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January 2012

Thoughts: Cebu Pacific to Launch Budget Long-Haul Flights in Q3 2013

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 0



     Wow!  Cebu Pacific will offer long-haul flights by the 3rd quarter of 2013.  I hear one of the flights includes Australia, and that info has been known to me since last year.  I wonder, though, what is taking so long to launch this new destination.  As for the others, expect flights to the Middle East, and perhaps London or Italy, too, where most of the OFWs are working.  And yes, 3rd quarter of 2013 is still far away but I'd better start saving money right now.

     Here's Cebu Pacific's press release quoted in full from their website:


Cebu Pacific to launch budget long-haul flights in Q3 2013

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) will commence long-haul flights in the 3rd quarter of 2013. The airline will lease up to 8 Airbus A330-300 aircraft to serve new markets beyond the range of CEB’s current fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.
The Airbus A330 has a range of up to 11 hours which means CEB could serve markets such as Australia, Middle East, parts of Europe and the US. The aircraft is one of the most commonly used wide-body aircraft in operation today, given its highly reliable operating statistics.
“The A330-300 will give us the lowest cost per seat, allowing us to drive long-haul fares 35% lower than those currently offered by other airlines, and as much as 80% lower when CEB offers promo fares. This aircraft type is very well suited to the kind of network we want to build and the routes we want to launch,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.
“We are exploring serving cities where large Filipino communities reside --- Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the USA. Data indicates that more than half of Filipinos deployed in these regions take multiple stops and connecting flights because no home carrier can fly them there non-stop,” added Gokongwei.
Gokongwei cited Saudi Arabia as an example, where only 165,000 passengers flew direct non-stop flights from Manila (Civil Aeronautics Board 2010 data), compared to 293,000 Filipinos deployed to Saudi Arabia in the same year. This means that nearly half of Filipinos who flew to Saudi Arabia in 2010 had to take multiple flights to get to their destination. With CEB’s long haul operations, the budget airline will provide more affordable, direct flight options to Filipinos overseas, a population estimated to be 11 million worldwide.
Since its inception in 1996, CEB has posted a good track record in stimulating short-haul travel of Filipinos working and residing overseas. Passenger traffic to and from Hong Kong, where a lot of Filipinos reside and work, grew by 88% since CEB started operating flights from Manila in 2001.
“We want to do the same for long-haul traffic --- offer the lowest fares possible and drive a significant increase on demand for air travel to regions outside of Asia. This is truly an exciting time for CEB as we continue to be of service to the 11 million strong global Filipinos, wherever they are in the world; and to their families back home,” Gokongwei said.
“As CEB develops long-haul routes and opens new destinations for a Philippine flag carrier, we will be creating an important enabler for increased trade, tourism and foreign investment.”
The airline currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 19 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is one of the youngest aircraft fleets in Asia. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take an additional 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.
CEB operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with 34 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. It also offers 19 international destinations, namely Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.

Seat Sale - Air Philippines' Express Sale [Travel Period July to 30 Nov 2012]

Sunday, January 29, 2012 0






     The Express Sale we've all been waiting from Air Philippines is finally here!  And I should say that I am a little disappointed with the sale for Singapore.

      I know that fuel prices are really, really high right now.  But a fuel surcharge of Php 3046 is a little off-putting, especially when the earliest travel dates are five months away.  Last year during their similar express sale in early January, I was able to book Manila-Singapore round trip tickets for only Php 3,600 (if I remember correctly; it could be lower).  Now, it costs Php 5,896.00.  Hmm.  Well, it is a little disappointing but it is still lower than PAL, and competitive with Cebu Pacific's sale fares.  After all, Cebu Pacific's fare for their Manila-Siem Reap flights costs about Php 5,300.00.  So, it's still okay, I guess.  Anyway, we should blame the high fuel cost for the higher fuel surcharge.

     But the domestic flights are okay.  It's less than Php 1,000 round trip, say for example, Manila to Tagbilaran.  Fuel surcharge for domestic is around Php 700.00 for flights originating from Manila.

     So, happy travel planning!


Screencap of the mock-booking I made for Singapore.

Thoughts: Puerto Princesa Underground River Named as One of the New 7 Wonders of the World

Saturday, January 28, 2012 0



     A big yay to the Philippines!  Our very own natural wonder made it to the coveted New 7 Wonders of the World!  Congratulations!  Serious campaigning for voting worked!

     ETA: I didn't know that the voting was done via texting.  I'm very curious about it.  I mean, text votes?  Seriously.  The Philippines is at the forefront in terms of texting.  It's like, "pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko" as Filipinos love to vote for ourselves, or our representatives or anything which relates to the Philippines.  So, I guess, congratulations, Philippines, for winning by texting.  Love your own.  ;-)

    Here's the entire article lifted from the New 7 Wonders website:

PPUR officially confirmed as one of the New7Wonders of Nature

Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR)

Manila/Philippines, Zurich/Switzerland: Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is now confirmed as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Making the announcement in Manila, Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, congratulated the people of the Philippines for supporting their national finalist in the global campaign.
“When your very own President Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously,” said Weber. “Fans of PPUR all over the world responded to his call for action by voting in record numbers and today’s confirmation is the well-earned reward for this extraordinary display of enthusiasm,” he added.
Mr Weber was speaking during a meeting with Edward Hagedorn, Mayor of Puerto Princesa, Nardz Villafranca, PPUR campaign coordinator and Jean-Paul de la Fuente, New7Wonders Director. Subjects discussed included the arrangement of the Official Inauguration events and the implementation of the strategic plan for promoting PPUR using its title as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. 
“This confirmation is wonderful news for Puerto Princesa, and a great example of how now its more fun to be in the Philippines,” said Mayor Hagedorn. “World-wide exposure of our natural beauty on this level is critical both for tourism and for our image nationally and internationally.”
Puerto Princesa Underground River is located some 50km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, on Palawan island in the Philippines. It consists of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers containing significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km. navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge.
In alphabetical order, the provisional New7Wonders of Nature announced on 11 November 2011 are: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Table Mountain. Following Jeju Island, PPUR is the second to be confirmed on a preliminary basis, as New7Wonders has now completed the telephone voting validation in the Philippines. The remaining five provisional New7Wonders of Nature are currently undergoing the three steps of the verification process, namely the national voting validation, the global voting calculation confirmation by an independent audit firm, and the preparation and implementation of the Official Inauguration ceremonies.

Melaka Travel Adventures - Day 1: DIY Tour to A Famosa Fort, Maritime Museum and Others

Friday, January 27, 2012 Category : , , , , 0





     It made perfect sense to start our DIY walking tour from the Dutch Square going up to Stadthuys.  It was an easy climb, as the walkway uphill is paved, to St. Paul's Church and an easy descent from there to A Fomosa Fort.  Had we reversed our starting point, we would have to climb many, many stairs to reach St. Paul's.





     Anyway, the A Famosa Fort looks more like a small chapel rather than a fort.  Well, like St. Paul's Church, it is in ruins and only a small portion remains.  And, as with St. Paul's, I fell in love with it, too.  I don't know but I'm quite fascinated with ruins.  I find ruins quite lovely; ethereal but melancholy.  I like to touch every stone possible, perhaps even cling onto those stones for a while.  Literally, it's touching history with one's finger tips.  



     I don't know much about A Famosa except that it's old dating back to the 1500s and that what remains is a small gateway of some sorts.  Well, all I can say is that it's achingly beautiful against the late afternoon sun.

     My mother and I just walked around until we reached a park with old trains and aircrafts in open display. It was teeming with people.





This one is really cute.  You sit down on it and pedal, like a bike, as shown above.


     Then, we got out of the park, just wandering aimlessly until we reached Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka Megamall.  As it name suggests, it is a shopping mall and its name stuck with me because of "pahlawan", like the Philippine's "Palawan" province, and "Megamall", like our own "SM Megamall."  We saw a McDonald'sand had our snacks there.  I wanted to eat chicken with rice but they only serve spicy chicken without the rice.

     After taking a break, I dragged my mother to the sort of galleon ship I've been seeing from a distance.  It's an attraction, included in the Maritime Museum, and the entrance fee you'll pay will be good for 3 attractions/places.  I forgot how much I paid for the tickets.  We didn't check the other parts because I was lazy.



     
     Anyway, footwear is not allowed to be worn inside the wooden ship.  Don't worry; you'll be given a plastic bag for your shoes or sandals so you could carry it with you (if you're not comfortable without your designer shoes near you), or you could just leave it at the designated storage place.  If you want to reach the topmost deck, you'll have to climb into a very steep staircase.  It's easy going down but it's trickier going down as the steps are placed quite far apart.





     After my Capt. Jack Sparrow moments on deck, my mother and I started walking back to our hotel.  This time we took the river side where we found a couple having their nuptial pictures.  The groom was wearing a mariachi-esque suit and the bride was in a layered gown with lots of ruffles.  The bride was so pretty!


All I can say is, lucky guy!




     Our last stop was the Melaka Fort.  There really isn't much to see, except perhaps the river behind it.  Anyway, the you can find the Melaka Tourist Information Office in there.

In ruins, too.


This cannon looks fairly new.  A replica, I suppose.


Riverside!  It's clean and there are ares where you could sit and enjoy the sunset.


The famous Hereen House


     Wondering how Melaka got iss name? This tells it all:

Caption says:
"Parameswara looking at how one of his hunting dogs thrown into river after being vivaciously [it really says 'vivaciously'!]kicked by a white mouse deer. Later on, he named his empire "Lelaka" after the tree Pokok Melaka in which he was sitting under."


Travel Tips: Taiwan's Free Half-day Tours for Transit Passengers

Category : , , , 0





     A member of PEX posted a query in the Taiwan travel thread about what to do during a stopover in Taiwan with 3 to 4 hours to spare.  I said I think a visa is still required, unless exempted.  As for things to do, I really am not sure since Taipei is an hour away by bus from the Taoyuan International Airport.  What I do know is that Taiwan, as other countries, have free half-day tours for transit passengers courtesy of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau for transit passengers, but only for those with at least 7 hours to spare.

        I copied the mechanics from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau website below for quick reference:


1. Who can participate:
Transit or transfer passengers with 7-24 hours before their next connecting flight, and who have a valid R.O.C. visa or come from countries eligible for visa-exempt entry can participate.
Countries eligible for visa-exempt entry: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,the Vatican,the U.K., and the U.S.A..

Also eligible are citizens from India, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia who hold a valid visa — or permanent residency — to the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., any Schengen Convention country, Australia or New Zealand. Citizens of the five Asian countries meeting the above qualifications and having never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar migrant workers are eligible for the tours, but must first apply for visa-exempt entry by registering on the National Immigration Agency’s website: http://www.immigration.gov.tw/. Registrants must also print out a confirmation, which they must present at check-in before boarding their flight for Taiwan.

Terminal 1 Terminal 2 Return to Airport(Depending on traffic)
Departure Time 08:15 08:00 Before 13:00
Departure Time 13:45 13:30 Before 18:30
Note:
1. Each tour is limited to 18 passengers on a first come, first served basis.
2. As there is no room for luggage on the bus, please store all luggage at the airport baggage service counter (fee required) before boarding the bus.
2. Registration & Pick-up*
Tourist Service Center, Airport Arrival Lobby
TEL: 03-398-2194, 03-398-3341 Or dial 2194 or 3341 from the airport’s courtesy telephone
Service Hours: 07:00~23:30

3. Travel Documents Required:
A: Passport valid for at least six months
B: Completed Immigration Embarkation/Disembarkation Card available at Immigration counter

4. Itinerary (Choice of one only)
Morning tour
Afternoon tour
*The Tourism Bureau reserves the right to cancel tours in case of inclement weather.


Daily Morning Tour Hilight
*YINGGE, POTTERY HEAVEN
A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand-painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics, are produced. The small town is Taiwan’s pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate statues.


YINGGE CERAMICS MUSEUM(when museum is open)
The Yingge Ceramics Museum, the first pottery museum in Taiwan, is a modern, glass-walled structure that imparts sense of limitless space and the beauty of simplicity. It presents 200 years of ceramic evolution and folk culture in Taiwan. It is a symbol of history and cultural as well as a place to find peace of mind.

*

SANXIA & ZUSHI TEMPLE  
Sanxia, about 22 km southwest to Taipei, is a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and brick buildings, many over a century old. The main attraction is Zushi Temple, built in honor of Song Dynasty (960–1279) loyalist Chen Chao-ying. Chen was a famous general knighted as “Protector of the Country” for his achievements and valour. This temple was in ruins at the end of World War II, and a meticulous restoration project has been underway for some forty years. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, especially the temple’s unique bird art. There are also carved stone lions, camphor wood carvings, and exquisite bronze bas-reliefs.

Daily Afternoon Tour Hilight
*101 BUILDING
Taipei 101 stands 508 meters high with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It was certified to be the world’s tallest building and when it was opened to the public on December 31, 2004.

LONGSHAN TEMPLE
Taipei is home to many temples. Of these, Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is also one of Taiwan’s finest examples of temple architecture.

PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE BUILDING
The building which houses the Office of the President of the Republic of China was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.
*

CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. A statue of the late President Chiang looks out over the city from the main building.
The elegant Ming Dynasty-style arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classical buildings–the National Theater and the National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festive occasions.


MARTYRS’ SHRINE
This is an excellent example of classical Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China’s wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony at the entrance, which many people find interesting.      

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