Sep 4, 2008
Sep 3, 2008
morning
During the boat ride, returning to Kuching from Bako National Park, on morning of Aug.26.
Clouds are so light and breeze so gentle.
that flaming evening
Will never forget, I guess, that flaming evening sky at Kuta beach in Bali; and how crazily W. and I ran from the explosion monument, the other end of Alley 2 to the beach. After graduation, we didn't have such long run, and out of breath we were, THERE, after the run and more by the beauty we don't see in city sky.
Sep 2, 2008
beach at sunset
All places I chose for this trip did turn out to be great, or except K.L. Among 900-plus pictures on my camera, I like this one very much. It was on the short beach at Bako National Park, close to Kuching, Malaysia.
So quiet and meditative!
Sep 1, 2008
air asia or Malaysia airlines
It wasn't interesting experience at all, but the last two days in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia was never boring,due to way more flight plan changes than we can imagine.
Before we started our vacation, we already booked air asia flight from K.L. to Hangzhou on Aug. 30. But the day before in the afternoon of 29th, when I was shopping around for some souvenirs in its central market, air asia sent a urgent short message to my cell phone, informing our flight was canceled. So I hurried back to my hostel to discuss with my travel friend, W.
She was more panicked than me. She had to show up at her school the first day of her new semester. We checked with other possible flight with air asia, like changing our flight destination to Guangzhou or Hong kong then connecting to next flight back to Hangzhou. But all seemed not workable and economical either. And I clicked open the web site of Malaysia airlines. It has some low fare promotions, like the one we took the first day from Shanghai. The discounted and non-refundable fare to Shanghai, on 1 am 31st the closest destination and date, was, inclusive of taxes, the cheapest class was 975 RM ( about 290 us dollars). W. strongly wanted this flight and I agreed with her.
We tried to pay on the net but failed, and finally we succeeded with payment with its call center. Out of excitement, I didn't realize there was a guy lying next to the phone, who I hope didn't have great memory to remember all my card numbers and safety codes.
We had a early dinner, relaxed after such great nerve-breaking. I continued to look around, and luckily watched a really great live show in front of its brand new shopping mall called Pavilion. The show was called Arabic night with some really great local pop singers dancers and international artists too.
Next morning on 30th, I was again shocked by two short message from Air asia, saying NOW the flight was back, but under MH flight, a Malaysia airlines flight, or THE VERY SAME FLIGHT we booked the day before. What a drama!
We decided to check out and go to KL sentral, a communication center for light rails, subways, long distance buses and shuttle bus to airport too. Above all air asia has a counter over there. When we arrived there, it was hardly 9 am but it was already quite busy there, after 20 minutes waiting, it's our turn. The young woman quickly listened to our story and called to her supervisor and agreed to refund our air asia flight. We thanked her and then W. and I said goodbye and continued to our two respective program for the last half day in K.L.
When we met again. It was 3:30 pm, which was about 3 and half hours before our meeting time for shuttle bus to airport. Urgent! The call center sent confirmation but the flight date was NOT Aug 31st, 1 am, BUT, 1am Sep 1st.
Aug 31st is Malaysian Independence day. We were not sure if the airline office was still open or not for its national holiday. So we decided to go to the airport and see if we could fly out on 31st; or we had to stay in airport for 32 hours.
What were the possible reasons for this? Air asia talked to Malaysia airlines and squeezed its passengers into the list but Malaysia airlines canceled those discounted ticket holders? Or, or...?
The airports are located about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from the center. It was very green on the way, and according to the guidance book, the local government is planning to move to the midway for new administrative center called Patrajaya, which WAS W.'s exploration destination. According to her, it was countryside still and she didn't see any modern building at all before summoned back by my urgent message.
At the M ticketing office, a staff checked on her system and confirmed that our original booking was on Sep 1st, which made both of us very confused. We were very careful about the date, and 31 Sep was even more possible than 1 Sep. The staff told that she couldn't even put us on waiting list but suggested us to come to the counter about one hour before the flight.
We were familiar with the airport, if not every corner. This was the place we spent the first night of our trip before connecting to Yorgajarta, Indonesia. We quickly occupied two long benches, perfect position by the glass wall for temprary beds.
For the coming national day in the hall there was some preparation for celebrations. When it was around 8:30 the celebration was in full swing. There were children chorus of national song; local artists for Gamelan traditional percussion instruments; group traditional dancing and other ask-answer awards. W. stayed to watch for most of its performance and me, guardian of our VIP seats, had to run over and had a quick peep, took some shots before running back to our territory.
In similar manner I had my KFC dinner, a regular sized french fries, costing 3.50, inclusive 5% tax. Not tasty. Then I had a rice with squids and asparagus, 9.90 RM. We didn't dare to spend much, because the malaysia staff mentioned extra charge for reschedule would cost 125 RM each.
Around 11:45 pm W. was back. We decided to have a evil try. Maybe on the system of Malaysia airlines our names formerly input by air aisa hadn't been deleted yet. Before we moved our bags at the risk of losing our sleep corner, I calmly slipped over to the counter. It was almost empty. Most passengers must have checked in.
I handed over my passport and then waited...
The girl was flipping on her keyboard, second later, the printer was working.
A second later she gave me my boarding pass and in smile wished me a good flight. I was mad, rushing back to W. W. was madder,pulling her heavy bags fastest as she could and checked in.It was the fastest time I saw her walk.
We were crazily excited. After customs, W. spent all her ringit at the body shop. Aboard we still were wondering, how?
The seats must be reserved by air asia, but since we 'd been approved to refund, how come? Will the refund really effective? Anyway, we decided to forget it for then. The service of attendants were nice and with a glass of Merlot, I, found exhausted myself fall asleep immediately.
Before we started our vacation, we already booked air asia flight from K.L. to Hangzhou on Aug. 30. But the day before in the afternoon of 29th, when I was shopping around for some souvenirs in its central market, air asia sent a urgent short message to my cell phone, informing our flight was canceled. So I hurried back to my hostel to discuss with my travel friend, W.
She was more panicked than me. She had to show up at her school the first day of her new semester. We checked with other possible flight with air asia, like changing our flight destination to Guangzhou or Hong kong then connecting to next flight back to Hangzhou. But all seemed not workable and economical either. And I clicked open the web site of Malaysia airlines. It has some low fare promotions, like the one we took the first day from Shanghai. The discounted and non-refundable fare to Shanghai, on 1 am 31st the closest destination and date, was, inclusive of taxes, the cheapest class was 975 RM ( about 290 us dollars). W. strongly wanted this flight and I agreed with her.
We tried to pay on the net but failed, and finally we succeeded with payment with its call center. Out of excitement, I didn't realize there was a guy lying next to the phone, who I hope didn't have great memory to remember all my card numbers and safety codes.
We had a early dinner, relaxed after such great nerve-breaking. I continued to look around, and luckily watched a really great live show in front of its brand new shopping mall called Pavilion. The show was called Arabic night with some really great local pop singers dancers and international artists too.
Next morning on 30th, I was again shocked by two short message from Air asia, saying NOW the flight was back, but under MH flight, a Malaysia airlines flight, or THE VERY SAME FLIGHT we booked the day before. What a drama!
We decided to check out and go to KL sentral, a communication center for light rails, subways, long distance buses and shuttle bus to airport too. Above all air asia has a counter over there. When we arrived there, it was hardly 9 am but it was already quite busy there, after 20 minutes waiting, it's our turn. The young woman quickly listened to our story and called to her supervisor and agreed to refund our air asia flight. We thanked her and then W. and I said goodbye and continued to our two respective program for the last half day in K.L.
When we met again. It was 3:30 pm, which was about 3 and half hours before our meeting time for shuttle bus to airport. Urgent! The call center sent confirmation but the flight date was NOT Aug 31st, 1 am, BUT, 1am Sep 1st.
Aug 31st is Malaysian Independence day. We were not sure if the airline office was still open or not for its national holiday. So we decided to go to the airport and see if we could fly out on 31st; or we had to stay in airport for 32 hours.
What were the possible reasons for this? Air asia talked to Malaysia airlines and squeezed its passengers into the list but Malaysia airlines canceled those discounted ticket holders? Or, or...?
The airports are located about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from the center. It was very green on the way, and according to the guidance book, the local government is planning to move to the midway for new administrative center called Patrajaya, which WAS W.'s exploration destination. According to her, it was countryside still and she didn't see any modern building at all before summoned back by my urgent message.
At the M ticketing office, a staff checked on her system and confirmed that our original booking was on Sep 1st, which made both of us very confused. We were very careful about the date, and 31 Sep was even more possible than 1 Sep. The staff told that she couldn't even put us on waiting list but suggested us to come to the counter about one hour before the flight.
We were familiar with the airport, if not every corner. This was the place we spent the first night of our trip before connecting to Yorgajarta, Indonesia. We quickly occupied two long benches, perfect position by the glass wall for temprary beds.
For the coming national day in the hall there was some preparation for celebrations. When it was around 8:30 the celebration was in full swing. There were children chorus of national song; local artists for Gamelan traditional percussion instruments; group traditional dancing and other ask-answer awards. W. stayed to watch for most of its performance and me, guardian of our VIP seats, had to run over and had a quick peep, took some shots before running back to our territory.
In similar manner I had my KFC dinner, a regular sized french fries, costing 3.50, inclusive 5% tax. Not tasty. Then I had a rice with squids and asparagus, 9.90 RM. We didn't dare to spend much, because the malaysia staff mentioned extra charge for reschedule would cost 125 RM each.
Around 11:45 pm W. was back. We decided to have a evil try. Maybe on the system of Malaysia airlines our names formerly input by air aisa hadn't been deleted yet. Before we moved our bags at the risk of losing our sleep corner, I calmly slipped over to the counter. It was almost empty. Most passengers must have checked in.
I handed over my passport and then waited...
The girl was flipping on her keyboard, second later, the printer was working.
A second later she gave me my boarding pass and in smile wished me a good flight. I was mad, rushing back to W. W. was madder,pulling her heavy bags fastest as she could and checked in.It was the fastest time I saw her walk.
We were crazily excited. After customs, W. spent all her ringit at the body shop. Aboard we still were wondering, how?
The seats must be reserved by air asia, but since we 'd been approved to refund, how come? Will the refund really effective? Anyway, we decided to forget it for then. The service of attendants were nice and with a glass of Merlot, I, found exhausted myself fall asleep immediately.
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