Chinatwon No1. Beef Noodle

I just tried the Chinatown No1 Beef Noodle at Chinatown Complex.. (The reopen market and Hawker Center).. Well the Chinatown No1 Beef Noodle staff's jersy look so similar to CTC Travel Green with yellow strip jersy.. The only different is the Logo and print... Haha.. Well at once glace i thought, why so many CTC travel staff's partonise the beef noodle..

Well i tried the Beef Brisket... SGD$3.80 per plate.. The soup was wonderful.. so rich and tasty.. I suppose the soup was boiled with beef bones to create such a rich soup base... it make me wants to go for more... Then i tuck into the beef.. It was not beef brisket.. Beef brisket i ate before was of all the different parts of the beef, like tendon, tougue etc.... but instead i got thick beef slice only on my noodle.. The beef is not tender anyway.. it was chewy and some of the meat stuck in between my teeth.. I don't really enjoy the beef...

Then i tried the noodle.. Nice, not over cook and springy.. Not like another other beef brisket noodle that i have eaten before.. this beef brisket noodle is not coated with think gravy.. but with its rich soup base...

i rate 7 out of 10 for the Beef Brisket Noodle.. (The soup and noodle scores more points..)
I'm not a fussy eater.. but if anything i don't eat.. everyone can forget about trying...

Future Travel Market - Part 2

From today onwards passenger who fly by Tiger Airways will have to pay for check in luggage..

If you book your check-in luggage upon booking.
S$5 for 15kg, S$15 for 20kg, S$25 for 20kg.. per person per sector..

If you pay upon checking in at the airport.
S$20 for 15kg... per person per sector..

See my prediction is correct... Budget airlines are finding all ways of getting revenue.. because of high fuel cost...

Today i just realised that Air Asia has a premium flight - AirAsia X. A low cost, no frills, long haul carrier. Using Airbus A330 with about 330 seats and two different class, economy class and XL class.. Check it out their website http://www.airasia.com/site/sg/en/pageWithMenu.jsp;jsessionid=BF40E9DA62B0351EB8D116B660207077?id=1d278b27-ac1e00ae-c5d9c100-a6df7af4&reference=aax

See Air Asia is also moving to the higher market...

Mediacorp's Si Chuan Disaster Relief

On sunday 25 May 08... Mediacorp stage a Charity Show for Si Chuan's victims of earthquake.. and manage to raised over S$6.85millions..

I was at my secondary school friend's house for gathering, and we were all discussing about the Si Chuan Earthquake and Myanmar Cyclone disaster... (We ahev all been very busy with our own lifes and have not meet each other for a very long time and luckily the disaster events gave us something to chat about)...

According to Mediacrop "The money will be disbursed to various Chinese agencies through the Chinese embassy in Singapore to help with the disaster relief, in particular, children made homeless or orphaned by the unfortunate event. "

Singaporeans are very compassionate... but i was wondering whether such a charity live event on TV was broadcast in China too?? I read news about Chinese netizen was critizing those big international company for donating too little.. even the famous China professional basketballer, Yao Ming, was not spare also... No amount is too small or too large.. it is the heart that is matter.. Considering the raising fuel price and household items.... Hope the Chinese netizen see the bigger picture..

Future Travel Market (High End Travellers)

Fuel Tax raising, Airfare increasing... Travelling overseas.. will soon be a luxury.. no longer affordable for all..

I forseen Budget airlines will starts to charge customer on every single services if fuel price keep writing new records... They might charge passengers for the following services: seats request (Tiger has already implement), check in luggage, hand carry luggage, online reservation booking fee, phone reservation booking fee etc..

Jetstar (Budget Airline) Australia has already implement "StarClass". It is the premium class cabin for long haul flights services operated by the Airbus A330. Offering 38 leather seats, with a 38-inch seat pitch for more room... All seats are equipped with in-seat power, for a laptop or recharge personal eletronic items... Meals and beverages will be serve onboard... An amenity kit, blanket, pillow, personal entertainment options which include audio channels and a personal video-on-demand unit.... StarClass passengers have priority check-in and a checked baggage allowance of 30kg.. What's more, when the StarClass could access to Qantas Club Lounge and earn frequent flyers.... All these sounds like a regular full carriers services.. estimate fare AUD$1474 / way to fly from Melbourne to Osaka vis Sydney.. budget fare on the Jetsaver flying the same route is only AUD$429 / way....

See even Budget Airlines are moving towards full carriers services.. with full regular fares...

After making a BIG Fanfare for their A380 Double Decker, with their private luxury suits. Singaproe Airline launch their all business class direct flight to New York and Los Angeles to capture more business travellers.. This market will be able to keep Singapore Airlines alive and competative..

Soon to be gone, will be the days for mass cheap travel market... Only the rich can afford to fly....

Camping at Pasir Ris Park

Yesterday 24 Jun 08, we went for a 1 night camping... It happens to be the National Family Day.. On the way to Pasir Ris Park, it starts to drizzle on a sunny day.. We were worried and told the Cab driver to alight us at Downtown East. Upon arrival at Downtown East, it was sunny. From Downtown East, we took a 5mins hike (a better term for camping) to Pasir Ris Park. Found a good location and begin to pitch our tent facing the beach... Oh, what a good view.. But the weather was very hot... then my wife smell something.. "Oh dear.. dog shit..." she exclaimed... Well no choice.. she insist of shifting the tent.. We shift to another location.. Our 6 men tent only got one opening.. and it was like an oven inside.. gosh.. Big Mistake.. I should buy a tent with 2 openings... but $20 for a second hand 6 men tent, it is a bargain and what more should i expect....?

Some of the activities: Played soccer with Marcus and Leia... My wife, Leia and Marcus went seashells picking.. Laze outside the tent.. PLayed beach ball...

For dinner i cooked:
Whip Potatoes with mushroom & onion gravy
Pasta in Cabonara Sauce
Pan Grilled Sizziling Honey Chicken Steak
Pan Grilled Sausages
For Supper my wife cook some instant noodle and Mushroom soup..

The washroom and toilet are free 24 hrs during the weekends.. But the night is sufferring.. cos it was so hot and humid.. no winds or sea breeze.... We have to shift our tent position hoping to catch some light breeze.. Any still hot.. Sleeping on our sleeping bags made it worst.. as sleeping bags are made to keep warm.. Oh boy, everyoen is complaining.. Marcus who complaint the most fall asleep first followed by Leia... Me and my wife just chat the night away.. but i do manage to catch some few hours of "suana" sleep.. Sweat all over...

The next morning.. we wake up everyone at 6.30am.. and dismentle everything and leave by 7am...

It was an enjoyable trip.. Execpt for the long hot sweaty night...... The main objective for this camping is to let the kids experience life in outdoor so that they will appreciate their own comfortable home..

David Nevue - Inspiring Pianist

Once me and my wife was at "Sembawang Muisc Shop" Vivo City, browsing through some easy listening Piano Music... And i suddently something caught our ear.. a very nice piano solo muisc, it sound like as if you are in the forest... It was played over the music store.. Then we ask the sales person what is this album and who is the pianist?

The sales person shown us the CD... The Pianist was David Nevue... I brought a copy of his best collect.. from then on... i've become a fan of David Nevue... I even brought a few of his music sheets (scores) throught his website... http://www.davidnevue.com/ You may also listen to some of his sample music from this site... His music is so inspiring with a bit of sentimental and new age..... There are no background music only Piano solo... You got to listen to understand what i mean.. He is so different from Richard Clayderman and othe rgreat pianist.. His music is simple and easy to listen.. and brings your mind into his wonderful world of imagination..

My favourite is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Hunting Castle", "Eden Garden", "The Kindness of Strangers" etc.....

Philippines Storms

One more natural disaster... Remember my previous Blog?? I was blogging that more storms are coming...
Now it happens.. in Philippines..

(Taken from CNA)
MANILA - The death toll from a tropical storm that swept through the northern Philippines has risen sharply to 37 after victims were discovered in an isolated province, the civil defence office said Wednesday. Twenty four people have been discovered dead, mostly in remote Pangasinan province, where villages were found submerged in flood waters and roofs blown off houses by tropical storm Halong. Some parts of the province remained without power and communication lines were down four days after Halong made landfall. More than one million people have been affected by flash floods, landslides and heavy rains with more than 200,000 people still in evacuation centres on Wednesday, the agency said.

Well i believe there will be more storms ahead...

But here is Singapore.. The westher is so hot and humid.. Everyday is getting hotter and hotter.. Imagine after taken your bath.. u starts to sweat... Terrible.. Even Air-con at 22degC is not cold enough.. Everyday at home my T-shirt is soak with sweats... And dry throat is very common... The heat is really unbearable............

Mahathir Resigned from UMNO

Mahathir Resigned from UMNO.. Hmm.. He should do that long ago.. haha.. He has been critising the current PM Abdullah Badawi, his succesor hand pick by himself... I feel s that Mahathir is not a gentlemen, not a wise old man.. Everyone got his own way of running a country.. Mahathir has his own style while Abdullah has his own too.. Why should he critise his own successor?

Did you ever see LKY do this to GCT during the time when GCT was the PM?? NO... LKY respect GCT style of running the country... Now LKY remain as the minister mentor to guide and advise the younger leaders.. Mahathir should do that too.. his time as the counrty leader is over.. He should step aside, shut his mouth and let the new government do their own job... He should lead the role as a mentor, instead of critising like an opposition..

This is a good lesson for the elderly.. always don't interfere with the younger generation affair.. The younger generation has their own way of doing thing.. They have their own thinking which was affect by the current environment and circumstances.. The elderly should only listen and see... and then only guide and shared their experience to the younger generation as long as they don't do anything against the law..

What works during the past might not be still effective for the future.. Everyone must accept changes, specially the older generation...

Vesak Day Celebration

Today i'll blog about how i spend my Vesak Day...

Went to this Temple is Sengkang... Got free Vegteraian Bee Hoon.. (Munch 2 Plates) Free Ice Cream... and Free Soya Milk Drink.. Had my stomach filled before heading into the temple to pray.. I pray for my career... and for my family... Then queue up to Bath for "Little Buddha".... After was served more ice cream... Temple did a good choice by serving so many ice cream during the hot weather...

Went to Beach Rd, Army Market to buy some camping stuffs... Brought some sulphur, 2 sleeping bags, Mosquitoes Coil and Light Stick.. Well some of the stuffs i still have it at home.. so nothign much to buy.. Take a short break for the famous Belgium Waffle... Now since the BBQ pit is fully booked at the Pasir Ris Park.. and bring own pit is a bit hassle.. so i decided to cook some simple food... Now got to plan and think of some nice outdoor Menu fit for camping...

Afternoon, we head to another temple called "ABC" (Amitaba Buddhist Center).. It is like stepping into Tibet... Lamas giving preaching on Buddhism teaching.. And many stalls selling Tibet and Nepal stuffs, like Preyer wheels, singing bowl etc... And we did another round of bathing "Little Buddha", i explain the significant of bathing "little Buddha" to Marcus and my wife taught him how to do it... I also pray to the Green Tara Buddhisattva, to grant my wishes to come true...

It was a hot and tiring Vesak day.. But it was nothing comparing to the hardship Buddha went through while searching for the "Truth" before gaining enlightenment.

Chinatown Complex - Reopen

Singapore is well known for its food's paradise... So are Singaporean.. they loved to eat good food.. The longer the queue mean the this stall food are nice..
Chinatown Complex has just reopen after more than one year of renovaton.. Now it looks brand new.. Most of the famous old stalls are back again, like the Shanghai Zhu Chang Fen, Craypot Rice, Nasi Lemak, Economic Bee Hoon, Ah Balling, 155 Tang Shui, Porridge, Ming Fa Noodles, Roast Chicken....

Vesak Day.... Bathing the "Baby Buddha"...

19 May is Vesak Day.. On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate, the birth and enlightenment of Buddha. Devout Buddhists observe the eight Precepts on this day.

The Eight Precepts are:
Not to kill
Not to steal
Not to engage in improper sexual activity
Not to indulge in wrong speech
Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.

i went to the "The Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Temple" in chinatown to "Bath" the "Baby Buddha"... it is symbolic of the events following the Buddha's birth, when devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him... The temple was quite crowded.. This time i manage to view the Buddha's Tooth Relics which was on exhibited on the 4th storey... When i step into the "Tooth Relics Chamber" there was a calm feeling... Many Buddhist was doing offering to the "Tooth Relics" and on the both side of the chanber there are sitting mats for meditation.

After viewing and pay respect to the "Buddha Tooth Relics" i when up to the roof top of the Tempe to turn the large Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel.... Praying for Peace for the World...

Happy Vesak Day to all Buddhist......

So many things happening...

The Myanmar Cyclone, the US Twister, the China Earthquake and India Bomb.. these all happened within 2 months....

So many travellers were so worried that they keep calling us to change departure date, change destination and some even wanted to cancelled their trips... Well so far we did manage to assist these customers in changing their travel plans... luckly our customers are yet to travel to these places and have ample time to alter their travel plan...

Reading from The Bangkok Post, it says "expect more than 30 tropical storms to come from the Pacific Ocean this year." So prepare for more storm to come...

Most local travelers will soon forget about the disasters and continue to travel.. Most travel are aware of the Global Warming... Take for example the Phuket Tsunami... after a few months poeple start flocking to the place again.. and within 1 year Phuket is back to life again...

There are some handful of customers who are still very skeptical, saying China and Hong Kong got Hand Foot Mouth Diesease and they are scared to go ther for holiday.... Then what happen to the Hand Foot Mouth Diesease in Singapore?? Should we quickly abandon Singapore??

Shortage of Staffs

Well another 2 more staffs resigned and we are really shortage of staffs during this peak period.. Sigh.... For the past few years.. All travel agency has been really shortage of staffs.. Place ads in the newspaper and only 2 - 3 person turn up of interview. Then we place ads in JobDB.. and many write in wanting a very high pay (eg $2000) for just a tour counsultant post. Most Singaporean was being rejected because they wants a very high pay. They do not want to service customer and work over the weekends and Public Holidays.. then we go for Malaysian... well... intial they were hard working and will work for a period of 2 to 3 yrs.. but now they also become very choosy... Some even did not turn up on their first day of work....

Malaysian love tour leading.. They wanted job where they get plenty of opportunities to go tour lead... To them working in a travel agency means, must go tour leading and see the world.. Well if everyone goes tour leading then who will stay in the office to serve customers..? Haha...

Then we look into PRC (China).. They came with an expectation that the company must apply Employment Pass... How could we give them Employment Pass's salary when they are only just a tour consultant..? For Employment pass holder, they must be holding high post with high Salary... (If the ask for S-pass maybe after working for a few years on Work permit and with good performance, then the company can consider applying for them..) We do ever apply S-Pass for a few of our outstanding Malaysian staffs...

Everyone is still very choosy with jobs.. with very unrealistic demend and expectation... Like asking for a cleaner job with a $2000 and above salary...

All Travel Agency are not willing to pay a higher salary because for a tour consultant job, you do not need a high qualification.. But if to increase the job quilfication (eg. Diploma in Travel related).. Then employers have to give higher pay.. and thus, tour fare margin will increase... Say if you were to flay by the double deck A380 to sydney.. of course you pay a higher fare then to fly by B744...

Well guess everyone got to work more full shift during this peak period... Then more staffs will be very tired and then slowly more will resign....

I will still support Arsenal

I'm an Arsenal Fan.. And first of all.. I hate to see Man United Win the premier league.. I don't care if Chelsea or Liverpool win.. Just hate to see the "glory hunters" wearing the Man U Jersey on the street after Man U won the English Premier League. "Glory Hunters" are no die hard MAN U fans... Glory Hunters only support teams that top the table and switch to other team when their current team is not winning anything. They just want glory... No loyalty... "Glory Hunters" please don't wear Arsenal jersey if the gunners were to win the Premier League..

Chelsea really gave Man u a tough fight.. and Arsenal loss their amunition during the very last quater of the season. Arsenal has a very thin squad that made up of mostly younster without much experience... These youngster are good but they need more senior players to guide them.. Arsene Wenger, Arsenal's Manager always believe in the youngsters.. That is a very good sign... Look that those giants teams from Europe like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, AC Milan etc.. They are actually buying world class players which are already passing their prime for the sake of International Marketing.. Why would Barcelona buy Theiry Henry?? He is already pass his prime... and has a very high transfer rates.. It doesn't made investment sense to a businessman..

But Arsenal is different.. they invest on young player, nuture them into world class.. and sometime and sell away for a profit.. and morover... Arsenal plays a very beautiful entertaining games.. They are stylish.. and scored creative goals... And the need enthustic younger player with speed and agilbility... Younger players can give better and longer services to the club...

But one mistake.. Arsenal made.. The youngsters are too involved in gettin in a perfect goals then winning the games.. They wants to entertain more than winning anything... And of course Arsenal had a very thin squad this season.. If one key players injiured.. there are non... bench warmer who can meet up to the first team player's expectation.. Chelseas and Man U could survive this tough league is because they had a good 2nd team players who is ready to take on any responsibility from the first team players... (Pressure and competition for first squad place is equal to result)

Hope Arsene Wenger buy more players for the next season.. to beef up the squad..

Gordon Ramsay - Fast Food

I had borrow "Fast Food" by Gordon Ramsay.. Remember the Hell's Kitchen guy?? Very fierce one... After reading his recipies and menus, realised that the title "fast Food" means easy to cook in a few step (NOT Mc Donald, KFC, Burger King. etc...).. Most of his recipies are so simple that it only takes about 15mins to 30 mins to cook... Easier then "idiots Cook Book".. very easy for beginners to pick up cooking..

He even show your the plans and steps to create a 3 course meals at one go..... Like while waiting for the dessrt to chill, start preparing the main dish.. and while the main dish is in the oven baking.. start doing the appitiser... If you follow his steps, slowly you will be in no time whipping up a 3 course meals like a Pro in the kitchen, impressing your family members and friends.... (Recomended for those Hell's Kitchen's contestants)

I have never come across such a complete cook book... Strongly recomended for those chefs wanna be (Like me)...

Fuel Taxes - Part 2

Fuel Taxes has increase again... with the fuel price continue to rise... more and more poeple will not be able to afford to travel even if the airfare is cheap... The fuel tax for SQ has increase by USD5 per way...

Yes airfare are affordable... but because of the Fuel surcharge (fuel tax) increase to a record high.. thus, there is no different if u have to paid the compulsory high fuel surcharge...

Is airfare really cheap?.. i dun think so... The total YQ taxes has already cover back the difference...

Myanmar - The Day After Tomorrow

I'm feeling very sad... very sad for the Myanmar people.. they are innocent and suffering at the fate of natural disaster. One moment they were asleep and the next morning the whole place was in chaos. Imgine you have to fight for your live by holding to tree trunks, some were hit by flying debris and some we being blown away... and the next thing they know was, no water, no power supply, no fuel, no food and worst of all, lost their beloved family members....
So much to grief... estimate 80,000 dead...

But that is not all... when many countries start to moving to give a helping hands... they had a hard time getting their Visa. The military Junta is reluctant to let foreigners to come in and help.. Only 4 disaster experts got permission to enter Myanmar. what can 4 persons do? all the reliefs helpers and red cross were put on hold, waitign for their visa....

The Military Junta should treat this as a crisis and will get worst if they did not act fast. This is not about politic.. They should put politics aside and put their poor fellow citizens in first priority...

I strongly agreed with Condoleezza Rice. She said "It should be a simple matter. It's not a matter of politics. It's a matter of a humanitarian crisis."

Rising Fuel Tax

Airport Tax, War Risk Tax & Fuel Surcharge is part of the fare you need to pay on top of you airticket. Airport tax is for individual Airport. War Risk Tax is also known as the "Osama Tax" that was implement by the airline after 9/11 incident. But the most scary surcharge is the "Fuel Surchrge", Fuel Surcharge is implement by the airline to cushion the raising fuel prices around the world. Why i say it is scary, because this surchage keeps on rising as fuel price keeps on soaring.... records breaking high.... That is why i say scary..

Airtickets are now cheaper then 10 yrs ago.. especially when Budget Airlines come into Asian Market... but With the Fuel Surcharge rising.. you think it is still that cheap...?

Fuel Surcharge and War Risk Tax are classified as YQ Tax.

(YQ As per 7/5/2008)
If you fly from SIN to Beijing (5 hrs flight by SQ), the YQ tax is S$234
If you fly from SIN to Taipei (4 hrs flight by SQ), the YQ tax is also S$234
If you fly from SIN to South Korea (7 hrs flight by SQ), the YQ tax is still S$234
If you fly from SIN to Bangkok (2 hrs flight by SQ), the YQ tax is S$98
If you fly from SIN to Hong Kong (4 hrs flight by SQ), the QY tax is S$44

FOOD FOR THOUGHT.....
So meaning to say, flying to South Korea (7 hrs flight) is more worth than to taipei...
But then.. flying to Hong Kong too 4 hrs same as flying to Taipei but Taipei QY tax is higher.....
I was thinking that flying longer distance should required more fuel thus i'm wrong.. Or airline charge YQ tax to cover up their cheap and below cost airfare?

I really don't know how airline justified their YQ tax? Should they go by the Aircraft type or should they go by the distance... ?? Should there be more transparency and a ISO YQ tax calculation? Just like airticket MCP... Different Airline are charging different amount of YQ Tax to the same destination...

Customers ask me why different airline different charges, and i answer them that, ooh got different brand of fuel mah, just like there are Mobil, Shell, BP, Petronas, etc.... and different type of fule catergories eg. 98Unleaded, V Power etc....

stolen shoes

this morniing had a shock when we can find the other piece of her shoes.. 4 pairs of her shoe had 1 each missing.. someone must be playing pranks on us... Then our good neighbour helps us to comb the whole block of flats, insearch of the missing half. While searching, my neighbour found out that on 6th storey these is another unit with the same case.. Only one piece of thier children shoes are missing.. Strange strange.. who would want to steal one piece of shoe.. Don't shoe comes in a pair.?? Anyway my poor daughter will miss her favourite shoes... She had to wear sandal to school.

My wife later discover from my daughter's schoolmates that their shoe had went missing before.. and coincide, 1 piece is missing.. Some where lucky that it was just thrown downstair, but some like us , is unfortunate... My wife called the neighbourhood police and made a report. The police came and took some photos. The police told us this is a serious pranks case, and they will investigate into it...

Well there is a serial prankster in Sengkang throwing children shoes....

School Holiday Plans

Well school holiday is around the corner, many parents are still deciding whether to go for a holiday overseas as living expenses is rising. Going overseas for holiday has been a luxury. Fule Taxes are also increasing, sometimes taxes alone is more then the airtickt. I brought 3 Tiger Airways Airticket at $1.98 eash.. but i paid $146 for the taxes.

When i was in Siam Reap (Cambodia) last year. I saw many poor families having picnic near Angkor Wat. Wat a great view and place to have their picnic. They bring their own foods, mat and the kids were playing catching, soccer or flying kite while the adults are lazing by the mat or chating away... See, having a holiday does not mean must travelled aboard.

Singaporean kids are spoilt, to them only going overseas is consider holiday.

For my pass few year, my holiday with my family is basically just stay 3 nights stay at Sentosa. We relaxed, watch the musical fountain (that time was free), swim in the hotel pool, built sand castle by the beach, dine at the food court, stroll along the siloso beach... My daughter really enjoy herself. That to me is holiday. Only last year we decided to go Genting.

This year school holiday we decided to go camping by the beach. Camping does not cost much bu it will be an unforgetful experience for my daughter and my wife's teenage nephew. This time i'm planning to cook outdoor army style cooking for lunch and BBQ for dinner. On top of that, some nice soccer games, or outdoor games... Hope it will be an experience and it will not cost much...

China VISA

Well everyone knows that China Olympic is the next BIG thing... in 08/08/08.. So many protest on Tibet's Human Rights during the Olympic Torch Relay around the world.

The China Embassy has change and step up on the China VISA requirement and procedure... Here are some of the changes...

1. From 1 July 08 Singapore passport holder must apply for a VISA to enter China.
2. Foreigner beside Indonesian Passport holder who are holding WP, EP, SP, DP and PR are allow to apply in Singaapore.
3. Indonesian Passport Holder need to be Singapore PR and must have apply China VISA before in Singapore China Embassy. And previous VISA must be in the current passport if previous VISA is in the old passport, then both passport must be submit together.
4. Those who are going to China for relative visting, must submit the certificate of family members as prove.
5. New passport holder is required to submit the old one too.
6. NO more 1 Day Urgent VISA Application.

These contidion had confuse many VISA applicants, thus also turn customers away for visiting China. Less and less enquires on China now..... Guess everyone is delaying their China trip till after Olympic.

China Immigration have to resort to such restriction is because of the security during Olympic. Of couse they do not want any protester to intervene any of the games, which took so long to prepared.

Olympic is about putting down all the weapons and have a healty competition with good sportsmanship. Olympic is not about politics, but some countries are using Olympic to pressure China on certain politics. These countries leaders and those protesters are not sporting.

Just imagine, you take weeks to organise a huge gathering just to realise that only handful of friend turn up. But those did not turn up talk bad behind your back and even encourgae other for not turning up too....