If you think journalists spend most of their time covering the Games from their hotel rooms, think again. Our home away from home is the Main Press Centre.

The MPC, the work place for accredited print media and photographers, sees us there for more than 12 hours a day - and more on days where competitions go on longer than expected.

Normally, I arrive at the MPC around 7.30am. I need the extra time to collect information that I cannot access through the online computer system. When I get there, the place is already populated by more than 100 journalists hard at work.

On some days, I leave at 10pm. Those who were there early in the morning are often still there. I wonder if they are working around the clock.

The MPC, located adjacent to the International Broadcasting Centre, gives all journalists a make-yourself-at-home feel.

You can find anything you need - news-conference rooms, convenience stores, a post office, bank, fitness centre, food shops, souvenir shops, workrooms for the news agencies, help desks, a travel agency, cafes, a laundry, newspaper kiosks, mobile shops, telecom service centres and, of course, the main press working room with seating for more than 3,000.

If you don't want to spend any money, you can work from your hotel.

Internet access for the Beijing Olympic Games costs 3,500 yuan, or around Bt18,000, for a service-account card. If you don't have one you can't search websites or check Games news updates.

Hungry? A variety of food and beverages is available 24 hours-a-day at the MPC. Asian, Mediterranean and international meals cost 75 yuan for a set menu. A can of Coke or a cup of tasteless coffee costs 5 yuan while a veggie salad with pieces of fried chicken costs 50 yuan.

Drinking water is free and the earlier shortage has been fixed. Free snacks and fruit is served at 10am and again at 4pm. It's like a kindergarten where meals are provided for the kids.

Journalists form long queues for the service. A penny saved is a penny earned.