Customer Service...The one and only subject I keep whinging about... :)
I don't say I'm the best customer service specialist myself, but sometimes I think I've been in that field long enought to spot the really bad ones...and of course it gets 10 times worse especially when I'm tired, have a headache and want things to happen quick and smooth...
I was in Amsterdam two weeks ago and faced a couple of customer service cases which I wanted to share with you. As there are good and bad customer service, I've gone to the next level and put both of them in categories...
1st case: I've just arrived to Amsterdam airport and wanted to buy a train ticket from the ticket machine. I had just completed the whole step-by-step process of "select adult or child ticket / select one way or return ticket / select destination / select payment"...when lovely older customer service officer came to help me...she didn't speak very good English and I tried to ask how do I select credit card when it was suggesting debit or Maestro card...And what did she do?! She pressed CLEAR ALL!!! Just when I had done the whole work and someone comes and wants to help truly, BUT! I was so pissed off! She should have done troubleshooting and went steps back to change the options for payment and voila! 'problem solved, happy customer'! ...
Another typical restaurant service case happened to our group having dinner at one of the nice and cosy Amsterdam canal restaurants. We walked in and we were about 10 people all together; 3 waitresses all noticed us but kept doing something else (obviously avoiding the big group to be seated somehow in the restaurant which need some logical trouble shooting from the waitress to organise the tables and chairs together)...until one of us walked to one of them and asked if we had some room for 10 people. Answer was "Of course!"... After reading the long menu in 2 minutes the waitress came back and asked if we were ready to order and we asked to have a couple of more minutes to decide. Should have repeated A COUPLE OF MORE MINUTES, as she dissapeared for 10 minutes and when one of us (again) had to ask another waitress if we could order she said "one moment, I'll get your waitress", and there we were -again waiting for another 5mins until 'our' waitress showed up. Ummm, did I miss something? Is there a waitress fight nowadays? Once one specific waitress give you a menu the other waitress can't go onto their territory?!
I've noticed people have lost their ability to explain why something doesn't work this or that way, and that obviously furstrates every customer. I love flight attendants because of their ability to explain why you shouldn't put your 20kg hand baggage into overhead lockers, captains who announce why they put the seatbelt sign on due to clear air turbulence or sushi chef telling why there isn't tuna available anymore. Of course there are always those who just don't the customer service gene and won't say or do anything...just having the plane look on their face...and say just "no".
Anyways, that's just something that came up in my mind...and I'm sure every one of us can recall one of the bad custeomer service moments...?! What is your worst customer service experience?
Monday, 21 May 2012
Dubai -what a city!
I was visiting a very interesting city about a month ago -DUBAI! I was there for 10 days with girlfriends and we were invited to one of our very good friend's wedding there. The trip was amazing!
It's hard to explain what kind of city Dubai is...but I try my best to give you the idea:
-anything is possible in Dubai...with money!
-big construction field with highrise buildings
-beach with white sand
-luxury hotels, name it and it's in Dubai
-taxis
-shisha
-expensive and luxury cars everywhere
-shopholics paradise!
-very international, multicultural
-VERY NON-eco friendly travel destination
The old Dubai has existed over 200 years when the Dubai we know has been there only for 40 years. As there is land to build there's no slowing down on building industry. Where ever you look (almost) there's a crane (or ten) up in 100 meters. It's quite scary to think how these men in work are surviving up in the heights...and it's not 10 new buildings to be built up, it's like 100! It's crazy!
Dubai Marina / JBR (Jumeraih Beach Resort) is nice and not too noicy beach, and if you think can you do sunbathing in your bikinis even women should cover their shoulders and knees -yes you can! I would recommend respecting the culture and having your scarf with you at all times.
There are so many hotels in Dubai, pretty much from 2 star to 7 star. There's not one famous hotel chain who wouldn't have their hotel there...One and Only Mirage, Ritz Carlton, Westin, Kempiski etc. All the hotels have wonderful restaurants people visit one after the other. It's almost like a pub crawl in 5 star hotels. You can't show or act drunk though, otherwise it's jail time! They serve alcohol in these restaurants. You won't be able to buy alcohol from cafes or street restaurants.
Dubai isn't very family or disabled friendly city. There are hardly no proper walking paths due to the constraction sites...and you have to travel by taxi everywhere as the distances are huge. Though there are always taxis around and they are generally cheap, especially if you share it with friends. Only good tip I would give: ask the driver before jumping in if he knows the place, and if he says 'yes', ask him to repeat where was he taking you (this was my friend's tip and did work). They are pretty innocent, and they are not trying to rip you off, but just make sure you know where they are taking you to.
Most of the nightclubs you go to are outside and therefore they offer shisha, the waterpipe...with different flavours from apple to mint and everything in between. It's an intresting experience if you haven't tried it. For non-smokers it's even better as you get a little 'high' just by smoking a legal tobacco leaves with flavour and inhaling water steam...perfect!
You see all the most expensive cars in Dubai, Maseratis, Ferraris, Bentleys etc. they are everywhere! The bigger/expensive car the better! I can only imagine what kind of paradise the Dubai Ferrari World is...ugh.
If you head to Dubai, leave plenty of space into you luggage for the return flight...as you can shop til you drop! There are shopping malls in short distance where ever you stay in Dubai. The 2 biggest shopping malls, Dubai Marina and the Mall of Emirates are just toooooo big! You would spend easily 3 days per mall if you really wanted to get into the shopping business...they are HUGE! I choce the smaller ones which were better for my taste and my wallet. But if you've ever dreamed of some clothing brand or item you wanted, head to the first 2 malls and I can guarantee you'll find it! :)
Dubai is a perfect mix of multicultural living, luxury with interesting taste of arabic flavours. I highly recommend the city and its surroundings to everyone. I will definitely go there soon again!
It's hard to explain what kind of city Dubai is...but I try my best to give you the idea:
-anything is possible in Dubai...with money!
-big construction field with highrise buildings
-beach with white sand
-luxury hotels, name it and it's in Dubai
-taxis
-shisha
-expensive and luxury cars everywhere
-shopholics paradise!
-very international, multicultural
-VERY NON-eco friendly travel destination
The old Dubai has existed over 200 years when the Dubai we know has been there only for 40 years. As there is land to build there's no slowing down on building industry. Where ever you look (almost) there's a crane (or ten) up in 100 meters. It's quite scary to think how these men in work are surviving up in the heights...and it's not 10 new buildings to be built up, it's like 100! It's crazy!
Dubai Marina / JBR (Jumeraih Beach Resort) is nice and not too noicy beach, and if you think can you do sunbathing in your bikinis even women should cover their shoulders and knees -yes you can! I would recommend respecting the culture and having your scarf with you at all times.
There are so many hotels in Dubai, pretty much from 2 star to 7 star. There's not one famous hotel chain who wouldn't have their hotel there...One and Only Mirage, Ritz Carlton, Westin, Kempiski etc. All the hotels have wonderful restaurants people visit one after the other. It's almost like a pub crawl in 5 star hotels. You can't show or act drunk though, otherwise it's jail time! They serve alcohol in these restaurants. You won't be able to buy alcohol from cafes or street restaurants.
Dubai isn't very family or disabled friendly city. There are hardly no proper walking paths due to the constraction sites...and you have to travel by taxi everywhere as the distances are huge. Though there are always taxis around and they are generally cheap, especially if you share it with friends. Only good tip I would give: ask the driver before jumping in if he knows the place, and if he says 'yes', ask him to repeat where was he taking you (this was my friend's tip and did work). They are pretty innocent, and they are not trying to rip you off, but just make sure you know where they are taking you to.
Most of the nightclubs you go to are outside and therefore they offer shisha, the waterpipe...with different flavours from apple to mint and everything in between. It's an intresting experience if you haven't tried it. For non-smokers it's even better as you get a little 'high' just by smoking a legal tobacco leaves with flavour and inhaling water steam...perfect!
You see all the most expensive cars in Dubai, Maseratis, Ferraris, Bentleys etc. they are everywhere! The bigger/expensive car the better! I can only imagine what kind of paradise the Dubai Ferrari World is...ugh.
If you head to Dubai, leave plenty of space into you luggage for the return flight...as you can shop til you drop! There are shopping malls in short distance where ever you stay in Dubai. The 2 biggest shopping malls, Dubai Marina and the Mall of Emirates are just toooooo big! You would spend easily 3 days per mall if you really wanted to get into the shopping business...they are HUGE! I choce the smaller ones which were better for my taste and my wallet. But if you've ever dreamed of some clothing brand or item you wanted, head to the first 2 malls and I can guarantee you'll find it! :)
Dubai is a perfect mix of multicultural living, luxury with interesting taste of arabic flavours. I highly recommend the city and its surroundings to everyone. I will definitely go there soon again!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Bali Bali Bali...
If you have watched the Eay Pray Love movie and wondered if the places Julia Roberts visits are real, I can tell Bali was pictured very well!
The movie did show the peaceful side of Bali which is something very beautiful, peaceful and full of serenity. As I've written before on my Cambodia blog, there's something 'in the air' in Bali. It's the people, weather, sunsets, food, smell of incents...it's everything!
There is the other side; noisy and chaotic traffic, poor people begging, desperate people trying to sell products and dirty stray dogs and cats running around the streets. This is in the main tourist area called Kuta Beach...which I only recommend to pass through...quickly! And concentrate on other parts of the beautiful island.
Once you've visited Bali, you want to go back over and over again. Watching the movie and seeing the scenery of Ubud's lush tropical jungle made my heart feeling so warm and peaceful. One day I'll go back there!
Here are some memorable photos I took in Bali 2 years ago:
The movie did show the peaceful side of Bali which is something very beautiful, peaceful and full of serenity. As I've written before on my Cambodia blog, there's something 'in the air' in Bali. It's the people, weather, sunsets, food, smell of incents...it's everything!
There is the other side; noisy and chaotic traffic, poor people begging, desperate people trying to sell products and dirty stray dogs and cats running around the streets. This is in the main tourist area called Kuta Beach...which I only recommend to pass through...quickly! And concentrate on other parts of the beautiful island.
Once you've visited Bali, you want to go back over and over again. Watching the movie and seeing the scenery of Ubud's lush tropical jungle made my heart feeling so warm and peaceful. One day I'll go back there!
Here are some memorable photos I took in Bali 2 years ago:
Cruising around the Caribbean...dreaming.
Ten night Southern Caribbean cruise...Starting point San Juan, Puerto Rico...Visiting the small islands in the beautiful and charmy Caribbean: British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Gredada, Aruba, Curacao...mmmm, just thinking of all this makes me wanna wear linen clothes, white sun hat, big sunnies and listen rythms of the sunny and smiley islands.
Celebrity Cruises does these cruises (and so does many other cruise companies), but if you want some luxury while being on the cruise, choose Celebrity Cruises! As they write on the website: "Celebrity Millennium is more than a ship; she is a special memory waiting to be had." World class restaurants and broadway-style shows and luxury beauty and spa ameneties are calling!
One of my very good friends is working on this ship and I've got an invite to go on the cruise...should I...? But I have already Dubai and Dominican Rebuplic trips booked and planned...I wanna go go go!
Back from daydreaming to the snowy and cold Finland...spring is almost here, I'm hoping.
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| (luxurybeachfrontvillas.com) |
Celebrity Cruises does these cruises (and so does many other cruise companies), but if you want some luxury while being on the cruise, choose Celebrity Cruises! As they write on the website: "Celebrity Millennium is more than a ship; she is a special memory waiting to be had." World class restaurants and broadway-style shows and luxury beauty and spa ameneties are calling!
One of my very good friends is working on this ship and I've got an invite to go on the cruise...should I...? But I have already Dubai and Dominican Rebuplic trips booked and planned...I wanna go go go!
Back from daydreaming to the snowy and cold Finland...spring is almost here, I'm hoping.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Beautiful Lapland of Finland
It's the home of Santa Claus and Rudolph the red nose reindeer, with the darkest days in winter and the brightest days in summer...to give an example; In northern part of Lapland the sunrise is at 11:58am and sunrise at 12:19pm (yes, 21min later!) in winter time and in summer it's the other way around. So basically in winter it's dark all the time for 3 months and bright all the time for 3 months...crazy, uh?
Here are some beautiful photos of the winter wonderland of Lapland, enjoy!
Here are some beautiful photos of the winter wonderland of Lapland, enjoy!
All photos from http://www.levi.fi/fi/kuvapankki.html
There are the main 6 airports in Lapland to fly to; Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Kuusamo, Ivalo, Enontekiö and Kemi-Tornio. There are the main ski resorts with all the activities close at: Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Ruka, Luosto, Suomu, Salla, Saariselkä, Olos-Pallas...
I highly recommend Lapland to families, couples, singles and seniors...there are plenty of things to see in the magical area of Finland. It's easy to reach from all over the world by flying on airBaltic, Finnair, Blue1 or FinnComm Airlines. Just check their website and you are already 1/3 booked to see the beautiful part of world. :)
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Love letter to Bondi Beach...
Dear Bondi Beach,
I just wanted to let you know that I miss you SO much! I've been thinking of you heaps lately as it's been snowing and snowing the last 3 weeks in Finland. I just miss your warmness and happiness all year round! Of course you have bad and rainy days once in a while but you still 'shine' in your beautiness no matter what.
You made me feel special every day. I feel something is missing when I'm without you...
I got some exciting news this week that I might be there sooner I thought, have to tell you about it later. But I'm looking forward to seeing you sooner or later. And that time it'll be for a long time again, I promise.
Take care and say hello to all my friends who you are still treating well, I heard.
Love always xxx ooo
*Girl from Curlewis St who loved sunbathing in South-Bondi and loved watching sunsets in North-Bondi*
Perfect day with you!
Remember you smiling when I took photo from the plane? :)
You are SO beautiful, no matter from which ankle I look at you...
You are always there listening my thoughts...
Nothing is better than You on sunset!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Alternatives for hotel stays
When you are planning your trip to a certain city, do you just look for a web-travel agency recommendations for hotels?? I don't. There are so many other options to choose from, and most of all, saving some money!
Lisbon, Portugal $82/night
New York, USA $165/night
There are lots of apartments to choose from, from private, vacation rentals, use to 'hotel-a-like' apartments. Here is one of my favourite:
This portal offers different kind of accomodation in 168 cities around the world. It offers normal aparments to extreme accommodations in the jungle, like below...
Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio $400/night
There are cheaper and 'normal' places to stay in Costa Rica...
Costa Rica, Casita with Hot Springs, Aguas Zargas $49/night
Then there are the beautiful city apartments, lofts as well:
Lisbon, Portugal $82/night
Paris, France $119/night
Hong Kong $150/night
So where ever you travel you can feel "home away home". :)
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Something to look forward to...
Today I won't write much...When it's cold outside and I have a bit of a cough, I thought to cheer myself up with photos of something which is coming up...Holidays and Weddings in 2011!!
One of the main sights of Dubai: Burj Al Arab, Photo viajardubai.com
Ritz Carlton Dubai, the wedding reception venue. Can't wait!
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; there's no better paradise pic from this!
This is the hotel resort beach...NICE!
After I had my blog about destination weddings I started to get invites to all of them...(just kidding!). Two of my very close friends are getting married in two exotic destinations: Dubai and Dominican Republic. There's 3 months to the first one and exactly one year to the second wedding, can't wait!!
One of the main sights of Dubai: Burj Al Arab, Photo viajardubai.com
Ritz Carlton Dubai, the wedding reception venue. Can't wait!
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; there's no better paradise pic from this!
This is the hotel resort beach...NICE!
I guess I just have to wait for these fabulous trips ahead, I wish I was going already!
Do you have any plans ahead?
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Still some time to visit Christmas Markets around Europe...
To be very efficient on Christmas time, or now when it's still 33 days to go to Christmas, I should have ordered the Christmas cards, purchased almost all Christmas presents which have to be sent overseas by 30th on November and have something different and personal touch on the presents. I've ordered the Christmas card (something very unusual for me to do!) and put warning notes in my calendar AND phone for the 30th of November coming closer and closer...But how do I get something personal bought...?
I would love to do something myself but seriously I don't have much time left...Solution: Do a daytrip to one of the Christmas markets and get the handmade Christmas presents for someone special!! Here are some of the ones I've visited and I'm planning visiting...one day...
(Photo christkindlmarkt.at)
Stuttgart Christmas Markets (24 Nov to 23 Dec 2010)
Germany's biggest Christmas markets are in beautiful city of Stuttgart with over 250 stalls selling wooden toys, glass baubles, nutcrackers, big gingerbread hearts and the German specialty Hutzelbrot (fruitcake). Don't forget to taste the traditional Glühpunsch wine scented with cinnamon and vanilla!
(Photo Stuttgart-tourist.de)
Bath Christmas Market (25 Nov 10 to 12 Dec 2010)
British people have their own Christmas traditions with their Christmas puddings and decoratings, and all this and some more can be found at the Bath Christmas Market by the Abbey. Each year there are 123 wooden chalets selling local farmers' food, jewellery, crafts and children's toys. The views around the markets are beautiful with the Georgian feeling with the cathedral on the side.
(Photo christmasmarkets.com)
Tivoli Christmas Market, Copenhagen (20 Nov to 30 Dec 2010)
At the Copenhagen's old and traditional amusement park turns itself into a Christmas wonderworld with traditional markets. There are more than 70 stalls selling handicrafts, decoratings and local delicates such as gløgg (mulled wine), æbleskiver (apple donuts) and roasted almonds. There are almost 2000 fairylights lighting up the The Tivoli Lake, all this designed the Tiffany's head designer John Loring.
(Photo visitcopenhagen.com)
Old Town Christmas Fair, Riga (27 Nov 2010 to 09 Jan 2011)
At the Riga's most famous landmark Dome Square with 500 years old Christmas Tree lighten up will bring the Christmas feeling to everybody's mind. There are mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted almonds, Christmas tea and coffee, as well as delicious smoked meats and meat products to taste. There are plenty of handicrafts to choose from, but I would go with patterned woolen mittens, socks and hats, and handmade soaps and candles. The medieval atmosphere in old town of Riga brings more excitement to the fair.
(Photo iStockphoto)
Helsinki Christmas Markets, Helsinki (7 - 20 Dec 2010)
So there's still time to book flights to any of the cities for a little shopping spree, don't you agree?! Or just to the local shopping centre, they have the Christmas feeling there too! :)
I would love to do something myself but seriously I don't have much time left...Solution: Do a daytrip to one of the Christmas markets and get the handmade Christmas presents for someone special!! Here are some of the ones I've visited and I'm planning visiting...one day...
Vienna Christmas Markets (13 Nov to 24 Dec 2010)
Probably the oldest Christmas Markets known and definitely the most traditional markets! Vienna Markets have been in excistence for over 700 years. All traditionally setup in front of Vienna's Town Hall (Rathausplatz) with hundreds of stalls where you can buy local handicrafts, taste cotton candies, glazed fruits and baked apples. Don't miss the carols on the advent weekends!
(Photo christkindlmarkt.at)
Stuttgart Christmas Markets (24 Nov to 23 Dec 2010)
Germany's biggest Christmas markets are in beautiful city of Stuttgart with over 250 stalls selling wooden toys, glass baubles, nutcrackers, big gingerbread hearts and the German specialty Hutzelbrot (fruitcake). Don't forget to taste the traditional Glühpunsch wine scented with cinnamon and vanilla!
(Photo Stuttgart-tourist.de)
Bath Christmas Market (25 Nov 10 to 12 Dec 2010)
British people have their own Christmas traditions with their Christmas puddings and decoratings, and all this and some more can be found at the Bath Christmas Market by the Abbey. Each year there are 123 wooden chalets selling local farmers' food, jewellery, crafts and children's toys. The views around the markets are beautiful with the Georgian feeling with the cathedral on the side.
(Photo christmasmarkets.com)
Tivoli Christmas Market, Copenhagen (20 Nov to 30 Dec 2010)
At the Copenhagen's old and traditional amusement park turns itself into a Christmas wonderworld with traditional markets. There are more than 70 stalls selling handicrafts, decoratings and local delicates such as gløgg (mulled wine), æbleskiver (apple donuts) and roasted almonds. There are almost 2000 fairylights lighting up the The Tivoli Lake, all this designed the Tiffany's head designer John Loring.
(Photo visitcopenhagen.com)
Old Town Christmas Fair, Riga (27 Nov 2010 to 09 Jan 2011)
At the Riga's most famous landmark Dome Square with 500 years old Christmas Tree lighten up will bring the Christmas feeling to everybody's mind. There are mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted almonds, Christmas tea and coffee, as well as delicious smoked meats and meat products to taste. There are plenty of handicrafts to choose from, but I would go with patterned woolen mittens, socks and hats, and handmade soaps and candles. The medieval atmosphere in old town of Riga brings more excitement to the fair.
(Photo iStockphoto)
Helsinki Christmas Markets, Helsinki (7 - 20 Dec 2010)
I bet I end up going to the local markets which would be the Helsinki Christmas markets...though I have to get a solution for the overseas package before these markets will start. From these markets you can find beautiful Finnish handicrafts from soaps to honey, from wooden toys to silver jewellery from 120 different stalls. The most interesting stuff are felt boots and hats, colourful or just in gray colour. These ones keeps you the warmest in the coldest weather. A cup of glögi at the Kappeli restaurant and eat Christmas pies.
So there's still time to book flights to any of the cities for a little shopping spree, don't you agree?! Or just to the local shopping centre, they have the Christmas feeling there too! :)
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Time to get ready for winter again...
Snowing, snowing, snowing...here it starts again.
All these favourites of mine are Agarbathi incenses, just different brands with slightly different smells...I fell in love with the blue pack in Australia and bought the yellow one in Indonesia and started to like it too...then I went to Latvia and found both and someone recommended me the soft Satya Natural (top box) and that was beautiful! As my storage of all these started to get lower I found the little box of the 'Super Hit' from Estonia. So with these I calm myself and it really works, believe me! "Helps reduce negative and increase the positive aspects of all zodiac signs" (and headache to my partner!)
notice the boy waving to me :)
Last winter in Finland was long, cold and snowy...The last few days are forecasting the same for this coming winter. For some reason I don't seem to get used to it at all...While it's cold outside it's good time for daydreaming and getting ready for it with following comforts:
This weekend I'm spending inside with my woolen socks on, PJ's on, under the blanket and sipping hot drinks, including the beautiful Chai-tea and White Tea from T Salon on Melrose Ave in L.A. (http://www.tsalon.com/los-angeles-store/)
How beautiful is the ad on the top of the T Salon...? NOT!
I picked the soft and smooth Chelsea Chai Tea Blend which has An intricate blend of Assam and Ceylon black teas with cardamom, almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate and peppercorns. YUM! The White Tea is called Dragon Phoenix Pearls. This hand-rolled tea is highly valued in China. It's a pleasure to the eye and the palate. I learned drinking the white tea in Australia as my colleague Amanda who was from China introduced me into this cleansing tea. 'the more you drink it the better' she said. And finally I found this fab tea shop in L.A. I've been looking for...it's quite hard to order tea to Finland though, but next time I know where to go and buy lots more!
While I'm sipping the tea, I'm burning the incenses...and oh boy I have difficulties of picking my favourite from the selection I've picked from Australia, Indonesia, Latvia and Estonia:
All these favourites of mine are Agarbathi incenses, just different brands with slightly different smells...I fell in love with the blue pack in Australia and bought the yellow one in Indonesia and started to like it too...then I went to Latvia and found both and someone recommended me the soft Satya Natural (top box) and that was beautiful! As my storage of all these started to get lower I found the little box of the 'Super Hit' from Estonia. So with these I calm myself and it really works, believe me! "Helps reduce negative and increase the positive aspects of all zodiac signs" (and headache to my partner!)
I put my Spotify (http://www.spotify.com/) on and find some acoustic guitar music (search for acoustic guitar music) which reminds me of Lisbon where I was exactly one year ago...here are some best parts of Lisbon:
notice the boy waving to me :)
And the evening is spent by drinking more hot drinks like Herrgårds Glögg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine) in the candlelight...
Enjoy your weekend! :)
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