I think I’m going to Remainia

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Posted on 21st April 2010 by Tony in Random

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I am in serious need of a holiday – only just past mid-April and I am a serious wreck and could do with a get-away experience. Since there’s a long weekend coming up I thought I’d find a suitable B&B to chill in. Taking a look around online, I have to ask … have these B&B operators lost their marbles?

In the UK I can find a nice relaxing B&B with free wifi for around £40 a night, including breakfast … in SA I’d be lucky to get a tent for that! Prices seem to be between R1300 and R4000 a night per person – and that’s not even 5 star and doesn’t even include breakfast!

No wonder FIFA has labeled SA the most expensive World Cup ever. For business travelers, the rates are OK. I mean, the business picks up the tab anyway … but if you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway at a nice place that’s out of the city – I’m sorry, but I cannot justify R7000 for a weekend when the same money gets me 4 days at Victoria Falls, a helicopter flip, 5-star accommodation AND the flights to Livingstone.

Cape Town tourism has just become too expensive for locals – and soon International Travelers will realise it’s not worth the 12 hour slog from Europe to get here when you have to pay R19 for a 200ml coke (Waterfront restaurant price).

Come On Guys! Let’s get with the programme – charge a fair price, offer an awesome service and lets see Cape Town Tourism Boom!

Popularity: 3% [?]


Technology – is it a curse?

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Posted on 12th October 2008 by Tony in Thoughts

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I have just returned from a trip to Durban and Johannesburg. The Joburg trip was for business and the Durban trip – 3 days to chill out and forget about the world … but that didn’t happen.

Which makes me wonder … is technology just a curse? Maybe I should have left my laptop and cellphone behind but I simply could not relax while I was away. I was checking emails every 2 or 3 hours and the office numbers were diverted to my cellphone (stupid answering service wasn’t working and I didn’t want clients left wondering).

And then you get the clients who phone you and ask if they can speak to you … and you say “no, I’m actually occupied until Monday” and then they say “but this will only take a minute” and it doesn’t – it takes 30. And if you get persistent and near-rude with them they end up cancelling contracts because you’re not available when THEY need you (would be nice if they would PAY you when you need them to!)

So I have returned from my first REAL relax (only 3 days!) since 2001 … more stressed than when I left.

From tomorrow I am going to restructure my business a little – I’m going to be über-selective of my clients (maybe fire a few trouble makers).

But here’s my thought: if you’re going to run an online business … plan properly … or your clients think they have the right to disturb you 24/7/365 …

Technology can be a real blessing … but at the moment … it’s a curse!

Popularity: 19% [?]



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