Not much to blog about these days as the Hotel is still not opened for business :(
It's set to open Mid Jan so my blog will be pretty quite until then :(
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
hmmm ?!?!
We received a letter from the Police yesterday requesting Name, D.O.B & photographs of all residents living in the apartment, I checked with a few other people in the community & they had received the same letter.
Before I filled in the questionnaire with Amelia Earheart & Jimmy Hoffa's details I thought I would investigate why the information was required & I came across this gem. (copy/pasted from http://www.planetpowai.com/news/2202200901.htm)
Yeah so If I disappear of the face of the earth in the next few days, You'll know why.
Tues, Feb 24, 2009
8:55:09 PM
NEWS Archive
Home
Police taking it seriously, no reason to panic
Serial Blasts Threat Warning on Builder’s Email, Hiranandani Gardens on Target
In an exclusive meeting with 'Planet Powai' the Zone 'X' Dy Commissioner of Police KMM Prasanna said, “There is no reason to panic, we have taken the threat seriously and swung into action to locate the IP address of the email sender. The police are taking all measures for security. I would appeal to each and every citizen to be cautious and alert. They should report any suspicious person to us immediately. Without public cooperation our task would become difficult.”
By: Staff Reporter
Powai - 22 February 09 : Are we on terror target? A serial blast threat email received on the 14th Feb night on info@hiranandani.net by an unknown person sent from karmavisva@yahoo.com has sent the authorities in a spin. The email went unnoticed until Monday on the 16th when it was discovered. The Hiranandani group's admin dept immediately reported the matter to Powai police and Zone X Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The said email states, “A person, who goes by the name “JJ” stays as a paying guest at one of the buildings in the complex (Hiranandani Gardens), is the local contact for terrorists. He has taken the terrorists around and shown them all the sites. He had helped terrorists get blueprints of several buildings in the complex. As soon as things are in place he (JJ) will move out and the blasts will take place.”
Speaking to Niranajan Hiranandani, he said, “Though the email seems to be a bogus one, we are not dismissing it. We have taken the matter with highest level in police and investigations have started to track the sender. The Cyber Crime Cell will definitely be able to uncover the same. However, I would like inform all residents and more than 40 societies in the complex to intensify their security and remain vigilant, it is the alertness at the micro-level that is going to work. I would appeal to residents not to panic and be cooperative with the police.”
While speaking to the DCP he revealed that the police have issued instructions to all CHS in Powai jurisdiction to list out residents by name in their respective housing societies, now it shall be enforced. People renting out flats will have to inform police, this is being made mandatory as it would entail police verification. He could not reveal any further progress in the investigation at this stage but maintained they would be able to nab the email sender with the help of Cyber Crime Cell of Mumbai Police. It would be too premature to rule out any thing.
Not only that, he emphasised the support of residents in reporting suspicious movement of persons, their identity and doubtful items or vehicles in any area. He maintains, no doubt intelligence is being beefed up in the area but it has to be complemented with public support.
Speaking to a veteran resident of Hiranandani Gardens (name withheld) said, “Living in such terror times, life can be risky. We would like our builder and the police to show some visible signs to beef up overall security measures in the complex. I recommend armed patrolling by police with mobile phones to be contacted through control. The builder should increase his mobile security force and make it 24x7. They should be provided with jeeps too for quick response. Private detectives should be put on under cover job to gather intelligence in the area.”
It may be recalled, a few years back in Kashmir some photographs of Hiranandani Gardens were recovered from an arrested terrorist. Apparently, he had done recce of this complex. That time too intelligence was beefed by police up for the security of the complex.
The Hiranandani Gardens today has some 43 residential buildings with approx 30,000 people staying in them and more than a dozen commercial buildings where approx 25,000 work. With its cosmopolitan flavour and profile of residents and offices, it has gained an international reputation to be Mumbai's iconic address. This could always give the terrorists a good target.
Before I filled in the questionnaire with Amelia Earheart & Jimmy Hoffa's details I thought I would investigate why the information was required & I came across this gem. (copy/pasted from http://www.planetpowai.com/news/2202200901.htm)
Yeah so If I disappear of the face of the earth in the next few days, You'll know why.
Tues, Feb 24, 2009
8:55:09 PM
NEWS Archive
Home
Police taking it seriously, no reason to panic
Serial Blasts Threat Warning on Builder’s Email, Hiranandani Gardens on Target
In an exclusive meeting with 'Planet Powai' the Zone 'X' Dy Commissioner of Police KMM Prasanna said, “There is no reason to panic, we have taken the threat seriously and swung into action to locate the IP address of the email sender. The police are taking all measures for security. I would appeal to each and every citizen to be cautious and alert. They should report any suspicious person to us immediately. Without public cooperation our task would become difficult.”
By: Staff Reporter
Powai - 22 February 09 : Are we on terror target? A serial blast threat email received on the 14th Feb night on info@hiranandani.net by an unknown person sent from karmavisva@yahoo.com has sent the authorities in a spin. The email went unnoticed until Monday on the 16th when it was discovered. The Hiranandani group's admin dept immediately reported the matter to Powai police and Zone X Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The said email states, “A person, who goes by the name “JJ” stays as a paying guest at one of the buildings in the complex (Hiranandani Gardens), is the local contact for terrorists. He has taken the terrorists around and shown them all the sites. He had helped terrorists get blueprints of several buildings in the complex. As soon as things are in place he (JJ) will move out and the blasts will take place.”
Speaking to Niranajan Hiranandani, he said, “Though the email seems to be a bogus one, we are not dismissing it. We have taken the matter with highest level in police and investigations have started to track the sender. The Cyber Crime Cell will definitely be able to uncover the same. However, I would like inform all residents and more than 40 societies in the complex to intensify their security and remain vigilant, it is the alertness at the micro-level that is going to work. I would appeal to residents not to panic and be cooperative with the police.”
While speaking to the DCP he revealed that the police have issued instructions to all CHS in Powai jurisdiction to list out residents by name in their respective housing societies, now it shall be enforced. People renting out flats will have to inform police, this is being made mandatory as it would entail police verification. He could not reveal any further progress in the investigation at this stage but maintained they would be able to nab the email sender with the help of Cyber Crime Cell of Mumbai Police. It would be too premature to rule out any thing.
Not only that, he emphasised the support of residents in reporting suspicious movement of persons, their identity and doubtful items or vehicles in any area. He maintains, no doubt intelligence is being beefed up in the area but it has to be complemented with public support.
Speaking to a veteran resident of Hiranandani Gardens (name withheld) said, “Living in such terror times, life can be risky. We would like our builder and the police to show some visible signs to beef up overall security measures in the complex. I recommend armed patrolling by police with mobile phones to be contacted through control. The builder should increase his mobile security force and make it 24x7. They should be provided with jeeps too for quick response. Private detectives should be put on under cover job to gather intelligence in the area.”
It may be recalled, a few years back in Kashmir some photographs of Hiranandani Gardens were recovered from an arrested terrorist. Apparently, he had done recce of this complex. That time too intelligence was beefed by police up for the security of the complex.
The Hiranandani Gardens today has some 43 residential buildings with approx 30,000 people staying in them and more than a dozen commercial buildings where approx 25,000 work. With its cosmopolitan flavour and profile of residents and offices, it has gained an international reputation to be Mumbai's iconic address. This could always give the terrorists a good target.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Hotel Caught fire, Oops No it Didn't
A hotel that was formerly a Holiday Inn now a Novotel & is currently closed for refurbishments caught fire on the weekend.
The press in all their wisdom reported it was "Mumbai's Holiday Inn Hotel" um, Actually it's not as H.T is here to open the NEW & ONLY HOLIDAY INN in MUMBAI H.T is now busy wasting time (oxymoron ?) fielding phone calls due to the error in reporting.
Check out the article here:
http://news.indiainfo.com/2009/01/31/0901311726_holiday-inn.html
The press in all their wisdom reported it was "Mumbai's Holiday Inn Hotel" um, Actually it's not as H.T is here to open the NEW & ONLY HOLIDAY INN in MUMBAI H.T is now busy wasting time (oxymoron ?) fielding phone calls due to the error in reporting.
Check out the article here:
http://news.indiainfo.com/2009/01/31/0901311726_holiday-inn.html
Slum Dog Millionaire
I finally saw the movie on the weekend, Seems every one in India already has a ripped copy of it although it was only released recently,
Russel Peters quote of "Bollywood movies are great for people with no expectations" seems to apply here, It has all the typical cliches (Evil Gangsters maiming kids & putting them to work as beggars, Can't forget the Taj Mahal & stupid American Tourists, overcrowded trains, add a few songs by M.I.A in the sound track)& a story line that doesn't make sense either that or the Brother in the movie has a split personality.
It's an alright movie but doesn't deserve all the accolades & does nothing to help stereotypes.
Russel Peters quote of "Bollywood movies are great for people with no expectations" seems to apply here, It has all the typical cliches (Evil Gangsters maiming kids & putting them to work as beggars, Can't forget the Taj Mahal & stupid American Tourists, overcrowded trains, add a few songs by M.I.A in the sound track)& a story line that doesn't make sense either that or the Brother in the movie has a split personality.
It's an alright movie but doesn't deserve all the accolades & does nothing to help stereotypes.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year
New years was quietly spent at The Dome restaurant in Mumbai, India. Most celebrations were canceled due to the recent terrorist attacks. At midnight we didn't even get a count down or fireworks so it was all very anti climatic.
Here are a few happy snaps from the night.
Here are a few happy snaps from the night.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Xmas Every One
Ok so after I got back form Oz H.T (The hubby)casually mentioned we host an Xmas lunch for 7 people, He failed to mention they had already RSVP'd & he wanted me to cook Roast pork, beef & chicken.
No dramas there cos I did the same last year when we were in Indonesia.
Anyways on Saturday I spent 5 & a half freaking hours & visited 4 supermarkets trying to find beef, pork & basic ingredients for a cheesecake. In the end we used his hotel contacts so anyway its now 5pm on Xmas eve & still no pork loin (we had some form of meat delivered yesterday that was supposed to be pork, but it's red & funny smelling, maybe Rudolph?)
The chicken still has his damn head & feet attached & it's beady little black eyes were staring at me when I took it out the freezer to defrost so I have left that for H.T to deal with, I'm not even going to consider touching it again let alone sticking my hand up it's ass to see if the innards are still intact.
And Finally, I've noticed about $700 AUD worth of cosmetics missing from the apartment ever since I got back from Oz, I'm pissed off about that, not so much that they are missing cos I have more than enough make up to last me a life time! It's more the fact the have been taken from my home, I don't think its the maid as it's all high end stuff & she wouldn't know NYX from MAC.
Yeah so anyway Merry Xmas every one :)
No dramas there cos I did the same last year when we were in Indonesia.
Anyways on Saturday I spent 5 & a half freaking hours & visited 4 supermarkets trying to find beef, pork & basic ingredients for a cheesecake. In the end we used his hotel contacts so anyway its now 5pm on Xmas eve & still no pork loin (we had some form of meat delivered yesterday that was supposed to be pork, but it's red & funny smelling, maybe Rudolph?)
The chicken still has his damn head & feet attached & it's beady little black eyes were staring at me when I took it out the freezer to defrost so I have left that for H.T to deal with, I'm not even going to consider touching it again let alone sticking my hand up it's ass to see if the innards are still intact.
And Finally, I've noticed about $700 AUD worth of cosmetics missing from the apartment ever since I got back from Oz, I'm pissed off about that, not so much that they are missing cos I have more than enough make up to last me a life time! It's more the fact the have been taken from my home, I don't think its the maid as it's all high end stuff & she wouldn't know NYX from MAC.
Yeah so anyway Merry Xmas every one :)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Heartbeats, Music from within.
Last night we headed off to a concert called "Heartbeats, The music within" that the hotel sponsored. I wasn't expecting much as I'm not a fan of Hindi music but was really blown away by the performance. The genre was more world music/tribal than the Hindi/Bollywood song & dance type that I was expecting & it was like a jam session between a singer (who sung chords not actual words), guitarist & 3 drummers.
The musicians would take turns playing/singing/drumming tune or rhythm then the others would match it individually then they would come together & play as a group.
2 drummers were playing "traditional" type drums, I've got no idea what they're called & the third had a kit of about 25 drums & also incorporated a suitcase & water bottle into the performance.
I can't really describe it as this genre is new to me & it's one of those things you really have to see live to appreciate.
Man, I need to start taking my camera to these functions in the future.
The musicians would take turns playing/singing/drumming tune or rhythm then the others would match it individually then they would come together & play as a group.
2 drummers were playing "traditional" type drums, I've got no idea what they're called & the third had a kit of about 25 drums & also incorporated a suitcase & water bottle into the performance.
I can't really describe it as this genre is new to me & it's one of those things you really have to see live to appreciate.
Man, I need to start taking my camera to these functions in the future.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Mumbai Apartment
Hmm Just playing around with the camera & trying to figure out how to upload videos.
Please excuse the shaky camera work It's only really the second time I've played with the camcorder.
Please excuse the shaky camera work It's only really the second time I've played with the camcorder.
Neglecting The Blog
So I spent 2 months in Melbourne just enjoying not being in India, I missed the terror attacks & all the excitement that happened in Mumbai.
I'm back again & trying to figure out how to upload vids to youtube so you can have something to watch.
So far I have learnt ..... iMovie 08 is PURE EVIL, I'm undecided on Windows movie maker atm, If the next post is a youtube vid well then it worked :)
I'm back again & trying to figure out how to upload vids to youtube so you can have something to watch.
So far I have learnt ..... iMovie 08 is PURE EVIL, I'm undecided on Windows movie maker atm, If the next post is a youtube vid well then it worked :)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Update for the Sake of updating again
Australia is damn cold so I've been in hibernation for the past week enjoying some peace & quite.
GM has been attending a cultural sensitivity course in Delhi for the past few days, I was supposed to attend also but seeing I'm in Oz that's not possible.
He's updated me on the course events & advised it's all very shallow & basic common sense that they are teaching (I know a few outlaws that need to learn some common sense. lol).
He's also traveled far more than the course trainer so the whole thing sounds like a big fat waste of time, Thankfully the cost of the course wasn't coming straight out of our pockets.
GM has been attending a cultural sensitivity course in Delhi for the past few days, I was supposed to attend also but seeing I'm in Oz that's not possible.
He's updated me on the course events & advised it's all very shallow & basic common sense that they are teaching (I know a few outlaws that need to learn some common sense. lol).
He's also traveled far more than the course trainer so the whole thing sounds like a big fat waste of time, Thankfully the cost of the course wasn't coming straight out of our pockets.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Toto, Were not in Kansas anymore...
I'm back in the land of Oz again, Had a run in with the Wicked Witch of the East along the way, haha (cryptic, I know)
Not much to blog about these days as the new hotel is still under construction & not scheduled to open till July 2008 so no crazy guests to deals with, So I'm killing time in Oz for a month or so before heading back to Mumbai.
Not much to blog about these days as the new hotel is still under construction & not scheduled to open till July 2008 so no crazy guests to deals with, So I'm killing time in Oz for a month or so before heading back to Mumbai.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Tragic News
We have just got word that a young boy died at Hubby's former Hotel.
The story below is copy pasted from: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/3/nation/2176153&sec=nation
GEORGE TOWN: A festive holiday trip turned tragic for a family when a 12-year-old boy accidentally fell and drowned in a swimming pool at a hotel in Batu Ferringhi here.
The boy, had come to Penang with his parents and elder brother from Kajang, Selangor, for a two-day trip on Wednesday.
His father Mr X, 59, said the family started looking for him at 7pm after they realised he was missing.
“I spotted him in the pool some time after 8pm,” he told pressmen at the Penang Hospital forensic unit yesterday, where he was with his inconsolable wife Mrs X, 53, elder son MrZ, 26, and several other family members to claim the body.
Mr X said paramedics in the ambulance tried to resuscitate the boy but failed.
It is believed that the boy slipped and fell into the pool that was closed after 8pm.
His body was found fully clothed.
Police said they did not suspect foul play.
The story below is copy pasted from: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/3/nation/2176153&sec=nation
GEORGE TOWN: A festive holiday trip turned tragic for a family when a 12-year-old boy accidentally fell and drowned in a swimming pool at a hotel in Batu Ferringhi here.
The boy, had come to Penang with his parents and elder brother from Kajang, Selangor, for a two-day trip on Wednesday.
His father Mr X, 59, said the family started looking for him at 7pm after they realised he was missing.
“I spotted him in the pool some time after 8pm,” he told pressmen at the Penang Hospital forensic unit yesterday, where he was with his inconsolable wife Mrs X, 53, elder son MrZ, 26, and several other family members to claim the body.
Mr X said paramedics in the ambulance tried to resuscitate the boy but failed.
It is believed that the boy slipped and fell into the pool that was closed after 8pm.
His body was found fully clothed.
Police said they did not suspect foul play.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Grrrrrr !!!
I'm sick of living in hotels, We are still waiting for the green light to move in to a rental aprtment.
Fingers crossed we should get the lease signed by weeks end.
Fingers crossed we should get the lease signed by weeks end.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Hmmm, well …………………
My 2nd last post made mention of a “nightmare” check in experience I had at a particular hotel. I like to review hotels I stay at on Trip advisor so did the usual with this one & btw it didn’t get a 5 star rating, I never bother to review one of Hubby’s hotels as I see that as a conflict of interest & I would be biased anyway.
Well some astute individual put 2 & 2 together & figured the less than stellar review was composed by me & I seem to have ruffled a few feathers in the camp with my factual, based on experience, non opinionated review.
Hubby received a call yesterday from the area regional manager condemning him for the review (even though it was written by myself) & was advised it displayed a lack of loyalty (never knew I was supposed to be loyal to husbands company ?!?) was detrimental to business & will be revenue impacting ! Seems it’s ok to review hotels belonging to the chain as long as it’s positive & benefits the company. I guess fascism is alive & well.
Geez instead of getting defensive & trying to intimidate a mere housewife (me!) perhaps the Hotel management should take the constructive criticism on board and deal with the maintenance & customer service issues I raised in order to better the product otherwise where is the integrity ?
I won’t post the offending review here as who knows what will happen if this blog is discovered.
I suppose If you log on 1 day & discover this site no longer exists it won’t be hard to guess why.
Other than that (for the moment at least) I’m loving Mumbai.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Delhi Belli Strikes Again
Not much happening as I've been struck down with the dreaded Delhi Belly (& it's not fun) !
We leave Delhi on Sunday for Mumbai then basically I have a month to settle in there & I'm off again to Malaysia & Australia.
Um, Nature calls (AGAIN).
Here are pics of today's excursion...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Travelling Around
I've been busy travelling around for the past week, my itinerary has been something like this; Penang, K.L, Phnom Penh, K.L, New Delhi.
So after a terrible flight with M.A.S & equally bad check in experience at Crowne Plaza, Gurgoan we are currently in ND, India - Land of the power outage, I swear power cuts happen at least 10 times daily here ! I'm used to living in hardship locations & so far the power outages here have been the worst I've experienced in a long time.
G.M is back at work on Monday, Initially at head office for 2 weeks then its off to Mumbai for a pre opening position at a new build hotel which is scheduled to open mid 2009.
Only good thing about the move is we finally get to live in a house again rather than a Hotel/Resort. I've been living in Hotels for almost 3 years now, I'm looking forward to being inconspicuous again & maybe even buying a little doggy or kitten.
Here are some pics from the killing fields, Cambodia. Not a particularly pleasant place to visit hence the grumpy look on my face.
G.M is back at work on Monday, Initially at head office for 2 weeks then its off to Mumbai for a pre opening position at a new build hotel which is scheduled to open mid 2009.
Only good thing about the move is we finally get to live in a house again rather than a Hotel/Resort. I've been living in Hotels for almost 3 years now, I'm looking forward to being inconspicuous again & maybe even buying a little doggy or kitten.
Here are some pics from the killing fields, Cambodia. Not a particularly pleasant place to visit hence the grumpy look on my face.
Friday, August 15, 2008
On The Move ... Again
GM finished his posting here yesterday, So is now officially in between jobs.
Our visa applications for India are currently being processed & should be ready & in hand by this time next week.
As soon as we get our passports back I want to head off to Phnom Pehn, I've been to Siem Reap twice but never Phnom Pehn. I can only manage 3 days or so before we head off to New Delhi but regardless it'll be better than sitting around here.
And 6 in laws have turned up today to impose (oh joy!!)
Our visa applications for India are currently being processed & should be ready & in hand by this time next week.
As soon as we get our passports back I want to head off to Phnom Pehn, I've been to Siem Reap twice but never Phnom Pehn. I can only manage 3 days or so before we head off to New Delhi but regardless it'll be better than sitting around here.
And 6 in laws have turned up today to impose (oh joy!!)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Duty Manager Report,
0230 hours - Czech Republic Dragon Boat team was drunk and making noise at the beach front. Some of them was naked. I had informed group leader to advised
his team members to be well behave and stop making noise as it will cause other guest complaint.
0300 hours - 2 guest from the same group swimming at pool and *** had chased them out.
at least some one is having fun here.
his team members to be well behave and stop making noise as it will cause other guest complaint.
0300 hours - 2 guest from the same group swimming at pool and *** had chased them out.
at least some one is having fun here.
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