THE BOFFINS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN
Sep 12th, 2004, 11:14 PM
#41
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Jane, if you check current 5 star listings on RACQ's website you'll find the only 5 star resort in Palm Cove is Angsana Resort and Spa. AAATourism's inspectors award the ratings using incredibly detailed criteria. For a $239 a night room, I think Sebel was quite generous in offering the meal which was obviously for at least 2. A free trip as compensation would be just a little over the top - a reef trip for 2 would have cost the resort around $200-$350 and a Kuranda/Skyrail trip with Palm Cove transfers about $160.
Jane, you wouldn't get too many backpacker temps working around Palm Cove - they couldn't afford to stay there. There's an excellent government funded training school for housemaid staff run by Phoebe who also co-owns Garden Room Restaurant, 8 km out of Cairns city. Several regular contributors to this board have described her food as the best they had in Australia. Phoebe puts as much care into transferring un-trained and virtually unemployable people into efficient workers with the same attention she gives to her marvellous food.
Jane, you wouldn't get too many backpacker temps working around Palm Cove - they couldn't afford to stay there. There's an excellent government funded training school for housemaid staff run by Phoebe who also co-owns Garden Room Restaurant, 8 km out of Cairns city. Several regular contributors to this board have described her food as the best they had in Australia. Phoebe puts as much care into transferring un-trained and virtually unemployable people into efficient workers with the same attention she gives to her marvellous food.
Sep 13th, 2004, 01:19 AM
#42
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To date I have maintained a dignified silence in the face of considerable provocation - in part the result of having spent the weekend at beautiful Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales south coast, at a wonderfully ratty beach house with some old friends with whom we got roaring drunk at at one point staggered out to watch a pod of moronic dolphins swim past in the pristine, turquoise waters. Or it may have been a couple of seagulls - who cares?
Having returned to dry, frosty but spring-afflicted Canberra, complete with yellow wattle and pink prunus blooms (a lousy match, if I may say so), I have to pronounce that this thread and its relatives are generating way too much aggro. The original offence was trivial, the reactions have been over the top. Andrews whatsisname may be a pain, but as far as I'm concerned he's entitled to put his large boot into whatever overpriced property he was foolish to book in to. Go Andrews!!
And the rest of my compatriots, for God's sake stop being so sensitive! Our correspondent may be a jerk, but are you really trying to send a message that trip reports on the Australia/Pacific forum (unlike trip reports on every other board) are only allowed if they say nice things about us cuddly little possums, or wombats, or whatever noxious marsupials they breed up Liz's way? Lord, what sort of sensitive, fluttering little flowers are we? IS THIS THE FIGHTING ANZAC SPIRIT?? (er, well, yes, it might be ... we did get thrashed by the dastardly Turks that time...)
Having returned to dry, frosty but spring-afflicted Canberra, complete with yellow wattle and pink prunus blooms (a lousy match, if I may say so), I have to pronounce that this thread and its relatives are generating way too much aggro. The original offence was trivial, the reactions have been over the top. Andrews whatsisname may be a pain, but as far as I'm concerned he's entitled to put his large boot into whatever overpriced property he was foolish to book in to. Go Andrews!!
And the rest of my compatriots, for God's sake stop being so sensitive! Our correspondent may be a jerk, but are you really trying to send a message that trip reports on the Australia/Pacific forum (unlike trip reports on every other board) are only allowed if they say nice things about us cuddly little possums, or wombats, or whatever noxious marsupials they breed up Liz's way? Lord, what sort of sensitive, fluttering little flowers are we? IS THIS THE FIGHTING ANZAC SPIRIT?? (er, well, yes, it might be ... we did get thrashed by the dastardly Turks that time...)
Sep 13th, 2004, 01:48 AM
#43
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Actually - I have to say that without any response from andrews this thread has now become rather boring. I had rather hoped he may try and defend his actions with the Maitre d' or at least give some indication of how mouldy and chipped the tiles were to warrant a 3 course dinner but it seems no amount of provocation has brought him out to answer. Does andrews really exist - or is he the invention of the competition hotel in Palm Cove's mind? One would really love to know. Come on andrews be a sport - come out, come out, please!
Sep 13th, 2004, 04:29 AM
#44
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If Neil was as 'Brahms and Listz' over the last few days as he says he was then perhaps he is the phantom Andrew 123987. It is something that a dear old wizard would do just to stir us commoners into action to amuse himself while he watched his turquoise dolphins play in the moronic waters off Jervis Bay before embarking on the long haul home to the pink wattle and yellow prunus.
Also he knows darn well what kind of noxious nocturnals are up my way, I see them quite often after closing time. However I must admit that I am glad that Neil did enjoy his latest liver cleansing diet & I trust that tommorrow he will feel better for it - if not in body then in mind.
Also he knows darn well what kind of noxious nocturnals are up my way, I see them quite often after closing time. However I must admit that I am glad that Neil did enjoy his latest liver cleansing diet & I trust that tommorrow he will feel better for it - if not in body then in mind.
Sep 14th, 2004, 04:43 AM
#45
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<<IS THIS THE FIGHTING ANZAC SPIRIT?? (er, well, yes, it might be ... we did get thrashed by the dastardly Turks that time...)>>
Since there's some question that Neil might be the elusive Andy19374645 and his drinking weekend has ended with the sobering thought that the pummelling of Andy19374645/Neil should stop, I have to agree. He's too nice a fellow.
So let's send Neil on his trip to China later this week armed with his Fighting Anzac spirit that he'll need to cope with the millions of Chinese on the move during their national holiday.
Bon Voyage! Come home safe.
Since there's some question that Neil might be the elusive Andy19374645 and his drinking weekend has ended with the sobering thought that the pummelling of Andy19374645/Neil should stop, I have to agree. He's too nice a fellow.
So let's send Neil on his trip to China later this week armed with his Fighting Anzac spirit that he'll need to cope with the millions of Chinese on the move during their national holiday.
Bon Voyage! Come home safe.
Sep 14th, 2004, 07:12 PM
#49
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Liz, you'll be pleased to know that there's a structure in Beijing's Temple of Heaven called the "Hall of Abstinence", and I do plan to pay a visit. I might need to fortify myself with a couple of Tsingtao beers first, though - abstinence is thirsty work.
Sep 14th, 2004, 07:36 PM
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Hi, Neil!
Hall of Abstinence.... that sounds like a description of Canberra!
Have a great holiday.... I envy you, but as consolation I'm off to India in five weeks. When will you return to Australia... and the forum?
Hall of Abstinence.... that sounds like a description of Canberra!
Have a great holiday.... I envy you, but as consolation I'm off to India in five weeks. When will you return to Australia... and the forum?
Sep 14th, 2004, 08:18 PM
#51
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Thanks, Alan, but I've never thought of Canberra as a centre of abstinence. Don't forget we play host to the nation's legislators, the Press Gallery and the diplomatic corps (not that the average Canberran sees much of any of them, apart from dodging the occasional erratic car with a 'DC' numberplate).
I'll be back on Election Day, 9th October, in plenty of time to wish you well on your voyage of exploration to India.
I'll be back on Election Day, 9th October, in plenty of time to wish you well on your voyage of exploration to India.
Sep 15th, 2004, 03:20 AM
#53
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Neil, while you are abstaining in China I will think of you whilst I am imbibing the wonderful liquid gold and ruby red of the Perigord region of France. I am not going to be here for the election HORRAY!!!!!!! and depending on the outcome I may never come back.
What do you mean AD when you say "don't any of you work"? We are all to bloody old to work!
Alan you have a nice time in India and
What do you mean AD when you say "don't any of you work"? We are all to bloody old to work!
Alan you have a nice time in India and
Sep 15th, 2004, 03:31 AM
#54
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You've opened a can of worms Neil by talking about the Temple of Heaven and abstinence. There's more to abstain from than drink. Read on:
<<Before each ceremony, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held a three-day fast during Spring, Summer and Winter. The emperors spent two days fasting in the Forbidden City and completed the three-day fast in the Hall of Abstinence.
During the three days, the emperor could not drink wine. He could only eat vegetables, but not garlic or onions. The emperor couldn't have any entertainment, nor could he handle any state affairs. Also, he had to be away from women. Naturally, such restrictions could be difficult for any emperor who was accustomed to all these luxuries.
>>
<<Before each ceremony, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held a three-day fast during Spring, Summer and Winter. The emperors spent two days fasting in the Forbidden City and completed the three-day fast in the Hall of Abstinence.
During the three days, the emperor could not drink wine. He could only eat vegetables, but not garlic or onions. The emperor couldn't have any entertainment, nor could he handle any state affairs. Also, he had to be away from women. Naturally, such restrictions could be difficult for any emperor who was accustomed to all these luxuries.
>>
Sep 15th, 2004, 08:12 AM
#56
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you guys haven't a clue about the worst of it ! Andrews demands for a comp meal are nothing compared to the insane demands i see everyday in my job ! I work in a european reservation centre, we have a customer service department that deals with customer complaints and difficulties etc .....
we are constantly amazed at how greedy, opportunistic and unrealistic some people are - demanding their whole stay free and THEN SOME for incidents totally beyond the control of the hotel.
Andrews demands, while they were deemed outrageous to some, seem totally reasonable to me.
one of our recent letters from a client - stayed in a resort on the red sea and was bitten by a scorpion, on the hotel grounds, the staff acted quickly and supplied a doctor foc yet the client demanded his entire stay free and threatened to sue ! Like we can control the wildlife, an insect no less ?!
now, i'll also add, that for every unreasonable guest out there, there are plenty of stupid hotel operators- if the room was not up to scratch, admit it - give the man his free meal -why alienate him further by arguing over 10 bucks - as others have noted, word of mouth can make or break a business. How Andrew approached the manager is neither here nor there, the manager had an obligation to deal with the complaint efficiently and for the benefit of the propertys ongoing good name. If you want to be 5 star - make sure you are ! No mouldy tiles, no damaged fittings, no arguing with guests.. It really is that simple.
we are constantly amazed at how greedy, opportunistic and unrealistic some people are - demanding their whole stay free and THEN SOME for incidents totally beyond the control of the hotel.
Andrews demands, while they were deemed outrageous to some, seem totally reasonable to me.
one of our recent letters from a client - stayed in a resort on the red sea and was bitten by a scorpion, on the hotel grounds, the staff acted quickly and supplied a doctor foc yet the client demanded his entire stay free and threatened to sue ! Like we can control the wildlife, an insect no less ?!
now, i'll also add, that for every unreasonable guest out there, there are plenty of stupid hotel operators- if the room was not up to scratch, admit it - give the man his free meal -why alienate him further by arguing over 10 bucks - as others have noted, word of mouth can make or break a business. How Andrew approached the manager is neither here nor there, the manager had an obligation to deal with the complaint efficiently and for the benefit of the propertys ongoing good name. If you want to be 5 star - make sure you are ! No mouldy tiles, no damaged fittings, no arguing with guests.. It really is that simple.
Sep 15th, 2004, 08:36 AM
#57
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Alan, Liz, Neil, and anyone else who is lucky enough to travel in the next month....have the grandest time!
Leisa, your point reminded me of my cousin...who works in conference and catering at the Ritz Carlton hotel. The level of service they demand from their employers is wild. If they pass a fellow employee, they MUST make eye contact and say "good morning, afternoon, or evening." If they are in a rush and trying to go through the hotel to get something done, and a guest stops them and asks for something, they are to drop everything and help that person, no matter what. It's such a high level of service that employees have been known to avoid guest areas and "take the long way" so that they can manage to get their work done in time.
Guess why the Ritz is the Ritz.
Leisa, your point reminded me of my cousin...who works in conference and catering at the Ritz Carlton hotel. The level of service they demand from their employers is wild. If they pass a fellow employee, they MUST make eye contact and say "good morning, afternoon, or evening." If they are in a rush and trying to go through the hotel to get something done, and a guest stops them and asks for something, they are to drop everything and help that person, no matter what. It's such a high level of service that employees have been known to avoid guest areas and "take the long way" so that they can manage to get their work done in time.
Guess why the Ritz is the Ritz.
Sep 15th, 2004, 10:34 AM
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crazymina - nice idea - greeting all your colleagues eye to eye - now that reminds me of the first time i traveled on business to stockholm, at a dinner we all raised our glasses to 'skal' , all my swedish colleagues looked everyone at the table in the eye before we drank. i thought that was great and insisted on doing the same with my friends at home - i swear it has deepened our friendships - that moment of recognition amongst good friends.
but back to the point - so many hotels are offering the same product, so what makes the difference is the staff, and yr quite right, what makes the ritz the ritz is professional staff.
but back to the point - so many hotels are offering the same product, so what makes the difference is the staff, and yr quite right, what makes the ritz the ritz is professional staff.
Sep 15th, 2004, 12:31 PM
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I found the same thing as far as raising your glasses when I was in the Czech Republic. We were out with some local Czechs and some expats. When the time came to raise our glasses, you made eye contact with EACH person in the group as you clinked the glass, AND you were not allowed to criss cross over the table when someone else was toasting (considered rude)...making it a bit time consumin in a big group. But I thought it was quite nice too. Seemed to add a more personal touch to it, then just raising your glass and shouting "cheers!"
