AirAsia Flies from Manila

I will never forget the first time I fly with AirAsia, the world’s 5-time best low cost airline according to Skytrax, because it was my first out-of-the-country adventure trip right after getting married to the man I can’t live without.

{The enormous AirAsia aircraft: Taken from the viewing deck of the airport}

{Taken just before I went inside the aircraft.}

{Can't help but buy a cute souvenir from the AirAsia Magazine.}

They were in Clark Airport back then so I am so thrilled when I learned that AirAsia is now in Manila! This is after they revealed that they have synergized with Zest Air, another affordable low-cost airline. The partnership gave birth to AirAsia Zest, which will definitely give every Filipino a chance take us to our destination at affordable prices (AirAsia Zest dares you to compare prices!). Their main operation will be at NAIA Terminal 4. AirAsia Zest Chairman Mikee Romero said, “We are excited to introduce AirAsia Zest, and what it represents. With our alliance, we are well positioned to offer our guests the strength of our combined network of domestic and international routes and unrivalled daily low fares, proving a world class travel experience that every Filipino deserves. That’s very promising, indeed.

Now that AirAsia is more accessible from Manila, I can’t wait to fly and visit a number of equally beautiful and historical places here and abroad.  AirAsia Zest allows us to travel in the Philippines via its five local destinations namely, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa, Tagbiliran, and Cagayan De Oro; and learn more about our continent and travel in Asia though its international destinations, namely Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai and Incheon.

Where to go? I’ve got my favorites, and I am sure that it’s as good as yours. Here’s my local destination wish list:

Cebu

There are hundreds or even thousands (for those who love and breathe adventure) to do in Cebu, the Queen of the South. Personally, I want to visit Magellan’s Cross and learn more about the country’s historic first hero – Lapu-Lapu. It would be an honor to see the image of Santo Niño de Cebú (Holy Child of Cebu), the oldest Christian image in the Philippines, at the Basilica del Santo Niño. I also want to take part at the Sinulog Festival, which is a religious jubilee held every third Sunday of January in honor of the patron, Señor Santo Niño de Cebú (Lord Holy Child of Cebu) and the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines. Their pristine beaches and resorts are very competitive but shopping is one of my favorite activities when visiting a new place so I am keen to shop for authentic Cebu products like guitars, sea shell handicrafts, danggit, dried mangoes, and otap. Buying a Santo Niño image and having it blessed during a mass at the Basilica del Santo Niño will be the highlight of my trip. I will give the image to my grandmother, who is a Santo Niño devotee.

{Basilica del Santo Niño}

 {Magellan's Cross, interior (Image source: http://www.aroundcebu.com)}

{Magellan's Cross (Image source: http://www.aroundcebu.com)}

{Locally made but high quality cebu acoustic guitars.}

Boracay

Boracay is the Summer Party Capital of the Philippines mainly because of its tranquil beaches but wild nightlife. It is world famous, too, for its white sand beaches and pristine blue ocean. Would you believe me if I tell you that I've never been in Boracay? No, haven't been there. If given the chance though, I would just relax and enjoy the tranquil beach all day and then fabulously party all night. I also would like to be one with the sea and Boracay offers an array of water leisure activities such as scuba diving, helmet diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite boarding, and cliff diving.

{White Sand Beach at Boracay (Image source: http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com)}

{Romantic Sunset at Boracay (Image source: http://www.tripadvisor.com)}

{Snorkelling at Boracay (Image source: http://www.tripadvisor.com)}

Tagbiliran, Bohol

I'm dying to visit Bohol because of only two things – to see and encounter one of the smallest primates, the wide-eye Philippine Tarsier and personally see the famous Chocolate Hills. I first saw these two Bohol attractions printed in books when I was in grade school but never got the chance to see them personally. That’s why I am so glad that through AirAsia Zest, this can be done in the very near future.

{Chocolate Hills (Image source: http://www.bohol.ph)}

{Philippine Tarsier (Image source: http://www.bohol.ph)}

Now, since learning that AirAsia have international flights as well, it is very fitting to mention three of my dream destinations outside the country. 

Incheon, South Korea

Kpop and Korean telenovela aside, I know little about this country and their culture. This is the main reason why it is at the top of my international destination list. I would love to experience their cool (snowy) weather, visit some of their rich cultural temples like Jeondeungsa and Yonggungsa, visit notable nature parks such as Seoraksan National Park (NaeSeorak), and taste some of their authentic cuisine. A visit to some of the famous shopping complex in South Korea like Bupyeong, Arts Centre and Chinatown will definitely be part of my itinerary. Although seeing Lee Min-ho, Kim Bum or Cha Tae-hyun in person will be the ultimate highlight of my visit. :)

 {Seoraksan National Park (Image source: http://jeondeungsa.wordpress.com)}

{Jeondeungsa Temple (Image source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr)}

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (the capital city of Malaysia) is one of my favorite cities outside the Philippines partly because I can easily compare it to our very own. They have their own Time Square which is comparable to the one in New York, USA. Being at the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Tower is very cool as you have the 360 degree view of Malaysia from 1,381 feet above the ground. The lift takes only 54 seconds going up to the observation deck and takes 52 seconds to come down. Shopaholics like me rejoice at the mere mention of ‘Bukit Bintang’ as it is considered as the best shopping and entertainment district of Kuala Lumpur. It is home to many hawker-style eateries, typical Malaysian night markets, happening bars, al-fresco cafes, and landmark shopping malls such as Pavilion, Sungei Wang, Berjaya Times Square, Low Yat Plaza, Farenheit 88 and Lot 10. My favorite Malaysian architecture to date is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which is comparable to London’s Big Ben. Going around the city is very easy by taking monorail, bus or taxi. I didn’t have the chance to go to the viewing floor of the Petronas Twin Tower but I would love to do so when given the chance to go back. It would be interesting to visit Batu Caves, a Hindu shrine where you can see the world’s tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity.

{The iconic Petronas Twin Tower (Image source: http://www.panoramio.com)}

{The observation deck of Petronas Twin Tower (Image source: http://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/)}

{Fahrenheit 88 (Image source: http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com)}

{Low Yat Plaza: all five floors full of gadgets, photography and mobile devices (Image source: http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com)}

{Berjaya Times Square: a 48-storey twin tower, hotel, condominium, indoor amusement park and shopping center complex.}

{Pavillion Shopping Mall}

{Bukit Bintang Monorail Station overlooking the Bukit Bintang Golden Triangle}

{The observation deck of Menara, Kuala Lumpur Tower}

{KL tower from the ground}

{Sultan Abdul Samad Building: Malaysia's Big Ben (Image source: http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com)}

{Entrance to the Batu Caves (Image source: http://www.deviantart.com/ )}

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

I know I mentioned that we took an AirAsia international flight on our honeymoon and our very first out-of-the-country adventure. Well, it was here at Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia. What I like about the place is that we were able to do a first-hand encounter with orangutans, an Asian specie of extant great apes. We trekked up to the place where they live and gave them fruits to eat. At first, they are very shy but once they sense that you are not a danger to them, they will take the food you offer. Some will even play with you. There are many shopping malls in this part of Malaysia but activities like water sports and mountain trekking are some of the best things I like to do in this area. It would be nice to visit the place again and relive all the activities we did after three years of being married.

{Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Image source: http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com)}

{The mother and daughter duo of orangutans enjoying the fruits that we gave them.}

{The baby orangutan posing for a shot.}

{Other activities you can enjoy at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.}

Let me just get back to reality... :) I'm sure you have your own reasons to visit these wonderful travel destination. Just keep in mind that based on affordability, destination choices and customer service, AirAsia Zest is the right way to fly. ♥