending AFL games will become a habit for us.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Dental trip to Phuket
Sea Smile Dental Clinic
www.thaidentalcenter.com
We were able to arrange the appointments with Sea Smile through email and they provided us with quotes for services that we though needed to be done. Once we had arrived, I found out that I will need additional work done (legitimate, they were not trying to create work). Sea Smile was thankfully able to fit in three more appointments for me over the next 9 days. Luckily, we were booked to stay in Phuket for 9 days, otherwise I would not have been able to get all the work done there. Pheww!!!
They have at least three dentists working there (maybe more but I could not tell who was who) and are open Mon-Sun. On one occasion, they were working on me at 10pm, as they had to fit all my procedures in 9 days. It was really nice of them to stay couple of hours later to get everything done for me in time.
Every time I went to the dental clinic (I was there a lot as I had six appointments) I would meet Aussies and Kiwis getting dental work done. No locals were using this clinic as it must be pricey by local standards, but by Western standards it was a steal! The costs for procedures were at least 50% less than those in Australia.
The clinic was very clean, they used all the same equipment and procedures as in the West (I know as I've been to a few dentists in my time) and were very professional in their dealings.
A lot of people were getting dental implants, crowns, teeth whitening and other work done, at fraction of the cost. Most big jobs (implants) required a couple of trips so people would come twice in a year to complete a procedure for $12,000 when the same procedure would cost them $25,000 in Australia. Crazy!
Carla and I ended up spending AUD 2,000 for the work that would have cost us over AUD 5,000 in Australia.
Sawasdee Dental Clinic
http://www.phuketdentalclinic-patong.com/
This dental clinic has only one dentist but they are very friendly and accommodative. Dentist's husband is Australian, which helps with communication and dentist's understanding of Western culture. The clinic is very clean and organized. The clientele was all Australian and very happy with the work that they've had done.
Their prices are a bit cheaper that those at the Sea Smile Dental Clinic.
We saw at least two more dental clinics in Patong but are unable to comment on their quality and reliability. We would not recommend going to a clinic that has not been reviewed through independent sources.
www.thaidentalcenter.com
We were able to arrange the appointments with Sea Smile through email and they provided us with quotes for services that we though needed to be done. Once we had arrived, I found out that I will need additional work done (legitimate, they were not trying to create work). Sea Smile was thankfully able to fit in three more appointments for me over the next 9 days. Luckily, we were booked to stay in Phuket for 9 days, otherwise I would not have been able to get all the work done there. Pheww!!!
They have at least three dentists working there (maybe more but I could not tell who was who) and are open Mon-Sun. On one occasion, they were working on me at 10pm, as they had to fit all my procedures in 9 days. It was really nice of them to stay couple of hours later to get everything done for me in time.
Every time I went to the dental clinic (I was there a lot as I had six appointments) I would meet Aussies and Kiwis getting dental work done. No locals were using this clinic as it must be pricey by local standards, but by Western standards it was a steal! The costs for procedures were at least 50% less than those in Australia.
The clinic was very clean, they used all the same equipment and procedures as in the West (I know as I've been to a few dentists in my time) and were very professional in their dealings.
A lot of people were getting dental implants, crowns, teeth whitening and other work done, at fraction of the cost. Most big jobs (implants) required a couple of trips so people would come twice in a year to complete a procedure for $12,000 when the same procedure would cost them $25,000 in Australia. Crazy!
Carla and I ended up spending AUD 2,000 for the work that would have cost us over AUD 5,000 in Australia.
Sawasdee Dental Clinic
http://www.phuketdentalclinic-patong.com/
This dental clinic has only one dentist but they are very friendly and accommodative. Dentist's husband is Australian, which helps with communication and dentist's understanding of Western culture. The clinic is very clean and organized. The clientele was all Australian and very happy with the work that they've had done.
Their prices are a bit cheaper that those at the Sea Smile Dental Clinic.
We saw at least two more dental clinics in Patong but are unable to comment on their quality and reliability. We would not recommend going to a clinic that has not been reviewed through independent sources.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Accommodation, restaurants and entertainment in Phuket
This is a summary of what we've learned during our visit to Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. I hope it comes in handy to others who go to Phuket (and to remind us the next time we go).
Hotels
Adonis Guest House
www.adonis-phuket.com
We loved staying at Adonis. The price was amazing (600 baht in low season), rooms were spacious, with a shower (plenty of hot water), TV, satellite, AC, safe, desk and a king-size bed. We did not mind spending time in the room, as at the beginning of the trip we had a few rainy days and stayed in watching TV and reading books.
The service is really great. There is free Wifi throughout the hotel, and in case you are travelling laptop-free (like we did) there is a free to use computer in the hotel lobby.
The location was great, as it was a short walk from the busy street (Rat-u-Thit) so you could get to a bunch of restaurants and stores in no time. The beach was about five minutes away. Jungceylon (a huge shopping centre) was about 5 minutes away, and we made good use of the proximity. We would go shopping in the morning, have lunch, go back to our room for a nap and then go back shopping in the afternoon. There is also a large movie theater in the Jungceylon shopping centre. Movie tickets are only 140 baht, or less if you go on Mon-Wed. A large supermarket (Carrefour) was also located in Jungceylon.
The room was really quiet as the guest house was not right on the busy street. We would pull the blinds down and sleep till 10 am, and it still felt dark in the room. It will cost you about 500 baht to get to Adonis by taxi from Phuket airport, and 600 baht to get back to Phuket airport.
PS Hotel
www.pshotel.com
Found this hotel while walking to the shopping mall. The hotel looked very clean and the prices were reasonable. If Adonis happens to be booked when we go to Phuket next time, I would definitely stay at PS Hotel.
Shopping
Jungceylon Shooping Centre
Contains a Carrefour supermarket 10am-10pm, Robinsons department store 11am-10pm, a movie theater, and a large number of stores and restaurants. Make sure to visit the downstairs section where they have a lot of inexpensive clothes and purse stores.
Jungceylon was completed in 2007 and it is a very modern shopping centre. You will find every kind of store in there, banks, massages places, manicures, pedicures, laser treatments, shoe shops, bag shops, clothing stores, a large department store, grocery store, bowling, movies, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, Dairy Queen ... Make sure to visit all areas of the mall as it has many good stores and it took us at least three visits to find the ends of the mall.
Street markets and OTOP market
There are small stands selling clothing, jewellery, watches, belts, sunglasses, etc. everywhere you go. The OTOP market is a place where all these small stands are in one place, for ease of shopping. Most street vendors sell poor quality knock-offs, that I would recommend you go visit the basement of Jungceylon for this kind of product, but of higher quality (and price).
Central Festival Shopping Centre
We did not make it to this shopping centre as it was closer to Phuket town than to Patong. It is supposed to be a big shopping centre but I am not sure how different it is from Jungceylon.
Ocean Plaza
This smaller shopping centre sits on Bangla Road and has a lot of lower quality gear on display. Looked very cheesy.
Restaurants
PS Hotel Restaurant
Located on Rat-u-thit Road, near Bangla Road. Excellent prices, even better tasty food. European and Thai food.
Pizzerria Hut Pizza
North of Jungceylon mall (leave Jungceylon going towards Bangla Road) and it is on a side street, about 75 metres from Rat-u-thit Road. Excellent wood-fire oven pizza. A 12 inch pizza will cost you up to 300 baht but will be enough for two people.
European Deli
On Rat-u-thit Road (once again near Bangla Road), has reasonable prices, offers European and Thai food.
The Coffee Club (Jungceylon)
Clean and new, Western operated, reasonable prices but portions are on the small side.
Entertainment
Bars on Bangla Road
Did not really try them, but if you are a lonely (old) white guy, I don't think you will feel lonely for too long.
Movies and bowling in Jungceylon
Cheap movies (140 baht) to watch movies in a new movie theater. Most movies are subtitled so if it is an English movie, you are safe. Bowling is also available, but I cannot comment on it as we have not tried it.
Phi-Phi Island tour
We had a terrible time but that was so because we went on a cloudy, rainy, windy day. The boat ride was really not fun because of the choppy waves and the rain, snorkelling was not fun because of the jelly fish and cloudy weather. I think this tour would be great if you can do it on a sunny day with no wind.
Other
There is go-karting, elephant rides, scuba diving, tours of other islands, jet ski, paragliding behind a speedboat, car rental, moped rental, etc.
Beaches
Patong Beach
Hard to find a shady spot if you don't want to pay for a chair with a parasol. Very busy and noisy with jet skis and paragliding operations throughout the beach. Constant smell of gasoline due to motorized water sport crafts.
Kata Beach
Did not happen to go there but everyone was saying that it is a really nice and quiet beach.
Other
There seem to be a lot of beaches on the island, so renting a car or a scooter and going exploring is a good idea.
Transportation
From/to the airport
You can take a tuk-tuk or a meter-taxi. A meter-taxi came out to 472 baht for us to Patong Beach. On our way back, we could only find a taxi (and tuk-tuks were the same price) to take us to the airport for 600 baht.
Around the island
Tuk-tuks will often charge you a low price to take you to a remote beach and then charge you double for the way back.
Car rental is a good way to get around, and I have seen rates to start at 1200 baht per day.
Moped rental is possible but you need to wear a helmet (or you will get fined by overvigilant police) and pay attention to other traffic. Chaotic driving warning!
Public bus goes every half hour from Patong Beach to Phuket town and back, passing Central Festival Mall on the way to Phuket town. The price is around 25 baht per person, and you can catch it in front of the Jungceylon Mall. It goes from 9 am to 6 pm if I remember correctly.
Hotels
Adonis Guest House
www.adonis-phuket.com
We loved staying at Adonis. The price was amazing (600 baht in low season), rooms were spacious, with a shower (plenty of hot water), TV, satellite, AC, safe, desk and a king-size bed. We did not mind spending time in the room, as at the beginning of the trip we had a few rainy days and stayed in watching TV and reading books.
The service is really great. There is free Wifi throughout the hotel, and in case you are travelling laptop-free (like we did) there is a free to use computer in the hotel lobby.
The location was great, as it was a short walk from the busy street (Rat-u-Thit) so you could get to a bunch of restaurants and stores in no time. The beach was about five minutes away. Jungceylon (a huge shopping centre) was about 5 minutes away, and we made good use of the proximity. We would go shopping in the morning, have lunch, go back to our room for a nap and then go back shopping in the afternoon. There is also a large movie theater in the Jungceylon shopping centre. Movie tickets are only 140 baht, or less if you go on Mon-Wed. A large supermarket (Carrefour) was also located in Jungceylon.
The room was really quiet as the guest house was not right on the busy street. We would pull the blinds down and sleep till 10 am, and it still felt dark in the room. It will cost you about 500 baht to get to Adonis by taxi from Phuket airport, and 600 baht to get back to Phuket airport.
PS Hotel
www.pshotel.com
Found this hotel while walking to the shopping mall. The hotel looked very clean and the prices were reasonable. If Adonis happens to be booked when we go to Phuket next time, I would definitely stay at PS Hotel.
Shopping
Jungceylon Shooping Centre
Contains a Carrefour supermarket 10am-10pm, Robinsons department store 11am-10pm, a movie theater, and a large number of stores and restaurants. Make sure to visit the downstairs section where they have a lot of inexpensive clothes and purse stores.
Jungceylon was completed in 2007 and it is a very modern shopping centre. You will find every kind of store in there, banks, massages places, manicures, pedicures, laser treatments, shoe shops, bag shops, clothing stores, a large department store, grocery store, bowling, movies, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, Dairy Queen ... Make sure to visit all areas of the mall as it has many good stores and it took us at least three visits to find the ends of the mall.
Street markets and OTOP market
There are small stands selling clothing, jewellery, watches, belts, sunglasses, etc. everywhere you go. The OTOP market is a place where all these small stands are in one place, for ease of shopping. Most street vendors sell poor quality knock-offs, that I would recommend you go visit the basement of Jungceylon for this kind of product, but of higher quality (and price).
Central Festival Shopping Centre
We did not make it to this shopping centre as it was closer to Phuket town than to Patong. It is supposed to be a big shopping centre but I am not sure how different it is from Jungceylon.
Ocean Plaza
This smaller shopping centre sits on Bangla Road and has a lot of lower quality gear on display. Looked very cheesy.
Restaurants
PS Hotel Restaurant
Located on Rat-u-thit Road, near Bangla Road. Excellent prices, even better tasty food. European and Thai food.
Pizzerria Hut Pizza
North of Jungceylon mall (leave Jungceylon going towards Bangla Road) and it is on a side street, about 75 metres from Rat-u-thit Road. Excellent wood-fire oven pizza. A 12 inch pizza will cost you up to 300 baht but will be enough for two people.
European Deli
On Rat-u-thit Road (once again near Bangla Road), has reasonable prices, offers European and Thai food.
The Coffee Club (Jungceylon)
Clean and new, Western operated, reasonable prices but portions are on the small side.
Entertainment
Bars on Bangla Road
Did not really try them, but if you are a lonely (old) white guy, I don't think you will feel lonely for too long.
Movies and bowling in Jungceylon
Cheap movies (140 baht) to watch movies in a new movie theater. Most movies are subtitled so if it is an English movie, you are safe. Bowling is also available, but I cannot comment on it as we have not tried it.
Phi-Phi Island tour
We had a terrible time but that was so because we went on a cloudy, rainy, windy day. The boat ride was really not fun because of the choppy waves and the rain, snorkelling was not fun because of the jelly fish and cloudy weather. I think this tour would be great if you can do it on a sunny day with no wind.
Other
There is go-karting, elephant rides, scuba diving, tours of other islands, jet ski, paragliding behind a speedboat, car rental, moped rental, etc.
Beaches
Patong Beach
Hard to find a shady spot if you don't want to pay for a chair with a parasol. Very busy and noisy with jet skis and paragliding operations throughout the beach. Constant smell of gasoline due to motorized water sport crafts.
Kata Beach
Did not happen to go there but everyone was saying that it is a really nice and quiet beach.
Other
There seem to be a lot of beaches on the island, so renting a car or a scooter and going exploring is a good idea.
Transportation
From/to the airport
You can take a tuk-tuk or a meter-taxi. A meter-taxi came out to 472 baht for us to Patong Beach. On our way back, we could only find a taxi (and tuk-tuks were the same price) to take us to the airport for 600 baht.
Around the island
Tuk-tuks will often charge you a low price to take you to a remote beach and then charge you double for the way back.
Car rental is a good way to get around, and I have seen rates to start at 1200 baht per day.
Moped rental is possible but you need to wear a helmet (or you will get fined by overvigilant police) and pay attention to other traffic. Chaotic driving warning!
Public bus goes every half hour from Patong Beach to Phuket town and back, passing Central Festival Mall on the way to Phuket town. The price is around 25 baht per person, and you can catch it in front of the Jungceylon Mall. It goes from 9 am to 6 pm if I remember correctly.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Back from Phuket
We are back and sufficiently rested from our trip to Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. We left for our trip with a few goals in mind: relax, get some dental work done, do some shopping. Thankfully, we were able to successfully complete all three major goals.
Dental work ended up being the best investment, as we spent about $2,000 on dental work, while the same work would have cost us over $5,000 had we done it in Australia.
Shopping was also a success, as we were able to stock up on summer clothes, work clothes and some footwear for a fraction of the price we would have paid in Australia.
I will write a more thorough review in a few days, partially to share Phuket travel details with you, and partially to keep a record of what to do and not do when we go to Phuket next year.
Here are some pictures from the trip.
Dental work ended up being the best investment, as we spent about $2,000 on dental work, while the same work would have cost us over $5,000 had we done it in Australia.
Shopping was also a success, as we were able to stock up on summer clothes, work clothes and some footwear for a fraction of the price we would have paid in Australia.
I will write a more thorough review in a few days, partially to share Phuket travel details with you, and partially to keep a record of what to do and not do when we go to Phuket next year.
Here are some pictures from the trip.
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