Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by mat sputnik

Electronics on flight now okay

mat sputnik — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:34:35 +0800

Great news!

"FAA officially approves using electronics during all phases of flight"

http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/10/31/5050...hases-of-flight

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/31/travel/f....html?hpt=hp_t1

===

Top 10 Cities for 2014 (Lonely Planet)

mat sputnik — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:20:52 +0800

Good list ... Paris, Trinidad (Cuba), Cape Town, Riga, Zurich, Shanghai, Vancouver, Chicago, Adelaide, Auckland.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-an...TORIALNEWS_43v2

Paris - everybody knows Paris, everexposed, too touristy.
Trinidad (Cuba) - belum sampai, not too keen, because with Cuban visa stamp in passport, most likely kene 'interview' kat US border.
Cape Town - on a sunny day, lunch at the Waterfront with the Table Mts as the backdrop is truly magical.
Riga - the old town is one of the most beautiful and intact I have ever seen in Europe.
Zurich - the city itself is typically Swiss and somewhat boring, but drive south along the lake, then it's fantastic.
Shanghai - the old British colonial buildings and the stroll along the river at the Bund, marvellous.
Vancouver - as far as North American cities go, this one is okay lah, but it's the area around it which is great.
Chicago - very windy place esp. at the lake shore, not as hectic as NYC, but the homeless ppl huddling around in winter look pitiful.
Adelaide - what can I say, Australia's best-kept secret, more liveable than Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, of course.
Auckland - looks great too, but natural disasters always looming and NZ is at the end of the world.

What are your experiences in the above places?

===

New High Quality Driving Licence for MY

mat sputnik — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:22:24 +0800

Since I do a bit of car renting/driving when traveling abroad, I'm very happy to see the new driving licence issued by our JPJ.
- good quality card, just like MyKad minus the chip, as opposed to the current el-cheapo laminated piece.
- high security features.
- English translations on the card, which is very helpful when using it in a foreign country.

JPJ claims that our driving licence is recognised by 150 countries, so the English translation is indeed very appropriate. Of course some countries require by law that foreigners carry an International Driving Permit as well (esp. in countries not using the Roman script), but that's another story.

So this morning, I went to JPJ Maju Junction in KL at about 11.15am, and got served within 30min. The whole process was fast, and the lady synchronised the expiry date of the new licence to be my birthdate in 2019 (I opted for the 5-year licence, at RM150), which is a cool practical feature. My old laminated licence expires in Mar 2014, so that one is redundant, since the new licence is good effective today. It's preferrable that you bring a photo with white background for them to scan and print onto the card.

Nice, it's indeed quite presentable now!

===

South Africa, May 2013

mat sputnik — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:29:36 +0800

We just did a trip to South Africa last month (May 12-19), flying Saudia SIN/JED/JNB, at US$600 return, which was a great deal.

Destinations inside SA were Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town and Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope).

I've written 4 blog entries so far -- this is work in progress, as new stories are published, the list would be updated. Please revisit, thanks!

Blog #1: Johannesburg Arrival and Nelson Mandela - http://m.naim.my/johannesburg-arrival-and-nelson-mandela/

Blog #2: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park by Road - http://m.naim.my/johannesburg-to-kruger-na...l-park-by-road/

Blog #3: Our Safari Lodge in the Kruger Bush - http://m.naim.my/our-safari-lodge-in-the-kruger-bush/

Blog #4: Leopards in Kruger National Park - http://m.naim.my/leopards-in-kruger-nation...k-south-africa/

...

===

Kuching with Malindo Air

mat sputnik — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:28:20 +0800

I just did a quick trip to Kuching over the weekend, to try their service with brand new Boeing 737-900ER planes, the latest in the 737 family.

Pls visit my blog for the full story: http://m.naim.my/kuala-lumpur-to-kuching-with-malindo-air/

I do think it's going to give both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia a run for their money, which is great for us consumers.

Highlights of 2012

mat sputnik — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:11:29 +0800

Another year ending soon, so I put together a slideshow of the trips I did in 2012.

(Pls watch in HD 720p if possible, thanks!)

http://youtu.be/SkxPE5DvyLY

===

The Pinnacles of Western Australia

mat sputnik — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:01:34 +0800

This place is so spectacular that I think it deserves its own thread. We headed for the Pinnacles Desert soon after the wildflower encounter (see story HERE) and it was indeed an amazing place!

===

Our main destination for the day is the Pinnacles, in the desert of Nambung National Park, near the town of Cervantes on the Indian Ocean coast. The desert is some 250km by road from Perth, 3 hours drive from the CBD.

En route, lunch break at the small fishing village of Lancelin, 110km north of Perth, with its famous white sand dunes right at the Indian Ocean. Biggest attraction here is sand surfing.

.
Fish and chips, what else, but pretty good.

.
Next door, a closed shop, but I’m intrigued by that notice: “TUTUP – CLOSED”. In Lancelin, of all places!

.
On the way out after the brief lunch stop, more beautiful sand dunes, so inviting but we are pressed for time.

.
An hour later, we are in Nambung National Park, with its huge expanse of native bush land, with the tempestuous Indian Ocean in the background.

.
There’s a nice Visitor Centre where we educate ourselves a bit, as if the whole thing makes sense. Actually nobody is exactly sure what had happened here, and new theories are always being investigated. The only thing we know for sure, they are limestone formations, and the moving sand dunes play a major role too.

.
Soon we are on a footpath snaking through the bush.

.
I can already see a hint of what to come.

.

> TO BE CONTINUED

[addedon]September 8, 2012, 8:16 pm[/addedon]Seems this forum has some controls on posting, so I'm not showing rest of the pics here -- pls continue reading the story on my ad-free travel-blog HERE.

Thanks!

Sydney-Brisbane Roadtrip via the Pacific Coast

mat sputnik — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:05:20 +0800

Fresh from our recent Russia/Baltics trip (pls see THIS THREAD), we are putting together our next outing -- a 3-day self-drive journey from Sydney to Brisbane in early June 2012.

Planned route is:

This is the missing link in our roadtrips around Australia's coastline that we have done over the years. We have travelled Perth-Adelaide by coach, Adelaide-Melbourne by car (Princes Highway + Great Ocean Rd), Melbourne-Sydney by car (Princes Highway), and Brisbane-Rockhampton by car (Bruce Highway). With the completion of Sydney-Brisbane (via Princes Highway), we could claim to have travelled by road all the way from Perth to Rockhampton (on Aust National Highway 1 mainly), for a total distance of about 6,200km.

===

Most expensive places to visit

mat sputnik — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:51:41 +0800

According to US News, the 15 most expensive places to visit are:

01. Oslo
02. Zurich
03. Geneva
04. Copenhagen
05. Stockholm
06. Tokyo
07. Sydney
08. Helsinki
09. Toronto
10. Singapore
11. Vienna
12. Paris
13. Luxembourg
14. NYC
15. London

[Source: http://travel.usnews.com/features/15_Most_...laces_to_Visit/]

Decent list, been to all except Vienna. Oslo is indeed painful.

===

Darwin & Kakadu

mat sputnik — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:40:17 +0800

Australia is obviously a popular country, but not many people make it to Darwin, NT, esp. to visit the famous Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's four World Heritage Sites. Which is a big pity since it is so near to Southeast Asia.

How do you get to Darwin from KL? Well, Jetstar flies directly to DRW from SIN, so just get yourself to SIN and grab cheap tix to DRW.

---

That's downtown Darwin as the plane comes in to land -- not a terribly large city, just 13km away.

DRW is quite a modern airport, opened 1991.

Airnorth mainly serves northern Australia.

Smallish check-in concourse.

Driveway at landside.

Colourful aboriginal motives adorn the walkway roof.

All the way to the car park.

Aboriginal art is so lovely, esp. with its surreal messages.

> To be continued.

===

Scoot, the new LCC from SG

mat sputnik — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:25:58 +0800

They start selling SIN/OOL and SIN/SYD today. Here's a mock booking for SIN/OOL. Lowest return SIN/OOL is S$216.87.

Lowest fare SIN/SYD return is S$211.17.

Go grab yours at http://www.flyscoot.com

===

Planning trips online

mat sputnik — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:42:44 +0800

To plan your trips online, try http://tripit.com -- I find it easy and convenient and can share itineraries with friends -- been using it since 2007, when I heard of it on a BBC programme. The spooky bit about tripit is that it can intercept your gmail (if you allow) and automagically create itinerary based on your flight/hotel bookings!

What's your favourite travel planning site?

===

Norway - Fjords, the Arctic, Aurora Borealis

mat sputnik — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:24:35 +0800

I've always wanted to see the awesome Norwegian fjords (to compare with the NZ 'fiords' which we visited in 2008) and the elusive Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, and also to cross the Arctic Circle. So when Qatar Airways (QR) launched their Oslo destination with a sale last Sep '11, at RM1280 for KUL/DOH/OSL return, I promptly grabbed 2 tix for Oct flights.

Our journey took us to Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø.

Norway is reputedly one the most expensive places to visit in the world, even surpassing Japan. But as long as you control your accommodation and transport costs (which make the bulk of any trip), you are in good shape. You can compare the cost of living between Norway and Japan HERE -- avoid Norwegian restaurants.

In any case the first leg of our journey was from Oslo to Bergen (a World Heritage Site), followed by flights from Bergen to Tromsø, 350km north of the Arctic Circle, the Land of the Midnight Sun. Pls visit the complete collection of our Norway stories HERE.

---

Oslo Airport, one of the best I've ever used.

On the famous Bergen Railway, countryside just NW of Oslo, .

Admiring the view from the comfort of our warm Bergen train.

In the mountains, we pass by Finse, the site George Lucas used to depict ice planet Hoth in Empire Strikes Back.

Taking the famous Flåm Railway to descend to the fjords.

At Flåm, we leave the train to catch the boat to take us along the fjords.

Massive mountains at Aurlandsfjord -- some reaching 2400m high. Note the steepness of these behemoths, rising from the water which can be up to 500m deep. Compare to Milford Sound in NZ where the Mitre Peak is only 1700m, and the water 400m deep.

Amazing stillness of the backwater of Nærøyfjord, a World Heritage Site.

> TO BE CONTINUED.

KLIA2 on course for completion in April next year

mat sputnik — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:56:32 +0800

So looking fwd to this!

===

Mar 6, 2012

KLIA2 on course for completion in April next year

SEPANG: The construction of KLIA2 is on schedule to meet its target completion date in April 2013, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). MAHB managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said the new low-cost terminal was now 45% completed “as per schedule”.

He was speaking to reporters after accompanying Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha on a visit to the KLIA2 construction site. “This is the second time the Minister is visiting the site and we have updated him on the progress,” said Bashir.

The construction work for KLIA2 started in October 2009.

It is now estimated to cost between RM3.6bil and RM3.9bil, at least 80% more than its provisional budget of RM2bil. In November last year, MAHB had cited additions to the new terminal for passenger comfort as reasons for the cost increase. These include a shopping mall, an automated baggage handling system and significant upgrades in terms of floor space, the length of runways and the number of aircraft stands at the terminal.

Currently, MAHB is in the process of calling for tender bids for the new terminal’s commercial space. According to Bashir, the response from retailers is “very good”.

Upon completion, KLIA2 is estimated to have the capacity to serve up to 45 million passengers annually – three times the capacity of the existing LCCT.

http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyScene/T...htBox/19554/0/0

Beaches along Mersing-Desaru

mat sputnik — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:38:40 +0800

Of all beaches on the peninsula, our favourite has always been Air Papan, just north of Mersing town. But I was curious on how the other beaches along the coastline from Mersing down to Desaru (in Johor) fare. So we just did a tour along the unknown coastal roads in search of these pristine beaches. We skipped Desaru itself because it had been overexploited.

Our route.

From Tg Balau, we headed north to Sedili Kecil, Sedili Besar, Tg Sedili Besar and into the Felda Tenggaroh group. A quick detour to check out Tg Leman, before heading for Mersing and eventually Air Papan.

Our verdict: Air Papan is still the best, and relatively safer. The beaches at Tg Balau, Sedili Kecil and Sedili Besar, frequently kill people due to strong undercurrents.

These are the images recorded during the road-trip. See for yourself.

[YOUTUBE]RDEUp_t4oLQ[/YOUTUBE]

===

Darjeeling, India

mat sputnik — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:20:02 +0800

In April 2011, I returned to the Himalaya (after the Oct 2010 trip to Everest Base Camp in Tibet), this time to Darjeeling in northern India, via Kolkata. Famous for its awesome teas, it's also well-known for the 'Toy Train', the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), which runs on very narrow 2-ft gauge tracks. Built in the 19th century, the famed blue steam locomotives are still pulling coaches for unforgettable joy rides -- a must for any train buff. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is my collection of images from this memorable journey.

[YOUTUBE]fb--Gk9FDws[/YOUTUBE]

Thanks!

===

Russia, the Baltic States & Finland

mat sputnik — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:43:11 +0800

Russia or Bust!

Double-entry visae just obtained, to enable exit to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and then back to Russia. Cost RM280 apiece.

Travel period: April 6-18, 2012

Will post progress here.

===

Volcanoes

mat sputnik — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:14:19 +0800

For a traveller, visiting a volcano is a must-do activity, IMHO. It's amazing to see a beautiful mountain (strato-volcanoes always have the cone shape) in breathless landscape, with the climax of actually peering into a huge smoking hole in the crater, bellowing steam, particles, gases and other nasty stuff. The adrenalin rush comes when you realise that theoretically, a 'safe' volcano can be unpredictably dangerous. So travel at your own risk.

You need not go far to get your volcano fix -- Indonesia next door is full of them, fantastic ones, and dangerous too.

Our first volcano experience was Gunung Marapi in Sumatra Barat. One of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, it's almost 3000m high. We climbed it in March 2008, and almost got lost on the way down in nightfall under heavy torrential rain. Indeed it was a memorable experience. My story on this climb is in 3 parts: PART 1, PART 2, PART 3.

Volcano itch returned early last year and we did 3 volcanoes in quick succession.
ANAK KRAKATAU -- offspring of the gigantic 1883 blast.
MT. MERAPI -- the killer volcano in Jawa Tengah, not to be confused with Marapi above, which is in Sumatra.
MT. BROMO -- has erupted dangerously early 2011.

Now looking at volcanoes in Kamchatka!

===

Anak Krakatau

mat sputnik — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:45:45 +0800

Thirteen months ago, we risked our lives and limbs to do one of those trips we just had to do -- a harrowing boat ride across the turbulent Sunda Strait to witness volcano Anak Krakatau in action (offspring of the huge one that got blown off in 1883). Here's a slideshow of the best pics of the journey ...

[YOUTUBE]aZni9lqsXJA[/YOUTUBE]

Thanks!

===