Life with Contiki Hoilidays in Europe

2005-10-12T05:54:00.000+08:00

Hey Guys....

Thank you so much for all your concern and love!!

I have sucessfully completed my internship and my 14 days European tour. It was overall a memorable and percious time of my life!! I am now in Amsterdam and will be returning to London on the 19th Oct. Will attend Contiki's Staff Party on the 21th Oct and return home afterwhich. Sorry to keep you guys waiting but Me will be BACK soon!!! Till then take care and missya!!

Flight Details

23rd Oct LON / BKK 1230 / 0605 + 1 TG 911
24th Oct BKK / SIN 0800 / 1115 TG 403

2005-06-08T03:57:00.000+08:00

In LONDON

Finally...I;m in London liao....so lucky that I could find a cheap internet access to tag my blog,check my mails and post my e-journal too. (Â£1/hr). Usual price here is Â£1/15mins....so ex right!!

First of all, I would like to thank my family, pals and friends for their support for my OSIP and also took the time to send me off...me so touch : .. ) . I will make sure that I will take care of myself and hope that you all will too!!

The flight was a smooth one, but the 11.30hrs journey to London was a long and shity one. Transit in BKK was rather fun.. in the transit area,.there were many shops there and things were selling cheap!! Food on board was ok and we did have our supply of free wine...haha.

Welcoming us was a very messy airport. We were required to do a medical checkup upon arrival. Clever of us to find our way to the train station and board onto the route to our reporting place(Royal National Hotel @ Russell Sq) The weather here was so cold...like staying in a huge refrigerator.Lucky I got bring 2 sweater along. It was so exciting to experience Europe physically!! Dun know how to explain the feeling.You all have to experiencece it yrself.

We met up with the Contiki staff and were given 2 free days in LON wif a 24hrs sight-seeing bus tour and a 3 day free train pass in zone 1 & 2(City itself). We are staying @ a near-by County Hotel which is a hotel with common bathrooms...it was ok for me...quite clean and cosy... having Stewart as my roommate.

Past 2 days; sightseeing was so fun and enjoyable. So happy to have Stewart and Dayana to accompany me for this trip....they were great pals..thanks!!! We were resourceful to find free sightseeings and cheap deals for meal.We are not that rich afterall. Life in LON is so ex!! The prices "pops our eyes" man!!!

Going to meet the Sales director tomoro for the interview and decide on the sites that we will be posted too... It;s so exciting for me ...hopefully, We will be posted to great places. Will update u guyz on my whereabout.

People in Lon are friendly approachable....just like me..hahah : @ )!! Hopefully that i will be having internet access @ my work place. hiaz...

Ok guys...that;s all for now...my time is almost up!! Do take care and email me k... Anyway LON is 7hours behind SIN. Oh... so sorry....this Com cannot read my card reader, so I did not post any photo, but will find time and com to post up those nice nice photos that I have took.

And ppl here dun really understand wat we speak, we have to add our own slang to blend in here...haha.......wat the hell right : @ )

Ok... end of my summary!! at last!! remember to email me k....miss all...especially u ...

Staring to adapt into the life here...

2005-06-03T02:26:00.000+08:00

RED ALERT !! 3 More days before departure....

No work liao...all the way till Sunday...only have to go back Spore office on this Sat's morning to settle some stuff only. We were given time off to prepare for our trip.... Actually, is we request one... hehe : @ 0 We were given our travel kit, air tickets and also the briefing. I believed that we are now ready for the trip, as we were given lot of briefings and 'counseling' on the lifestyle and culture there...Hopefully!!

Started my packing on this morning.....although I have prepared my checklist way ahead, before the approval of my visa... see I so efficient right : @ ) Till today then I have the mood and time to do the packing. Spent a sum of $$ on getting my necessities and other stuffs for my trip.... Nvr realised that I need so much things for my daily life....from attire to toiletries.... so ma fan!!

I nvr know that packing was such a big hassle man....I spent all most half a day to get the things ready for packing. Found out that I have so much stuff to pack into my check-in luggage and my backpack.... Hopefully not exceeding the baggage allowances.... 20kg for check-in and 7kg for hand carry.

I am so touched and happy.... as my friends are so excited and happy for me. This week is going to be a 'homely' wk for me, as my timetable is scheduled wif gatherings wif my buddies.... polymates... and friends... Was wondering... who will be sending us off this Sun!! I know that Mahathair and Asharf will be sending us off till our boarding gate...haha....so cool right...Thanks pal!! : )

As time approaches, I am starting to get more and more excited and anxious for this trip...after all the certainties and confirmations. Hopefully... this is a good start for my OSIP ..... No for Our.. OSIP..... 3 cheers to my SIP mates Stewart and Dayana. I bet we gonna be having lots of fun!!!

And not forgetting my Friends in Spore too.... Kan Ba Tei !!! (Jia You!!) ( Add Fuel!!)

Just hoping that You will be there too.....

2005-06-01T23:25:00.000+08:00

Europe's Best Tour Operator for 18 to 35 years old

2005-05-28T20:16:00.000+08:00

At Last......

Finally...things are quite confirm!! : @ )
After the approved visa, plans are more concrete now!! I will be leaving for London on next sunday(5th June). Suddenly, i feel nothing for this OSIP...not excited nor anxious...maybe is the long waiting period makes me numb liao...
Got nothing much to say now...as usual hoping for the best!! To all of u too!!

Flight details are as follow:

05 Jun TG 414 SIN/BKK 2125/2245 2hr 20mins
06 Jun TG 910 BKK/LHR 0110/0715 + 1 12hr 05mins

13 Oct TG 911 LHR/BKK 1230/0605 + 1 11hr 35mins
14 Oct TG 403 BKK/SIN 0800/1115 2hr 15mins

2005-05-26T18:51:00.000+08:00

Day 2 @ Contiki Spore

Today was another boring yet happy day, as quite a no. of stuff were confirmed.
As usual, we report timely at 850am and this time was Jason(In sight vacation's Sales Rep) who came to open the door for us....Wondering, will us be given the pin code for the door....so we can access on our own.

We spent 2 hrs on our own again.. Looking through the booklets and a new stack of notes, which was on the Japanense and Korean's Culture and Manners. At least, today we get to know more abt other's customs and I'm sure that we could apply it when we were there. Stewart brought a book that was on London, and we were amused that we were able to locate the HQ of Contiki UK and also find out the various way to travel from the airport to the Hotel. We will be all by ourselves!!

We left Suntec @ abt 3.30pm to the Visa Application centre in shenton way , to collect our visa......was hoping for the approval. We waited outside the office for abt 15mins before the collection, as the collection time was 4 - 5pm only.......wat the hell right!!! We each took a number when we went in and thanks to Dayana, I was the first to collect.
There were at least abt 40 ppts for collection and several files too, which I supposed was those whose visa was not approved. The waiting time was worse than waiting for my results man!! When it was my turn, I went forward to pass the lady my receipt, where afterwhich she went searching for my ppt. She did freaked me out big time man....She started the search through those files loh. Luckily my was not one of those files, it was just my ppt wif the visa slip attached...... hooo!! Was so happy...all three of us got our visa approved!!!! Which means...BYE BYE Contiki Spore and Haloo to Contiki UK....Yeah!!!!!!! So damn happy man!!!

We went straight the NTUC Income at Bras Basah (next to Carlton Hotel) to buy our travel insurance, which cost us $368 each man.... Really a BIG burnt in our pockets b4 we even start our SIP!! So now only can press on and hope for the best.....As we have invested so much in liao.....No turning back now!!! Shall wait for our Pay!!

Finally... I can say that I am going to UK soon !!! The feeling now is like a big load of my back man.... So happy: @ )

Suddenly, I started to miss my friends, my home, my family, my everything here!! Anyway... No looking back.... bye bye to all for teh moment!! : @ !

Europe here I come........On 5th June(Sun) on Thai Airways @ abt 9.55pm.

2005-05-25T13:34:00.000+08:00

First Day @ Work

Woke up early @ 6.45am... washed up, dressed and off I go... Reporting to Contiki Holidays Singapore. Was as usual.. tired!!...Fell asleep on bus 70 and even missed my stop. But clever me , I knew my way back..heheh : ).

Met up wif Dayana and Stewart at the lift lobby before we proceed up. We are all in our business gear and we do look professional among those working ppl there. Welcoming us was a locked door @ abt 8.50am and we have to wait till a guy who came to our rescue.

Today, I realised that my prediction was right....Contiki only got 2 staffs in Spore, which is Mr. Sim & Ms Ee....you guyz have met them before at the sip briefing. They have just moved into the new office...which they rented it from another company. Poor Mr Sim, Ms Ee was on leave, so it's going to be 1-man show for these couple of days.

We were brought ard the office to orient on the facilities and were introduced to the staffs there...who belongs to In-Sight Vacation ( the sister company of Contiki).

Nothing was planned for us today and Mr. Sim was so busy one-leg kicking. We were given the Contiki brochure (this was my 4th copy) and were told to read up on the T & Cs , FAQs and also get to know abt all the tours that they sell. This was what we did for the entire day...so cool right!! Lucky me, I got dayana and stewart ard to chit chat...hahah....we do got bonded closer now. We had a 1 hr and 15 mins lunch and left an hr earlier for work @ abt 5pm. But at least, we have learnt something more abt the company today.... was quite fruitful la.

As usual, we were told on new shocking updates...We really wonder..how's life going to be over there??? We guess we have to just hang on there....hopefully we will see the rainbow soon...!!
Oh....my exit permit was approved ..yeah !! Now.... waiting for the visa to get approved too, b4 any further plans....

Really glad for the companionship and i believe that we will enjoy our Sip too!!
Ok...more updates soon.....

So...how was all yr First Day @ work?? do share k.... can email me!!!

Tomorrow will be a Better Day!!!

2005-05-21T00:54:00.000+08:00

Today was a busy and venturing day for me....Went in the morning with Stewart and dayana to apply for our UK Visa. @ The Application Office in Shenton Way .And guess wat.........We met into a major problem. We have to hand-write a letter on the spot to state that we are able to apply for a 6 mths leave off from school for holiday upon the approval of our visa..Haiz...This was the only problem that we have no solution on...

And the Visa fee is so ex loh...$151 in cash man!! and no guarantee on visa approval.
We are starting work on this coming Tue, reporting at Contiki's new office, Suntec tower 3. And another cool news here...We will be paid only $10/day when working in the Singapore Office...cheap labour right...and we have no idea on wat are our job scope.

We will thus leave for the interview @ Contiki HQ in London, on the 5th June.....in order that our visa are all approved. (I asked the lady who attended to my visa application on the possiblility on our visa approval....and she told me straight on my face....IT'S VERY DIFFICULT...haiz, there goes my $151. We will be flying by Thai Airways to London....which means a transit in BKK for abt 3 hrs.

We have to spend abt $350 to buy our travel insurance man...haven start sip, we are all already broke!!! Furthermore, our $$ are going to shrink when we exchange to the UK currency!!!
Really hoping for the approval of our visa, if not BYE BYE Contiki Europe and HEllo to Suntec Tower 3!! : @ ) and the pay will be SGD$48/Day!! haha

Ok...that's all for now!! And all the best to all my fellow coursemate on yr SIP. Stay tuned to my blog for further news!!! 3 cheers to HTM!!!

2005-05-16T00:11:00.000+08:00

Yoyo...So long nvr update liao..have been lazy lately and was wrking too. I have new info to share... Finally, stewart, dayana and i met up with the Mr Contiki guy to tok abt our osip on the 12/5. And guess wat, we have hell lots of stuff to settle and till now they still dun know where we will be posted to!! :(.. Currently, we have to apply for the UK visa, but there are some complications involved and we were told that we have to undergo an interview session with the embassy. Now we will have to meet up and get our scripts right. Working on this... Make me feel like doing another PBL tourism project....hahah.

Once we clear the visa stage, we will be leaving for Contiki HQ in London, after couple of wks of orientation in the singapore office. Another round of interview will be conducted by the sales director in London to decide on our posting...I think I will only be able to know where i'll be stationed when i'm there...so keep posted through my blog.. : )
We were also briefed on our sip programme...It seems to be like an holiday trip to me.

24 May - Spore Office
Late June - Leave for London
June to 29 Sep - Working
29 Sep - 12Oct - 14 days tour
12Oct - back to Spore
Till 29 Oct - Spore Office

The programme seems fun to me..Quite looking forward to the independent life in a foreign land.
Just hoping that the visa will be approved for all 3 of us..If not it will be 6 mths of office work in the Spore office @ Suntec tower 3. I will keep you guyz updated on the progress!!
Lastly, My LO is going to be changed and i wonder who will be taking over!!
Ok thats all for now...and feel free to leave me a message!! Enjoy SIP!!!

To: ALL HTM Student please join yahoo group @ htmsip2005.. i have created it to keep us connected during this period..pls do spread the word!!
My current email add is nel_sonkhoo@yahoo.com.sg feel free to drop me a mail...please do so as i will be bored!! : @ )

2005-05-06T23:46:00.000+08:00

17 days more to the start of the new chapter of my poly life.... can't wait till then. Just received a email from my LO today informing us on our meeting with Mr. Sim(The Contiki Man). I have to get my visa done, travel insurances purchased and not forgetting to apply for my exit permit (NS here I come in a year time). Suddenly I feel so excited for this trip, preparation seems to be so fun!!! Just hoping that the learning journey will be a smooth and enjoyable one : @ )

Many of my friends have started their SIP........Sentosa, Singex, Sakura,Universal,Sunny Holidays. They seems to be rather unhappy with their environment and work. Anyway it takes time to get used to anything. 'It is just a learning path, not for life!!' haha. Hang on there.....till the end.. do remember to keep the HTM spirit going!!!! Spend the time meaningfully and not wasting it!

2005-05-01T00:37:00.000+08:00

It's May soon liao and I have been slacking for more than a mth ...ever since the exams.
A little update on my OSIP..... I will be posted to either Paris or Austria!!! so cool right..Anyway either location is fine with me. I realised that my friends are even more excited than me : @ )
I will be spending a couple of wks in Contiki's Singapore office before I fly to the destination.
It is now less than a mth to the official start of the SIP, I bet all my course mates are anxious and are looking forward to it. Me too!!
Some friends of mine have started their SIP liao..... they seems to be rather 'unhappy' and are complaining abt the work or the company. Anyway........ Life still have to go on! Why not make the stay a smooth sailing and fruitful one...: *) I believe that you all will grow to like the environment.
May this internship be a enjoyable one for all...............
OK!! SIP rocks for all!!!!!!!!!!

2005-04-26T23:13:00.000+08:00

Time files... it have been a month since i stared slacking at home. I am so happy that i am not qualified for any sub paper..hahah. Tomorrow is 27th April liao.. Really hoping that i will be updated on my internship :@( and guess what.... my prediction came true.. i got MR PorkBall s my LO. what the hell right.. hiaz anyway life still have to go on.. Can't believe that i have to write him a 'love letter' monthly. Hope everyone will enjoy your internship and me too :@)

2005-04-08T00:56:00.000+08:00

Exams are finally over... yeah!!! and my OSIP is nearing. :( as usual no updates from the management yet. where i'm going? what i'm doing? Everyone has been asking me when i'm leaving and seems to be more excited than I and my shopping list have been piling up ..... photos, post cards, food and even the Prada bag.
I met my 'boss' at the NATAS fair and he shared with me on the destination that has been chosen....it's either paris or austria!! cool right!! wondering how's life there.....
Can't wait till 27th april for the SIP launch, get to meet all my pals and also know who's my LO... i think it's most likely to be Him! life still have to go on.... :@)
Kind of excited for some of my friends..... having their internship in those companies that i wanted. Hope they will enjoy !! I wonder how all of us will become after working 6 mths in the 'real' world. Looking foward for the change.
Hoping hard now for more certainty for my internship, the feeling of being 'hung' is so bad!!
Anyway.. all the best for our results !!!! and remember to check on the 9th .

OSIP @ Contiki Europe

2005-03-16T12:41:00.000+08:00

So exciting .... going europe!!
waiting for more updates on it....