More competition means more cheap flights!

Firefly recently announced that they are starting to fly jet aircraft in order to carry passengers to more destinations. This will boost its carrying capacity and perhaps enables it to serve longer flight haul. Fleet expansion is part of their plans to serve the Eastern Malaysian. By Jan 2011, there will be three local airlines serving the KL-KK and KL-Kuching routes!

Firefly currently operates ATR 72-500 turbopropeller aircraft serving passengers to destinations in Indonesia, Thailands, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia from their hubs in Penang and Subang SkyPark.

According to a news report, Firefly will acquire 30 Boeing 737-800 from 2011 and 2015 as part of their expansion exercise besides helping MAS to facilitate a better flight connectivity for the European market. The source said the new aircraft will fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

This would put more stress on the ticket price and we should anticipate price war between its rival Air Asia. Firefly offers tickets starting from RM9. Log on to their website for more into http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

Don't miss offer and start planning for your vacation now!

image source:
blog.fireflyz.com.my

Holiday Chronicle team takes this as a blessing

Air Asia to get new stewardess!

Salam and hello peeps!

It has been a long and long time since we last updated this website. Sorry guys and you know it has been a hectic six months.

Have you heard of the latest news?

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group will dress up as AirAsia stewardess and serve the passengers!

According to a source, both F1 team bosses Branson and Tony Fernandes made a bet that losing team will have the honour dressing up as a flight attendant. If Lotus Racing were to lose to Virgin Racing, Fernandes will have to dress as a stewardess and serve the Virgin Atlantic flight. We belief people are more excited to see Fernandes dressing up as stewardess =D

Isn't this exciting to have Richard Branson serving you while you are on a plane from Kuala Lumpur to London? If you think it is, then you should stay alert for their announcement on the flight details which is coming out very soon. Bad thing is, you have to bid for the seat (would you do that just to be served by Branson? Honestly I won't :D ) and the good thing is, they are not doing this for money. The proceeds of the bidding will go to any charity of Branson's choice.

Congratulations for both Lotus Racing and Virgin Racing as they managed to finish the F1 season. To Branson and Fernandes, we hope to see more exciting duel from you guys ;-)


Alrite, stay tuned for next entry!

Our Next Destination

Assalamualaikum wbt and Greetings =)

It has been a very tough weeks and today we've just finished our first paper for our final exams. Yeay! It means that we will have a long holiday *ehem-ehem* (holiday but still have loads of work to do).

Remember the list of places that we wish to go?

1. Bandung and Jakarta, Indonesia
2. Bosnia
3. Cairo, Egypt
4. Paris, France
5. Marrakesh, Morocco
6. Makkah and Madina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
7. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE
8. Tokyo, Japan
9. Istanbul, Turkey
10. Prague, Czech Republic
11. Malaga and Granada, Spain
12. Taman Negara (National Park) Sarawak, Malaysia
13. Somewhere in New Zealand

So there we have one place down, and 12 more to go. Our next stop will be Cairo (Kaherah). We have booked our tickets and tour guide so hopefully everything will be going well as planned.

To those who are sitting for exams, Holiday Chronicle would like to wish you all the very best and always remember to work hard and play hard. Bye!

Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Langkawi is the biggest island in Malaysia situated in northern coast of Malaysian Peninsular. Governed by the state of Kedah and Langkawi boasts its duty free shopping status. Almost everything is a lot cheaper than the mainland. You can get lots of chocolates there =p

Langkawi is accessible by flights to its International Airport through services offered by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines and Firefly.

Firefly: connecting Subang and Penang

Air Asia: connecting LCCT Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Penang

Malaysia Airlines: seems like connecting Langkawi to anywhere. trust me. look at their website.

You can also get there by ferry and the service is provided by www.langkawi-ferry.com, connecting Langkawi to Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Penang and Satun.

My family on vacation. At the top one the hills in Langkawi. We went up by sky lift.

Langkawi is also home of international aerospace exhibition called LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition) which is held....can't remember the frequency. This is where companies and governments sign their deals for military, maritime and aerospace equipments and also aero-acrobatics performance.

Here are list of places/activities you can visit/do:

1. Shopping
2. Visit historical places (Heard of Mahsuri before?)
3. Beach
4. Safari
5. Cheese factory
6. Marina/yacth
7. Small islands around Langkawi


Optimum length of stay is 4 days and 3 nights.

The best way to get around on the island is by a car. There are many car hire companies operating in the airport and you can hire them at affordable price.

What are you up to while on holiday?

Some of us might define holiday as a time where you sit lazily in your couch watching TV with crisp in your left hand and cola in the other. Some will do anything vigorous that make your body full of adrenaline as part of holiday such as kayak, jungle tracking or extreme biking.

Here are lists of activities/holiday theme you might want to consider:

Shopping

This is indeed what we love to do. We love shopping in Spain as Spain is home of Zara and Massimo Dutti. You can get those stuffs a lot cheaper there. Sometimes we just go to Gunwharf Quays for a day off on a particular week. If you don't mind stuffs with no brand (i.e. unbranded), go to China. They have lots to offer!

NOTE: you can shop for stuffs here

Health tourism

What?

Yeah seriously health tourism. They have bypass surgery, medical check up, heart transplant and everything while you are on holiday. Check out here: Health Tourism Malaysia. They said it's cheaper than anywhere else in the developed country. Well, it might be cheaper in China =p

Leisure and Entertainment

To name a few...

Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Bukit Tinggi, Fraser's Hill, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Redang, Pulau Sipadan (all in Malaysia)

Resort World Sentosa, Universal Studios (Singapore)

Legoland, Madame Tussaud, Alton Towers (UK)

anything, just google for them.

Nature

For nature lovers out there, go to Borneo. Borneo has lots to offer. You can also experience to live with the natives there. Love jungle tracking? Try climbing up to the highest peak in south east Asia, Mt. Kinabalu. Borneo has one of the largest rainforest in the world and home of thousands of species.

What about safari in South Africa? If you want to see lions like in the Lion King, Africa is the place, Borneo does not have any lions.

Business

No way. I object that. Business is business and holiday is holiday. Full stop.





So, which one will you pick? =)

Tourism & Places

Countries in the south east Asia (SEA) region are actively promoting their country to attract more tourist. They offer many kinds of holiday packages at many holiday destinations that is worth for the money and experience. For example, recently Singapore can be proud of its new Universal Studios and Malaysia has internationally admired Pulau Sipadan.

And many of these countries are well connected other region of the world as to Australia, New Zealand even some parts of China and India thanks to some of the worlds best international low budget airlines like Airasia, Firefly, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Airways. And flying is the best way to get around in SEA region as most countries are island country plus their land transport facilities are not like in the European countries where bus and train services are very reliable.

Malaysia has its own tourism offices in overseas. Here I give some of the overseas offices:

UK
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
57 Trafalgar Square London, London WC2N 5DU, United Kingdom
Phone: +442 079 307 932 Fax: +442 079 309 015
Email: mtpb.london@tourism.gov.my / info@tourism-malaysia.co.uk

France
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
Weissfrauenstrasse 12 - 16, D-60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Phone: 0049 69 460923420 Fax: 0049 69 460923499
Email: mtpb.frankfurt@tourism.gov.my / info@tourismmalaysia.de
Website: www.tourismmalaysia.de

India
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
4th Floor, Vijaya Towers, No. 4, Kodambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034, India
Phone: +0091 44 4506 8080 / 8181 / 8282 Fax: +0091 44 4506 8383
Email: mtpb.chennai@tourism.gov.my
Website: www.malaysiajao.com

full list is here

For list of ASEAN Tourism Offices, click HERE

Decided where to go this coming summer? =)

Mother's Day

Many parts of the world celebrates Mother's Day on the 9th of May every year and this includes Malaysia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany etc. You can have a look here for list of countries.

On this very special occasion, how about a treat of island get away in Pulau Redang or Pulau Sipadan?

Or a gift of rose fragrance?


Remember to always cheer your mum and dad =)

Masjids in Spain

Assalamualaikum a.k.a Peace be upon all of you =)

As most of you already know, me and my other half went to Spain - mainly Malaga, Granada and Cordoba. It was a 5d4n backpacking holiday and we had much fun there - includes all the shopping we did. May be our viewers should know that ZARA is originated from Spain.

We went to all the palaces and fortresses in each of the cities and it is easy to get around in the cities by foot. Of course, you have to put your backpack somewhere safe. In this post, I would like to share specifically about masjids that we found.

1. Masjid Al-Murobito (Spanish: Mezquita Al-Murobito) City of Cordoba

Situated inside Jardines de la Merced (Gardens of Merced), in Avenida De Los Tejares (Avenue Tejares), city of Cordoba It features something that is very unusual for a masjid in Europe - a dome. It is such a small masjid and you wouldn't expect to see it in the middle of a garden.

We asked one of the shopkeeper in the La Mezquita (Masjid Cordoba) complex. He is a Morrocan and luckily he can speak English.

We: Assalamualaikum, do you know any mosque around here?

He: Waalaikumsalam, mosque, for pray or for visit?

It was a bit surprising to hear such thing. Of course we were looking a place to perform our prayer but, he was speaking the truth. We were in the city where masjids are for tourists to visit. Well, this is also true in some parts of Malaysia - a Muslim country?

2. Masjid at-Taqwa City of Granada

Situated somewhere near the Elvira Street. The biggest masjid I found in Spain - it two floors. It has good facility for taking wuduk and toilets. I found this www.granadamosque.com when I googled for mosque in Granada. I don't know whether that Granada Mosque is the same as Masjid at-Taqwa. Let's have a look inside the masjid.

3. Masjid in Malaga

No, we didn't found one. Because we didn't ask. Because we didn't have to. Because we perform all our prayer in the place we stay. May be our viewers can share the masjids they found in Malaga =)

Alright, have a good weekend! C ya!

La Alhambra

More photos as promised.
Hope these photos help in boosting your interest to travel =)

Welcome to the Palacios Nazaries in Alhambra.

The Albaycin from Palacios Nazaries.
Amazing.
Normal Sony camera was used. Not DSLR.

The happy dude in the Palacios garden.

The happy dude likes the unique architecture.

More on happy dude with the unique ceiling.

Go and witness the beautiful city yourself.
Worth every penny.
Have a good day people!

Granada

We took a bus (ALSA) from Malaga to Granada. The journey took approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Very near eyh ;-)

Transportation

Again, DO NOT take the taxi. Public bus is way cheaper but a single ticket is 10cent more than what we paid in Malaga, hence 1.20Euro.

From the Granada bus station, take bus #3 or#33 to Grand Via. Then take a mini bus #32 to the last stop which is The Alhambra.

Accommodation

We stayed at Posada Dona Lupe hostel which is right in front of the famous Alhambra. The environment, superb. On the hill etc. Several souvenir shops are available nearby.
Breakfast is included (muffins and hot drinks). I super love the hot chocolate =)
Free internet + computer at the entrance, right in front of the reception. There is also a small swimming pool on the top floor.

The two double beds at Posada's.

Scenery from the pool side.

Attractions

1. La Alhambra
2. Museo de la Alhambra
3. Palacio y Jardines del Generalife
4. etc.

The happy dude at La Alhambra just before we visited the Palacio.

The city of Albaycin (old city).
Magnificent view from La Alhambra.

I will stop here for now.
The internet connection is so slow at the moment.
More photos on La Alhambra will be uploaded by tomorrow.

Malaga

Arrived in Malaga at night by RyanAir. The Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport is quite big and busy during the day.

Transportation
DO NOT take the taxi. The public bus is very convenient and cheaper than the taxi.
1.10 Euro for a single ticket. From the airport, take bus #19 to Alameda Principal. That is where most accommodations and attractions are located.


DO NOT buy any maps. You can easily obtain map of Malaga from the bus station, airport or even your hostel/hotel.

Accommodation
We stayed at two different hostels.

1. Ilan Hostel
2. Your House

Bed at Ilan's

The wardrobe, chairs and mirror at Ilan's

Ilan Hostel is situated in Calle (street) Victoria. Walking distance from Gibralfaro. It is near to two halal kebab stalls/shops. The owner, Mr. Ilan was very kind to us. The room was very clean and the toilets were too. Breakfast was provided (bread and butter/jam + tea). Approximately 10 minutes of walking to the Gibralfaro Castle and Alcazaba. We only paid 60cent (student price hence student card is needed) for each entrance fee!






Preparing tea in the kitchen at Ilan's.

Your House is situated in Marques de Cadiz. Bus #C2 will take you there. The owner, Maximo is very friendly but he owns a dog who wanted to jump on me! And of course, I did scream ;-(
Your House is quite far from the Alameda Principal and breakfast is not included. However, the "house" itself was very clean and free internet is provided too.

The cupboard, safe box and Ikea duvet at Your House.

Preparing some magic potion for breakfast.

You can prepare your own food ie. cook in both hostels. Fridge/Refrigerator is provided for you to store your food/meat etc.

Attractions

1. Castillo Gibralfaro
2. Alcazaba
3. Museo Picasso Malaga
4. Malaga Beach
5. Plaza De Toros

The happy dude in front of the Castillo Gibralfaro at night.


The dude in front of Catillo Gibralfaro during the day.



The same happy dude at Malaga Beach.


Toro fight-fight one lorr.


The happy dude in front of the ex-Masjid with Abdul Jalil, the gardener of Castillo Gibralfaro


The dude in Malaga.


The Alcazaba garden.


Inside The Alcazaba.

Granada will be next.

Hola everyone!

Assalamualaikum and buenos diyaz!

We are now in Granada.

At the top of the hill Alhambra, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in the morning sun. Later we are off to visit the Garden of Alhambra before taking the bus to Malaga in the afternoon.

Will update this blog soon with photos =)

Break

We are leaving on a jet plane.

To M----a, G-----a & C-----a

Yeay!

Will upload more stuffs once we are back.

;-)

Cartoon

just for sharing. obviously i got the cartoon from somewhere else and i do not own it.

click on the image to enlarge it.

if anyone feels like this cartoon should not be here due to copyright infringement, please let me know. i will delete this post.

CCMB in Scotland Day 2

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh peeps =)

previous post

We arrived in Stirling around 8pm and the hostel we are staying is located at the center of Stirling city. Thus we had to drive around the city to find the best car park.

Tips: Most of the road side car park in the UK is free to park after 6pm until 8am tomorrow morning, sometimes 10am.

We then cooked our dinner as the hostel provided us the kitchen all to ourselves. Then we went to bed early.

DAY 2

The first thing to do is to make sure we get off before the car park is not free anymore. Hence we had no time to waste and we headed to Stirling Castle which is located one mile from the hostel. This time, we are not paying for the entry as we knew that castles are all the same.

Because we find that castles are not interesting anymore, so we decided to do some jumping.

Although some of you might feel disgusted with the fact that we did the jumping, I don't mind at all, because we had fun.

We then headed towards the William Wallace monument. How many of you knows William Wallace? None of you? Okay, what about Braveheart (Mel Gibson)? Does that rings a bell? William Wallace was one of the hero of Scotland because he fought against English in past...i don't know which century. And, if you play Age of Empires II, you will remember that there is one character in the game called William Wallace.


The monument is situated on top of a hill. At the bottom, you can find a statue of William Wallace. Unfortunately, I don't have the photo with me, it's with Shahril. Afterward, we drove up north heading towards Aberdeen. But then, we changed our plan as we felt that we would not manage to reach Aberdeen then go straight to Aviemore on the same day. Thus we made our stop somewhere in St. Andrews in late afternoon. There is a university called University St. Andrews which most of their buildings are located near the seaside.

This aquarium was just closed when we arrive there.

Tengku and his dream car



Me at University of St. Andrews

We are Rabbani (UK style) taken from Affzan's FB

After enjoying the sunlight of St. Andrews, we then headed towards our next hostel in Aviemore.

Before that....

I think I better stop here as I am running out idea. I don't know what to write. Alright peeps, stay tune!

... to be continued

CCMB - Southampton to Scotland

Assalamualaikum and hello all =)

Sorry for not updating this blog for almost a month and a half. This is due to commitments I have with two group projects - MDP and GDP.

Glad MDP is finishing.

Let's go holiday!

This time I would like to share our Cuti-cuti Musim Bunga (Spring Holidays). It was in 2008 where 12 of us decided to drive to Scotland for five days and four nights holiday. That is 8 hours non-stop driving. But we did not actually drove non-stop, I remember we stopped thrice - two times for general stop and another one we stopped because we had two wait for our friend to re-unite with us (they were lost). It was almost 12 hours of driving. Honestly, none of us ever drove that long back in Malaysia.

So... It was us: Shahril, Tengku, Najib, Salam, Hazlee, Affzan, Ikhwan, Me, Syauqi, Huzaifah, Hafidzuddin and another one is........ err.... Ahas! oops...sorry..it was loong time ago so I can't remember much.

Transport: own car (make sure you have UK license and insurance)

Accommodation: youth hostels

Total Cost: GBP 250 roughly

Activities: visit museums and scary places, sight seeing - beach, city etc, ski and snowboarding, cruise in Loch Ness, praying and laughing, get scolded by some Scottish hostel caretaker

Equipments required: cooking utensils and titanic rice pot, Garmin, SLR camera, digital camera, video camera, good actors and posers

Scotland is a land full of castles. Castles are everywhere and each city has their own castles. Our first stop in Scotland was Edinburgh Castle in the City of Edinburgh. It was a huge castle and it also accommodates many other museums in its compound; for example the National War Museum is located inside the Castle. So you pay once, and you'll get to see many things.

click here to find out more information: http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk


There are just too many museums around there, and some of us are just too bored to get around. oh yeah, some of us met the Scottish!



Najib was the person in charge for activities and he booked for us a tour to underground of City of Edinburgh. Najib said it is good and looks scary. So everyone of us was very excited and even arrived early and the starting point for the tour. The tour guide was Gary and made the tour sounded soo scary during briefing.

Mercat tour here : http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp

Above pic shows how the underground vault looks like. Basically this vault spreads all the way under the city of Edinburgh and it was said that, the current city of Edinburgh was built on top of a city - hence the underground vault.

Warning: Don't go for the Mercat Tours. It was not fun at all. In fact I felt funny about it. None of us were paying attention to Gary. Only those locals could understand what he was blabbering about thus we didn't even felt any goosebumps. None at all.

In late afternoon, we headed towards Stirling city, north of Edinburgh. There we stayed at Willy Wallace Hostel. url: http://www.willywallacehostel.com/


to be continued....