The 2013 combined travels of Bass_ke
Feb 20, 2014, 3:10 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
The next stop happened to be Malaysia.
At least once a trip we try and stay in a relatively nice hotel to have a bit of a break, normally we do it at the end but this time we did it at the start.
Given that we've entered Malaysia through KL about 12 times over the last year it's kind of Bizarre that this is only the 3rd time that we've actually come into town, the rest have all been 5 - 12 hr transit stops on the way to somewhere else. Our entry this time however wasn't terribly typical.
28JAN2013
Firefly
FY3506
OOL - SIN
9M-FYI ATR72
Seat 2F
Looking at the options between flights to KLIA and trains to KL from Singapore we came across a third option, Firefly who fly from SIN to Subang, the old KL International airport. I also believe that the ATR operated flight might be one of the few remaining scheduled prop services out of SIN. As per usual of late I didn't get any photo's at all of the boarding process or flight, it was entertaining though! Especially the arrival into Subang, The terminal is relatively new but the Border agencies setup were quite Adhoc even compared to Malay standards, friendly folk though!
We were staying at Traders right on the park outside KLCC, the location was aboslutely perfect for us! Easy access to trains and an air conditioned shopping centre were a win. The Skybar in this place is also pretty amazing, just try not to fall into the pool after a few beers!
Our time in KL was spent doing nothing but ordering room service, eating out and about and relaxing!
Trader's was awesome, not the kind of place that we'd stay in all the time but it's certainly nice to stay somewhere nice with a comfortable bed every now and then. The view was the thing that got me, I couldn't stop staring at the towers.
Next stop had us heading to one of our favorite cities, Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.
Pretty by night!
I took the exact same photo in 2008
Last time you couldn't access the top floors, it's so much higher than the skybridge!
Not a bad way to spend dinner, and reasonably priced considering it's room service!
At least once a trip we try and stay in a relatively nice hotel to have a bit of a break, normally we do it at the end but this time we did it at the start.
Given that we've entered Malaysia through KL about 12 times over the last year it's kind of Bizarre that this is only the 3rd time that we've actually come into town, the rest have all been 5 - 12 hr transit stops on the way to somewhere else. Our entry this time however wasn't terribly typical.
28JAN2013
Firefly
FY3506
OOL - SIN
9M-FYI ATR72
Seat 2F
Looking at the options between flights to KLIA and trains to KL from Singapore we came across a third option, Firefly who fly from SIN to Subang, the old KL International airport. I also believe that the ATR operated flight might be one of the few remaining scheduled prop services out of SIN. As per usual of late I didn't get any photo's at all of the boarding process or flight, it was entertaining though! Especially the arrival into Subang, The terminal is relatively new but the Border agencies setup were quite Adhoc even compared to Malay standards, friendly folk though!
We were staying at Traders right on the park outside KLCC, the location was aboslutely perfect for us! Easy access to trains and an air conditioned shopping centre were a win. The Skybar in this place is also pretty amazing, just try not to fall into the pool after a few beers!
Our time in KL was spent doing nothing but ordering room service, eating out and about and relaxing!
Trader's was awesome, not the kind of place that we'd stay in all the time but it's certainly nice to stay somewhere nice with a comfortable bed every now and then. The view was the thing that got me, I couldn't stop staring at the towers.
Next stop had us heading to one of our favorite cities, Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.
Pretty by night!
I took the exact same photo in 2008
Last time you couldn't access the top floors, it's so much higher than the skybridge!
Not a bad way to spend dinner, and reasonably priced considering it's room service!
Feb 20, 2014, 3:12 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
Ahh yes, now the next part of the Journey.
After checking out of traders we were heading back to a place all too familiar, the KLIA LCCT!
This place keeps evolving but it has definitely had it's day, it'll be good to see the new terminal but I will be a little sad that I won't have a chance to to queue for Immigration out to the apron like we did in 2008!
We elected for AirAsia Red Carpet service on this sector, it gives you priority check in, access to a lounge that has previously made me very ill and a personal walk through security and immigration formalities and up to the air stairs before being handed over to the crew. Not bad, unsure if I'd do it again as the lounge isn't worth hanging about in, maybe it'll be better at LCCT 2.
For the flight we were travelling aboard another of the trusty red A320's
31JAN2013
AirAsia Malaysia
AK1916
KUL - CNX
9M-AQL A320
Seat 1E and 1F
The flight went smoothly as most of the ones we have taken with AirAsia have. We had 1D and 1F whilst a Malay lady of about 90 years occupied 1C beside us. We spent most of the flight talking about Penang of old and her schooling in Singapore before heading back to Malaysia. We've only ever arrived into the domestic side of CNX before so the Int side was something different, travelling with a baby certainly seems to be the best way to get Thai Immigration officers to smile!
Chiang Mai is an old favorite for us, especially the area within the old city walls. We've spent days exploring the back Soi's and seeing where they take us. Nothing beats stumbling upon random Wat's and locals folk going about the day. Being Vegetarian, Chiang Mai is also an amazing foody destination for us - combined with some amazing coffee it makes for a great time.
We were in Chiang Mai for approx 3 weeks split in the middle by a few day Jaunt to Pai in Ye olde Cessna grand caravan.....
Always a festival, no matter when we are here!
Tofu Laab, one of my favorites.
Another amazing meal in Chiang Mai
After checking out of traders we were heading back to a place all too familiar, the KLIA LCCT!
This place keeps evolving but it has definitely had it's day, it'll be good to see the new terminal but I will be a little sad that I won't have a chance to to queue for Immigration out to the apron like we did in 2008!
We elected for AirAsia Red Carpet service on this sector, it gives you priority check in, access to a lounge that has previously made me very ill and a personal walk through security and immigration formalities and up to the air stairs before being handed over to the crew. Not bad, unsure if I'd do it again as the lounge isn't worth hanging about in, maybe it'll be better at LCCT 2.
For the flight we were travelling aboard another of the trusty red A320's
31JAN2013
AirAsia Malaysia
AK1916
KUL - CNX
9M-AQL A320
Seat 1E and 1F
The flight went smoothly as most of the ones we have taken with AirAsia have. We had 1D and 1F whilst a Malay lady of about 90 years occupied 1C beside us. We spent most of the flight talking about Penang of old and her schooling in Singapore before heading back to Malaysia. We've only ever arrived into the domestic side of CNX before so the Int side was something different, travelling with a baby certainly seems to be the best way to get Thai Immigration officers to smile!
Chiang Mai is an old favorite for us, especially the area within the old city walls. We've spent days exploring the back Soi's and seeing where they take us. Nothing beats stumbling upon random Wat's and locals folk going about the day. Being Vegetarian, Chiang Mai is also an amazing foody destination for us - combined with some amazing coffee it makes for a great time.
We were in Chiang Mai for approx 3 weeks split in the middle by a few day Jaunt to Pai in Ye olde Cessna grand caravan.....
Always a festival, no matter when we are here!
Tofu Laab, one of my favorites.
Another amazing meal in Chiang Mai
Feb 20, 2014, 3:13 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
04FEB2013
Kan Airlines
K8741
CNS - PYY
HSKAB C208
Seat 4C
After what is always an amazing time in Chiang Mai, it was time to head onward to Pai.
Pai is a town that we've been meaning to head toward for the last few years, but have never quite made it. From experience we knew that a a day long SE Asian minibus adventure wasn't going to work with an infant, so what better way to make it than fly?
Kan Air have been around for a little while now and with decent prices and having never flown on a C208 before the plan was set in stone.
Booking over the website was super simple and we received an Itinerary immediately! Just 6 years ago in SE Asia booking a domestic flight at the last minute meant running down to a shady travel agent with USD in hand and a paper ticket, now I booked it on my iPad with the Guesthouse's free wifi - how times have changed!
We've only ever traveled onward from CNX via land or International flight, so the domestic side of the terminal was a new experience for us! Check in was simple with a single dedicated counter. We were amazed to actually get issued printed boarding passes and bag tags.
The domestic side of CNX is nothing too special, just another SE Asian airport. We got to wait downstairs and had an opportunity to do a little spotting whilst there.
Our "In flight" refreshment was actually served in the departure lounge and the ground crew were great for a chat. HS-KAB radioed in to the ground crew a couple of times advising that they would be a little late, no drama as we were having fun!
A bus took us to the aircraft and after climbing up the stairs and chucking our carry on into the small area at the back of the cabin I took my seat. My first impression was that the aircraft was roomy and felt quite open. Second impression was that it was amazing too be able to watch the pilots and instruments!
Captain got us underway with a minimum of fuss and before long we were climbing up over the mountains. The road of 762 bends peeped out at us from the mountains every now and then, reminding us of the other way to do this journey.
Before long we had started to descend and make a couple of turns before lining up with the runway. The descent into Pai is incredibly scenic and made even better by the large windows on the C208.
Upon landing we spent a bit of time taking photo's of the aircraft and had a quick chat and photo with the FO whilst he was conducting a walk around before his next sector.
The airport at Pai is tiny but very well maintained for a small SE Asian airport. Our bags got wheeled into the terminal on a standard baggage trolley and after collecting them we met our ride and went on our way.
I'll show Pai with Picture rather than having too much of a chat, summed up it's a very cute little town. Filled with tourists in parts, both domestic and foreign but if you get out of town and just set out on foot you'll find your own Pai experience to enjoy. We loved getting up early and grabbing "Bag Coffee" with some of the locals whilst watching monks collect alms. We stayed just outside of the main drag at a place called Baan Pai Nai Wieng, check out our post about it!
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/04/18/...omment-page-1/
Kan Airlines
K8741
CNS - PYY
HSKAB C208
Seat 4C
After what is always an amazing time in Chiang Mai, it was time to head onward to Pai.
Pai is a town that we've been meaning to head toward for the last few years, but have never quite made it. From experience we knew that a a day long SE Asian minibus adventure wasn't going to work with an infant, so what better way to make it than fly?
Kan Air have been around for a little while now and with decent prices and having never flown on a C208 before the plan was set in stone.
Booking over the website was super simple and we received an Itinerary immediately! Just 6 years ago in SE Asia booking a domestic flight at the last minute meant running down to a shady travel agent with USD in hand and a paper ticket, now I booked it on my iPad with the Guesthouse's free wifi - how times have changed!
We've only ever traveled onward from CNX via land or International flight, so the domestic side of the terminal was a new experience for us! Check in was simple with a single dedicated counter. We were amazed to actually get issued printed boarding passes and bag tags.
The domestic side of CNX is nothing too special, just another SE Asian airport. We got to wait downstairs and had an opportunity to do a little spotting whilst there.
Our "In flight" refreshment was actually served in the departure lounge and the ground crew were great for a chat. HS-KAB radioed in to the ground crew a couple of times advising that they would be a little late, no drama as we were having fun!
A bus took us to the aircraft and after climbing up the stairs and chucking our carry on into the small area at the back of the cabin I took my seat. My first impression was that the aircraft was roomy and felt quite open. Second impression was that it was amazing too be able to watch the pilots and instruments!
Captain got us underway with a minimum of fuss and before long we were climbing up over the mountains. The road of 762 bends peeped out at us from the mountains every now and then, reminding us of the other way to do this journey.
Before long we had started to descend and make a couple of turns before lining up with the runway. The descent into Pai is incredibly scenic and made even better by the large windows on the C208.
Upon landing we spent a bit of time taking photo's of the aircraft and had a quick chat and photo with the FO whilst he was conducting a walk around before his next sector.
The airport at Pai is tiny but very well maintained for a small SE Asian airport. Our bags got wheeled into the terminal on a standard baggage trolley and after collecting them we met our ride and went on our way.
I'll show Pai with Picture rather than having too much of a chat, summed up it's a very cute little town. Filled with tourists in parts, both domestic and foreign but if you get out of town and just set out on foot you'll find your own Pai experience to enjoy. We loved getting up early and grabbing "Bag Coffee" with some of the locals whilst watching monks collect alms. We stayed just outside of the main drag at a place called Baan Pai Nai Wieng, check out our post about it!
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/04/18/...omment-page-1/
Feb 20, 2014, 3:14 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
09FEB2013
Kan Airlines
K8742
PYY - CNX
HSKAB C208
Seat 4C
Before we knew it, our time in Pai was over
On the morning of our flight we received a call from the K8 ground agent in PYY to tell us that the inbound aircraft was delayed by about approx 1/2 hr - that's old school service!
We bid our farewells to our hosts and turned up again to Pai airport. After we checked in and had our bag's weighed on the most ancient scales I've ever seen we made our way through the security checkpoint (Yep there actually is one!) and into the massive (well to service 1 C208 at a time) lounge area. Travelling with a baby certainly makes Thailand live up to it's "Land of Smiles" nickname. It was cool to watch the local kids sidestep the fence and run around on the apron and to see HS-KAB turn up looking pretty as usual.
The flight back to CNX was pretty cruisy and the views just as impressive. It was great to be able to see us line up with the runway at CNX from out the front window and to see some RTAF metal on the ground. Deplaning was good fun, another bus ride to the terminal and then through what seemed like a side door into the domestic baggage claim area. We then experienced a busy taxi queue and a driver who didn't know how to get to Somphet Market or Moonmuang Soi 6, a first for us in CNX!
Our remaining week or so was just as chilled as our previous times in Chiang Mai, we've adored this city since 2008 and it get's better every single time, thankfully the Bogans still seem to stay outside of the old city walls, down toward the night bazaar.
Out the back of Somphet Market, close to the laundry we use we found the most amazing stall. The freshest juice you can find and amazing breakfast for between 20 - 50 baht a person. Tip is also an absolute champion who works insane hours and also manages to raise a son. Being Vegetarian, Chiang Mai is an amazing destination for us. we did a write up on the blog about our favorite Veg joints in Chiang Mai which I'll post a link to below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/11/...in-chiang-mai/
Tip's Best Fresh
Easiest breakfast!
we'll most definitely be back to this city, but for now it was time to head onward to Luang Prabang!
Tuk-tuk's in China town, they are semi-reasonable compared to BKK tuk-tuk's, we still prefer to get around by Songthaew though.
The Soi 6 Fried Banana and Fried Sweet Potato lady. We were often walking back just as she was opening, tastiest snacks in the world!
Iced coffee at the funky dog cafe, Coconut milk frappe with espresso to pour on top. The owner roasts the beans over a wood fire every morning
Looking down Soi 6 with La Mer hostel in blue on the right
Ponganes Espresso, our Favorite coffee shop in Chiang Mai, it's on either Soi 4 or Soi 5 Moonmuang
Kan Airlines
K8742
PYY - CNX
HSKAB C208
Seat 4C
Before we knew it, our time in Pai was over
On the morning of our flight we received a call from the K8 ground agent in PYY to tell us that the inbound aircraft was delayed by about approx 1/2 hr - that's old school service!
We bid our farewells to our hosts and turned up again to Pai airport. After we checked in and had our bag's weighed on the most ancient scales I've ever seen we made our way through the security checkpoint (Yep there actually is one!) and into the massive (well to service 1 C208 at a time) lounge area. Travelling with a baby certainly makes Thailand live up to it's "Land of Smiles" nickname. It was cool to watch the local kids sidestep the fence and run around on the apron and to see HS-KAB turn up looking pretty as usual.
The flight back to CNX was pretty cruisy and the views just as impressive. It was great to be able to see us line up with the runway at CNX from out the front window and to see some RTAF metal on the ground. Deplaning was good fun, another bus ride to the terminal and then through what seemed like a side door into the domestic baggage claim area. We then experienced a busy taxi queue and a driver who didn't know how to get to Somphet Market or Moonmuang Soi 6, a first for us in CNX!
Our remaining week or so was just as chilled as our previous times in Chiang Mai, we've adored this city since 2008 and it get's better every single time, thankfully the Bogans still seem to stay outside of the old city walls, down toward the night bazaar.
Out the back of Somphet Market, close to the laundry we use we found the most amazing stall. The freshest juice you can find and amazing breakfast for between 20 - 50 baht a person. Tip is also an absolute champion who works insane hours and also manages to raise a son. Being Vegetarian, Chiang Mai is an amazing destination for us. we did a write up on the blog about our favorite Veg joints in Chiang Mai which I'll post a link to below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/11/...in-chiang-mai/
Tip's Best Fresh
Easiest breakfast!
we'll most definitely be back to this city, but for now it was time to head onward to Luang Prabang!
Tuk-tuk's in China town, they are semi-reasonable compared to BKK tuk-tuk's, we still prefer to get around by Songthaew though.
The Soi 6 Fried Banana and Fried Sweet Potato lady. We were often walking back just as she was opening, tastiest snacks in the world!
Iced coffee at the funky dog cafe, Coconut milk frappe with espresso to pour on top. The owner roasts the beans over a wood fire every morning
Looking down Soi 6 with La Mer hostel in blue on the right
Ponganes Espresso, our Favorite coffee shop in Chiang Mai, it's on either Soi 4 or Soi 5 Moonmuang
Feb 20, 2014, 3:15 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
Jewel of the Mekong, I loved her from the first time I set eyes on her
Being 2008 and our first extended bout of travelling, we thought that we'd made it to the ends of the earth when peering accross the border from Thailand and wondering what the border crossing the next day might bring us.
Since that first trip down to Luang Prabang that took a couple of day's meandering down the Mekong from the border in a shady boat we've been back a couple of times. The next time took us from 4000 Islands in the deep south
to Vieng Xai nestled against Vietnam in the far North East
Getting out of Laos that time involved one of the most entertaining 7 hr long Songthaew ride down to the border and a sneaky photo
This time however, things were a little different.
We'd been wanting to head back to Luang Prabang for quite some time and being in the region combined with wanting to take our little one along to a new destination saw us forming plans to head back to Luang Prabang. The same reasoning applied to this trip as did to our Pai adventure, 3 days on buses, boats and dodgy guesthouses weren't going to be the best with an 11 month old so Lao Airlines were going to get us from CNX - LPQ in 1 hour.
19FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV645
CNX - LPQ
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 11A
The Int'l side of CNX isn't the most entertaining but when bub's ready to sleep it ain't a bad place to catch up on some blogging and trip planning, rather than using the airport wi-fi we just tethered to our phones, the Data plans and reception in SE asia is amazing and we made a quick right up about it on the below link
http://mylittleearth.net/travel-reso...ds-in-se-asia/
Boarding the QV ATR was like revisiting an old friend, especially with the slogan "You're Safe with us", it certainly inspires confidence!
The flight wasn't as fun as the C208 ride with K8 but certainly did offer some great views as we descended into LPQ. Unfortunately the new airport terminal wasn't ready when we arrived and we continued past it to the old terminal, it's classic SE asian old school and reminded me a lot of the old domestic terminal in Yangon.
Where possible we always try to have our visa's sorted and it certainly helped here with only approx 6 pax from our flight and another recently arrived having done so and the queue for VOA extending out the door and back onto the apron.
This time around we we're staying with a Belgian/Lao family that owned and operated guesthouse Manichan, all the details are in the link below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/16/...ouse-manichan/
Our time in LPQ was spent soaking up the laid back lifestyle and wondering about town
You don't rush in LPQ and for our purposes we really enjoyed staying in the City as there seemed to be a couple of Lulls in the day when the safari suit clad folks retreated to their resorts leaving Luang Prabang almost free of foreigners.
A lot of folks get up bright and early for the morning alms ceremony which has become a bit of a spectacle and attracted it's fair share of controversy, conduct your research if heading along and please behave respectfully, don't get up in Monks faces.
You'll find more enjoyable scenes down the road and shot with a long lens from further away
It may be best to look out and around you rather than at the ceremony, Wat's buzz with activity in the morning.
After having spent 4 or so day's wandering about and drinking our absolute fill of Coffee we decided to hop on the boat across that Mekong, we'd never explored the other side
It was well worth the trip and the trek we took down gravel tracks, winding through villages along the way. Needless to say a Caucasian 11 month old draws crowds around these parts!
It took a while to get into the swing of things back in LPQ but we are certainly glad to have made the trip back here. The town has a little bit to offer everyone and you can make the most of relaxing with tasty food and amazing coffee or get out there and visit the various caves and waterfalls close by to town. It certainly felt a lot busier compared to 2008 but that was 5 years ago and in low season as opposed to Feb 2013!
One of the highlights was the big communal breakfast table at Guesthouse Manichan and the delicious food served upon it, we shared some great adventure tales and made some great friends here!
Being 2008 and our first extended bout of travelling, we thought that we'd made it to the ends of the earth when peering accross the border from Thailand and wondering what the border crossing the next day might bring us.
Since that first trip down to Luang Prabang that took a couple of day's meandering down the Mekong from the border in a shady boat we've been back a couple of times. The next time took us from 4000 Islands in the deep south
to Vieng Xai nestled against Vietnam in the far North East
Getting out of Laos that time involved one of the most entertaining 7 hr long Songthaew ride down to the border and a sneaky photo
This time however, things were a little different.
We'd been wanting to head back to Luang Prabang for quite some time and being in the region combined with wanting to take our little one along to a new destination saw us forming plans to head back to Luang Prabang. The same reasoning applied to this trip as did to our Pai adventure, 3 days on buses, boats and dodgy guesthouses weren't going to be the best with an 11 month old so Lao Airlines were going to get us from CNX - LPQ in 1 hour.
19FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV645
CNX - LPQ
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 11A
The Int'l side of CNX isn't the most entertaining but when bub's ready to sleep it ain't a bad place to catch up on some blogging and trip planning, rather than using the airport wi-fi we just tethered to our phones, the Data plans and reception in SE asia is amazing and we made a quick right up about it on the below link
http://mylittleearth.net/travel-reso...ds-in-se-asia/
Boarding the QV ATR was like revisiting an old friend, especially with the slogan "You're Safe with us", it certainly inspires confidence!
The flight wasn't as fun as the C208 ride with K8 but certainly did offer some great views as we descended into LPQ. Unfortunately the new airport terminal wasn't ready when we arrived and we continued past it to the old terminal, it's classic SE asian old school and reminded me a lot of the old domestic terminal in Yangon.
Where possible we always try to have our visa's sorted and it certainly helped here with only approx 6 pax from our flight and another recently arrived having done so and the queue for VOA extending out the door and back onto the apron.
This time around we we're staying with a Belgian/Lao family that owned and operated guesthouse Manichan, all the details are in the link below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/16/...ouse-manichan/
Our time in LPQ was spent soaking up the laid back lifestyle and wondering about town
You don't rush in LPQ and for our purposes we really enjoyed staying in the City as there seemed to be a couple of Lulls in the day when the safari suit clad folks retreated to their resorts leaving Luang Prabang almost free of foreigners.
A lot of folks get up bright and early for the morning alms ceremony which has become a bit of a spectacle and attracted it's fair share of controversy, conduct your research if heading along and please behave respectfully, don't get up in Monks faces.
You'll find more enjoyable scenes down the road and shot with a long lens from further away
It may be best to look out and around you rather than at the ceremony, Wat's buzz with activity in the morning.
After having spent 4 or so day's wandering about and drinking our absolute fill of Coffee we decided to hop on the boat across that Mekong, we'd never explored the other side
It was well worth the trip and the trek we took down gravel tracks, winding through villages along the way. Needless to say a Caucasian 11 month old draws crowds around these parts!
It took a while to get into the swing of things back in LPQ but we are certainly glad to have made the trip back here. The town has a little bit to offer everyone and you can make the most of relaxing with tasty food and amazing coffee or get out there and visit the various caves and waterfalls close by to town. It certainly felt a lot busier compared to 2008 but that was 5 years ago and in low season as opposed to Feb 2013!
One of the highlights was the big communal breakfast table at Guesthouse Manichan and the delicious food served upon it, we shared some great adventure tales and made some great friends here!
Feb 20, 2014, 3:17 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
Jewel of the Mekong, I loved her from the first time I set eyes on her
Being 2008 and our first extended bout of travelling, we thought that we'd made it to the ends of the earth when peering accross the border from Thailand and wondering what the border crossing the next day might bring us.
Since that first trip down to Luang Prabang that took a couple of day's meandering down the Mekong from the border in a shady boat we've been back a couple of times. The next time took us from 4000 Islands in the deep south
to Vieng Xai nestled against Vietnam in the far North East
Getting out of Laos that time involved one of the most entertaining 7 hr long Songthaew ride down to the border and a sneaky photo
This time however, things were a little different.
We'd been wanting to head back to Luang Prabang for quite some time and being in the region combined with wanting to take our little one along to a new destination saw us forming plans to head back to Luang Prabang. The same reasoning applied to this trip as did to our Pai adventure, 3 days on buses, boats and dodgy guesthouses weren't going to be the best with an 11 month old so Lao Airlines were going to get us from CNX - LPQ in 1 hour.
19FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV645
CNX - LPQ
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 11A
The Int'l side of CNX isn't the most entertaining but when bub's ready to sleep it ain't a bad place to catch up on some blogging and trip planning, rather than using the airport wi-fi we just tethered to our phones, the Data plans and reception in SE asia is amazing and we made a quick right up about it on the below link
http://mylittleearth.net/travel-reso...ds-in-se-asia/
Boarding the QV ATR was like revisiting an old friend, especially with the slogan "You're Safe with us", it certainly inspires confidence!
The flight wasn't as fun as the C208 ride with K8 but certainly did offer some great views as we descended into LPQ. Unfortunately the new airport terminal wasn't ready when we arrived and we continued past it to the old terminal, it's classic SE asian old school and reminded me a lot of the old domestic terminal in Yangon.
Where possible we always try to have our visa's sorted and it certainly helped here with only approx 6 pax from our flight and another recently arrived having done so and the queue for VOA extending out the door and back onto the apron.
This time around we we're staying with a Belgian/Lao family that owned and operated guesthouse Manichan, all the details are in the link below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/16/...ouse-manichan/
Our time in LPQ was spent soaking up the laid back lifestyle and wondering about town
You don't rush in LPQ and for our purposes we really enjoyed staying in the City as there seemed to be a couple of Lulls in the day when the safari suit clad folks retreated to their resorts leaving Luang Prabang almost free of foreigners.
A lot of folks get up bright and early for the morning alms ceremony which has become a bit of a spectacle and attracted it's fair share of controversy, conduct your research if heading along and please behave respectfully, don't get up in Monks faces.
You'll find more enjoyable scenes down the road and shot with a long lens from further away
It may be best to look out and around you rather than at the ceremony, Wat's buzz with activity in the morning.
After having spent 4 or so day's wandering about and drinking our absolute fill of Coffee we decided to hop on the boat across that Mekong, we'd never explored the other side
It was well worth the trip and the trek we took down gravel tracks, winding through villages along the way. Needless to say a Caucasian 11 month old draws crowds around these parts!
It took a while to get into the swing of things back in LPQ but we are certainly glad to have made the trip back here. The town has a little bit to offer everyone and you can make the most of relaxing with tasty food and amazing coffee or get out there and visit the various caves and waterfalls close by to town. It certainly felt a lot busier compared to 2008 but that was 5 years ago and in low season as opposed to Feb 2013!
One of the highlights was the big communal breakfast table at Guesthouse Manichan and the delicious food served upon it, we shared some great adventure tales and made some great friends here!
Being 2008 and our first extended bout of travelling, we thought that we'd made it to the ends of the earth when peering accross the border from Thailand and wondering what the border crossing the next day might bring us.
Since that first trip down to Luang Prabang that took a couple of day's meandering down the Mekong from the border in a shady boat we've been back a couple of times. The next time took us from 4000 Islands in the deep south
to Vieng Xai nestled against Vietnam in the far North East
Getting out of Laos that time involved one of the most entertaining 7 hr long Songthaew ride down to the border and a sneaky photo
This time however, things were a little different.
We'd been wanting to head back to Luang Prabang for quite some time and being in the region combined with wanting to take our little one along to a new destination saw us forming plans to head back to Luang Prabang. The same reasoning applied to this trip as did to our Pai adventure, 3 days on buses, boats and dodgy guesthouses weren't going to be the best with an 11 month old so Lao Airlines were going to get us from CNX - LPQ in 1 hour.
19FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV645
CNX - LPQ
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 11A
The Int'l side of CNX isn't the most entertaining but when bub's ready to sleep it ain't a bad place to catch up on some blogging and trip planning, rather than using the airport wi-fi we just tethered to our phones, the Data plans and reception in SE asia is amazing and we made a quick right up about it on the below link
http://mylittleearth.net/travel-reso...ds-in-se-asia/
Boarding the QV ATR was like revisiting an old friend, especially with the slogan "You're Safe with us", it certainly inspires confidence!
The flight wasn't as fun as the C208 ride with K8 but certainly did offer some great views as we descended into LPQ. Unfortunately the new airport terminal wasn't ready when we arrived and we continued past it to the old terminal, it's classic SE asian old school and reminded me a lot of the old domestic terminal in Yangon.
Where possible we always try to have our visa's sorted and it certainly helped here with only approx 6 pax from our flight and another recently arrived having done so and the queue for VOA extending out the door and back onto the apron.
This time around we we're staying with a Belgian/Lao family that owned and operated guesthouse Manichan, all the details are in the link below
http://mylittleearth.net/2013/07/16/...ouse-manichan/
Our time in LPQ was spent soaking up the laid back lifestyle and wondering about town
You don't rush in LPQ and for our purposes we really enjoyed staying in the City as there seemed to be a couple of Lulls in the day when the safari suit clad folks retreated to their resorts leaving Luang Prabang almost free of foreigners.
A lot of folks get up bright and early for the morning alms ceremony which has become a bit of a spectacle and attracted it's fair share of controversy, conduct your research if heading along and please behave respectfully, don't get up in Monks faces.
You'll find more enjoyable scenes down the road and shot with a long lens from further away
It may be best to look out and around you rather than at the ceremony, Wat's buzz with activity in the morning.
After having spent 4 or so day's wandering about and drinking our absolute fill of Coffee we decided to hop on the boat across that Mekong, we'd never explored the other side
It was well worth the trip and the trek we took down gravel tracks, winding through villages along the way. Needless to say a Caucasian 11 month old draws crowds around these parts!
It took a while to get into the swing of things back in LPQ but we are certainly glad to have made the trip back here. The town has a little bit to offer everyone and you can make the most of relaxing with tasty food and amazing coffee or get out there and visit the various caves and waterfalls close by to town. It certainly felt a lot busier compared to 2008 but that was 5 years ago and in low season as opposed to Feb 2013!
One of the highlights was the big communal breakfast table at Guesthouse Manichan and the delicious food served upon it, we shared some great adventure tales and made some great friends here!
Feb 20, 2014, 3:18 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
It didn't at all take long before our time in Luang Prabang had come to an end, instead of taking off on a bus toward the south like our first time we were headed for the airport. the old terminal at LP is any other older SE Asian airport, it's going to be interesting to see how things change when the new terminal opens. We've always encountered really friendly Tech crews on Lao Airlines, on a previous flight the Captain came and spoke to us for about 15 minutes during a transit stop in Pakse and again this time a QV captain had a good chat with us at the check in desks.
Apart from managing to get the security folk to send some post cards for us (They actually arrived!) and watching a an absolute free spirit of a fellow doing yoga on the terminal floor our time at the terminal was pretty quiet!
24FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV633
LPQ - BKK
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 16A
The flight was pretty uneventful, just like the previous one. The inflight magazine had an interesting article from their Chief Pilot and also a good one talking about the recently aquired A320's. Aviation in Laos has certainly come a long way since the bad old days!
This was the first time we'd ever arrived into BKK on a prop, unfortunately this meant the dreaded bus ride to the terminal. Over the years we've fell in love with the old Cobra Swamp and find it a joy to travel through. We made it through Immigration and Customs in No time and after a quick freshen up made our way into town.
The first place we ever stayed in BKK was in the backpacker district of Banglamphu. The suburb contains Khao San Rd, anybody who's backpacked anywhere or watched the beach will of heard of Khao San Rd. It's trashy but handy for a quick stop of you need anything during your travels, we've often used it to recharge our batteries and stick somewhere familiar before heading off to a new country. Soi Rambuttri which runs parralel to Khao San Rd and then wraps around the Wat opposite is much quieter and leafier than Khao San rd, although it too has gotten busier over the years.
We've tried staying around Sukhumvit Rd but just didn't enjoy it too much, we've gotten used to Banglamphu and now have friends in the area. Two of these friends were the main reason we wanted to drop into Bangkok this time. They own the amazing Moka Cafe and Gallery http://www.mokaworld.net/ . We've known the girls for a few years now and they had yet to meet bubba!
Visiting Moka is certainly like visiting an oasis in the middle of Chaos
Going back to Bangkok always reminds me of our first trip, it was the first city we tackled as a couple of backpackers and I still remember the sights, sounds and smells like it was yesterday. Khao San rd taught me lessons that I still take on the road with me today!
This time around we didn't do a terrible lot apart from catch up with friends, find some amazing bag coffee and catch up on blogging.
Thai Bag Coffee (I can't remember the Thai Name!) is an addiction I've had for some time. It's short, strong and sweet; it's also easy on the wallet! We were paying somewhere between 6 - 12 baht depending on if it was hot/iced or have in/takeaway.
We did however make our first trip to a hospital in Thailand as Bubba was seeming a little uncomfortable around the ears and we weren't going to damage anything by flying soon - Summed up it was an amazing experience and 3/4 of an hour with a specialist cost under $50 Aud.
One thing we've always managed to do in BKK is wander, from just a stroll around the neighborhood to further out, you never now what you'll stumble across!
Apart from managing to get the security folk to send some post cards for us (They actually arrived!) and watching a an absolute free spirit of a fellow doing yoga on the terminal floor our time at the terminal was pretty quiet!
24FEB2013
Lao Airlines
QV633
LPQ - BKK
RDPL-34175 AT7X
Seat 16A
The flight was pretty uneventful, just like the previous one. The inflight magazine had an interesting article from their Chief Pilot and also a good one talking about the recently aquired A320's. Aviation in Laos has certainly come a long way since the bad old days!
This was the first time we'd ever arrived into BKK on a prop, unfortunately this meant the dreaded bus ride to the terminal. Over the years we've fell in love with the old Cobra Swamp and find it a joy to travel through. We made it through Immigration and Customs in No time and after a quick freshen up made our way into town.
The first place we ever stayed in BKK was in the backpacker district of Banglamphu. The suburb contains Khao San Rd, anybody who's backpacked anywhere or watched the beach will of heard of Khao San Rd. It's trashy but handy for a quick stop of you need anything during your travels, we've often used it to recharge our batteries and stick somewhere familiar before heading off to a new country. Soi Rambuttri which runs parralel to Khao San Rd and then wraps around the Wat opposite is much quieter and leafier than Khao San rd, although it too has gotten busier over the years.
We've tried staying around Sukhumvit Rd but just didn't enjoy it too much, we've gotten used to Banglamphu and now have friends in the area. Two of these friends were the main reason we wanted to drop into Bangkok this time. They own the amazing Moka Cafe and Gallery http://www.mokaworld.net/ . We've known the girls for a few years now and they had yet to meet bubba!
Visiting Moka is certainly like visiting an oasis in the middle of Chaos
Going back to Bangkok always reminds me of our first trip, it was the first city we tackled as a couple of backpackers and I still remember the sights, sounds and smells like it was yesterday. Khao San rd taught me lessons that I still take on the road with me today!
This time around we didn't do a terrible lot apart from catch up with friends, find some amazing bag coffee and catch up on blogging.
Thai Bag Coffee (I can't remember the Thai Name!) is an addiction I've had for some time. It's short, strong and sweet; it's also easy on the wallet! We were paying somewhere between 6 - 12 baht depending on if it was hot/iced or have in/takeaway.
We did however make our first trip to a hospital in Thailand as Bubba was seeming a little uncomfortable around the ears and we weren't going to damage anything by flying soon - Summed up it was an amazing experience and 3/4 of an hour with a specialist cost under $50 Aud.
One thing we've always managed to do in BKK is wander, from just a stroll around the neighborhood to further out, you never now what you'll stumble across!
Feb 20, 2014, 3:19 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
After spending an early morning trying to kill my brand new 17-55mm F/2.8 lens by walking straight out of an airconned room into the harshest humidity you've felt it was time to head off from the Land of Smiles once again. This time however we'd be departing from Don Muang, our first time through the old airport.
27FEB2013
Thai Air Asia
FD2937
DMK - SIN
HS-BBA A320
Seat 1F
The airport now feel's so built in compared to Suvarnibhumi and has an eery feel about it, I read a lot of book's about shady westerners and dodgy trips through this airport when I was younger and you could almost feel the shadiness in the building! Landside was a scrum but Airside was actually quite pleasant upstairs. The Immigration Officer didn't want to let us leave her booth, she wanted to keep chatting to bubba! We got bussed out to the aircraft and as with most A320 sectors on AirAsia it went smooth and quick. The quality of their Vegetarian meals has increased dramatically lately and actually trumps what some legacy carriers would serve up in whY.
Arrival into Singapore was painless, although the folks at the security checkpoint that flights arriving from parts of SE Asia seem to go through before entering the main terminal area got a bit freaked out by us taking so long in the parents room, there were at least 3 patrolling the door until we came out. As this was just a quick stay we left our checked bag at the airport luggage counter and with back packs on caught the MRT into town. Once again we were staying with Hangout @ Mt Emily. Apart from a couple of strolls downtown and catching up on chores like washing we didn't do too much! This was supposed to be where the trip ended, however due to bubba's only bad flight being on an overnighter last year we were no longer heading out of SIN with Scoot but out of KUL with AirAsia on their day time flight. The change netted us a few extra days and a chance to explore another destination......
The view from the roof (Hangout @ Mt Emily)
The "Pool" on the roof
27FEB2013
Thai Air Asia
FD2937
DMK - SIN
HS-BBA A320
Seat 1F
The airport now feel's so built in compared to Suvarnibhumi and has an eery feel about it, I read a lot of book's about shady westerners and dodgy trips through this airport when I was younger and you could almost feel the shadiness in the building! Landside was a scrum but Airside was actually quite pleasant upstairs. The Immigration Officer didn't want to let us leave her booth, she wanted to keep chatting to bubba! We got bussed out to the aircraft and as with most A320 sectors on AirAsia it went smooth and quick. The quality of their Vegetarian meals has increased dramatically lately and actually trumps what some legacy carriers would serve up in whY.
Arrival into Singapore was painless, although the folks at the security checkpoint that flights arriving from parts of SE Asia seem to go through before entering the main terminal area got a bit freaked out by us taking so long in the parents room, there were at least 3 patrolling the door until we came out. As this was just a quick stay we left our checked bag at the airport luggage counter and with back packs on caught the MRT into town. Once again we were staying with Hangout @ Mt Emily. Apart from a couple of strolls downtown and catching up on chores like washing we didn't do too much! This was supposed to be where the trip ended, however due to bubba's only bad flight being on an overnighter last year we were no longer heading out of SIN with Scoot but out of KUL with AirAsia on their day time flight. The change netted us a few extra days and a chance to explore another destination......
The view from the roof (Hangout @ Mt Emily)
The "Pool" on the roof
Feb 20, 2014, 3:20 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
Before we new it, the time to leave Singapore had come again!
We arrived at SIN with plenty of time to spare and after picking up our bags made our way through the Check-in and Immigration process with ease. We still haven't explored Changi properly and I think it's probably going to take a few more times to get a good grip of it, VA Status should help us next time although for SIN it seems a lot nicer to have QF status!
None the less, the Outdoor areas of Changi are still nice to hang about
28FEB2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK1703
SIN - LGK
9M-AHZ A320
Seat 2A
As is our experience 99.9% of the time with Airasia the flight was uneventful.
Arrival into LGK as with arrival into Subang the previous month was entertaining, small Malaysian airports have to be some of the quirkier ones in the region! None of them in this trip could outdo Sandakan airport, that however is another story!
We were staying at Langkawi Lagoon Sea Village for the next two nights, a mid range kind of affair. The buffet breakfast was really good and the Mainly Malay and Arab clientele at the hotel lead to some cool and different options being put up for breakfast. The room itself was pretty big but ageing and started to show those signs. This seems to be a theme with accommodation we've stayed at in Malaysia! (Apart from traders of course!)
As this part of the trip wasn't planned we spent the two days relaxing and going into town for a wander about the supermarket, when needing to fill time wandering around a local supermarket is always fun!
Watching the weather roll in of an afternoon over the bay was always great as well!
Forgive the Instragram dodginess, but this my friends isn't a bad way to wake up and enjoy breakfast of a morning. Sadly this would be the last time as the trip was almost over and the thought of coming back to the real world had started to set in. Unfortunately we couldn't get a late check out so we ended up at the airport about 3 1/2 hrs prior to our flight. LGK has a cute little terminal but you certainly don't want to be spending hours here! We enjoyed some food, some wi-fi, some coffee and a lot of walking around! We even ended up in the local Custom's bureau office whilst wandering about.
Once it came time to head airside we breezed through and saw what seems to be an attempt by MH to get back passengers
If I did enough travel to maintain gold with Qantas I'd certainly be flying MH instead, but alas I wear the VA loyalty shackles.
02MAR2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK6303
LGK - KUL
9M-AHL A320
Seat 16F
The flight, as usual was quick and pretty uneventful. A patch of rough weather at KUL was the only thing slightly out of the ordinary. It's been a while since we arrived into the domestic side of the KLIA LCCT but things certainly haven't gotten better, I've got high hopes for LCCT2!
As our flight to OOL was in the morning we elected to stay at Tune Hotel at the LCCT, this being the first time we've actually spent the full night! Previous stays have only seen us spend 6 or so hours to have a freshen up and eat between flights, the worst certainly being a RGN - BKK - KUL - CMB run between PG, MG and AK. The more I think about it the more i fondly remember everything from the 2 hrs to check in at RGN due to rolling blackouts, the fact our bag's connected in BKK and questioning why I even bothered going to bed after our midnight arrival at KUL only to get up 2 hrs later to travel onto CMB - fun times!
Tune was as expected and in the morning we trudged our way over to the terminal for our flight home, retracing steps we've walked a lot over the past few years.
This time check in held a surprise for us
It may not be a proper J Class event, but an upgrade is an upgrade and I'm a pretty big fan of AirAsia's hard product in "J".
The LCCT as usual was an absolute zoo but also as usual was the interesting people watching opportunities that presented themselves. The time went pretty quickly as a colleague I hadn't seen for some time was travelling on the same flight
03MAR2013
AirAsia X
D7202
KUL - OOL
9M-XXE A333
Seat 1D
I managed to keep the upgrade a secret from my wifelet so it was a nice surprise as we boarded. As is always the case when sitting upfront with bubba, things felt a little awkward with our fellow cabin mates doing a lot of staring in our direction. Fortunately our little bear proved them wrong and got some thanks from fellow pax toward the end of the flight. As we were seated in a middle row we didn't get too much of a chance to take in the scenery for the flight back but did at least get to admire the sunset as we approached OOL.
Most of my INT leg's back to Aus have been around a sunrise or sunset and it blows me away every single time! The flight actually proceeded quite quickly and within no time we were back on the ground in Aus and paying far too much for terrible coffee.
Thus ends the latest SE Asian adventure and the start of a 3 month break from flying anywhere at all!
We arrived at SIN with plenty of time to spare and after picking up our bags made our way through the Check-in and Immigration process with ease. We still haven't explored Changi properly and I think it's probably going to take a few more times to get a good grip of it, VA Status should help us next time although for SIN it seems a lot nicer to have QF status!
None the less, the Outdoor areas of Changi are still nice to hang about
28FEB2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK1703
SIN - LGK
9M-AHZ A320
Seat 2A
As is our experience 99.9% of the time with Airasia the flight was uneventful.
Arrival into LGK as with arrival into Subang the previous month was entertaining, small Malaysian airports have to be some of the quirkier ones in the region! None of them in this trip could outdo Sandakan airport, that however is another story!
We were staying at Langkawi Lagoon Sea Village for the next two nights, a mid range kind of affair. The buffet breakfast was really good and the Mainly Malay and Arab clientele at the hotel lead to some cool and different options being put up for breakfast. The room itself was pretty big but ageing and started to show those signs. This seems to be a theme with accommodation we've stayed at in Malaysia! (Apart from traders of course!)
As this part of the trip wasn't planned we spent the two days relaxing and going into town for a wander about the supermarket, when needing to fill time wandering around a local supermarket is always fun!
Watching the weather roll in of an afternoon over the bay was always great as well!
Forgive the Instragram dodginess, but this my friends isn't a bad way to wake up and enjoy breakfast of a morning. Sadly this would be the last time as the trip was almost over and the thought of coming back to the real world had started to set in. Unfortunately we couldn't get a late check out so we ended up at the airport about 3 1/2 hrs prior to our flight. LGK has a cute little terminal but you certainly don't want to be spending hours here! We enjoyed some food, some wi-fi, some coffee and a lot of walking around! We even ended up in the local Custom's bureau office whilst wandering about.
Once it came time to head airside we breezed through and saw what seems to be an attempt by MH to get back passengers
If I did enough travel to maintain gold with Qantas I'd certainly be flying MH instead, but alas I wear the VA loyalty shackles.
02MAR2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK6303
LGK - KUL
9M-AHL A320
Seat 16F
The flight, as usual was quick and pretty uneventful. A patch of rough weather at KUL was the only thing slightly out of the ordinary. It's been a while since we arrived into the domestic side of the KLIA LCCT but things certainly haven't gotten better, I've got high hopes for LCCT2!
As our flight to OOL was in the morning we elected to stay at Tune Hotel at the LCCT, this being the first time we've actually spent the full night! Previous stays have only seen us spend 6 or so hours to have a freshen up and eat between flights, the worst certainly being a RGN - BKK - KUL - CMB run between PG, MG and AK. The more I think about it the more i fondly remember everything from the 2 hrs to check in at RGN due to rolling blackouts, the fact our bag's connected in BKK and questioning why I even bothered going to bed after our midnight arrival at KUL only to get up 2 hrs later to travel onto CMB - fun times!
Tune was as expected and in the morning we trudged our way over to the terminal for our flight home, retracing steps we've walked a lot over the past few years.
This time check in held a surprise for us
It may not be a proper J Class event, but an upgrade is an upgrade and I'm a pretty big fan of AirAsia's hard product in "J".
The LCCT as usual was an absolute zoo but also as usual was the interesting people watching opportunities that presented themselves. The time went pretty quickly as a colleague I hadn't seen for some time was travelling on the same flight
03MAR2013
AirAsia X
D7202
KUL - OOL
9M-XXE A333
Seat 1D
I managed to keep the upgrade a secret from my wifelet so it was a nice surprise as we boarded. As is always the case when sitting upfront with bubba, things felt a little awkward with our fellow cabin mates doing a lot of staring in our direction. Fortunately our little bear proved them wrong and got some thanks from fellow pax toward the end of the flight. As we were seated in a middle row we didn't get too much of a chance to take in the scenery for the flight back but did at least get to admire the sunset as we approached OOL.
Most of my INT leg's back to Aus have been around a sunrise or sunset and it blows me away every single time! The flight actually proceeded quite quickly and within no time we were back on the ground in Aus and paying far too much for terrible coffee.
Thus ends the latest SE Asian adventure and the start of a 3 month break from flying anywhere at all!
Feb 20, 2014, 3:21 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Gold, QF Nothin' Bronze, IHG Plat AMB, Europcar Privilege Elite
Posts: 59
Before we new it, the time to leave Singapore had come again!
We arrived at SIN with plenty of time to spare and after picking up our bags made our way through the Check-in and Immigration process with ease. We still haven't explored Changi properly and I think it's probably going to take a few more times to get a good grip of it, VA Status should help us next time although for SIN it seems a lot nicer to have QF status!
None the less, the Outdoor areas of Changi are still nice to hang about
28FEB2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK1703
SIN - LGK
9M-AHZ A320
Seat 2A
As is our experience 99.9% of the time with Airasia the flight was uneventful.
Arrival into LGK as with arrival into Subang the previous month was entertaining, small Malaysian airports have to be some of the quirkier ones in the region! None of them in this trip could outdo Sandakan airport, that however is another story!
We were staying at Langkawi Lagoon Sea Village for the next two nights, a mid range kind of affair. The buffet breakfast was really good and the Mainly Malay and Arab clientele at the hotel lead to some cool and different options being put up for breakfast. The room itself was pretty big but ageing and started to show those signs. This seems to be a theme with accommodation we've stayed at in Malaysia! (Apart from traders of course!)
As this part of the trip wasn't planned we spent the two days relaxing and going into town for a wander about the supermarket, when needing to fill time wandering around a local supermarket is always fun!
Watching the weather roll in of an afternoon over the bay was always great as well!
Forgive the Instragram dodginess, but this my friends isn't a bad way to wake up and enjoy breakfast of a morning. Sadly this would be the last time as the trip was almost over and the thought of coming back to the real world had started to set in. Unfortunately we couldn't get a late check out so we ended up at the airport about 3 1/2 hrs prior to our flight. LGK has a cute little terminal but you certainly don't want to be spending hours here! We enjoyed some food, some wi-fi, some coffee and a lot of walking around! We even ended up in the local Custom's bureau office whilst wandering about.
Once it came time to head airside we breezed through and saw what seems to be an attempt by MH to get back passengers
If I did enough travel to maintain gold with Qantas I'd certainly be flying MH instead, but alas I wear the VA loyalty shackles.
02MAR2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK6303
LGK - KUL
9M-AHL A320
Seat 16F
The flight, as usual was quick and pretty uneventful. A patch of rough weather at KUL was the only thing slightly out of the ordinary. It's been a while since we arrived into the domestic side of the KLIA LCCT but things certainly haven't gotten better, I've got high hopes for LCCT2!
As our flight to OOL was in the morning we elected to stay at Tune Hotel at the LCCT, this being the first time we've actually spent the full night! Previous stays have only seen us spend 6 or so hours to have a freshen up and eat between flights, the worst certainly being a RGN - BKK - KUL - CMB run between PG, MG and AK. The more I think about it the more i fondly remember everything from the 2 hrs to check in at RGN due to rolling blackouts, the fact our bag's connected in BKK and questioning why I even bothered going to bed after our midnight arrival at KUL only to get up 2 hrs later to travel onto CMB - fun times!
Tune was as expected and in the morning we trudged our way over to the terminal for our flight home, retracing steps we've walked a lot over the past few years.
This time check in held a surprise for us
It may not be a proper J Class event, but an upgrade is an upgrade and I'm a pretty big fan of AirAsia's hard product in "J".
The LCCT as usual was an absolute zoo but also as usual was the interesting people watching opportunities that presented themselves. The time went pretty quickly as a colleague I hadn't seen for some time was travelling on the same flight
03MAR2013
AirAsia X
D7202
KUL - OOL
9M-XXE A333
Seat 1D
I managed to keep the upgrade a secret from my wifelet so it was a nice surprise as we boarded. As is always the case when sitting upfront with bubba, things felt a little awkward with our fellow cabin mates doing a lot of staring in our direction. Fortunately our little bear proved them wrong and got some thanks from fellow pax toward the end of the flight. As we were seated in a middle row we didn't get too much of a chance to take in the scenery for the flight back but did at least get to admire the sunset as we approached OOL.
Most of my INT leg's back to Aus have been around a sunrise or sunset and it blows me away every single time! The flight actually proceeded quite quickly and within no time we were back on the ground in Aus and paying far too much for terrible coffee.
Thus ends the latest SE Asian adventure and the start of a 3 month break from flying anywhere at all!
We arrived at SIN with plenty of time to spare and after picking up our bags made our way through the Check-in and Immigration process with ease. We still haven't explored Changi properly and I think it's probably going to take a few more times to get a good grip of it, VA Status should help us next time although for SIN it seems a lot nicer to have QF status!
None the less, the Outdoor areas of Changi are still nice to hang about
28FEB2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK1703
SIN - LGK
9M-AHZ A320
Seat 2A
As is our experience 99.9% of the time with Airasia the flight was uneventful.
Arrival into LGK as with arrival into Subang the previous month was entertaining, small Malaysian airports have to be some of the quirkier ones in the region! None of them in this trip could outdo Sandakan airport, that however is another story!
We were staying at Langkawi Lagoon Sea Village for the next two nights, a mid range kind of affair. The buffet breakfast was really good and the Mainly Malay and Arab clientele at the hotel lead to some cool and different options being put up for breakfast. The room itself was pretty big but ageing and started to show those signs. This seems to be a theme with accommodation we've stayed at in Malaysia! (Apart from traders of course!)
As this part of the trip wasn't planned we spent the two days relaxing and going into town for a wander about the supermarket, when needing to fill time wandering around a local supermarket is always fun!
Watching the weather roll in of an afternoon over the bay was always great as well!
Forgive the Instragram dodginess, but this my friends isn't a bad way to wake up and enjoy breakfast of a morning. Sadly this would be the last time as the trip was almost over and the thought of coming back to the real world had started to set in. Unfortunately we couldn't get a late check out so we ended up at the airport about 3 1/2 hrs prior to our flight. LGK has a cute little terminal but you certainly don't want to be spending hours here! We enjoyed some food, some wi-fi, some coffee and a lot of walking around! We even ended up in the local Custom's bureau office whilst wandering about.
Once it came time to head airside we breezed through and saw what seems to be an attempt by MH to get back passengers
If I did enough travel to maintain gold with Qantas I'd certainly be flying MH instead, but alas I wear the VA loyalty shackles.
02MAR2013
Malaysian Air Asia
AK6303
LGK - KUL
9M-AHL A320
Seat 16F
The flight, as usual was quick and pretty uneventful. A patch of rough weather at KUL was the only thing slightly out of the ordinary. It's been a while since we arrived into the domestic side of the KLIA LCCT but things certainly haven't gotten better, I've got high hopes for LCCT2!
As our flight to OOL was in the morning we elected to stay at Tune Hotel at the LCCT, this being the first time we've actually spent the full night! Previous stays have only seen us spend 6 or so hours to have a freshen up and eat between flights, the worst certainly being a RGN - BKK - KUL - CMB run between PG, MG and AK. The more I think about it the more i fondly remember everything from the 2 hrs to check in at RGN due to rolling blackouts, the fact our bag's connected in BKK and questioning why I even bothered going to bed after our midnight arrival at KUL only to get up 2 hrs later to travel onto CMB - fun times!
Tune was as expected and in the morning we trudged our way over to the terminal for our flight home, retracing steps we've walked a lot over the past few years.
This time check in held a surprise for us
It may not be a proper J Class event, but an upgrade is an upgrade and I'm a pretty big fan of AirAsia's hard product in "J".
The LCCT as usual was an absolute zoo but also as usual was the interesting people watching opportunities that presented themselves. The time went pretty quickly as a colleague I hadn't seen for some time was travelling on the same flight
03MAR2013
AirAsia X
D7202
KUL - OOL
9M-XXE A333
Seat 1D
I managed to keep the upgrade a secret from my wifelet so it was a nice surprise as we boarded. As is always the case when sitting upfront with bubba, things felt a little awkward with our fellow cabin mates doing a lot of staring in our direction. Fortunately our little bear proved them wrong and got some thanks from fellow pax toward the end of the flight. As we were seated in a middle row we didn't get too much of a chance to take in the scenery for the flight back but did at least get to admire the sunset as we approached OOL.
Most of my INT leg's back to Aus have been around a sunrise or sunset and it blows me away every single time! The flight actually proceeded quite quickly and within no time we were back on the ground in Aus and paying far too much for terrible coffee.
Thus ends the latest SE Asian adventure and the start of a 3 month break from flying anywhere at all!