This must be the biggest transfer of the season.  Henry moves to Barcelona as the new 14!

I hope that he does well in Spain unlike the premierships last few moves to Spain.  To all Arsenal supporters, and to the biggest supporter of all – Mahen, maybe now you will be able to get somewhere in EuropeJ

For me, Henry lost his mark as a great player during the last World Cup where he showed his lack of professionalism.  Faking free-kicks to get ahead.  There are a lot of players who try this, however Henry was the last guy that I thought would do such a thing.  Anyways, he has been on a downhill since then and maybe, a change will do him good.

 

 

What do you think of when purchasing a new car?  Is Hassle-Free motoring one of them?  That is exactly what I got! A new car and the hassles came free.

 

From Day 1, Minute 1 of owning a brand new VW Polo Classic, the problems started.  Firstly, the car came without any balancing done on the wheels which basically maks the car shake like crazy. 

Wind noise coming from the passenger window because of rubber that supposed to block this out that did not work,

because it was not connected at the factory,

As you drive, rattles and squeekes envelope the cabin.  Is this a new car?

So, I take the car for balancing and alignment before a road trip (like any responsible driver) and find out that the rear tires are egg shaped.  Yes, they are not round which means that as the tires wear out, this humming noise will penetrate through the cabin.  So, thinking that the tires are faulty, I order a brand new set of Yokohama tires.  Well, I have driven on these tires for about a year now and guess what:...

Yes, faulty rear shocks which is causing the tire to become 'not round'.  So, now I have the same issue with my Yokohama's as I had with the Dunlops that came with the vehicle.  I thought that at every service, VW would do a full check-up. I guess not!

I must live in a UFO area or something, as the lights in the car front headlights to tail lights keep popping. 

Irritating sounds coming from the steering column bracket

So, the clips that hold the mats to the floor? nice idea, but quality is crap

 

So, what did I do about it?

I initially took the car back to have it repaired on the 'factory-fitted' issues.  And at every 15.000kms when the car goes for a service, I note that have these things checked out.  The car has passed the automotion plan and around factory warranty limits (I think its 120.000km) and guess what?  The car still has the following:-

I expect that things can go wrong when purchasing a new car or anything for that matter, however what makes a company great is how they deal with it!  And in my opinion VW did not handle it.  I am truly and utterly convinced that VW has created the Polo range purely for the sake of creating jobs in South Africa.  Well, it is sustainable as the problems do not go away.  I also believe that VW Polo is the most inferior product ever built by VW.

 

I am currently looking to replace my vehicle, and I will not buy a VW ever again, and I will do everything in my capacity to notify anybody buying a VW about my experience.  Use it, don't use it...

 

Thank you VW for making me more savvy in choosing a new vehicle.

 

I am interested in reading your VW issues as I know of at least 3 people who have owned Polo's who complain how this car was poorly put together.  I refuse to use the word Manufactured in the case of the Polo as I believe that the vehicle was put together by some drunk people at VW who are trying to play practical jokes on society by selling this rubbish...

 

References to back-up my statement that VW Polo is the worst

Firstly, I would like to state that in all my life of wildlife tourism, wildlife documentaries, wildlife movies - I have NEVER seen anything as amazing as this...

 

Enjoy the BATTLE AT THE KRUGER

Don't you just wish that there was a website that you could go to that will give you some ideas for tonights dinner? Well, it seems that the wish has come true.  Check out http://www.whatsfordinner.co.za/.  This is a South African flavoured site, which has all the metrics that I can understand as well as ingredients that are available at the shops around town.

 

The site is categorized by different meal types, so if you are a vegetarian..no problem - there is something for you as well.

 

It is sponsored by Knorr, so expect to find recipes that have lotsa Knorr products however i am sure that you can find a suitable substitute.

 

Enjoy...

Check out the new oPhone from Microsoft

 

I found this really cool Vista Gadget that installs on your sidebar and allows you to send 5 free sms's per day to any number in the world.  When sending an sms, the number comes up as your own, so when people reply, you will get the reply to your phone. 

 

Check it out at CallWave SMS

 

Sign-up is quick and free - No Malware, spyware or porn thingy's that i could find, so all in all, a nice tool.

...available on the market today?

 

I am looking for something that matches the following criteria:-

...for winning the Champions League Trophy despite being outplayed by Liverpool. 

 

I still believe that Liverpool were the better team on the night.  The first deflection by Inzaghi was the point at which the game changed for the worst (for Liverpool fans).  Despite that, Rafa should've played crouch at the start of the second half instead of bringing him on with 15 minutes to go.  Once on, he did influence the game a bit and despite none of his doing, a goal was scored with a few minutes left in the game.

 

I guess, there has to be 1 winner - and on the night, AC Milan were the ones to lift the cup.

From a nice evening of around 16 degrees to a morning of 12 degrees maximum, what just happened?  Johannesburg was enjoying a late arrival of winter and then, bam! in your face.  For this week, the forecast looks like:-

12 : 6

12 : -1

15 : 0

19 : 3

20 : 5

 

brrrr!!!!

 

Antalya, Turkey during summer was an absolutely amazing sight.  From what I hear, it is this way almost 365 days of the year.  The only crappy thing though, is getting there from South Africa...decently.  Johannesburg to Dubai to Istanbul to Antalya = 30 hours of travelling. After 30 hours, getting of at Antalya Airport - you can feel the presence of something special.  I landed there in the evening with no sleep for all that time, however energy slowly filled my body as every minute passed. 

 

I get into the taxi and tell the driver to take me to The Marmara Hotel.  He acknowledged and proceeded to drive.  Fortunately, it was night time, so traffic was light.  We get to this dodgy looking building with no signage and the guy says that this is the hotel.  "Uh Oh" I think to myself, "somebody messed up".  I get out of the vehicle and proceed to check-in.  Reception is really dingy with nothing but the front desk, a security scanner, and some elevators.  BTW, did I mention that the hotel was painted pink?  Both inside and out...

 

Checked-in and I take my luggage to my room.  Hmmm..not so bad. Brightly coloured rooms, spacious and the UNFINISHED look.

 

The rest of the crew were down by the beach.  Let me go say Hi before I retire to bed.  Man, oh man...this hotel is getting even more beautiful.  Walk through the lush garden, pass the revoloving hotel (built on water and does a revolution every 26 hours or so), down an outdoor elevator, through a cave looking tunnel, out onto a beach deck none like i have ever seen before.  I have included the photos from the daytime in the album entitled : Antalya. 

 

At the end of the trip, I concluded that this was one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited in my life.  Working during the day time, lunching at the pools, back into meetings, closing off the afternoon at the beach or dunkin' in the pool.  The food in Turkey always left me well, really filled, absolutely delicious. 

 

I would recommend Antalya to anyone looking for sun, sea, good food, excellent people, good shopping and a mix of culture.  Check out the photos in the gallery and let me know.

So, has anybody been to Turkey?  If so, chances are, you have had an encounter with a Turkish Taxi Driver.

 

Common Things That Turkish Taxi Driver Do, from personal experience:-

 

Yesterday, I got to drive the new BMW X5 4.8i.  As a previous skeptic of X5's, I was impressed to say the least.  Front and Rear entertainment system, on-board navigation system with the I-Drive controlling all of this.  The power...wow! 4.8 litre, V8, 261 KWs driving this power house, but...the big but...i certainly did not feel safe on the corners with a vehicle of this size.  However, BMW clain differently with innovations such as XDrive, Dynamic Drive, Active Steering, 50:50 axle load concept managing the vehicle whilst giving you a false sense of "I can Drive"

 

All in all, a nice family vehicle which for ZAR700K...i certainly will not go off-roading

 

Check out the vehicle at BMWs site.

 

The Greatest Game in Football History.  Liverpool coming back from a half-way 3-0 down to win the game was the greatest showcase of Football and a great team, with an excellent captain and a Brilliant manager...how I wish i was there. 

 

 

2 years later (minus 2 days), can history repeat itself?  I think so!  Liverpool is one of those extraordinary teams that has the ability to make grand match even grander.  No matter the outcome, the Reds will definately put on a game to make any football supporter proud.  Unless you're a ManU supporter and your heart burns with jealousy :)

 

Go Reds Go

This is definately one of the best hotels that I have ever stayed in.  The Westin is located at the beginning of the shopping district in Seattle downtown and as most conferences in Seattle happen the the Washington State Convention Centre, the 5 minute walk gives you the ability to checkout the bargains on the way so that you can plan yourself for the walk back to the hotel.

 

Upon check-in at the Westin, I was very surprised, but very glad, to know that I was upgraded to a suite.  Lounge, Dining Room a pull-down bed, guest bathroom and a mini kitchenette.  Interleading door goes to the bedroom and my bathroom.  Did I mention that it was on the 40th floor of the north tower?  The view is stupendous.  From the one window, you can see the entire shopping district including Macy's.  The second window shows the ocean and is spectactular to watch sunsets.  From the bedroom window, you can see the space needle and the ocean as well. 

 

The hospitality at the Westin is amazing.  The food, even better.  Just need to figure out whether the toasted cheese sandwhich I ordered is something really American or they totally messed that up.  Apart from that, I would give a high 9/10.

 

So, the toasted cheese sandwhich I ordered was in fact a slice of toast and a piece of cheese of it.

Not so bad for a low cost carrier.  On board movie, Casino Royale, and all meals for only $5.  Beside the fact that I had two kids sitting in the row behind me kicking the seat infront of them and one kid correcting the others grammar for 5 hours, it was quite an enjoyable journey.  Must've been the company.  thanks Ruari

Washington Dulles

Here we go, passport and customs people.  I have heard so much about the officials at this airport.  Giving my colleagues some close-up and personal treatment .  What are the odds of that happening to me?  "Hello Ms Passport Lady", i say in my most polite voice and I was greeted in a very nice voice.  Wow, this cant be bad at all.  Stamp stamp and "have a nice day".  Yay, no glove treatment and carry on to find my bag.  I then proceed to walk through the channels and this dude says, "Sir! Please go this way."  Uh Oh, what now!

 "Please go to the B line and have a seat." That does not sound good.

After waiting for about a minute, a serious looking dude says that someone will be with me in a minute.  He looks like Cheech from Cheech and Chong, but hey - I definately was not telling him.  Two guys walk in and call me up. 

What's your business in the United States?
Business Trip attending a global conference  

Who do you work for? I tell him and then we proceed to talk about our latest product.  What a nice guy, i thought to myself as he stamped me through.  Must've been red tape. 

Yay, time to catch the next flight to Seattle.  Only 5 hours to go

I bought an economy class ticket to travel South African Airways from Johannesburg, South Africa to Washington, USA and upgraded using some of my 100,000 airmiles that I accumulated over the years.  All I can say is that business class rocks!!!  Priority Check-in so you don't have to wait in the long SAA queues at OR Tambo airport.  Extra luggage capacity so no issues regarding overweight, but only one boarding pass.  Why?  I have been flagged for a security check in the US.  Damn...

 

After going through passport control, we chilled out at the business class lounge.  Free food, nice sofas and peace and quiet.  Of course, as this was my first time, I try to fit in and pretend like I belong.  Man, that was the toughest part.  Getting in line at the gates to board the plane, and you're treated like an average Joe.  The entire capacity of the plane waiting in line to board the A340-600 airbus.  The door is getting closer and the anticipation is killing me.  Boarding the plane, and the air hostess points you to the LEFT of the door.  Bye bye everbody - its time to live it up.

 

I get to my seat and WoW, if there ever was a moment that needed to be surrounded by sparkly lights, this had to be it.  A comfortable chair which has about 14 buttons to adjust the seat - including a massage function.  This was going to be one cool journey.  Juice on entry, air hostess taking your jacket away to hang in the closet...hmmm - no wonder these seats cost more than double an economy seat.  After take off, I just had to press all the buttons to see what each one does.  The best position : 108 degree flat bed. 

Meal time and table clothe dorns your table, salt and pepper shakers, a tray of mini rolled-up butter.  First starters, then main meal followed by desserts.  Again, no wonder these seats cost more than double an economy seat.  We land in Washington's Dulles Airport.  The same airport from Die Hard 2.  Well, after an incredible 16 hours of flying in a metal tube, I feel as fresh as a daisy.  No wonder these seats cost more than double of an economy seat.