By Malaysia Airlines (Langkawi- Singapore Via Penang)

I have not flew Malaysia Airlines since yearsss ago. It is not that i did not go outstation but i was travelling with other airlines most of the time. So i was abit currios about my "1st experience" though Malaysia Airlines has been well known for their quality of flight competing with Singapore Airlines in the international market. But ever since Airasia starts offering flights services in Malaysia with their "Now that Everyone Can Fly" slogan , the low cost carrier seems to be more popular among all the cost concerned public consumer.

So, what is the reason for someone who are cost concerned to choose Malaysia Airlines? The answer is that, with last minutes booking the ticket cost for Airasia flight is as compatible with  the premium carrier like Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines. So, since that is the case why bother taking the low cost carrier if the ticket price is almost the same with the premium one. It cost me RM295 from Langkawi to Singapore. I am really glad that by paying this price, i do not need to rush for early hour flight, worry about my overweight luggage,or whether my flight will be rescheduled / delay when i arrive in the airport etc etc...These are all the problem to worry about if flying with low cost airlines!!

I was travelling with open mind, window shopping in the duty free shops in the Langkawi International Airport before having my lunch as i thought that Malaysia airlines will not be serving any meal ( for 1 hr 20 min short journey flight like this) just like the low cost airlines and i was wrong!

The flight took off from Langkawi heading to Penang in about 20min and in transit for 40min before flying to its final destination to Singapore in about 1hr time. Overall, from the inflight announcement, to the cleanliness of the cabin, to the services of the cabin crew are excellence! Only one thing to note, there is no duty free services on the flight. So, the management of  Malaysia Airlines might want to look into offering in-flight duty free services as i was waiting to see the kind of products range available onboard the flight and was abit disappointed to find out that the services is not made available.

                                                                 Above the Cloud.

                                Good enough to fill your empty stomach. I love Ferrero Rocher!

Do take note of the inflight food container/tray. It is made of biodegradable material. I am glad to know that Malaysia Airlines is playing their part to preserve the world by reducing the disposal of non biodegradable / recycleble materials.

                  A Closer Look of the 100% sugar cane fiber, fully Biodegradable mealbox.

Lastly, during my pleasant flight i came across this comic on <The Star> newspaper. Thanks for making my flight a better one and i hope you enjoy the comic as well. Happy Halloween!!

Spending in Alor Setar,Kedah. Malaysia

Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah state, located in the north of Penansular Malaysia. Kedah is the place of birth for Malaysia 1st Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and Malaysia 4th Prime Minister Tun Mahathir and rapid development has been on going during the term of Tun Mahathir. Development in Jitra and Langkawi Island are 2 best examples. 

Despite the rapid development in Kedah state for the past 20 years, it is still well maintained to keep up with the good name of  "Negeri Jelapang Padi". You can still see plenty paddy field along the North South Highway. The main income for the state comes from agriculture activities and agriculture related businesses. People in Kedah are still well known for their friendly and honousty.....this is the good side of the Kedah and its people despite the rapid development.   

On the other side, the rapid development in the tourism focus langkawi island ramp up the cost of living in Langkawi Island. Local tourist visiting Langkawi Island nowadays have to pay higher cost as many outlets have packages "custom made" for foreign tourist which have higher budget in general. However, dont back off as spending in Langkawi Island is still one of the lowest among any tourism island in Malaysia and even in South East Asia. Please refer to the Website for more information about travelling in Langkawi: 

http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Kedah/guide_langkawi.htm

Nowadays, langkawi is reachable with more direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and many more. Besides, ferry services are also available from Kuala Kedah (Kedah state), Kuala Perlis (Perlis state), Penang. Ferry Price from Kuala to Ferry Terminal in Langkawi cost RM23/adult (1.5hrs journey). Ferry Ticket to and from Langkawi can only be bought on the spot and rest worry that ferry services is available on every hour basis. Taxi from Langkawi Ferry Terminal to Langkawi International Airport costs RM24/ taxi (20-25min journey). 

Here are a rough guide for Prices in Alor Setar which might concerned: 

Hokkien Noodle (Soup) and other kind of noodle = RM3

Adding Prawn or Pork rib can cost around RM2 to RM5.

Dine in restaurant (chinese cooking style) =  Average RM10/person

Dine in Western style restaurant = refer to menu ;) Range from RM20-RM25 per person

Mixed Rice= per dish RM1

Public bus range from RM0.50 to RM2, depends on the journey distance.

Income ( average non degree) = RM 800- RM1000

Income ( degree holder) = RM 1200-RM1500

Business income= who knows?? 

New built Double Storey Terrace housing = RM300k 

Secured Housing Loan Rate = BLR - x % ( x % depends on bank and promotion available, usually x is around 2-2.1), so the average lending interest rates in malaysia is around 4%. 

Base Lending Rate (BLR)= 6% as of May 2010

Renting a house ( double-storey terrace)  in Alor Setar = RM 400- RM700

Private Transportation (Home made car)= (Cheapest & reliable one around RM50k)

Car loan range from 2% to 4% p.a depends on car model, age of car, local or foreign made etc...

Deposit saving account rate= 0.25%p.a ( it varies from time and bank and amount of saving)

Fixed Deposit rate = 2.75% p.a (montly renewal basis)(it varies from time and bank and amount of saving)

Based on the above figures, how much is the cost of living in Alor Setar ??

* If you rent a house and own a car

Meal              = RM 450-RM600 (RM15-RM20 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) per day)

Transportation= RM100 (Petrol)

Rental            = RM 500

Clothing         = RM 50

Phone Bill      = RM 30

Entertainment = RM 100 

Insurance       = ??

Total = RM1230 +?? 

However, most of the time family members stay together in one house, so deducting the rental , total spending per month = RM 730 +??

Can you survive with RM 1k income? How about with 3 kids? Planning to buy a double-storey terrace? 

For those who are not working in Alor Setar, spending in Alor Setar is consider cheap  and that's the scenario where most of the younsters are heading out to work in the bigger city such as KL, JB or Singapore. 

i-phone4 mania

I guess you will agree with me that i-phone is the most sellable product in today's market. 6 out of 10 on the mrt in singapore are using iphone. Since it was launched back end of July, online order of iphone4 still required a waiting time of 2-3 weeks before you will get yourself an iphone4. Is it the tactic used to create the feeling of " iphone4 shortage" or is it because of production problem only the man behind the screen will know it.

But who cares, most of us are only interested to know about where to get the iphone4 off-the-spot and how much it is selling at currently since the waiting time is really "too long" if order online.....

The most cheapest way of getting an iphone4 is through the telco. Signing a 2 yrs contract with the telco enable you to get your iphone 4 from SGD0.00 depends on the iphone plan that you choose from and whether you choose a 16G iphone or a 32G iphone. You pay for what you choose from! Dont be surprise when you walk-in into any telco shop and were told that you have to wait for month/s for your iphone4...it happened to me but at the end i turned to another telco which they have iphone in stock. If you are interested to get your iphone4 immediately in singapore you may want to approach Singtel or M1. Or if you dont mind to pay extra $$ without any plan you can walk in to any handphone shops in singapore and most like they do have stocks for iphone4. Simlim square is another place which you can definately find iphone4 and the price in the open market may range from SGD950-SGD1300. It is good for you to know that you can order iphone4 from http://www.apple.com/sg/ but it is limited to 2pcs per customer.

This is also where most shops in singapore get their iphone4 from. Yes, order online and sell it! So, if you can wait for approx 2 weeks, order online, spend your money wisely! Or, if you dont mind to be bonded for 2 years then sign a contract with the telco with your selected iphone plan and while saving $$ and you can be sured that if there is any malfunction of your iphone4 (everything is breakable) you can send it back to your telco and get a replacement / repair and need not worried about having to send it back to apple service centre which you might not know where it is located??

Lastly, enjoy your iphone4 and lets wait for the white iphone4 and the coming of iphone5.
Steve Job ROcks!! Apple rocks!