Po-Yu's profileProperty & PressPhotosBlogListsMore ![]() | Help |
|
|
October 16 Happiest Place on EarthU know where that is? I never knew that...till May this year when I visited it and fren told me.
U, n prob legions of fans know it - Disneyland
Was never a Disney kid as I was attracted to other cartoon fare and after I heard so many negative reviews of Disneyland HK, I didn't go with high expectations and ended up delighted with my positive experience, which I've been sharing with those around me, especially those looking to visit.
Thanks to 2 travelling companions well-versed in Disneyland knowledge (having visited the USA one), we rushed for all the live and 3D animated shows like Lion King mini musical, Golden Mickey Oscars show with real hosts + cartoon footage, and High School Musical energetic dance numbers with infectious energy, catchy tunes, simple lyrics and slick moves.
Yes, the rides were not very many and mostly family oriented. The park not very big but the pros is you can cover most of it in a day. Oh and the free train that circled the park was lame - you sit sideways to enjoy the view but what view? Just bushes and trees
The longest queues were at the character signings and photo-taking, which we didn't bother with - fren ended up shooting Donald's fluffy butt that looked good to spank! Haha
We spent most of the time gift-hunting in the shops oh and among the 1st to dash into the cafe for lunch at 1130am, portions were good, cream of mushroom soup excellent. Worth your dough. Bakery was even better - wish I could sample everything - believe those were USA recipes and of a consistently high international standard.
U might be wondering how come I suddenly review Disney when it's been 5 months since?
Cos I was reading Phillip Kotler's Marketing book yest that cited a Disney case study on exemplary customer service. I recalled my experience and found it true!
Did you know that every new employee has to pass training at Disney University before they start work? They have to memorise Disney history so that they can answer every tourist's question. They see litter in the park, they pick up, they volunteer to take pictures for tourists, they must be always friendly, warm and helpful.
They are trained never to say no, that's not my job. And the customer is always right! May sound like very old-fashioned principles but in this increasingly jaded society with very PR-customer service, lotsa hits and misses, disgruntled or sometimes even downright rude service staff, it sounds heavenly.
Maybe cos I've been hit left right centre with poor customer service, sad to say, mostly from PRC in SG. (ok more of that next time)
What blew me away is that the book says to keep Disney feeling and looking fresh, the Main Street painters strip every rail in the park to bare metal and apply a fresh coat of paint 5 TIMES A YEAR! Was thinking, hey it's just a railway who cares if it looks sparkling new, but it's sure darn proof of their incredible service quality if it were true.
And they did impress me with their service - from the internet reservations officer, front desk, porter, chambermaid (cutely dressed in the dark grey n white chambermaid dress), park entry staff, F&B, shop attendants...wish I could pick a fault but I couldn't. They were not only professional in their uniforms and manner, but were efficient, friendly and really felt sincere. The chambermaid helped test a faulty kettle and ran to replace one, but still didn't work. She suspected a fuse and really ran to get it fixed for us. We told her no hurry as we were heading out, just as long as it was done by the time we got back.
Another good customer service example I can think of is Hard Rock. The servers were chatty, forthcoming with witty remarks, recommendations and I've even seen a server sit next to a customer, while taking orders, like a friend. Of cos their vibe is a diff one, more laid back and cool in my view.
Back to Disney, Kotler attributes their magic and success to their impeccable service and maintainence, especially in this mismanaged, hectic, tiring world, you drop your emotional baggage at the doors and immerse in their fantasy world where it's always cheery and warm.
And this appeals to everyone under the sun, and it's virtually foolproof - what brilliant marketing!
I'm sure u'll agree u tend to shun a place with bad service, cos the tot isnt very welcoming, especially when u're paying n nid to put up wif lousy attitudes n nonsense, just like how me n my crab kakis tolerated the insufferable Joo Chiat zi char family - that makes for another blog entry hahaha
I can tell u a whole string of bad experiences but only rem precious few gorgeous one, Disney for sure.
Ok till next time, meanwhile hope u meet good service staff ;P
December 16 Remembering The 80s!Continuing with all things 80s, shall start the ball rolling (in this case it's the small rubber ball filled with glittery stars inside that can be bought from the school bookshop that doubles up as our novelty store haha rem erasers printed wif countries' flags, cute stickers, scented tiny balls in transparent plastic box etc)
Speakin of pc games i tink were on those huge floppy disks then n i played Karateka, Pac Man n Star Wars kinda Atari style. Any1 rem? There was a great board game called Rat Race too.
Then there was Micro Genius and very first Nintendo consoles with convertors that you need to attach for small catridges to fit! Default games include Mappy, Ice Climber, Kungfu Fighter and Super Mario 2 was the rage.
Hand helds would be Western Bar *yeeha*
Then we moved to Sega 16bit with Bare Knuckle aka Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Legend of Zelda, Gun Star Heores and Street Fighter hahaha now PS2 still can find emulator compilation :P O lovely gaming memories, play till thumbs blister yet still wrap the tip of the t-shirt ard it n continue playing till blister burst wahahahha gross
Whar are your memories of school and childhood in the 80s? December 15 if you were born in the 80's in Singapore
July 05 Rojak CultureChanced upon this entry in a Cathay Pac WE LOVE HK contest, they giving away 1000 airtix, just need to confess ya adoration haha
This struck a chord cos I think it kinda applies to SG too, in terms of being a cultural melting pot and sponge for other countries' influences determined by latest trends.
一個人,兩手字,三種話,這就是香港市民、香港文化。在這裡,我們聽流行曲,廣東話中加插一句普通話,還搭上幾個英文字。我們看美國電影,偏偏非看那行礙眼的中文字幕不可。我們讀中文報章,卻要寫英文求職信。
我們造就了港式普通話(有沒有搞錯),發揚了Chinglish(long time no see),創建了地道廣東話(無厘頭)。很矛盾,卻可愛。
若有歐美遊客問路,我們會臉紅紅回答;若有國內同胞來電,我們會口震震回覆。有驚無險!還要多看英語一分鐘、笑談普通話、最緊要正字替自己「惡補」。
可是,我們能讀《射鵰英雄傳》,又讀《Harry Potter》;我們能聽羅文,又聽鄧麗君,再聽The Carpenters。
兩文三語的香港人,可以學貫中西,可以跟世界上絕大部份人溝通,多麼好,多麼酷!
一國兩岸三地,一人兩文三語,堪稱絕配。 August 01 HK Portland St in SG?Finally managed to scan in this news clipping - this incident marked my 1st time at the 24hrs Hol V Coffeeshop diagonally opp Crystal Jade, where it happened.
England VS Portugal that night, din expect so much drama on and off screen. Was bz tucking into supper at that time..first started with this guy on mobile phone who suddenly stood up and threw his Tiger bottles on the ground, startling those around. He then proceeded to the dark alley nearby to probly fight it out with a fellow angry man, with wife in tow.
Then, it was this crazily drunk Malaysian Ah Beng who hit the taxi's rear (parked very near us) accidentally the first time, which diverted our attention away from the match and food momentarily but soon dismissed it. He soon rammed it a 2nd time and I had just finished telling SK the taxi will run up the kerb if he rams it once more and true enough, we had to run to safety as the impact sent people tables, chairs and plates crashing to the ground seconds later.
It was kinda interesting to see Singaporeans united against the common "enemy" and showed their aggressiveness in trying to force that idiot out of the car by kicking and slamming tables and chairs. Unfortunately, he was equipped with very sturdy windows...hmm think was either a Renault or Chevrolet btw in case u were wondering...
O n we were guessing the police and medics were busy watching the match too as they came just after the penalty shootout hehe.
Such a dramatic night - o a bonus was we got a free meal n were so unfulfilled we went back for the same dishes soon after.
May 01 Trading WomenTrading Women
AFTER-THOUGHTS An elderly couple was interviewed and despite the passing of so many years since their daughter was kidnapped, they still yearn daily for her return. Can you believe they knew exactly who abducted her? Their neighbours living just 2 streets away! And they are powerless to even confront them as they do not have evidence, not to say jurisdiction! So the poor couple can only whisper and point out the devlish duo's house to the camera crew, and that incurs the wrath of the pair's mother, who curses and swears, not feeling any guilt that her sons are criminals! It was simply heart-breaking to see a university graduate from Myanmar, being forced to sell herself in Bangkok in order to raise money for the mother's funeral. And for about 10 - 20K baht (SGD 400 - 800), customers can even choose to "open virginity" meaning that the girl would have to insert some cotton wool into her vagina after the act is done, to show the bloodstains thus proving her virginity. Again, the girls always have to spilt the money with their owners and also to bribe customs officers and policemen in their area. In a way, these corrupt officials aid in the human trafficking despite the measures taken. In summary, this documentary really opened our eyes and hearts to the harsh conditions of the women in such poverty and you can't help but be thankful that you're in SG, a safe haven in comparison. Have a view after reading this? I would love your comments for discussion so feel free to leave them! Thanks! |
|
|