Im Off to Cambodia... I'll be Back in a Jiffy!

Thank you for the 5-star airline ranked Malaysia Airlines for having a seat sale several months ago that was too good to resist. Malaysia Airlines is one of the only 6 airlines in the world with a 5-star rating assessed by SKYTRAX. As there are no flights available between the Philippines and Cambodia I will have a compulsory overnight layover in Kuala Lumpur before setting foot in the city of Siem Reap where the world famous Angkor Wat complex and other equally stunning ancient temples are based.

The complex of Angkor Wat is the setting of the Hollywood blockbuster Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. Too bad that I will never meet Mrs. Pitt unless there is a sequel that we don't know which they are now filming discretely in Cambodia. Nevertheless, I will try my best to be an Indiana Jones for the next few days as many travel guides are saying that you need plenty of upper body strength in able for you to climb some of the ruins and temples.

According to wikipedia, Angkor Wat is a temple complex which was built in the 12th century. The temple is a source of national pride that it has been depicted in every Cambodian national flag since 1863. Angkor Wat is the central feature of the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization.

the national flag of Cambodia

My bags are packed and I am now ready to have a little adventure. I just hope that the weather is good as what the predictions for the next 5 days would be. Even if it is still a Wednesday I want to wish you all to have an adventurous weekend ahead.

Note: As this will be my first trip to Cambodia, the three photographs above are not mine, they were taken from various articles at wikipedia.com

The Real Deal From Philippine Airlines

It's raining travel promos left and right. This is the talk of the town since last week. I saw an advertisement in at least 2 broadsheets and heard from a TV show host discussing about this seat sale. Calling all compulsive travellers! This promotion is on sale from Today up to TOMORROW only (April 27-28). Asia's first airline Philippine Airlines is having a Real Deal Promo Fares in its Asia, Australia and North America sectors. You can get a roundtrip ticket for as low as $38 all-in and valid for travel starting June 1, 2009. To be precise, these roundtrip tickets which originate in Manila will only set u back...

$38 for travel to Taipei

$58 for travel to Hong Kong & Macau

$78 for travel to Bangkok, Saigon & Singapore

$108 for travel to Beijing, Jakarta & Shanghai

$148 for travel to Guam

$162 for travel to Tokyo, Fukuoka & Nagoya

$318 for travel to Sydney, Melbourne & Honolulu

$418 for travel to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco & Vancouver

There are many sales restrictions and other miscellaneous provisions that you need to know when you buy this kind of ticket. Visit http://www.philippineairlines.com/ for the complete information regarding this promotion.

Cebu Pacific Sale for June, July & August

It looks like it's not summer anymore because it rains almost everyday since last week. But don't let the rains dampen your plans to explore our country or beyond. Cebu Pacific Air offers what it calls an all-out sale for the rainy season months of June, July and August for as low as 249 pesos one-way fare for certain domestic destinations and as low as 599 pesos for some international destinations.

The seat sale is available from all of the airline hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao starting today until April 30 only. Tickets on sale with these promotional prices are valid for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2009.

I haven't checked yet the full details of this sale whether all destinations are included in this promotion, just go to http://www.cebupaficair.com/ to find out for yourself.

Philippine Airlines Promo Fares to/from Manila

Correct me if I'm wrong but I observed that this is uncommon for Philippine Airlines (at least for domestic travel) that is why there is a reason for travel vultures to celebrate. Catch and avail their newest promo fares for domestic destinations to/from Manila. For sales and ticketing from 21 to 30 April 2009. For travel between 01 June - 15 December 2009. Travel must be completed by 15 December 2009. As with all other seat promos in the world, seats are limited. The prices below are for one-way travel:

488 pesos for Laoag, Legaspi, Cebu & Iloilo

788 pesos for Bacolod, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban & Tagbilaran

1,888 pesos for Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolor, GenSan & Zamboanga

Prices above are inclusive of insurance and fuel surcharges and VAT. Exclusive of Airport Security Fee and other fees that will be collected at the airport.

Conditions :

*Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on economy class.
*Restricted for sales and ticketing in the Philippines.
*Open-dated tickets and go-show not allowed
*Non-refundable but upgradeable to a higher fare type. Re-issuance fee waived.
*Downgrade/re-routing allowed. Re-issuance fee must be collected.
*Re-issuance is allowed at PHP600 per ticket
*No-show surcharge is PHP600 per sector
*Rebooking is allowed at PHP600 per sector
*Valid for travel from 01 June to 15 December 2009.
*No other discounts apply except for Senior Citizen and Infant without seat

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 80)

Happy Easter!

To all my Christian readers: HAPPY EASTER!!!

Let's Have a Meaningful Holy Week...

It is a tradition here in the Philippines as a Catholic country that the last week of the Lenten season is being observed seriously so business and commerce will be in a standstill. Malls, restaurants, bars and other establishments will be closed for a couple of days. The streets of Manila will be deserted as the population will swell in the provinces. It is a legal holiday every Holy Thursday and Good Friday and the normal workweek will start on Easter Monday. There is a reason for having such a very long weekend. I believe it is not because the government wants us to be on vacation and stimulate the local travel industry rather it is the time when we should reflect why that week is being called "Holy" in the first place.

Wherever you will spend your Holyweek I hope we all have a very meaningful observance of this very important season as Christians.

Zest Air Promo for the Off-Season

Zest Air (former Asian Spirit Airlines) is once again active in their marketing strategy as they released an across the board seat sale for all their domestic flights for the off-peak season. A one-way fare will only set you back as low as 468 pesos (all taxes included) for a number of its domestic sectors including the ever popular routes of Boracay, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and Tagbilaran. These one-way fares are applicable for flights originating/terminating in Manila.

I know that Boracay fanatics will be very happy with these fares as I get a lot of questions from my friends regarding the price of Boracay flights for the off-peak season.

Zest Air flies to the following destinations to/from Manila for only 468 pesos: Boracay, Bacolod, Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose (Mindoro), Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Virac. While the Manila-Davao sector will cost you 1,188 pesos.

The above fares are valid for travel from June 1 to December 31, 2009. Act fast as the selling period for this promotion will end on April 15 and the promo seats are only limited.

For those who are not familiar with this airline, I reviewed this airline in my post last February 27, 2009. Click here for the details.