Life on the Fast lane: October 2008

The plane touched down on the tarmac of our lovely airport and stopped before a quaint little building. The big heavy door of the Airbus A320 swung open and we were led down a small stainless steel mobile staircase.

Blimey, why has my holiday ended that quickly?

Don't get me wrong. Of course I'm happy to be home, to see my loved ones and mates. It's just the daily complaints of little nitty gritties creeping back to you, if you know what i mean fellas.

It was a fantastic holiday. Honest. Bangkok isn't the last word for relaxation, as seen in the street below our hotel at 5pm on a Friday afternoon.

But we took it easy, and it turned out to be a pretty relaxed shopping vacation. I'm not kidding. We shopped slowly, enjoyed the scenes and sights of the busy metropolis and for the first time ever, not worried when our cab was stuck in traffic.

And that's because the meter does not move a cent (or in this instance, satang) when the vehicle is not moving. Our 45 minute journey from the hotel to Chatuchak Weekend Market cost only 100baht (SGD4.37). In Singapore, being stuck in a jam would probably mean calling in the Fed for a taxi fare bailout package.

We also took the opportunity to pig out (yes that's our favourite pastime anyway) and I probably packed an extra kilo of excess baggage, in my tummy.

Yes they do serve rather decent Japanese food at Chatuchak Market!

We also took the BTS, or skytrain just to experience it. IMO, it's not exactly worth it as it cost us 70Baht (2 Pax) to get from Chatuchak Market to MBK. A cab will probably cost the same, but then again, you will be stuck in traffic and wouldn't be able to catch certain scenes.

Going round the Victory Monument, which is indeed impressive.

Our destination. The great old MBK Centre. Again, IMO, things are not exactly cheap there and trust me, you would do better at the newer Platinum Shopping Mall, which was just next to our hotel.

We were very pleased with our hotel room (Grand Diamond Suites) which came with a living room, kitchenette (with no utensils), a bedroom and attached bath and shower. It offered really great views of the sprawling urban landscape.

And also watch Baiyoke Tower II (or Baiyoke Sky Hotel, BKK's tallest building) disappear in the rain clouds.

Now you see it...

Now you don't...

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. It was a great short getaway. Not for lazing around, but to take your mind off work and all, just exploring a new place. That's what I love about travelling.

It's back to the daily grind for now.

Just when everyone else is applauding the first ever night race in Formula One, raving about it, giving it the thumbs up and saying how well organised it was, there is bound to be a party-pooper. Who else but a sore loser?

Source: ITV-F1.com
Montezemolo blasts 'safety car show'
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 16:29

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has attacked the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, saying it is “humiliating” for Formula 1 that the race had to be enlivened by a safety car.

F1's first night event was largely hailed as a resounding success by drivers, team bosses [see separate story] and Singapore officials, with the atmosphere created by the floodlights and the challenge presented by the 3.15-mile circuit getting the thumbs-up.

The race itself on the city's streets had been predicted to provide few overtaking opportunities and the 61 laps began in relatively processional fashion, before the appearance of the safety car triggered a dramatic shake up of the order.

Di Montezemolo – who said ahead of the event that he expected a “let down” – reckons it was damaging for the sport that the circuit couldn’t provide exciting racing in normal conditions."When you race on a circuit where it would be better to have the circus, or something else, anything can happen, because the show is [provided by] the safety car,” the head of the new Formula One Teams Association told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. “This is humiliating for F1. I will speak in the coming weeks with all the other teams about this.”

Oh so now it's a circus I see? I guess the real circus was down the pitlane where the scarlet team released their racer into the path of another, with a silver hose sticking out of the side.

I didn't hear him complaining when Felipe Massa won the 'procession' in Valencia a month ago, where no cars overtook.

So what are you trying to achieve here Mr Montezemolo? Trying to get gain sympathy from the FIA (some say Ferrari International Aid) to abolish the safety car rule? Cancel the Singapore GP?

Please. I would expect someone as respectable as Mr Montezemolo to exercise a little more prudence in what he says instead of this sort of verbal diarrhea. By saying such is simply making him look like a muppet who obviously had a plate of sour grapes for dinner. If Massa won (which he would have if not for their own circus), do you think he will be spewing such nonsense in the media?

Absolutely garbage.

The team obviously have the potential to grab both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships again, so why all the ranting in the media just because they had nought points from this race?

Loser.

On the other hand, I truly feel that this was a great race. Who says there isn't overtaking? There are more overtakings than what we see in Monaco and Valencia (which by the way are awesome tracks IMO). The only problem was that it was really bumpy and hence not many drivers had the bollocks to try outbrake others to overtake. Nevertheless, this, I'm sure are just some growing pains and next year, the Singapore GP will be even better! Can't wait for it to come again!

Some shots taken on raceday. Enjoy!