12/03/2019

Slicethepie (Online Platform, Paid Reviews)



I love the site, really easy to browse, and what you have to do is really easy and enjoyable, if you like music. Some new bands are really great to discover and listen to, and that's the good bit.

The problem is that being paid 0.01 to 0.05 for review is just unacceptable. Right, you don't have to do it, nobody forces you, but if you are there is because you really need cash now. They don't have enough tracks to keep you reviewing all the time, either (don't believe what they say). If they paid at least 10 cents per review, that would be something. To get to those insignificant 10 bucks you probably have to review hundreds of tracks, most of them of music you would never choose to listen to voluntarily, so you have a hard time reviewing them and coming up with something long and creative. You just want to say, I hate it, next. 

They, the site and their people, do the following: if their automated system detects a decrease in quality of your reviews (that could be a pathetic singer who has no talent rebutting my review on their horrendous singing, probably), they immediately reduce the payment; the contrary is also true, but it is more the decrease what you get than your increase because, I repeat, you must listen to whatever they have up, therefore, you could be listening to the genre you hate the most or songs or singers that are horrendous. They blame the algorithm, but they chose the algorithm, not the other way around. An algorithm has no brain. 

Another trick, you cannot withdraw any money until you reach 10, but that takes ages to achieve, hundreds of reviews. My informed guess is that many people get bored after reviewing for a while, and leave after having produced 50+ reviews, no payment for their work, and the site has another bunch of free reviews.

According to the site people, they upload songs all the time. I don't know if it is intentional, but my area was barren for days, not even a song, zeo, nihil, so you don't have anything to listen to, to review or money to earn. 

Reviewers barely benefit from being on Slicethepie. They simply don't benefit. The slice goes to the site owners. 

I would be interested in knowing how much the upcoming artists pay for review and whether they would be comfortable knowing that their reviewers are people being forced to listen to their tracks even if they don't like it, and knowing that they are paid a misery to do that, or their reviews are rejected for repeating words. Yes, what you expect if I don't like your song? I will be polite and say generics because I am not allowed to move onto another track or sincerely honestly say, I hate this song, it's a very bad song and singing, or it's amateurish.

You start at 0.01 and get up, but really, 0.05 or 0.10 is still ridiculous for 10 minutes of your time, or more.

You won't earn any money on this, and will waste a time that you could use, say, picking your nose.That's overall better for your health and more entertaining. 

Avoid. Totally avoid. They're short for scammers.

Amazon Es (Online Shop, Spain)


I've used Amazon Spain twice, and they work very much like Amazon USA regarding everything.

Last year, I purchased some pet supplies as a gift for one of my brothers, who lives in Spain, and the experience was excellent. Some of the products advertised were not available on Amazon Es, and were supplied by external European shops; however, the time of delivery was clearly mentioned on the item page, so I knew that beforehand; yet, the item arrived well before the estimate delivery time. 
  
The second time, I ordered two items for my elderly mother during my holidays there. Items were dispatched separately the next day, and I received them at my doorstep two days later. 

They have a huge selection of products and terrific prices and I can honestly say that they provide better service and range of products than Amazon Au. 


I will certainly buy from them again!

11/30/2019

Oliver's Patisserie & Cafe Niddrie, Melbourne

This is an unpretentious place, a typical neighborhood decent bakery and cafe. Their coffee is smooth. They have a great variety of gourmet breads baked on site every day, as well as what I call 'tradies lunches', and a good selection of freshly baked cakes, which are lovely. The cruffin in the photo is delicious. The place has no character and the sitting arrangements inside are not very inviting or cozy. Not a remarkable place or gourmet place, but very good every day hangout. 

11/16/2019

11/11/2019

Parisian Baker, Essendon Vic, Melbourne

This is one of the most popular bakeries on Keilor Rd Essendon for many reasons. The wonderful location and European vibe to start with. But, most importantly due to the quality of the breads, pastries, croissants and cakes they bake on site. Their coffee is a good smooth coffee. I have been going to this place for many months, and I love their pistachio and raspberry croissants, pain a chocolate, and some of the smooth cheese cakes on sale. The staff is friendly and efficient. and I have barely had any issue with them. The bakery is packed during weekends. A very pricey place.

10/19/2019

Wapa di Ume Resort & Spa (Ubud, Bali, Indonesia)



Head photo courtesy of the resort website.

Banjar Bentuyung, Gianyar, Jl. Suweta, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Hotel Website
reservation@wapadiumesidemen.com
+62 361 973178

THE GOOD
> Gorgeous staff. They make the impossible to make you feel welcomed, to help you with any query or wish. Genuine hard-working and friendly people at the reception, as well as the butlers, gardeners, waiters, and cleaners. 
> Large spacious room and bathroom. Comfortable firm mattress and humongous bed! Great set of toiletries with a wonderful scent, suitable for both women and men. 
> Luscious green gorgeous rice terrace surroundings, gardens, fountains, sculptures and decorations throughout the estate. Serene bucolic atmosphere. The main noise you get in the area is that of the frogs, geckos, birds, and crickets and, when it rains, from the rain. You can see the little animals walking around, and it is like being in the countryside with all the comforts of the city. One can unwind and relax. 
> Excellent fast reliable wi-fi. 
> Good satisfying breakfast included in room price. Many options, Western, Indonesian and a la Carte. Delivered to your room if requested. The restaurant is gorgeous, especially on non-rainy days with views to the fields, so it's worth going there. 
> Two bottles of water provided in the room and another two in the bathroom. If you need more, call reception ad they will supply more at no cost. 
> Shuttle to/from Ubud every hour on the clock. 
> Umbrellas provided for each room, as well as sleepers and robes. 
> Gorgeous communal pools, on the small side, but in wonderful settings, which make them special. 
> Free activities, like a tour of the surrounding rice terrace, yoga sessions, and coconut palm leaf craft workshop. 
> In-situ spa. 

THE NOT SO GOOD
> The photos shown for my room on Booking.com correspond to another room, not mine. I was expecting a balcony, as photographed, but there was none. 
> Wardrobe too small for two people! 
> Curtains difficult to open and close; the one on the front door was especially annoying as the entrance to each room is lighted at night and I had difficulty sleeping as the curtains could not be totally closed. The rails and/or rings should be changed to allow a more natural use of the curtains. 
> Very noisy mini-bar, especially noticeable at night. 
> Bulky impractical "make my room" sign. 
> No TV or music. Not a problem for me, but it might be a problem for other travelers. 
> Security box a bit too high for a small lady! OK for most men. 
> Prices in menu in restaurant, bars, and spa do not include govt taxes! Why note showing the full price tax included? Spa is lovely but overpriced, and so are the prices of non alcoholic drinks. 
> Some the information regarding pricing of taxis, drivers, tours etc. outside those offered by the hotel, were misleading and always on the upper side, as they told me to pay more than I should according to locals. 

Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Head photo courtesy of Expedia.

84, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hotel Website
+60 3-2028 8888

This is a very good simple hotel in the heart of KL that offers everything you need in a short stay or stopover for a very affordable price, and has easy access to KL main sights, shopping malls and eateries. 

Herewith a wrap-up of my experience.
 
THE GOOD
> Great location, at about 12 minutes walking distance from the heart of KL, where you can find the posh Pavilion Shopping Centre, the affordable Fahrenheight 88 Shopping Centre, the Lot10 underground Malaysian and Japanese eateries, the monorail, and much more.
> Safe and secure hotel and rooms. Overall, I found the corridors and common areas quiet.
> Spotless common areas and rooms.
> Spacious room for a budget hotel!
> Good comfy mattress and pillows.
> Plenty of power points and light points in the room.
> Safety box, 2 bottles of water and coffee/tea facilities in the room, plus an empty mini-fridge, which I always find super handy to bring in goodies you want to buy and consume indoors.
> Fast reliable internet during your stay. If you are going to be around after your checkout, they kindly offer you a complimentary guest connection for you to use while in the lobby.
> Acceptable varied buffet breakfast included in the price.
> Staff are welcoming and willing to help.
> Tour desk has good prices
> There is a Family Mart, a decently sized grocery store with some simple eateries inside, plus two other posher cafes at barely 100 metres from the hotel.
> The three lines of free city loop buses can caught in the bus stop across the road.   
> Plenty of metered taxis around.

SO-SO
The Lobby is comfortable enough, but they could make an effort and revamp it a bit.

DOWNSIDES
>The escalators that go from the ground level to the lobby didn't work any of the days I stayed there. 
> The many lifts in the building can take quite a while to stop at your floor.
> Tiny wardrobe for a person, not to say for two.
> Staff need further training to reply questions about airport transfers to/from hotel.
> Tour desk only works with 2 people or more, forget it if you are traveling on your own. There are barely people visiting the desk and it is because they seem not to be interested in doing business, if you know what I mean. 
> No massage center or beauty salon in the premises. 
> If you happen to come down for breakfast at, say, 10am, you will find that they don't refill the trays, so you might find very little to eat. Some of the bakery goods are in a bakery cabinet to be kept warm, but the cabinet wasn't turned on and they were cold.


MIND
> Toiletries aren't available. You will find dispensers of soap/shampoo in the bathroom, and have to request other things at reception. Hair conditioner is not provided either at the room or at reception. It would cost nothing providing a dispenser of conditioner and another of body milk.  
 > Tourists are charged 10 Ringitt per day, so those fees have to be added to your booking fees later on, if you are booking online.
 > Lobby is on the first floor, not on the ground floor, which would be handier.
> There is a transfer desk outside the hotel, apparently not linked to the hotel. They offer private transfers at the usual rates, which are way higher than the taxis or Grab cars around.
> It takes around 1 hour to get to/from the airport.  A metered taxi, Grab or arranged taxi driver will cost you 65-85 Ringitt.