| ASIAN TRAVELING

Remember PAL's Fly Asia promo which started last week? Then, you'd be happy to know that there's a new promo, this time, for a tour of the wonderful Philippine islands! And that's PAL's Fly Pilipinas promo.

I am quite excited about this one. After all, hopping from one island to another in the Philippines is tiring and costly, too. But with PAL's Fly Asia promo, I just hope we could all get a good bargain to roam the Philippines.

But then again, I'm having second thoughts about this promo. After all, the Php 7,070.00 for Fiesta class refers only to the FARE, and does not include taxes and surcharges such as: Aviation Security Fee, Ticketing Service Charge and VAT for every ticket redeemed. Of course, you still have to pay for the terminal fee of Php 200.00.

And the surcharges and fees you need to pay when you exchange your pass into tickets are as follows:

Surcharges: PHP250 one-way between Manila and Luzon/Visayas; PHP350 one-way between Manila and Mindanao; Aviation Security Fee: PHP15 for departures to Manila; Ticketing Service Charge: PHP50; VAT: 12% of the applicable amount.

The promo covers the following destinations:

Manila and Laoag,

Legazpi,

Perto Princesa,

Bacolod,

Cebu,

Dumaguete,

Iloilo,

Kalibo,

Roxas,

Tacloban,

Tagbilaran,

Butuan,

Cagayan de Oro,

Cotabato,

Davao,

Dipolog,

General Santos,

Ozamiz, or

Zamboanga

Anyway, for those interested, here are the details of the promo from PAL's website:

Fly Pinas Pass Avail of unlimited travel to 20 domestic points (Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, and Zamboanga) in the Philippines from August 08 to November 15, 2011 with Fly Pinas Pass. Fly Pinas Pass offers best value for multiple business and leisure travel.
20 Domestic points to choose from

Unlimited domestic travel for only:
   PHP 7,070.00 on Fiesta (Economy) Class
   PHP 37,070.00 on Mabuhay (Business) Class

Fly to and return from different domestic destinations, e.g. fly Manila-Cebu and return Tagbilaran-Manila

Travel in comfort and style with Philippine Airlines

Visit the Philippine’s last frontier – PALAWAN and experience the Underground River with your friends. Plan a trip with your family and visit the home of the oldest city in the country - CEBU and consider a side trip to discover the world’s famous Chocolate Hills in BOHOL. All these and more in seven weeks!

Selling Period: 08 – 14 August 2011

Fly Pinas Pass (FPP) must be converted into flight tickets within two (2) weeks from its purchase for the same passenger only. Flight bookings must be paid for and ticketed all at the same time.

Travelling Period: 08 August - 15 November 2011 Read Frequently Asked Questions
How to Book Online
Please read the instructions carefully:

   - On the Flight search box, click Multi-Destination link
   - Choose Manila (MNL), Philippines as default origin*
   - Choose Fly Pinas Pass (FPP), Philippines as destination
   - Choose 01 Dec 2011* as default departure date
   - Indicate the desired number passengers and click Search
   - Accept the default special flight PR770*
(*These are not the actual origins, travel dates and flight number. Fly Pinas Pass must be exchanged with flight tickets for the chosen domestic destinations in the PAL Ticket Office.)
Book Fly Pinas Pass now!

Notes:
Fares are exclusive of Aviation Security Fee (ASF), Ticketing Service Charge (TSC), VAT, Terminal Fees and surcharges.
The Fly Pinas Pass is exclusive of hotel accommodations.
Passenger shall be responsible for arranging his/her hotel, transfers, land & sea accommodations and securing valid travel documents.

You may exchange your Fly Pinas Pass with any combination of Philippine Airlines domestic routes.
Routes operated by AirPhil Express (codeshare partner) are not included under this promo:
From/To Manila Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan, Masbate, Naga, Surigao, San Jose and Tuguegarao

From/To Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, Caticlan, Iloilo, Ozamis, Tacloban and Zamboanga

From/To Cagayan De Oro – Davao

From/To Jolo – Zamboanga

From/To Tawi Tawi – Zamboanga

Book and buy through www.philippineairlines.com using Bancnet ATM Card (check the list), MasterCard or VISA credit card. Or, purchase tickets at any Philippine-based ticket office and DTP travel agents or call our reservations office in Manila at tel. no. (632) 855-8888.  Click here to view other contact details in the Philippines.

Travel Conditions:
Application:
Valid for sales in the Philippines and internet only

Valid for travel seven weeks (7 weeks) from first travel date or until 15 November 2011 whichever comes first.

Passenger can visit same city more than once

Reservation, Payment and Ticketing:
Fly Pinas Pass (FPP) must be converted into tickets no later than two weeks (2 weeks) after payment. This is valid for one-time ticket issuance only.

Unconverted FPP is refundable with a penalty 50% of the amount paid

All destination cities selected must be finalized and confirmed before ticket issuance.

Ticketing must be completed within 48 hours after confirmed reservations are made.

Individual tickets will be issued per itinerary for tickets issued in the PAL ticket offices.

Extension of ticket validity is not permitted.

Unlimited transfers and stop-overs are permitted

Changes/Refunds
Changes (only within the travel period) are permitted subject to applicable fees plus No Show Fee of PHP 600 plus 12% VAT:
PHP 800 plus 12% VAT per sector on Fiesta class
PHP 400 plus 12% VAT per sector on Mabuhay class

No-show surcharge PHP 600/per sector plus 12% VAT shall be applied based on existing policy.

Rerouting to other domestic PAL operated points is permitted subject to applicable fees:
PHP 800 plus 12% VAT per sector on Fiesta class
PHP 400 plus 12% VAT per sector on Mabuhay class

Rerouting from Domestic to International or vv is not permitted.

Refund is permitted for unconverted FPP with penalty 50% of the amount paid. FPP must be presented for refund not later than 31 August 2011

Other Discounts
Child/Infant discount
Child’s fare: 100% of the adult’s fare
Infant’s fare: 50% of the adult’s fare

Others
No mileage accrual on Fiesta class

Earn 125% miles on Mabuhay class.

And here are the FAQs for the promo:

What is the advantage in buying Fly Pinas Pass?
“Fly Pinas Pass” promo allows unlimited travel to 20 domestic points in the Philippines. Fly Pinas Pass offers best value for multiple business and leisure travel.

Where can I fly with Fly Pinas Pass?
You may fly unlimited one-ways or round-trips between Manila and Laoag, Legazpi, Perto Princesa, Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, or Zamboanga.

Can I fly to the same city multiple times?
Yes. You may fly to the same city multiple times within seven (7) weeks.

Can I originate from a domestic point other than Manila?
Yes. It can be flight from Manila or to Manila.

Can I travel on Airphil Express operated flights?
No. The Pass may only be converted to take PAL-operated flights.

When can I travel using my Fly Pinas Pass?
Travel period is August 8 to November 15, 2011. The last ticket must be flown within 7 weeks from the first travel or November 15, 2011 whichever comes first. Example: If your first travel is on September 1, 2011 the last outbound travel that you can make is on or before October 17, 2011.

Where and when is Fly Pinas Pass available for sale?
Fly Pinas Pass is available for sale through DTP travel agencies, ticket offices and contact center in the Philippines until August 14, 2011. You may also buy the Pass through www.philippineairlines.com.

Is Fly Pinas Pass all I need to make my trips?
Fly Pinas Pass is not valid for passage. After purchasing Fly Pinas Pass, you must exchange it for flight tickets that you will use for your trip. (See 'Exchanging Fly Pinas Pass for Flight Tickets' below for more details.)

How much is Fly Pinas Pass?
Fiesta Class (Economy) is PHP7,070 while Mabuhay Class (Business) is PHP37,070. Each pass is good for one person. Fares are exclusive of Aviation Security Fee (ASF), Ticketing Service Charge (TSC), surcharges, terminal fee and VAT.

Can I transfer my Fly Pinas Pass to other person?
No. Fly Pinas Pass is non-transferable. Name change is not permitted.
PURCHASING FLY PINAS PASS

How do I buy my Fly Pinas Pass?
You may visit any of PAL ticket offices or accredited travel agencies in the Philippines. Fly Pinas Pass is also available through PAL Contact Center (02)855-8888 or online at www.philippineairlines.com.

How do I purchase Fly Pinas Pass online?Please read the instructions carefully:

   - On the Flight search box, click Multi-Destination link
   - Choose Manila (MNL), Philippines as default origin*
   - Choose Fly Pinas Pass (FPP), Philippines as destination
   - Choose 01 Dec 2011* as default departure date
   - Indicate the desired number passengers and click Search
   - Accept the default special flight PR770*
(*These are not the actual origins, travel dates and flight number. Fly Pinas Pass must be exchanged with flight tickets for the chosen domestic destinations in the PAL Ticket Office.)
Book Fly Pinas Pass now!

What forms of payment are accepted?
PAL ticket offices accept cash, invoice and credit card payments.
Travel agencies accept cash; credit card facility may or may not be available.
Contact center and online can only process Visa and MasterCard cards issued in the Philippines. The PAL website can process VISA, MasterCard and selected internet enabled BancNet ATM cards.

What is included in the Fly Pinas Pass?
The PHP7,070 (Fiesta Class) and PHP37,070 only cover air travel. Customers will have to pay the applicable surcharges, Aviation Security Fee, Ticketing Service Charge and VAT for every ticket redeemed. The applicable Terminal Fee shall be collected at the airport for every departure.

What are the applicable surcharges when converting Fly Pinas Pass to tickets?
Surcharges: PHP250 one-way between Manila and Luzon/Visayas; PHP350 one-way between Manila and Mindanao; Aviation Security Fee: PHP15 for departures to Manila; Ticketing Service Charge: PHP50; VAT: 12% of the applicable amount

Can I buy Fly Pinas Pass for someone else?
Yes. Please note that flight tickets can be exchanged only under his/her name.

EXCHANGING FLY PASS PASS FOR FLIGHT TICKETS

Where can I exchange my Fly Pinas Pass for flight tickets?
You may exchange your Fly Pinas Pass with flight tickets at any PAL ticket office in the Philippines or by calling (02)855-8888 in Manila.

When should I exchange my Fly Pinas Pass for flight tickets? You must exchange it for flight tickets within two (2) weeks of Fly Pinas Pass purchase.

Can I exchange the Fly Pinas Pass for flight tickets on the same day of Fly Pinas Pass purchase?
Yes. If you have the final itinerary, you may exchange it on the same day of Fly Pinas Pass purchase.

Can I exchange the Fly Pinas Pass for flight tickets online?
Fly Pass Pinas may be purchased online but Fly Pinas Pass can only be exchanged for flight tickets through the PAL ticket offices or call center.
CANCELLATION OF FLY PINAS PASS AND CHANGES IN FLIGHT TICKETS

Can I refund my Fly Pinas Pass?
Yes. Unused Fly Pinas Pass is refundable subject to 50% of the Fly Pinas Pass price as refund service fee. 'Unused' means it is not exchanged for flight tickets. FPP must be presented for refund not later than 31 August 2011.

Can I refund my flight tickets?
No. Fly Pinas once converted to tickets is non refundable.

Am I allowed to rebook my flights?
Yes, you are permitted to rebook your flights only within the same travel period subject to rebooking fees:
- Fiesta Class: PHP800 per sector plus VAT
- Mabuhay Class: PHP400 per sector plus VAT

Can I change/reroute my flight tickets?
Yes. You may only reroute existing flight tickets subject to applicable fees but the number of tickets issue shall remain the same. Example: Exchange Manila-Cebu with Manila-Davao

Am I allowed to add or insert another destination after exchanging my Fly Pinas Pass for flight tickets?
No destination can be added after the Fly Pinas Pass has been exchanged.

What should i do if I wish to cancel my flight?
You must cancel you booking by calling (02)855-8888 in Manila at least 24 hours before you departure to avoid no show fee. You may rebook your flight ticket at a later date subject to rebooking fees.

What happens if PAL cancels the flight due to weather or operational reasons?
Fly Pinas Pass passengers enjoy the same benefits as the regular passengers, i.e. they will be accommodated on the next available flight.

After our Danshui Joyful Life Tour, my tour guides and I rushed to the Beitou MRT station to meet a French male tourist. But alas! We ran in late and when we arrived, the French guy apparently joined another tour. We were just ten minutes late and the French guy thought that the guides bailed out on him. So, I was the only tourist, too, for the afternoon tour.

The guides were supposed to bring me to Yangmingshan and to the Calla Lily Festival. However, another guide told us that she just got out from the mountain and it was really, really traffic. After all, it was a Sunday, the last weekend before the Flora Festival ends and the last day for the Calla Lily Festival. So, after much pondering, and not wanting to be stuck in traffic without actually seeing anything, I decided to pick an alternative tour, and I chose the NTU Education tour. My guides were not really knowledgeable about the tour since their specialty lies with the National Museum and Yangmingshan tours, but what the heck. I've been to most of the places on the free tours program and really, I have not been to anywhere along the MRT green line where the NTU is located. So, to NTU we go!

For most people, National Taiwan University is known as one of Taiwan's best universities. But for fans of Meteor Garden, NTU provides one of the most recognizable places of the series, the palm-tree lined path leading to the fictional Yingde University, aptly known as the Royal Palm Boulevard. So, I was more than happy to see the campus. Teehee.

The National Taiwan University has sprawling grounds. You really need to use a bicycle, or a car, to go around the campus. You can, of course, just walk from the gate to that huge building in the horizon and beyond. But if you're a student, you might run late getting to your classes.

Multi-level bicycle parkingoutside NTU's gates.

As to places of interest, the NTU has a lot to offer. Just to the right from the gates near the MRT exit, you could see a Parthenon-like architecture, or something, which seems unusual, amidst a classical garden. It's really pretty in it's white, marbled glory, at least I think it's made of marble. But, it's also creepy, too, considering that the structure houses the grave of NTU's First President, Mr. Fu Si-Nian. In short, it's a mausoleum. Anyway, the garden itself is named after Fu Si Nian.

Entrance to the Fu Si-Nian Memorial Garden

We saw a group of cosplayers having a photoshoot at the grave. Hehe. Who can blame them? The structure provides a perfect backdrop to their costumes.

When we exited the garden, we saw a new bunch of cosplayers headed down the garden.

We rounded up a part of the campus grounds from the gates near the MRT exit and I've found out that NTU is a favorite location for photo shoots. We've seen a couple having their prenup pictorial, which is hugely popular in Taiwan, there.

Other places of interest includes the Fu Bell and the Main Library, among others. Definitely, architecture buffs will be delighted to tour the campus. And what do you know? There's a farm on campus and an ecological pond (Liugongjun Pool)! Although I wasn't able too see it, there's another pond called the Drunken Moon Lake, which despite its crazy name, is reputedly a very lovely and romantic lake, especially at night.