Holidays

I've just finished all my exams today and my holidays has started. Well I still need to go back to school to finish off one of the projects but it's okay. I've been looking forward to the 1 month break.

I have resolved the air ticket matter with Priceline already. They gave us $80 voucher as compensation. So each of us get a grand total of $20. Not exactly fantastic but we decided not to pursue the matter further.

I haven't planned anything for this holidays except for the Bangkok trip. Probably I will meet up with some old friends as well as making some trips across the causeway. I think it will be an enjoyable holiday.

What deal? More of a hoax...

I've received the confirmation of my travel itinerary. The e-tickets issued stated that our seats are in coach class instead of the business class we initially thought.


I've sent an email to Priceline because I don't want to call its Hong Kong helpline number. I can put my business law knowledge into use here. First I've entered into a contract with Priceline and the confirmation it sent me stated clearly that the the tickets are business class ones. So there's misrepresentation on their part. Of course I'm not going to sue them although I don't really like the feeling of being cheated.

I'm not really angry because 175 sgd for return ECONOMY air tickets to Bangkok is already very cheap. However I think we deserve some compensation for being misled into buying "business class" tickets. Two free nights at some 5 star hotel in Bangkok perhaps...

Deal of the year

Finally found someone to go holidays with me in December. After much hunting, I came across this incredible deal on the net.

Nuff' said. Business class is freaking cheaper than budget airlines. Really unbelieveable.

Mode of transportation

For the first 2 months of school I've been purchasing the bus concession and taking a combination of buses to school. However for this month, I decide to switch back to taking MRT.

Each mode of transport has its own pros and cons.

Bus v MRT

Time taken

I need to take a combination of 3 buses to reach school. First I have to take 5-7 min ride on 22 to the bus-stop near the PIE exit at Bedok Reservoir. From there I will catch 23 to Jalan Besar which will take another 20-25 min. A short ride 5 min ride on 147 will get me to SMU. Total time taken: 45 min at best, average 1 hour (incl transfers). Longer if there's traffic jams on Serangoon Rd or PIE. Bus to Bedok station takes roughly 10 minutes, from Bedok to City Hall is another 20 minutes. No chance to get stuck in the traffic jams. Average travelling time is 40 minutes. It's a clear winner.

Winner: MRT

Hassle

Taking bus has alot more hassle because of the transfers. Taking MRT is more straight forward because it only involves 1 transfer. My vote goes to MRT again.

Winner: MRT

Seats availability

I never got the chance to sit in a MRT carriage before unless I board from Boon Lay or Pasir Ris. The carriages are packed like sardines especially during the evening peak hour. Meanwhile I only need to stand sometimes on 23 or 147 on the way to school but usually there's a seat.

Winner: Bus

Walking distance to school

The bus-stops are located nearer to the school compared to the MRT stations. Try walking from City Hall to SESS in the hot sun... Not a good experience.

Winner: Bus

Cost

Bus concession costs 52 dollars and gives me unlimited rides on buses for the month. MRT plus transfer on bus set me back by about $1.70 a trip. Monthly cost on transport is definitely more expensive if I take train.

Winner: Bus

Scenery

There's nothing much to see on the bus. However it's a different matter taking the MRT. I don't know if it's just me but there seems to be quite a lot of pretty girls on the MRT. Some of the OLs working in the City Hall area are quite hot too... Haha... I think that's the only perk of studying in the city campus.

Winner: MRT (hands down)

Conclusion: The score is tied at 3-3. But because of the scenery I'm taking the train now. Haha. Seeing pretty girls really brights up my gloomy day. No joke... Everyday is a gloomy day at SMU.