Firefly to take over Kuala Lumpur-Sibu route from MAS.

Sunday June 26, 2011 The Star.

   Firefly will gradually take over the Kuala Lumpur-Sibu route from MAS from July 1.
The airline will continue to offer the same twice-daily flight services as MAS, which will withdraw from the route effective Aug 1.
“We have an agreement with our code share partner, Malaysia Airlines, that we will operate this route using our B737-800 aircraft and will continue to provide connectivity to other MAS' routes and services,” said Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong in a statement yesterday.
Leong said they were fully aware of the concerns of travellers and travel agents from Sibu on the inavailability of passenger and baggage through-check for those with onward journey on MAS and vice versa.
“On Sept 1, our departure control system upgrade, which will allow passengers to through-check their baggage on multiple flights to their final destination, will be operational.”
Until then, he said, passengers on the Kuala Lumpur-Sibu flight would have to bear the inconvenience of checking out and re-checking-in.
He said Firefly guaranteed lowest fares and travellers could opt to purchase bundled sets of service including in-flight meals and seat selection.
Travellers can purchase flights from www.fireflyz.com.my and travel agents also have the option of making purchases through the Global Distribution System listed under MH9000 series.

Photo Credit to Jennifer Lau of Sibu..Firefly Airline to Sibu

 Dated 15th January 2011,I was invited by firefly airline to attend the launching of press conference (as part of media group) for the firelfyz in Kuching International Airport making its first debut and flight to Kuala Lumpur with the new Boeing737-800 fleet.They even invited me to travel and experience the B7370-800 fleet and also taking part on media tour in conjunction with the first inaugural flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.There are many media invited . About the trip just log on tohttp://uncleawangcapture.blogspot.com/2011/01/firefly-airline-media-familiarisation.html.

Photo by Jennifer Lau of Sibu.

This morning firefly airline marked another wonderful milestone for the first flight from KLIA to Sibu Airport

Photo by Jennifer Lau of Sibu.

It is interesting to note that FireFly Airlines, the subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is in competition wth AirAsia. However it cannot be denied that AirAsia is way ahead of Firefly even though Fireflyz is a full service point to point airline with rates almost similar to Air Asia. AirAsia started from a humble beginning of RM1 company and 1 aeroplane to become a RED giant that it is today with Richard Branson of Virgin Group having a share in its long haul AirAsia-X  sector.

Honestly, most of us use AirAsia because the fare is lower than MAS and it allows us to save a few dollars. When things are expensive these days, saving a dollar or 2 means a lot too especially for those middle income earners.

When passengers intend to fly, the first thing we check is the fare rate, then the time schedule before we proceed to make a booking. Where access to instant information is available at the click of a mouse, smart travellers do their own research and go where the value for money is.

Firefly Airline at this point of writing has yet to touch down in Sarawak and Sabah and once they do, I will definitely support them for the value of Ringgit Malaysia that I will be getting. If I need to fly to a destination for a meeting, I don’t want to be stressed in having to worry of my baggage weight limit or many other million issues not taken care of online when I booked earlier. Regardless of how I feel, AirAsia has allowed thousands of people to tour and see the world. Keep it up AirAsia. You have made many people’s wishes come true!

http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.html

http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

Photo Credit to Jennifer Lau of Sibu.

Street Photography with Panasonic Lumix LX3 -Day1.

I visited ERIC KIM Blog to-day and I read his two popular post  Street Photography with Leica M9...
and Tips How NOT to Look Like a “Creep” when Shooting in the Streets...Really enjoyed this video to see Eric in action.It kinda cool but I'm sure about doing this kind of shoot in Malaysia or in the street of Kuching City.

Shoot pre setting menu Dynamic B&W of my Pana Lumix LX3

Another bad day for me to do street photography.Soon after that a very heavy thunder storm in our small city of Kuching so  I decided NO street photography to-day.
When we talk about street photography, what normally springs to mind is black and white photography. Many famous photographers have published photo’s using this platform. Obviously there are many older photo’s that have just been in black and white only. These days we are lucky enough to have a choice.  Previously I have shown some photo’s that have been colour. Today I’m going to share with you some of my black and white photo’s

The scene’s here are typical local thunder storm.

Another Street Photogreaphy tip…choose what feature will best suit your picture. Black and White or Colour.

The scene here people love reading for free

One of the best things about point and shoot cameras is that they are small enough to always be on you no matter what. The average point and shoot camera can fit in anybody’s front jean pocket (unless you wear extremely tight skinny jeans). Half the battle of becoming a better street photographer is simply to take as many photos as you can.
Since its still heavy rain outside I prefer to do some free reading inside our popular book store in the city.Also don’t forget–when you are shooting with a point and shoot the shutter is nearly silent. This means when you are taking photos in quiet places (at a cafe, in a subway train, or in a store) they are much less likely to notice you.Now watch the two photos here in a store to-day.

Taking photos in quiet places

Do you use a point and shoot camera for street photography? .

Black & White Panasonic Lumix LX3.

Remember old days.Photography is a film shooter.They use B&W film and there so many choices of film that they use.Kodak,Fuji,Agfa etc,etc.To-day I still enjoy seeing some of the film images without the distraction of color.It help convey mood and its help tell a story.

B&W images directly from my Pana Lumix LX3.It's raining outside so I shoot from inside my car.

Today we have a digital camera or digital photography.We have all the tool and digital technology either on your camera or on your computer.Since I have a Panasonic Lumix LX3 a kind of compact P&S camera.I thought I would like to try shooting B&W setting directly from my camera instead of converting color image to B&W from the computer.
The LX3 is fairly well known to photographers who appreciate manual controls and the fast and wide angle Leica lens. However, it’s not a camera for everyone, some photographers want more of a zoom range, since the LX3 only has a 2.5x zoom from 24-60mm (in 35mm equivalent), nor does it have a standard viewfinder. Those are of course limitations for some photographers; however, it does have a large, high resolution LCD screen that seemed to be easy to use under most conditions and outside. I even thought that it was a bit bright, so I turned the brightness down. I also appreciate the fast (f/2.0 max) lens with image stabilization that allows you to shoot wide in dark environments with no flash.

All shot with The LUMIX LX3's Dynamic B&W Mode in Aperture Priority. Most of the shots are shot between f2.0 and f4.0 at shutter speeds ranging from 1/400s to 1/1000s.All at ISO 80.

As I usually take color photos and later convert them to B&W in post processing, I thought it would be interesting to see how the LX3 did with the built in black and white preset setting. There are two to select from in the camera. One is a standard B&W setting that looks very good, and another more contrasty setting called “Dynamic” that creates a bit more contrast. I decided to use the Dynamic setting along with center-weighted metering with an ISO set to 400. I probably could have used the auto ISO setting with a maximum set to 400, but I didn’t think of it at the time .I'm still worry when will be the rain stop and perhaps I'm unable to shoot many photos to-day.

Taken with Aperture Priority,Dynamic B&W,ISO 200, f2.1 with 1/4 shutter.

So, do you like to shoot in black and white? Do you use the built-in settings in your camera, or do you like to do it all in post processing? Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the effect you get with the built-in settings on the LX3, so I’m sure I’ll use this setting again in the future.So watch out on my next entry ,more B&W images from my Lumix LX3.

AirAsia Aviation Academy In Malaysia .

Tony Fernandes on his street fame: “People recognize me on the street because of this cap(AirAsia Cap) I’m wearing. If I took off the cap, I’m seen as just another Indian guy.” Being humble does not kill you. It doesn’t take the charisma away. In fact, it makes people respect you more. 

The signing ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 20th June 2011, witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato' Saifuddin bin Abdullah

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AirAsia and the Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) launches the Asian Aviation Academy with a joint venture of RM200 million. The academy will train pilots,cabin crew,maintenance workers and ground personnel for airlines in the Asean region.
Estimated that some 12,000 pilots are expected to be trained every year, with a gradual increase for each passing year.

Pilot training programmes will commence on the 1st July 2011, while non-pilot training  programmes will be available on the 1st October 2011.

Six CAE-built full-flight simulators will be available at the academy including four for the Airbus A320 and one each for the A330/340 and Boeing 737 Classic .

Malaysia Airlines New Airbus A380 Plane Picture - Sneak Preview

Malaysia Airlines New Airbus A380 Plane Picture - Sneak Preview

Malaysia Airlines New Airbus A380 Plane Picture - Sneak Preview of the air plane going through the 60% building phase. As you can see the body is in its original green and yellow coating and yet to be painted. The tail fin has already been fitted and painted with the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) logo. I was on an invitation to the Airbus Factory in Toulouse, France to witness the building process of the A380-800 plane at the at the Jean-Luc Lagardere station. While here, I also visited the delivery section where another Malaysia Airline Airbus A330 plane was ready for collection. The new Airbus A380 is one of the 6 planes which was ordered back in 2003 and this first unit is to be delivered by early 2012. Speculation on the routes are yet to be confirmed but it is most likely that the A380 will be used for the KL - London route. As for the interior design and seating capacity, tentatively it is set at 508 seats with a surprise for the business and first class seating design.  

 To read more just log on to this website MALAYSIA ASIA this travel blog site is created by David Jr.

Malaysia Asia, a travel blog site by David J

credit to David Jr of Malaysia Asia. 

NEWS...

Firefly To Operate Kuala Lumpur To Sibu Route Effective July 1

SUBANG – Firefly, a fully owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, will gradually take over Kuala Lumpur – Sibu route from Malaysia Airlines, its code share partner, from July 1. Firefly will continue to offer the same twice daily services as Malaysia Airlines which will withdraw from this route effective August 1. Firefly’s managing director, Dato’ Eddy Leong, said: “We have an agreement with our code share partner, Malaysia Airlines,  that we would operate this route utilising our B737-800 aircraft and will continue to provide connectivity to other Malaysia Airlines routes and services. “We also took into account the needs of business and leisure travellers and scheduled our flight timings accordingly. Travellers can purchase flights from Firefly’s website and other distribution channels such as our call centres and ticketing offices in the airports and in the cities. Travel agents also have the option of making purchase through the Global Distribution System listed under MH9000 series.   “We are fully aware of the concerns of travellers and travel agents from Sibu on the unavailability of passenger and baggage through-check for those with onward journey with Malaysia Airlines and vice versa and are working towards addressing this. “On September 1, our departure control system upgrade which will allow passengers to through-check their baggage on multiple flights to their final destination will be operational. We will be able to offer all our passengers seamless travel with Malaysia Airlines on all departure points and end destinations.  “Unfortunately, for the interim period until the upgrade is completed, passengers on the Kuala Lumpur - Sibu flight with onward journeys on Malaysia Airlines will have to bear the inconvenience of checking out and recheck-in at the check-in counter.   “The good news is that we offer guaranteed lowest fares. This translates to cost savings when travellers on the Kuala Lumpur – Sibu route choose Firefly. “Additionally, they can opt for more savings when they purchase our bundled sets of services which include in-flight meals, seat selection and checked baggage allowance. “Seasonal travellers on Kuala Lumpur – Sibu route will be happy to note that they will continue to enjoy the same benefits they were used to on Malaysia Airlines as we will continue to offer premium facilities such as aerobridges for their comfort and safety.” FLIGHT SCHEDULE Kuala Lumpur – Sibu/ Sibu – Kuala Lumpur Effective 1 July 2011   Flight No Route Departure Arrival Flight Time   FY 660 KUL/ SBW  07:20 09:15 1:55   FY 664  KUL/ SBW  18:40  20:35 1:55   FY 661 SBW/ KUL 09:45 11:35 1:50   FY 665 SBW/ KUL 21:05 22:55 1:50                  By : Nazreen Tajul Arif Source : Marketing & Communications Department, Firefly

 

Who's getting the new #SamsungGalaxyS2? I've checked the website & the specs is really cool!

Who's getting the new #SamsungGalaxyS2? I've checked the website & the specs is really cool!

Kuala Lumpur-Graffiti in the city.

When commuting in the city, be it using fast train or car or bus, I usually gonna look out the window and observing the surroundings. The buildings, the towers, the houses, the shop, the people walking at the pedestrian, the color of the buildings, the signboard, and many more. Reminds me of how life is so colorful. When I was in Kuala Lumpur, I came across many GRAFFITI on the wall and the side of the building and backlane. I think it’s safe to call it as graffiti? The text telling us message of good and bad...
Graffiti. Is it art or is just vandalism? Perhaps by now, after numerous articles in the popular media have posed this question some answers need to be provided. Even better, a realisation that this is actually the wrong question to ask. A more interesting one could be to consider whether or not graffiti is strong enough as an art form to function within mainstream contemporary art. Or is its recognition and respect only to be found within its own alternative sub culture?

The graffiti of these neighborhoods has emerged as form of expression,  a form of storytelling that is the inner city’s way of expressing the social conditions that exist

Graffiti unmasks the social stratification and the divide between rich and poor within a city

This is a common phenomenon, when people of the upper and middle class see graffiti they typically react negatively and deem that area of town where the graffiti is prevalent to be sub par and derelict.