Stands were packed, the atmosphere buzzing, and the engines revving! For the first time in nearly 10 years, Malaysians had their own riders to support...and you have to admit, they did it in style, with a slick looking bike and suit (not biased at all of course)

After great practice and qualifying sessions, it was already looking up for AirAsia Team Malaysia, but at the same time everyone was keeping cool under the spot light and trying not to lose focus among all the attention.

Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin, the AirAsia Team Malaysia MotoGP 125cc Riders ended up in 16th and 20th place (respectively) at the end of today's race - just narrowly missing out on World Championship points - which is a great result.
After months and months of preparation (selection process for the rider's started back in May), today made it all worth it.

We're ready to take on the world!

In the pits, everyone wanted pictures with the boys, with our lovely flight attendants, who were there to support the event - and there was a real excitement in the air. For me, it was the first time at a MotoGP and I loved it - and after a little taster, I'm definitely going to keep up to date with next year's competition when it starts back up again - maybe with a full Malaysian Team entered...and just think, I'm not even Malaysian, so goodness knows how you are all feeling now that you have MotoGP heroes to look up to!!

But seriously, I think it's great that Malaysia can fully utilize all the potential talent it has, and open up new doors for young aspiring riders, engineers, technicians...and all the other positions that are involved in MotoGP and all motor sports.

Today was a great day for AirAsia and Malaysia - together, AirAsia Team Malaysia showed the world what is capable of happening when you work hard towards the same goal.

Well done Elly, well done Fahmi, well done AirAsia Team Malaysia, and well done Malaysia!

Wow – how exciting??

Today was the announcement of the AirAsia Malaysia Wildcard Rider for the Malaysia MotoGP, 125cc Category.

The launch, held at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) was to announce the final rider who is the Malaysian Wildcard entry for the first time in years. The final two riders were Elly Idzlianizar Illias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

But surprise! Malaysia is entering both riders into the GrandPrix, to be held at SIC on 23, 24, 25 October.

The program started back in May with a pool of 19 riders who compete in the current Petronas Sprinta Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and the Malaysian Super Series Bikerz Mag 150cc Cup.
Down from 19, after a rigid training program, they went down to two riders – of which only one was supposed to be selected.

What a proud day for Malaysia that both are going to be riding!

AirAsia are incredibly honored to support this momentous occasion in way of being the title sponsor. Of course we don’t like to do things by half, so as you can imagine, the bike, the suits, team uniforms, back drops – all are very proudly dressed in the red and white of AirAsia…it does look pretty slick!

Now then…contest time!

TERMS & CONDITIONS: (read more...)

June 7, 2009 and woke up early for me not to miss my 8:55 AM Air Asia flight from Phuket to Bangkok. The last part of my Asian trip (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Phuket and Bangkok Thailand).

Sleepy and tired but full of excitement. That’s what I exactly feel when I reached the fantastic airport of Phuket.

But I still managed to save some energy for my half-day tour to Bangkok because of the warm welcome of the Thai personnel in the airport.

They’re very glad to help you in any ways that they can offer. From the airport’s entrance, trolleys, waiting area and until you reach your destination.

But even if I already reached my destination, all I can feel is their kindness and hospitality.

Honestly, I found too hard to understand some of their words but you can feel from the smiles in their faces of how special you are to them.

While we’re waiting for our FD 3022 plane in Phuket airport, all I can do is to sit, think, plan, stare at the map (and look around the surroundings) what I’m going to do in Bangkok.

At first, my plan is to have a back-pack style of touring the city from Suvarnabhumi airport with my sling bag, plastic full of souvenirs, and my big stroller bag. I think that’s the weirdest plan I ever had, because Suvarnabhumi is toooooooo far from the Bangkok’s CBD.

Good thing I was looking around and saw this Tour Information stall in the waiting area just in front of me.

Then here’s the roll-call to the passengers for Bangkok. And eventually, I left that guilt in the airport when I board the plane because all I can feel is excitement. Excitement because I’ll be going to Bangkok and of course, another plane experience for me again.

When the plane’s wheel touched Suvarnabhumi, I was greeted by different planes on the way.

Fantastic! Whoah! I really love planes.

While the plane is taxiing in the airport ramp, I’m wondering why our plane is not going near to the terminals. All of a sudden, we were dropped-off on the tarmac for us to ride the shuttle bus going to the domestic airport. Ugh! A little hassle for us, that’s what I thought. Anyway, I have no choice but to follow the line.

But to least of my expectation when the driver started the engine and left the pick-up area, it’s like we’re touring the airport (hmmp). And suddenly I saw a lot of planes, as in LOTS OF PLANES.

I saw B747, B777, B737, A340, A330, A320 and a lot more in different airlines. Oh my god! That’s the only word I can speak in my mind. This is such a nice place. I wanted to tell the driver to stop the bus for us to take some pictures but it’s already in the mid-day knowing that all of us passengers and I are now starving.

Next time, I’ll ride Air Asia again because of this one-of-a-kind experience.

Hello Asia! Goodbye Europe for my holidays.

Like many the yearly visit to mainland Europe for the seasonal beach holiday was normal, however this year with the British Pound so weak again the Euro we looked further away from home.

With the past years credit crunch everyone is looking to cut costs and get more for your money. Air Asia's timing of the the direct service from London Stansted to Kuala Lumpur KLCC couldn't be better. After working out how much a family holiday would cost in Europe compared to the cost of a flight to Malaysia there was no competition.

The flight was excellent on a new plane with great staff and great service for a budget price.

We decided not to stay in KL but head straight for an island on the east coast Malaysia. We found a little known island called Pulau Sibu (Sibu island) from a blog and after checking the place out with reviews from tripadvisor and rough guide we booked a 10 day stay at Sibu Island Cabanas.

The scuba diving on offer at Sibu Island is excellent. The dives are from small speed boats to sites no body seems to dive at all; as the reefs are in perfect condition with little to no bleaching. Both myself and my son were able to pass our PADI open water certifications at the hotel / dive centre. While my wife enjoyed some quiet time with a good book on the beach.

It's easy to forget what you really want in a holiday! Forget about the minibar, TVs and mobile phones. All you really want is somewhere to relax as well as to have fun with family and friends.

So if you want to really get away from it all if you live in London or Singapore; KL or Perth remember what it is you really want from a beach holiday and look abit further away from the usual and you'll find exactly what your looking for.

It's summer and time to wear your yukata, come out and play! Yes, even if you are in Malaysia! Get transported to the Land of Rising Sun for an evening at Bon Odori. Dance the Bon dance, eat the presentable sushi and snap some pics. The music is hypnotic, I swear! Before you know it, you will be dancing and clapping until they stop for break!

For those who missed the Bon Odori, here's some colorful pictures from the 33rd Bon Odori in Shah Alam!

Colorful yukatas

Dance along with them

The energetic drummers

Sushi in boxes, Sushi in box is exactly like normal sushi...except boxed.

Overheard: Mom, I don't wanna Malaysian ice creams, I wanna Japanese ice creams!

See you there next year!! XD