Niterider Sapphire’s Neighborhood

Sali Cambodia Cham, originally uploaded by tsue2007.

Sali was our faithful tuk-tuk driver during the whole trip in Siem Reap.

He speaks perfect Malay, and is a good Muslim.

"Saya Cambodia Cham..Melayu Champa..Mereka kata Cham saja cukup..Sini ada, Cambodia KHmer, Cambodia Viatnamese, Cmboadia Cham..CAmbodia Chinese..India tak ada macam di Malaysia.."he explained while he polished the tuk-tuk's handle..

Hm..,my mind went to the awful slogan on their 'official' t-shirt, same-same but different..

"Masa lepas Khmer Rouge pegi..US, Semua datang nak ambik kami..Tapi tok saya kata, tunggu Malaysia, tunggu Malaysia datang ambil.."

"Tapi Malaysia datang ambil lambat sangat, Thailand hantar tok saya balik.."

"Sini..kalau kaya..kaya sungguh..makan tak habis..kira duit tak habis..tapi yang miskin..miskin lah.."

080613 02vox Tesco

I never, ever thought that the happening below could actually happen at TESCO; it being such a reputable international chain hypermarket. I had assumed that being a chain hypermarket, it must have it's corporate values intrenched in its product and services immaterial of the outlet's location. That is what standardisation is all about, what ISO 9001 standard of quality control is all about.

What happened is as below;

On the eve of New Year; 01.01.2010 at 11.30am I went to the Tesco outlet at Kota Bharu by the Kelantan River with 3 daughters. We spent some times shopping and and used the provided trolley to carry the materials shopped. It was nearly 1.00am and I was late for the Friday Prayer but my daughter with the troley was still not around. Catching her on the handphone, I learnt that somebody had switched our trolley cart and left theirs in its place. I told her to go to the customer service, report and ask assistance; it should not be difficult because Tesco is an international company with good management, while I get back home for the Friday Prayer.

We got our trolley back BUT NO THANKS to Tesco management and staffs. As advised, she had gone to the Customer Service and ask the attendant there to make the announcement... only to be told that SHE COULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO ANNOUCE!!!!!!!

OMG....I could not belief my ears. An international chain hypermarket have this quality of personnel!!!! Surely they must have trained the personnel. Or have they not???? This high ass behaviour is totally unacceptable in today's business practice... and it HAPPENED AS TESCO!!!

The 'trained' lady attendant then advised my daughter to just take the other person's trolley content as an exchange in case there is a report of missing items, of which my daughter flatly refused!!!! WHAT AN ADVICE FROM A PERSONNEL OF AN INTERNATIONAL HYPERMARKET!!!! WHAT IRRESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE!!!!

My daughter then went to the security department hoping that the CCTV could track the switch-over and the where about of our trolley... Another surprise awaits.. She was told that the CCTV could not track the ascalator!!!

What good is a CCTV is there are blindspot on the MAIN AREA OF SURVEILLANCE!!!! Definitely if somebody steal something, the ascalator or lift is the first choice to head to for exit. AND THIS IS NOT COVERED IN AN INTERNATIONAL HYPERMARKET!!!!! Another point down for TESCO..

Immediately afterward the screen goes blank. She was told that the surveillance was off for FRIDAY PRAYER!!! OMG... THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING AT AN INTERNATIONAL HYPERMARKET!!!!!  The purpose of CCTV is 24hrs X 7days a week surveillance so that if there is any case, the surveillance records would yield something.. Friday Prayer IS NOT AN EXCUSE... IS IT??????  Another point down for TESCO..

Feeling very dispirited my daughter went to the Food Courts to sit and think. She was close to tears when she noticed an elderly woman sitting next to a trolley with luggage that seems familiar. She waited... When the lady got up and left the trolley, she concluded that the trolley was not hers. Scrutinising the content, it turned out that the trolley was ours. Noticing a lady with two kids looking very unhappy and worried nearby she asked her what happened. The lady told her that she had lost her trolley. She then took her to the customer service to reclaim the switched over trolley...

What a revealation I have today. Now I have a totally different perception of the so called International chain Hypermarket standard of operation. They are only as good as their personnel. All those uniforms doesn't make any difference. The mind-set have to change and not just the outward appearance..

091228vox PCB

This shot was taken at PCB; Pantai Cahaya Bulan (Beach of Moonlight); formerly Pantai Cinta Berahi (Beach of Passionate Love). Now it is more apt to call it PCB; Pantai Cinta Batu (Beach of Rocks).. The beach was protected from annual erosion by rockfills along the beach front. However such preservation work have practically destroyed the natural beauty of the beach which was passionately described in many local poems... What a loss!!!!

Alright. We didnt pay the 20USD to get inside cos we're so kopak man..

So Sali, the Tuk-tuk Cambodia Cham suggested we get in free. Salii, the man!! Save our souls. But only after 5 pm.

So can you imagine how dark it was inside the temples after 5.30 pm? Almost creepy, and i lost all appetite for knowledge.

Here's to Angkor.

My son and daughter donating blood at hypermarket KB Mall. What about the father? .... Errr... 'Abah takut jarum!!!' (Daddy's afraid of needles). I truly am.. The sight of the needle puncturing my skin and drawing blood is enough to send shivers down my spine with hazy vision... Good deed sonny / dearie...

Pemurah

Saw this at KB Mall. Is there a car model made by Takasima? Or is it just a car sized exercise machine? I never got to the shop place to see for myself.. 

CAR or TOY??

truth be told..i despise phnom penh..