Air Asia giving 1 million seats away!!!
Man is Air Asia going for it in SE Asia! This relatively new airline, based in KL, is offering 1 million free seats, to over 70 routes across Asia. This promotional offer lasts from Jan 10th (today) till Jan 19th. The travel period lasts from April 1st to October 27th 2007.
Indonesia has a policy of limiting flight routes, for foreign airlines into the country. This is designed to allow Garuda Indonesia, to capitalize on the cheaper end of the market. Problem is, every time I go to book a flight out on Garuda, they are fully booked. Try getting out of here during Idul Fitri, or Christmas. What that does, is see off people in Asia, who might otherwise come here. Having a ton of tourist infrastructure, and no tourists is pretty silly, if all it does is shore up an airline. I have personally met tourists, who have come to Bali, and taken trips in and out of Bali, with Air Asia because of the cheap tickets. There you are, give people an affordable way to get here, and they’ll come.
You can always look around online, for cheap international plane tickets, but its awesome to have a budget airline that is going after the customers. The Air Asia offer operates out of the six hubs in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor), Thailand (Bangkok) and Indonesia (Jakarta). Booking for tickets is via Air Asia’s website and is first come, first serve.
source : www.baliblog.com
Add comment January 10th, 2007
Some of my best memories in East Bali, are of hanging out with local guys getting into the tuak (palm beer). One time with Barrie and Candika at Komang John’s at Selang Beach, south of Amed, I looked over the wall and saw a tight little group of local fishermen getting into a drinking session, with a bowl of chilis and some arak. This time, we were staying at Good Karma Bungalows, just dow the cliff from Komang John’s, so it was easy for me to climb the stone steps and get a drink.
As we chatted a young lady, maybe 25 years old trotted down the hill wrapped in a towel. “Sorry I just mandi (shower).” she said. Looking up the hill, I saw a group of small local house, plus this large bamboo structure, the locals seemed to be using as a bathhouse. Other ladies were in the process of getting dressed, not worried about who was watching. One guy who I remembered from the time before, made exaggerated gestures, I figuring out he was a mute. The photos on my camera of Ika and Jevon were a hit, as were the ones I took of the guys. The mute fellow liked my shirt, a Japan shirt I wore at the World Cup in Germany. I took it off and gave it to him, an appropriate gesture I thought and one I was happy with. He was ecstatic, reaching over to kiss my hand. I’m not sure whether its just drunks or Balinese locals, but I find these guys super easy to hang out with, and can chat no worries.
This little drinking party was going on just over the wall from Blue Moon Bungalows, a different world entirely. I know these fishermen do this everyday. They fish at night, come back in the day, take a nap and sit under a tree drinking arak. Too bad for their wives, although one did join us and seemed happy, with her 3rd kid. Later that evening, I came back to the restaurant and while Ika and Toby were ordering, jumped over the wall and gave a Germany soccer shirt up for grabs. The older guy pictured with me got it and was appreciative. I told Toby about the girl in the towel and the somewhat familiar tone she took with me. He suggested it might of been the local ‘hang out joint’ who knows. Whatever, everyone was super cool and good vibes. Maybe I can work a situation, where I can be a Balinese fisherman. Expats in the area have told me most of the good fish gets sold to resort hotels, and along the main roads in East Bali, one will often see a lady, sitting every 50 meters, or so, with a selection of snapper and smaller silver fish. If you are in Amed, look out for these little drinking parties.