How Italy became a submerging economy

An interesting article on The Edge.

#Special Report* How Italy became a submerging economy
via http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/298711-special-report-how-italy-became-a-submerging-economy.html

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In Rome with me...

Today is my third day is Rome. And it is super hot here. Somehow, I'm so glad that in Malaysia, the hot period of a day is between 11 am to 3 pm but here, it's from 9 am to 5 pm! It was 39 Celcius on the first day I arrived!

I spent the whole day yesterday to experience the Ancient Rome. That's include Colosseo, Palatino, Areo di Tito and Foro.

Today, I'm covering the Vatican City and areas surrounding it.

Insya-Allah, will be going home tomorrow and once I'm in Manchester, I will upload all the interesting pictures so that you guys will green with envy! hehehe...

Ciao!


Updated as at 1 July 2008

Kindly click on the following links to view the pictures from my trip to Rome, Italy:

Rome Trip 2008 Album I
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42677&l=eb8cb&id=722686470

Rome Trip 2008 Album II
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42682&l=981c9&id=722686470

Vatican City Trip 2008
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42685&l=2518b&id=722686470

In Pisa with me...

Buon Giorno!

I'm in Pisa, Italy now. And it's still hot here. It took about 4 hours from Venice to Pisa by train and the fare is EUR39.25. But, there is a cheaper alternative but you need to (1) buy early, (2) change train at least two times and (3) it takes 30-45 minutes more.

I've decided not to spend too much time in Pisa because the only thing that interests me is the leaning tower. Again, I will upload the pictures when I get back home.

Oh yeah... it's possible to spend about 2 hours in Pisa even you melenggang as me! You may walk to the Torre Pisa (betul ke, grammar ni?) but I decided to take bus (LAM Rossa) there which costs less than one Euro (EUR0.95 to be exact for 60 minutes).

Ciao!


Updated as at 1 July 2008

Please click on the following link to view pictures from my trip to Pisa, Italy:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42675&l=7a4e0&id=722686470

In Venice with me...

Alhamdulillah, I've safely arrived in Venice, Italy. It's really, really hot here! And for the first time in months, I'm sweating like a p** (can I use horse instead, or horse is only when to describe you're eating a lot!).

Although the place that I stay is quite a distance from the central of Venice, I so glad I did this. At least, I get to see the other Venicians (betul ke?) live. The place is in Magherita, about 15-20 minutes to the central of Venice.

Frankly speaking, you could cover the whole island in a day even if you walk as lenggang as me! If you're going there, just concentrate on San Marco and San Polo areas. If you're travelling alone like me, it's worthwhile to opt for waterbus (EUR6.50 one way or EUR16 for 24 hours pass), istead of gondola (EUR80 per gondola!). What I did is I walked all my way to San Marco, then took the waterbus on my way back to Piazza Roma.

Insya-Allah, will upload my pictures in Venice as I return to Manchester. Ciao!

p/s: Sorry for the delay on publishing official comment for Nor Azrina Zakaria's article. Will publish it once I get back to Manchester.


Updated as at 1 July 2008

Please click on the following link to view pictures from my visit to Venice, Italy:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42669&l=157b6&id=722686470

Proton cars are more reliable than Mercedes Benz's?

You find it shocking? Me too.

Believe it or not, this is the latest finding of a brand reliability survey by the Which? Car magazine as published in its July 2008 edition.

The findings was also appeared on the Manchester Evening News on 20 June 2008.

And guys... here is the brand reliability table compiled by Which? Car magazine:

1. Honda, Japan (85)
2. Toyota, Japan (84)
3. Daihatsu, Japan (83)
4. Lexus, Japan (83)
5. Mazda, Japan (83)
6. Subaru, Japan (83)
7. Suzuki, Japan (83)
8. Hyundai, Korea (80)
9. Mitsubishi, Japan (80)
10. Porsche, Germany (80)
11. Mini, UK (78)
12. Nissan, Japan (78)
13. Ford, USA (78)
14. BMW, Germany (78)
15. Skoda, Czech Republic (78)
16. Kia, Korea (78)
17. Proton, Malaysia (78)
18. Mercedes Benz, Germany (78)
19. Audi, Germany (78)
20. Jaguar, UK (78)
21. Vauxhall, UK (78)
22. Citroen, France (75)
23. Volvo, Sweden (75)
24. Peugeot, France (75)
25. Smart, Germany (75)
26. Chevrolet, SA (75)
27. Daewoo, Korea (75)
28. Jeep, USA (75)
29. Saab, Sweden (73)
30. Seat, Spain (73)
31. MG, UK (73)
32. Alfa Romeo, Italy (73)
33. Rover, UK (70)
34. Fiat, Italy (69)
35. Renault, France (68)
36. Land Rover, UK (67)
37. Chrysler/Dodge, USA (67)

I personally think, 17 out of 37 car manufacturers is NOT TOO BAD for a small manufacturer like Proton. At least, Proton cars are more reliable than the French, Italian, Spanish and Swedish cars.

Congratulations, Proton and continue to do us proud with better quality and innovative cars. Malaysia Boleh!

On a unrelated matter, hehehe, I would like to announce that I'm going to Italy next week!!! Insya-Allah, will be flying from Liverpool to Venice and will be staying in Venice for two nights. Then, my next stop will be Pisa to see the infamous Leaning Tower. After Pisa, I will travel to Rome by train and, insya-Allah, will be staying there for three nights. Please wish me a safe journey because I'm a bit nervous with this part III of my Europe Tour, considering that I'll be doing it all by myself.

Caio!