At breakfast one early morning, we noticed a sculpture of what looked like a cow with horns that hung from the dining area of the hotel. At first, I was puzzled by its bizarre colours of black and white and after closer inspection found that someone had used a marker pen to doodle a moustache and eyebrows on its face.
How queer! It didn’t look like any of the bulls or cows I saw back home in Malaysia – surely not, with its pinkish white complexion and black spots.

I quickly shrugged it off as a quirky but creative expression of art. I kept seeing it in town and thought perhaps this was the mascot of the town of some sort. Kind of like the ones commonly found in some parts of Europe. (photo by ausphoto)

Still these ‘creatures’ kept appearing in my path – they were everywhere in town; on top of buildings, on billboards, on building posts and even in gift shops. My curiosity was peaking. I needed to know what these ‘creatures’ were. Were they mystical beings from local history? I immediately thought of the Centaur; the half man, half human creature seen in Narnia (the movie) and a prominent figure in Greek mythology.
All sorts of possibilities were playing in my mind…

I hadn’t noticed that the van had pulled to a stop. I gathered my things and looked up…and there it was! In its perfectly bullish form – there it was right before my eyes.
A living, breathing, grass chewing, pinkish white bull with black spots; I have never seen anything like it!

Our guide explained that the bull or Saleko (in local language) is a revered animal in Tana Toraja. To the local Torajans, the Saleko symbolizes wealth and stature. Only the noblemen or well to do Torajans owned these unique beasts, which fetch up to 120 million Rp.per animal. It is also sacrificed during elaborate Torajan funerals (usually for nobles) – up to two bulls for each funeral. As we prodded the guide further for details on the Saleko, we found out that these bulls were the products of regular bulls which were found in this part of Makassar in Sulawesi. A random mix and match of nature, not all the bulls in Toraja were fortunate enough to be blessed with such good looks!

All in all, this was only one of the many unique things that we saw in Makassar. Makassar is loaded with small things which make trips to this unique place, very, very memorable. What can I say, you have to see it to believe it…

It’s not that I am cheap, (ok well, maybe a little cheap) but the current economic situation has made me pull the break on frills like say…oh, I don’t know…an automated letter opener, a golden encrusted dog collar and maybe even an underwater handbag.

We’re all being careful with money these days. We may have all indulged in extravagances in the past but now we’d have to tighten our belts a little and get creative.
For travel bugs who still enjoy seeing new places, cultures and meeting new people, how about these to keep the bank accounts intact and make the heart happy?

1. Travel in groups
Share the cost! You’ll be amazed at how much you can save (not to mention try) when you have a group of a travel buddies to share the price. Imagine ordering dinner, you’ll get to try different dishes at the cost of one. One extra head is also one extra ‘talent’ within the group to haggle prices down.

2. Research, research, research…
Look out for interesting and FREE places to visit. Opt for places that do not charge an entrance fee. You’ll find that markets, museums, beaches, places of worship and parks are usually free. Malls of course are also free provided you have the will power to resist…

3. Meet locals
I once met a guy who went to Thailand and spent most of his time in the temples and its premises teaching young children how to draw. He had with him a few boxes of crayons and paper, where he distributed to kids.
Make friends with the local community, and hear what they have to share. They
often have very interesting tales to tell.

4. Invent your own games
This is one of my favourites. I love challenging my friends to loony, wacky things when we are on holiday like running a short distance race or saying hello to a stranger. You can do almost anything and even set up your own rules. Do a mini Amazing Race and battle your friends to various check points with the least amount of money.

5. Carry bottled water
''It’s only a dollar'' you may hear yourself say. We all know how dollars build up and then you’ll be thinking, were did my money go? Be prudent, bring along a container and fill it up with plain water before embarking on your day out. Most hotels and hostels provide boiled water free of charge when requested.

6. Pick up new skills
Did you know that a compact camera can do a lot? Try different angles and wait for the weather to change for different effects on the picture. Taking up photography is just one of many new skills you can hone that doesn’t cost a thing. You can always learn a new card game or try your hand at art (draw portraits, paint buildings – the works!) or even do origami with leaves/grass.

7. Observe nature
You’re sitting by the beach and you notice that there are little crabs running about you. Ever wondered what they are doing or what the balls or sand by their homes are for? Observing nature is free and is something anyone can do almost anywhere. If your curiosity is not quenched by just watching, look for free WiFi and Google it!

If you love having fun for free, share your tips with me! :-)

If you like the outdoors, raise your hand!

I get really excited when I’m outdoors. It’s what I call going loco-loco. I think it is the combination of fresh air, blue skies, sunlight, tall green trees and unique living creatures all rolled into one, that makes me go ape-excited over Mother Nature.

I’ve been brought up the typical Malaysian way – read: being outdoors means mosquitoes, sweat and poisonous creatures lurking behind trees. Oh, and let’s not forget the endless supply of ghost and spirits which always are in stock during campfires.

Along the way, I discovered that the outdoors isn’t only filled with mosquitoes and spirits but it is made up of many, many special living organisms. In fact, Malaysia is the 12th mega-diverse countries in the world. Malaysia has 60% to 70% of the world’s biodiversity (flora and fauna)

Every time I say that to my family, I get a response that sounds something like this…

‘’Can you pass the chicken, please?’’

Hey, it’s understandable, not everyone is outdoor-inclined but truly, there’s really plenty to discover outdoors. Even trees are very different from one another if one looks really closely.

Each state in Malaysia has something different and unique to offer – from the turtles in Penang (yes, you heard me right) to elephants and seahorses in Johor and magnificent corals off Sandakan. Rare dolphins in Langkawi (only if you’re lucky!) to more dolphins in Kuching, towering 100 year old trees off Kuantan and bats of Miri; Malaysia is one tropical country with an endless supply of life forms! Take time off and discover Mother Nature. You won’t be disappointed. For those out there who have been bitten by the bug, I'd love to hear from you... :)

Some people like collecting stamps, some like to collect coins or stones but the whole objective of collecting stuff, I guess, is to amass a variety of items that is to become one’s pride and joy.

We collect stuff too, it’s a common sight on tables – well at least for the Web Team, they are. Table Souvenirs! Small items that we bring back to the office for one another after each to remind ourselves of our trips. Since AirAsia flies to 61 destinations… you can bet that there are plenty of items on our desk!

Check it out… ;-)

A regular sight on our desks.

I picked items off my colleagues table for this mini ‘photo shoot’! No guessing where the elephant is from, Bangkok of course. Think massage and shopping... (read more...)

I'm new to the AirAsia family and naturally, friends and family are still curious about life here. I've been asked on numerous occasions the same questions, over and over again. Regardless of the race, age and gender of the enquirer, these questions keep coming back, much like persistent mosquitoes at dusk!

After 4 months of parrot-ing my responses, I figured I'd compile a top 10 list and get those curious minds to refer to the blog instead. :)

10: Can you get me free flights?
Sign up for the AirAsia's newsletter -RedAlert and you'll get them quite easily. (said with the biggest smile I can muster)

9: Where is your office?
In the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), Sepang.

8: Where in LCCT?
When you're standing at the check-in counter, look up and you'll see a row of windows. That's where the office is, on the second floor of LCCT (usually at this point, eyes widen and the enquirer goes...'There is a second floor?')

7: How do you get there?
I take the bus from KLSentral and pay a discounted fee off the regular RM 8.

6: What time do you wake up?
*&^!@#!! early!!

5: Do you get free flights?
Yes and I'm not sharing unless you're nice.

4: What do you eat in LCCT?
Lounge food. There is a lounge in the office and there's nothing better than having warm and delicious fried meehoon in the morning with a hot cup of Nescafe. Aaaaah! Otherwise there's McDonald's, Asian Kitchen and the Food Garden.

3: Do you have to wear red all the time?
No, any colour of the rainbow is fine, so as long it's not all on one outfit.

2: Is your office really made of zinc?
(In my mind) Yes, and when it rains we sing and dance to the loud tapping of raindrops. Sigh... (What I actually said) It's just like any other building but oh, we have runway lights on our floors!

1: Have you met Tony Fernandes?
Yes, it's not easy to NOT meet him in AirAsia.

Wonder if anyone else out there has questions about what it's like here in LCCT?