Sunday 21 September 2014

Business Class Food on Malaysia Airlines Domestic Flight

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 Series at KLIA
These are some of the food served by Malaysia Airlines in their domestic flight. Not bad but still there are a lot of rooms for improvement especially on presentation. Taste is ok especially for flights out of KLIA. No matter what people say, in my humble opinion, Malaysia Airlines still serves one of the best food 38,000 feet above ground.
Chicken Sandwich & Kebab

Close up of the Chicken Sandwich..yummy

:)

Marmalade Jam

Croissant, Pancake & Sweet Banana

Garlic Bread, Pasta

Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang

Kurma for Buka Puasa, Pink Guava Juice

Hot drink of your choice, Peanuts

Nasi Beriyani Sate Ayam
Nasi Kandar Kari Ayam

I never buy full fare Business Class ticket with Malaysia Airlines. If you are a frequent flyer, it's a no brainer to sign up for your airlines' loyalty program. After more than 5 years flying with Malaysia Airlines, I have enough points to fly business class on several domestic flights (as seen above) and KL-London-KL which costs around RM12,000! Being loyal really pays off!








Sunday 22 June 2014

10 Reasons Why Backpack Tourist Should Stay at Capsule by Container Hotel, KLIA2, Malaysia


Capsule by Container Hotel. Fresh look with industrial-inspired concept.

 If you are a backpack tourist who travels on a shoestring budget to Malaysia, here's some good news for you. There's a new hotel at KLIA2 where you can stay to recharge (take a hot shower & have a power nap) from as low as MYR45! Being a traveler myself, I really appreciate the capsule hotel concept and the fact that it's built right in the new airport is a big plus. You can now catch your early flight at KLIA2 with a fresh look and in no time-just a 7min walk from the hotel to the departure gate. It is similar to Yotel at Heathrow Airport in London, except Capsule at KLIA2 is the stripped down version; no en suite bathroom and instead of a nice 7sqm room at Yotel, you stay in a 10ft container at Capsule. It's technically a hostel with some privacy. But do not let this fools you. They do invest in a high quality mattress, duvets and pillows to help you sleep effortlessly in the decent size 'room'. Besides, you get a free Wifi throughout your stay. So next time you are in Kuala Lumpur, make sure you check out Capsule by Container Hotel at KLIA2.

10 Reasons Why Backpack Tourist Should Stay at Capsule by Container Hotel, KLIA2:

1. Value for money. You pay less than GBP20 (MYR90) for a 12-hour stay at Capsule. Need a shorter stay? Choose either 3- or 6-hour stay for less. Don't worry about peak or holiday season rates as there aren't any. Fixed-rate throughout the year. You can book online at Agoda or walk-in.
The hallway
2-floor hotel
2. Location. Located at the ground floor of the airport, there's no way you could miss your flight. All you need to do is to walk upstairs to your departure gate. A mere 7minute walk to be precise. But don't wait till the last minute, AirAsia or other low-cost airlines are serious about their early boarding policy.
The check-in counter itself is made of a container frame.

3. Connectivity. With the recent extension of the Electric Rail Link (ERL) Service to KLIA2, you are just 33minutes away from KL Sentral and 5minutes away from KLIA by KLIA Ekspres. Check the latest schedule of KLIA Ekspres here. They run for 24hours. Bus and taxi service are also available if you need to go somewhere else.
The container rooms. Notice the roller blind at the top of each container? That's the door.
4. Hot showers. There's no better way to freshen yourself after a tiring day than having a hot shower! Towels and shampoo/soap are provided. Separate bathrooms for men and women.
Full-size mirror in the bathroom
Clean, industrial-inspired bathroom
5. Free Wifi. Connect with your family and friends. Password required. Get it from the lobby.

6. Security. Rest assured, CCTV are located around the hotel for your safety. Lockers are also provided for your baggage at the check in counter. Small safety compartment available in your room for your wallets and gadgets. Bring your own padlock.
Built-in compartment to keep your valuables. Bring a padlock.
Upon check in, you will be given a key for your locker. Fits most luggages/backpacks. It's a shoe-free hotel. Flip-flops are provided.
Entrance to the room
The hallway downstairs
7. Clean & Comfy Rooms. All 79 of them! Their mattress and pillows are of high quality. You get a small folding table, a mirror, power outlet, and safety compartment for your valuables.

Nice, little room

8. Communal area. Open space, high-ceiling concept, great for meeting fellow travelers or catching up with friends.
Common area. Again, industrial-inspired

9. Plenty of restaurants in the airport. Choose from your typical fast-food chain (McDonald's) to Italian restaurant to Organic cafe. Your call.
Top view of the common area

10. Flexibility. You can check in at any time you prefer and stay for as long as you want. When I was in Heathrow in 2012, I used to check in at Yotel at 12midnight for a quick recharge and check out by 5am to catch my 7am flight. I was so fresh, I had a great day ahead at my new holiday destination.
Summary of the facilities

One of table at common area
Extra tips: If you are not a guest at the hotel and still want to use their shower, you can
do so for MYR15, towel provided. You can also use the lockers at MYR20 per day. Alternatively, if you are going to KLIA, you can keep your luggage at a baggage storage in Level 3, KLIA for MYR18 per day.

The room. Those pillows and mattress are super comfy
Bathroom and common area are located downstairs
Hope this helps. Have a nice trip!



Sunday 11 May 2014

My First Car

The New 2015 Mercedes C-Class
Gambar kat atas ni takde kena mengena dengan kereta yang aku baru beli. Kereta ni 5 tahun lagi baru aku beli inshaAllah. Anyway, arini aku nak share macam mana aku berjimat dengan beli kereta second hand. Yela kalau tengok keadaan ekonomi & kos hidup sekarang ni, memang tak cukup duit gaji dibuatnya. Kata la gaji fresh grad sekarang ni RM3000, sewa rumah RM500, makan minum, tol, bil, parking, belanja, apa semua dah RM1500, so balance tinggal la RM1000 sebulan. Haa kalau nak kira memang banyakla duit kan? Seribu tu macam-macam bole buat, bole tukar handphone, handbag, kasut, makan restoran best-best, nak pulak AirAsia ade sale, memang pegi Australia jela every month. Tapi semua itu dusta..sebab jangan lupa yang korang kena ada transport nak pegi kerja or menjalani kehidupan seharian. Sape yg boleh survive naik bas or public transport pegi mana-mana memang bagus la, boleh save duit. Anyway, berbalik pada kereta tadi. Kalau beli kereta baru, korang dah kena tolak around RM600-1000 sebulan untul instalment kereta, depend on kereta apa yang korang nak beli. Nak nak pulak kawan ofis semua beli kereta baru, korang pun mestila tercabar kan. Last-last memang korang takde saving langsung sampai ke tua. Australia entah ke mana, apa entah kemana.

Ok tadi korang dah tengok camne korang spend duit bayar kereta. So camne cara nak elak bayar duit kereta ni tapi at the same time korang boleh travel ke mana saja naik kereta. Cara yang aku buat ialah dengan membeli kereta second hand..secara cash. yup secara cash, meaning aku takde hutang dengan bank untuk beli kereta. tiap-tiap bulan, takyah nak transfer duit gaji masuk akaun loan kereta. haa camne aku buat? banyak ke duit aku nak beli kereta second hand cash? bole ke semua orang buat camni? jawapannye semua orang boleh.

kalau korang beli brand new car, tak kira apa brand & model, korang still kena keluarkan cash untuk bayar 10% deposit..kan? unless korang amik full loan 100% untuk beli kereta tapi aku taknak cerita pasal topik ni. ok kata la korang nak beli myvi or honda city, korang still kena bayar deposit ranging from RM5-8 ribu kan? haa so duit ni la aku guna untuk beli kereta second hand aku. murah korang kata? of course la murah, sebab kereta yang aku beli ni bukan berjenama toyota vios or honda city.

Ni la kereta aku - 2004 1.3 Proton Saga manual. Umur dah 10 tahun tapi still cun. Such a good buy. Gambar ni masa kat kedai kereta kat Ipoh.

Exterior kereta ni memang superb. berkilat lagi.
Seperti yang korang nampak kat gambar atas ni, aku beli proton saga aeroback manual tahun 2004 in good running condition berharga RM8500..campur tukar tayar baru & servis semua, the total cost of the car hanyalah RM9500. in less than RM10000, aku dah dapat sebuah kereta yang bole aku guna nak pegi kerja and balik kampung. yang bestnye, aku takyah pikir pasal monthly instalment and since kereta aku ni proton saga, aku takyah risau pasal maintenance sebab seperti yang korang sedia maklum, spare parts proton ni bersepah-sepah di mana saja & semua pomen kat malaysia ni tau nak repair. hantar kedai bawah pokok pun diorang tau nak buat. lagi satu, duit instalment yang aku dah berjaya jimat sebanyak 700-800 sebulan tu bolehla aku menabung atau gunakan untuk aktiviti lain yang lebih bermanfaat seperti pegi Australia. apapun, korang kena pikir matlamat korang beli kereta..adakah untuk bersaing dengan rakan sepejabat or berbangga dengan saudara mara di kampung ataupun untuk bawak korang pegi ofis. kalau setakat nak pegi from point A to point B, any car will do. macam aku, aku pun nak jugak pakai kereta yang selesa sikit nanti, so by doing this, by saving on monthly car instalment sekarang ni, bolela aku berjimat untuk beli kereta idaman aku macam kat atas tu nanti. InshaAllah. So korang pun bolela guna cara aku ni kalau nak berjimat. Just start small. Bawah ni aku buat breakdown bagi korang senang kira and paham perbandingan yang aku buat untuk beli kereta baru & second hand.

*Calulation below is just an estimate to compare the costs of owning a second hand car vs brand new car. Might not work for everyone.

Second Hand Car (2004 Proton Saga)
Cost: RM 8500 + RM 1000 Service = RM 9500
Monthly Instalment: None (saving of RM600 a month)
Yearly Service: RM1000 (preventive maintenance, wear and tear)
Total Cost Per Year: RM 10500 (for 1st year only), RM 1000 for subsequent years for maintenance.

Brand New Car (2014 Proton Persona)
Cost: RM6000 (10% downpayment)
Monthly Instalment: RM 600 (7 year loan)
Yearly Service: RM 500
Total Cost Per Year: RM 13700 (for 1st year only; RM6000+RM7200 instalment+RM500 service), RM 7700 for subsequent 6 years.

Since aku boleh save RM600 sebulan daripada duit instalment kereta, setahun aku dah jimat RM7200! Dah boleh beli satu lagi kereta second hand & bukak kedai kereta sewa! You got the idea. Jom berjimat!

Wallahu'alam.