KLM Airline Customer Service

This one is from the Dutch Airline. I never fly with them. but i hope that i'll be given a chance by the Almighty to fly with this airlines. They also respond to my queries very fast and very detail. Love their customer service.

Hello KLM Airline. I plan to fly with KLM from Kuala Lumpur to Lisbon. And there will be a layover of about 12 hours at the airport (Amsterdam). I'm wondering;

1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours

2- do i need a transit visa for that

3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in

4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon

hope you can help

Thank you

Fara of Malaysia

KLM

Hello Fara,

Thank you for reaching out to us here. You've come to the right spot for all your questions. Let's have a look at the answers, numbered down like your questions:

1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours You are most welcome to leave the airport during your 12 hour lay over to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Please do make sure that you have the correct travel documents to leave the airport and please make sure to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure of your connecting flight to Lisbon.

2- do i need a transit visa for that We recommend you to contact your embassy/consulate to check the required travel documents for your trip with them. Alternatively you can check by filling out the form on our website> http://klmf.ly/1iu40jN

3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in When your lay over is 12 hours or longer, you will have to collect your baggage during your transfer in Amsterdam. More information about baggage and transferring can be found through this link> http://klmf.ly/1iG1aup If you collect your baggage in Amsterdam, you can check it back in again from 05:00h in the morning on your day of departure, up to 40 minutes before departure of your flight to Lisbon. We do recommend to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. You can also ask for your baggage to be labelled through to Lisbon, so you don't have to collect it during your transfer. Please note that this option is up to the check-in agent at the airport, so we can't guarantee this is possible.

4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon For your last flight from Amsterdam to Lisbon, you will need your passport and boarding pass. The boarding pass can be collected when you check-in again, or at the transfer desk at Schiphol airport.

We hope to have answered all your questions. In case questions remain unanswered, you know where to find us.

Do not hesitate to let us know if you require assistance during the booking process.

Kind regards, KLM Facebook Team

Iberia Airlines Customer Service

I'm doing a lot of research lately to plan for my Europe/African travel. One of the airlines that i might be considered for this trip is the Iberia Airlines.

What i like about this airline is on how they respond to my query through facebook, very very fast. just a few minute after i throw them that message.

See, what is their response as a our future reference:

Chat conversation start SUN 12:26 Hi Iberia Airline. I plan to travel from Madrid to Lisbon using your flight. May i know, can i carry a 60L backpack as a hand carry into the flight as well as a shoulder purse. Thank you

Hello Fara,
As long as your backpack does not exceed the luggage limitations (http://bit.ly/1gF5wPm) you should be able to take it with you and in addition a personal item. Remember your backpack will count as your carry-on luggage.
Regards

See, nice right.

Budget for Morocco-Spain-Portugal

updated on 17/4/16

Since i have to work over the weekend and working late for the past few weeks, i decided to reward myself with a budget plan for one of my dream trip, Morocco-Spain-Portugal.

Of course, the ultimate dream is New York but i guess i wait until the VISA exempted being approved by USA government. plus, the tix is not cheap. almost 4k. which i am sure, i need a long break to make sure the trip worth every single cents.

Ok. back to the topic.

Rough Budget
==========

KL - Casablanca: Flight (Saudi Airline) = return tix = RM1400, one way (1100)

Lisbon to Casablanca (Ali Italia) : RM600 (one way)

Visa = One entry RM90, Double entry RM110

Hostels = RM100 per night x 10 nights = RM1000

Bus / Train Fare / domestic flight = portugal + spain (RM1000), morocco (RM500)

Ferry Fare = RM250 (one way)

Food = RM100 x 10 days = RM1,200

Souvenir = RM1000

Pocket money = RM1000

Total about = RM8000


Pre - travel cost:
============

1- Luggage / Backpack = RM200

2- Medicine = RM100

3- shoes = RM200

4- shirts / pants = RM500

5- handphone = RM500

6 - insurance  www.gobear.com.my = RM100

7- renew passport = RM200

Travel Tips: Version Dec 2015

I miss travelling so much.. even, it is just for a few months, i already feel the pain.. huhuhu...adding to my pain, i decided to take a break from long haul travelling for the next 12 months. even, i have not reached that 12 months period, getting to know that i am not be able to travel due to financial commitment and current economic condition has already killing me softly from the inside.. i tried to make extra money from prudence savings, cut my lavish spending and in fact start to join the car boot sales to build some fund for my dream vacation. but of course, all these needs time. sometime, u got emergency like car breakdown, getting sicks, family event etc. so u can't save much. but i believe, if there is a will, there is a away. 

Since, i was chosen to give a speech for our town hall event today, i decided to talk about something light and fun rather than work. so, i do what i do best and love the most. talk about travelling. So, 

here we goes, some tips for your travelling plan...

my favorite is agoda. coz i can collect points and redeem it at my next booking. 

airbnb is till new. but it offered a good selection and services. i tried once in cebu, we booked a hotel service apartment with a kitchen. at the service was awesome. plus, it is cheaper than normal hotel.

similar to coachsurfing. it is like the homestay but it free. we just to register and be contacted with the host before they decided to invite us for staying at their house as a guest. never tried this but plan to do so one day

my favourite transportation engine. skyscanner

i prefer roaming. settle problem. if u dont selfie and welfie all the time, u dont need a new sim card. 

most of the time, i just utilise the free wifi from airport, starbucks or hostels.

sometime, i plan. especially on the country or the places in general. but, lately, i'm bit lazy, so i just gamble and go and only decided what to do once i reached there.

not everything needs money. some places, there offer a lot of free access to the interesting places as long as we know where to get that info. one of it, is thru the info centre, like in Namba, Osaka. They will give it to the tourist and we can use all the voucher within 2 days. Or at least, we might need to pay at very minimal price. 

For free walking tour, it is something that i tried in Melbourne,after some recommendation from a friend. It's a 2-3 hours walking tour around CBD area. lot's of interesting places, like library, business building, parks, sport centre, train station etc. and this fellow will share bout the info within us having to read all the vouchers and do the research in advance. save time. 

Pictures are just an example. not a fan of Yes's product. it's not nice at all. so, please, not recommending this. for those who prefer to search for local cafe, than use zabihah. it's an online website that provide list of halal cafe or at least, they claim themselves as halal meal provider. 

New Zealand - Auckland Airport Kiwi International Hotel

Info

Auckland Airport Kiwi International Hotel
150 McKenzie Road
Manukau Auckland
1010 New Zealand
phone no. : +64 92560046

Airport Shuttle
Visit the info booth (i site centre) located near to the arrival area, opposite McD.
There is a freephone available.
Choose No. 24 - No. 4 (free)
Direct dial to hotel : 0800 801919

New Zealand - Car Rental @ Jucy NZ

Some important information to share on renting a car while in Auckland.

Why we chose Jucy NZ

1- Discover from other blogger that they offer cheap / affordable rate
2- Near airport, so easy to pick up and return the car
3- Don't know about other rental agencies

Tips:
For peace of mind, chose package with insurance coverage with no excess / no bond.

Vehicle:
Since there were 4 of us, so we chose a Sedan car, Nissan Sunny. Plenty of spaces to load our luggage and still convenient to keep 4 adult comfortably through hours of journey.

Cost of rental:
Average daily rate = NZD27.25 per day x 8 days = RM218
Stress free cover = NZD17 per day x 8 days = NZD136

Amount to be paid when pick up the car.
Visa accepted.
Just make sure you bring your recent driving licence card (the one with photo like IC card)

If we going to return the car after office hour, the agency will ask the hirer to just leave the car outside their compound and drop the key at the key box. And dont forget to fuel up the tank.

Review:
Well, basically we rent a used car aged more than 10 years. But the car was well maintained. No breakdown occurred during the trip. Only 2 rim cap missing on our way back to Auckland. Luckily, they did not charge us anything. That's the good part of taking full coverage. You no need to worry about minor incident like missing a rim cap. Nevertheless, we still had an amazing trip across North Island, from Auckland to Wellington with this old car.

Jucy NZ Cars and Campas

Auckland Airport

5 Aintree Avenue

Mangere Auckland

5-min from International Airport

North Island, New Zealand in brief

Since, this is an overdue post and writing the whole experience will take me months to do, i decided to simplify it and summarised a few chapters into 1 post before i can write the details, someday.

The trip took place during winter from 24 July to 2 Aug 2014 and during end month of Ramadhan and early Eid Mubarak. this was the first time for all of us celebrating raya overseas. mat salleh style.

24 July 2014

Depart from KLIA at 9.30am
Arrived at Auckland International Airport, 11 pm
Break Fast in the flight around 4.15pm (Aussie time)
Rest at Hotel Kiwi

25 July 2014

Pick up our car at Jucy Rental and drive to Hamilton
Buy meat and chicken supply
Drive to Lake Taupo
Check in at Tapou Ika Nui

26 July 2014

Sight seeing around Tapou
(missed the Lake Tapou cruise)
Huka Fall view point
Aratiatia dam
Huka Fall cruise
Craters of the moon, geothermal walkaway
Huka Honey Hive

27 July 2014

Snow experience at Whakapapa village

28 July 2014

Eid Mubarak
Drive to Wellington
Rest at Hunterville, get coffee
Check in YHA Backpacker Hostel

29 July 2014

Sight seeing around Wellington
Cable car / museum / botanical garden
Lambton Quoy / shopping
Tepapa Museum

30 July 2014

Checkout and drive to Souvenir Factory Shop
Drive back to Lake Tapou

31 July 2014

Skyline at Rotorua
Hobbiton at Matamata

1 Aug 2014

Drive to Auckland
Sight seeing at one tree hill, crown hall park, queen street
return car at jucy rental
take taxi to Airport

2 Aug 2014

midnight flight to Kuala lumpur

=)

Beauty: Luxe by Nail Parlour

Princess time..yeah...

Feel life indulging myself with me time today. Despite of some hiccup early in the morning, i still manage to reach KLCC around the estimated target time, 11.20am instead of 11.00 am. This time, i decided to use touch n go for my parking instead of normal parking card, avoiding queue and supporting the cashless transaction initiative. I continue driving while looking for the Ladies Parking signage. Heading to another level and straightly get a nice spot in front of the entrance to the mall. 

First spot, was not Luxe. it was the TGV. At first, i was queuing with the rest of the moviebuffers but later saw another counter showing "maybank..blabla.. customer"... dedicated counter for maybank cards for both debit and credit. straightly, i left the queue and went to the maybank counter. after 5 minutes, i got myself a ticket for "the fault in our stars" and continue to the hall. i missed the 1st 10 minutes part, but it's ok. the movie was so-so. not so connected with the stories since it was basically cancer-death-love story relationship. It ended at 1.15pm and decided to perform my prayer first. 

A quick lunch with auntie anne's pretzel and its lemonade. Actually, i tapau my meal and bring it to the Luxe. Once i reached the outlet, i was greeted by a very friendly ladystaff. politely invited me for a sit and showing me the menu. i had made up my mind earlier, so i just choose, a flavor for the pedi spa and normal service for manicures. 

The signage at the entrance

Before manicures treatment, take pics

manicure was done after pedicure spa and it took about 30 - 40 minutes plus chit chatting with Ja Pan and Moe. very friendly and nice staff

Manicure does not include buffing. Buffing will cost u additional RM15. but it worth it. 

My pedi spa choices "Valley of the roses"

We spent about 45 minutes on this treatment. 

RM155 without masque, RM175 with masque for pedi.

Rm125 for mani with masque

The entrance view from ISETAN and kinokuniya

The spa can accommodate 4 customers for pedi, 3 for mani, 2 in the spa room in one time. 

Come with a complementary coffee or tea. I chose cappuccino from their various selection. The coffee was beautifully brewed. You can see through the layers appeared. I was so amazed at first, thought they are also good at brewing coffee. But, discovered later, it was made with nescafe dolce machine. em. not a bad one. it taste as good as freshly brewed from the coffee maker machine. nice. 

Service: Tip top. 

Luxe by Nail Parlour:

Address:

Lot 401J, 4^th Floor,
Suria KLCC, 
Kuala Lumpur.

---

Tel:

03-2166-4908

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Hours:

Mon - Sun : 10am - 10pm

Other outlets:

1 Utama Suria KLCC LUXE by The Nail Parlour Mid Valley Megamall Empire, Subang Jaya AEON Bukit Tinggi, Klang Alamanda Putrajaya Giant Kota Damansara Publika, Solaris Dutamas Paradigm Mall, Kelana Jaya

Matta Fair March 2014

Date: : 14 - 16 March 2014
Time: 10 am - 10 pm
Venue: PWTC, KL
Official Website of Matta Fair 2014

My visit to Matta Fair this year is quite pretty joyful. We did purchase and book something from domestic area. It's really worth the purchase. Compared to international area which cost the bomb.

So here, some of the things we grab from the visit.

Free Malaysia map from tourism malaysia for booking a domestic trip.

Free umbrella from travel magazine booth. very generous right

Besides, the umbrella, i received drink, pizza and hotel voucher. which i think it's value more than rm50 compared to the price of the magazine of rm9

The goodies from tourism malay

Dont know why the pic turn to be like this. But this is one of the purchase, a KL hop on hop off ticket. RM10 instead of RM19 for local. RM35 for foreigner.

The magazine of RM9. Free umbrella, drink and vouchers

The itinerary to Taman Negara, our next adventure. Book the trip for RM50 only. and we can travel for more than 2 people when we confirm the date. The package started at RM319 per pax

As they claimed, the served halal food and also give complimentary activity which is cave exploration.

The agency

Guangzhou - The Street Night Market

After meal, while waiting for the rest to wrap up their dinner, we strolled along the street behind the shoplots. 

Discovered a night market happening behind the wall. Apparently, there were more than 1 halal restaurant available around Bukhara restaurant. But of course, Bukhara is the most luxury and clean restaurant there. 

Most of the food are prepared by african guys.

\\\\

Cheap clothes. Nice.

Bukhara spells Bukhala.. hehe..