Friday's Newsflash - Malaysia Airline's MATTA Fair Promotion

Even though MATTA Fair was over last weekend, most of the full-fledged airlines are still having promotions in conjunction with the travel exhibition. However, as a Malaysian, I am going to focus on the promotions given by our national airline, Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

While I am still very much used to Air Asia's dirt cheap prices, there is no doubt that sometimes, even MAS can up its game when comes to giving Air Asia a run for the money. While comparing with other full-fledged airlines, MAS' long-haul flights are not that cheap. Return tickets to Europe (Armsterdam, Frankfurt, London & Paris) are at RM 2,799, slightly higher than others like Qatar Airways, Emirates Airways, etc.

However, its regional flights are at a better price fare. Flight to Medan from Kuala Lumpur is only at RM 160 for two-way tickets while from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, Yangon and Phuket is at RM 299 for return tickets. Meanwhiles, Siem Reap, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh and Bali are just at RM 399 return flights. I find these places reasonably priced, especially if you are looking for a last minute holidays. Even Air Asia cannot compete with that.

Look it up yourself at MAS website and book yourself a well-deserved year end break with your family.

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia X Flies to Busan!

Air Asia X has added a new destination to its ever expanding flight routes and this time, the airline is making a stop in Busan, the second largest metropolis in South Korea after Seoul. Busan seems like an eventual route after Air Asia Japan launched flights to the city last year from Tokyo as well as the hallyu wave that has been hitting the world by storm.

So, what are Busan's attractions? Among of the are the Korea's largest beach, Haeundae Beach, as well as Korea's longest river, Nakdong River. Besides these two, temples and historical monuments are aplenty in this Korean city. Another main selling point, according to the advertisement from Air Asia, is that Busan serves as the main gateway to Jeju Island. That's my dream place to be.

As with every new launching, Air Asia X is having a sale and you can fly to Busan from as low as RM 199.00. Booking period is from 17 April 2013 until 28 April 2013 while travel period begins from 15 July 2013 to 30 April 2014.

Grab this deal before it's too late. For more information, visit Air Asia's website.

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia's 2,000,000 Free Seats Redemption

Here it comes again. Air Asia is having another round of free seats redemption, with a total of 2,000,000 seats up for grab from ZERO Big points onwards. Redemption starts midnight, 2 April 2013, with Big Shots being given priority redemption, starting on 1 April 2013. 

So far, there is little information being released. So, stay tune for updates.

Myanmar - Itinerary

As all my photos are now officially lost, my Brunei/ Labuan trip I made last year will not be heavily blogged on. Blog entries without pictures? I'm not that good with words to help you out with the imaginations. However, I will still briefly write about the trip since, I did go to that part of the world.

As of now, I will start with my last trip of 2012, my Myanmar adventure. Had you read the overview of the trip, you will know that I detoured from my initial itinerary. Instead of spending the last 2 days in Yangon, I ended up going to Inle Lake for nothing more than a half day adventure and then took night bus back to Yangon for my flight back Kuala Lumpur. While Yangon is nothing more than a mystery, I managed to get a sneak peak of the famous lake. Those praises are not to be taken lightly.

Before I dig deeper into the trip, let me share with you the schedule of my 5 days/4 nights trip to Myanmar that involved crossing over 3 cities.

Day 1 (14th Dec 2012)

0800 - Arrived Yangon International Airport
         - Went to Aung Mingalar bus terminal to buy bus ticket to Bagan
0930 - Reached downtown Yangon and walked around, looking for hotel room
1030 - Went to Bogyoke Aung San's House
1130 - Went to Scott Market
1300 - Explore the city centre while looking for hotel*
1500 - Took bus to the terminal for my night bus; detoured slightly to Inya Lake
1600 - Took bus to the terminal after Inya Lake
1730 - Reached Aung Mingalar bus terminal
1830 - Bus departed to Bagan

* One of my mistakes was to book the hotel for my stay on the 17th Dec 2012. Ended up wasting USD 28.

Day 2 (15th Dec 2012)

0300 - Reached Bagan and took horse cart to find a hotel
0900 - Explored Bagan by horse cart
1200 - Lunch
1300 - Continued with the horse cart tour
1930 - Dinner
2100 - Back to hotel

Day 3 (16th Dec 2012)

0430 - Woke up for sunrise
0800 - Breakfast
0900 - Cycled to the jetty to see Irrawaddy River
1000 - Went to the wet market
1200 - Lunch
1300 - Cycled around Bagan
1630 - Went back to clean ourselves
1800 - Night bus to Inle Lake

Day 4 (17th Dec 2012)

0300 - Reached Taunggyi and took taxi to Inle Lake
0400 - Found a hotel willing to let us refresh ourselves and crash for a while
0500 - Went out to explore the place
0600 - Breakfast
0730 - Took a boat out to Inle Lake
1230 - Back from the boat trip
1330 - Lunch
1600 - Bus back to Yangon

Day 5 (18th Dec 2012)

0500 - Reached Aung Mingalar bus terminal
0600 - Went to the hotel to refresh myself
0700 - Took taxi to Yangon International Airport
0830 - Flight back to Kuala Lumpur

As you can see, most of the nights I spent on the bus itself. Those night trips were very long, ranging 8 to 14 hours on the road. Luckily for me, I have always been a sound sleeper and can easily sleep anytime, anywhere. Sleeping in the bus is something that I'm accustomed to.

More on my Myanmar trip soon.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Philippines - Overview

Philippines. The first thing that comes to your mind would be its pristine white beaches. Or, perhaps you might associate it with its chaotic capital, Manila City. At least, that is where most people would go to for their first trips to the country.

Manila Central Post Office at the background

For me, my maiden trip to Philippines has nothing to do with the cityscape and the sun-kissed beaches. Out of my five day trip, I spent less than 6 hours in Manila and barely more than 2 hours on a beach and even that, the beach itself is not the main attraction.

Manila Cathedral, one of the three must see attractions in Intramuros

Manila served as a transit centre in this trip. I have every intention of visiting and exploring Intramuros, the walled city within the capital, and nothing else. Both days (first and last day itself) I was in the city, both times I spent it walking around the heritage ground of Intramuros only.

The Sinking Belltower of Laoag

Ilocos region is where I spent most of my time in. I based myself in Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte, for two nights, visiting those towns scattered around the city like Bangui and Paoay for their unique attractions, the Bangui Windmills and Paoay Church respectively. It was very refreshing to travel in such manner, taking local buses and jeepneys to these quaint towns and cruising through the countryside which offers spectacular views.

The breath-taking scene of Bangui windmills

Another place I went to was the Vigan City. Capital of Ilocos Sur, the main appeal of this city is its well-preserved Spanish colonial houses. Fusion of both western and eastern elements, these mansions are best viewed along Calle Crisologo, widely deemed by the locals as the place to go to for the most well-preserved colonial era buildings in the country. And their sentiments are well supported.

You are being transported back to colonial era in Vigan City

My Philippines trip was indeed memorable, as with most of my adventures. I do believe if you can’t enjoy yourself during the trip, then, why go in the first place? It is nothing but a waste of money. However, something unpleasant will forever be associated to my Philippines holiday which I am still trying to get over it. Let’s bygones be bygones. No point crying over spilt milk.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

All My Photos Are Lost, Thanks to Air Asia!

I just came back last Sunday night from my Philippines trip and after a hard tossing of my stuffs, I found out my external hard drive which I brought along with me for the trip, went missing. It was still in the luggage when I checked it in for my flight back but was no longer there anymore after retrieving my bag. Clearly, someone has been rummaging through my bag!

Also missing from my bag were my old phone and few hundreds Ringgit. This is the first time I experience such thing with Air Asia. I already logged in a complaint form and am waiting for their reply. Though doubt will receive any information worth celebrating (unless they told me they found my external), I still want to hear some form of explanation.

All my photos for the past few years were all in my external hard disk and without any backup. All my travel photos, my university years, my family shots, all lost in nowhere. How can I ever trust you again?

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia Ceases Flights to Colombo

Sad news to all of you who are planning to explore the island of Sri Lanka for Air Asia is withdrawing their flights to Colombo, the capital city of the country, effective 26 February 2013. The reason for this withdrawal is that it was, and I quote, "part of the commercial realignment of the airline". 

Those who are affected by this decision can either have their flights pushed forward without any extra charges, offered credit shell, or asked for full refund. For more information, you can go directly to Air Asia Service Centre to help you out with the process.

Sri Lanka is part of my to-visit countries and now that Air Asia is ceasing flights to the country, I have to make changes to my plan.

Myanmar - Overview

My last trip before the end of 2012 was to Myanmar. It was the only remaining country in Southeast Asia that I have yet to explore or about to explore and when I saw the BIG points redemption from AirAsia, I thought, why not? In a snap, I secured a return ticket to Yangon, Myanmar with just 20 BIG points.

Old colonial buildings are aplenty in Yangon

However, as the days went by and the date got closer, I have this fear inside me that started growing. It was not like this is my first time travelling alone. I did that for the first time for my Vietnam trip this July and also to Brunei just last month. It was the notorious reputation the country had built for itself, what with the lack of human rights and the strict militant government.

Typical street of Yangon

Upon landing, I found my fear to be rather baseless for my 5 day trip was filled with nothing but memories of kindred hearts and friendly faces of the Burmese. They were willing to go on extra length to help you out, making you feel as welcome as possible in their homeland.

Beautiful Burmese boy

I realized I truly enjoyed Myanmar a lot. While I did not spend much time in the country’s largest city, Yangon, as I had originally planned, I did pretty much what I set out in the first place and more. The main attraction to me for the trip was Bagan and true enough, everything in that town was exciting and enchanting to me. A must do while in Bagan? Sunrise and sunset. Breath taking!

What you can expect to see in Bagan

Imagine sunrise and sunset as background to this image!

As to how come I did not explore Yangon as much as I wanted to, it was rather a spontaneous thing that I did. I ended up following a fellow traveler to Inle Lake as I heard nothing but beautiful praises. To be frank, I have no idea where is the lake or what there is to do or see, but, since I was already there, I thought, what the hell? Well, I did not regret heading to Inle Lake, to say the least.

Inle Lake

Fishermen still make a living through the lake

All in all, it was another mind-opening trip for me. More of Myanmar will come, sometimes next year, I think. Stay tune.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Entering Myanmar requires either tourist visa or business visa, depending on the nature of your visit. In order to apply for the tourist visa, you have to provide a photocopy of your passport with at least six months of validity, two recent passport sized photos with white background, a fully filled form which can be obtained at the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in your country or country nearest to you, and US$30. The tourist visa is valid for a period of 90 days and for a single entry of maximum 30 days only. There are no exemption for visa, even the ASEAN countries. For more information, you should contact the embassy in your country.

Friday’s Newsflash – Air Asia’s ‘Fly for Free’ Contest

Great news for those of us who like to win free flights for Air Asia is organizing one with Visa. All you need is just to make a purchase of any Air Asia (AK, FD, QZ, PQ) and Air Asia X (D7) flights with Visa credit cards or debit cards and you stand a chance of being one of the 50 weekly winners of Air Asia E-gift vouchers worth RM 500.00. It is that simple.

In order to participate in the contest, you have to make a purchase on any Air Asia flights using Visa cards. The said purchases have to be made in Malaysia through the Malaysian IP address. Then, if you are eligible, you will receive a 3-question survey within 10 working days and the first 50 persons to reply that questionnaires will win the E-gift vouchers.

There will be a total of 11 weeks the contest will be running and you may win more than once. However, you are only allowed to win once per week. The contest started on 30 September 2012 and ends at 23:59 (GMT+8), 16 December 2012. For more information, you can go to the contest page here.

RM 500.00 is quite a lot and will initiate people to buy air tickets and try their lucks, be it near or far. Sure, it is a marketing ploy but since when every movement from Air Asia isn’t?

I bid all of you out there, good luck!

Friday’s Newsflash – Air Asia Free Seat Promotion and AllMalaysia’s Virtual Travel Fair

This week’s Friday’s Newsflash will be packed with information for us travel junkies.

The first one being that Air Asia is having its Free Seat promotion. It’s not exactly smoking hot news as most of you should know about it. Domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur begin an all-inclusive fare of RM 26 while international flights are from RM 56 onwards. Booking period is from 18 to 23 September 2012 with international flights open for booking from 20 to 23 September 2012. Travel period is from 1 April to 30 September 2013.

To be frank, this Free Seat promotion is nothing to shout about. Yes, it is cheaper than the normal fare but not as cheap as the old days. I mean, flying to Kota Kinabalu takes more than RM 100 for return ticket? Last year, I managed to secure a return ticket at RM 40 plus for this year’s April (though I ended up burning the ticket).

As for the international destinations, flying to Semarang takes more than RM 200 for return trips? I went there with their launching price at around RM 176 for return ticket. All in all, cheap, but not THAT cheap. However, I’m still a sucker for it since I’m planning to fly somewhere around that time frame.

The second news of the day is the Virtual Travel Fair 2012 that is going on at the moment. Starting from 7 September to 30 September 2012, you can hunt for the perfect travel package that you have been waiting for. With both domestic and international travel packages to choose from, you will be spoilt for choices.

Besides that, Macau Tourism Office is sponsoring a 3D/2N trip for two worth RM 3,000 for one lucky person. All you have to do to win that fantastic prize is to just count the number of SOTA logos in the picture and create a creative slogan. That’s all and you are on your way to winning an amazing trip.

For more information regarding the contest or the travel packages, click here.

Friday's Newsflash - Malindo Airways is on the Way!

There is a new low cost carrier venturing to the sky comes next May and we consumers will definitely be spoilt for choices. Besides the reigning Air Asia, next year, Malindo Airways will make its maiden appearance and join other LCCs in connecting regional countries.

Malindo Airways will be making the new KLIA2 as its transit hub and that its initial routes would be between Malaysia and Indonesia as well as connecting the Peninsula with the East Malaysia before expanding its network to neighbourhood countries within four hours of flight. Its ticket fares will be lower or at least at par with Air Asia, according to Lion Air director Rusdi Kirana during press conference. PT Lion, which operates Lion Air, owns 49% share of the new LCC.

Our PM holding a Malindo aircraft - photo courtesy of The Stars

Even though Malindo Airways is a LCC, it will offer free in-flight entertainment, a light meal and WiFi facilities and there will be two classes, business and economic. There are still no news regarding its flight routes and the airline has yet to have Malaysian air operating license. However, once all these issues are settled, you can be sure that the air traffics will be much heavier next May.

Speaking of Air Asia, another new route has been launched and it is to Nanning, China. Air Asia will be flying thrice a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) starting 11 December 2012 and for its launching promotion, you can fly to Nanning at RM 99 one way. This promotional fare lasts until 16 September 2012 for travelling period between 11 December 2012 and 22 May 2013. You can learn more about the deal and what the attractions are in Nanning here. 

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia Finally Launches Flights to Lombok!

As first reported here, Air Asia has finally launched its ticket sales to Lombok yesterday, 16 August 2012, at 12.00 am, with its launching fare as low as RM 88 one way from LCCT to the Indonesian island. This special promotion began from 16 August 2012 until 26 August 2012, for travel period from 12 October 2012 until 22 May 2013.

The tri-weekly direct flights to Lombok are highly in demand, especially with the cheap deal, for after a few good hours, almost all the promotional fares have been taken up. I tried searching for it myself but sadly, unable to secure return ticket to the island.

Air Asia flies to Lombok every Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Meanwhile, on a side note, the award-winning budget airline has add another daily flight to Yangon, Myanmar, and from 15 August 2012 until 26 August 2012, you can fly to Yangon from RM 119 onwards. The travel period for the promotion is from 8 October 2012 until 22 May 2013. For more information, go to their official website here.

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia Is Flying to Lombok Soon

Air Asia has been on the radar quite frequently, it seems, or maybe I have been entering their websites far too often already. After winning the accolade for World's Best Low Cost Airline for the fourth consecutive year in the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, which in turn awarding us with the so-called World's Best Ever Sale (not the best, in my humble opinion, but still quite good), now comes the news that the carrier will be launching another new route to Indonesia, this time to the neighbouring island of Bali, Lombok. First, Kathmandu, Nepal. Now, Lombok, Indonesia. More to come, please!

The launching date has yet to be announced but you can be sure that everyone is waiting for it. Air Asia often gives cheap promotional fare for its new routes and the same can be expected out of this flight to Lombok. My trip to Semarang was in due to the promotional launching fare and I hope to do the same for Lombok. Maybe I can even visit the alluring Bali as well. After all, Bali is just 2 hours speed boat ride away.

Photos of Lombok courtesy of Air Asia

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia X Now Flies to Nepal

There is another reason to be joyful about for globetrotter for Air Asia X now brings us to Nepal!

I first read it in Air Asia's website where the budget airline has officially launched a new destination, which is to Kathmandu, Nepal, and that the first flight had departed on 3rd July 2012. I knew nothing about it and now, Air Asia X has reached Nepal??? Since when Air Asia has been so secretive, I thought. But anyhow, when I first saw the news, there was no online booking available yet and that you have to go to its exclusive sale agent to purchase the tickets.

Nepal is the main entrance to Mount Everest

However, not any more for you can now buy the air tickets to Kathmandu through its website. Starting at RM399, the Air Asia X flight will depart from LCCT to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on every Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting from September 2012. You can find out more information about the flight as well as what to do in Nepal at Air Asia's promotional brochure here. 

After cancelling so many routes (Paris, London, Wellington), Air Asia X has finally introduced a new destination in a brand new country. Hopefully, more new destinations will be launched soon. Let's hope it will bring back European cities into the list.  

Phnom Penh - Here I Come! - Day 1 Part 1

Here I was, sitting alone in the night bus heading to LCCT, filled with excitement of the prospect of going to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, yet was a bit uncertain as it was my first time boarding air flight to a foreign land. I was pretty much slept my way to LCCT yet when I reached the terminal, I was still sleepy. Waiting to board my flight was pretty boring without anyone to talk to. Luckily, everything was on time and I was high up in the air before the sun has rise.

View from my seat in the bus

My flight