Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (KL LCCT)

The Kuala Lumpur LCCT is home of the worlds best Low Cost Carrier, Air Asia. 

Aside from Air Asia, this airport also serves Firefly (Malaysia), Tiger Airways (Singapore) and Cebu Pacific (Philippines). Do not expect it to have an aerobridge, once you land, you have to walk from the tarmac to the airport building. If unlucky, it can be pretty hot and sometimes it can be confusing as departing passengers and arriving passengers meet up in the walkway. 

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Uso Uso Jeeps

Have ever been on a ferrari?

In Davao, you dont have to go to a grand prix to experience ferrari because some jeepneys here especially plying the Toril route traverse the urban jungle like a ferrari.

If Thailand and Cambodia have tuktuks while here in the Philippines, we have jeepney. It is the most popular form of transportation and even referred to as the king of the roads because of its sheer number especially in the urban centers in the Philippines.

But here in Davao, a type of jeepney has evolved especially on the speed. They are also called among locals as USO-USO or in english, TRENDY or TREND SETTER jeepneys. What differs them from the normal jeepney ride is their crazy speedy driving. Normally, Davao downtown to Toril takes about 1 hour but with the uso-uso jeep, travel time can be cut half.

Another characteristic of these jeep is their attractive color designs and the extreme loud noise coming from the huge speaker placed outside or inside the jeep which can destroy your eardrums. Drivers are often young adults who probably dont care about life or just amazed by the adrenalin rush as they drive the busy streets in the city. 

Some people think that riding an uso-uso is dangerous because of its risk involving vehicular accidents. Some lawmakers even proposed to abolish this kind of transportation. However, many people still patronize these because of the convenience of a fast transport. If you are a student who wants to catch an early morning class but failed to wake up early, an uso-uso jeep can take you to town in a breeze. Many commuters doesnt mind the risk involving or perhaps they are already used to it. I guess more people choose convenience rather than safety. 

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Air Asia Experience

I am so happy I was able to fly with Air Asia, the Worlds Best Low Cost Airline last June 29 from Clark (Manila) to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and KL - Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

Air Asia operates daily service from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Their fleet are composed of brand new A320. What I like best about Air Asia is their crazy promo deals which happens about twice a year, they call it FREE SEATS (but have to pay extra for the web booking). I got my ticket from Clark to Manila for only P75 ($1.70 with tax) and my KL - Phnom Penh, Cambodia for only P300 ($4 with tax).

Air Asia lands at Kuala Lumpur-LCCT just like the BUDGET Terminal in Singapore. KL-LCCT also host Cebu Pacific and Firefly Air of Malaysia. During flight, Air Asia has good set of meal selection at additional cost unless you prebooked it through their website ahead. Meals costs from RM7 to RM14 with drinks. They accept Philippine Pesos and US Dollar while onboard. 

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DMIA Clark Airport

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or Clark Airport is a new alternative way to fly outside the Philippines. Many passengers choose Clark because of the good deals one can avail from 3 major low cost carriers like Air Asia, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air and now Spirit of Manila Air although some full service airline fly here like Asiana. It is accesible for people living in Manila or Central Luzon due to its close proximity. It can also be reached from Manila in 1 hour and a half only.

For a budget backpacker from Davao like me, Clark Airport is not in my priority exit point because of extra cost attached to it. From Manila, I have the option to stay in a hotel and then ride a bus Clark for my trip the next day but it is an additional cost for me. However, last November 2009, Air Asia offered its FREE SEATS promo in all its destination. I got my ticket from Clark-Kuala Lumpur for only P75 Tax included and it is simply a great deal. Last June 29, 2010 my travel to South East Asia started via Clark as an exit point. 

For passengers especially from Visayas or Mindanao, if staying in a Manila hotel can be expensive. You can try my backpacking tips to save you cost. Be sure to arrive in Manila not later than 8pm. When you arrive, proceed to SM Mall of Asia and buy yourself a ticket for a last full show of your favorite movie which ends at 12:00MN. After watching a movie, ride a taxi and take you too a 24 hour internet cafe near Pasay area, use internet for about 4 hours and proceed to nearby McDonalds for a morning breakfast. By 5PM, take a ride to PhilTranco Bus Station at SM Megamall. 

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Updated Travel Dates: Travel Buddies open

Im currently at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I’ve been out of the country for the last 5 days already and I will post my travelogs once I arrived in the Philippines or on my last day here in Vietnam. 

Here are my travel dates for this year 2010-2011:

March 16-20 : Singapore for the G12 International Conference, will be with my churchmates. Johor Bahru, Malaysia Cebu Pacific.

IndoChina Tour: June 29 - July 6.

June 29-July 1: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia probably going solo.

July 1-3: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor), Cambodia;
July 3-6: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

August 14-18: Cebu for Ormoc (via fastcraft)

Sept 15-19: Manila, Philippines (with sidetrips to Caramoan or Sagada, depending on the weather)

October 18-22: Singapore; Jakarta, Indonesia

November 27-30: Manila, Philippines for the G12 National Philippine Conference.

December 1-2: Outside Manila

January 2010: Camiguin

January 28-Feb 1: Cebu for Batayan or Malapascua

February 2011: Siargao

March 2011: Singapore

April 2011 :Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur

May 2011: Bangkok, Laos

June 2011: Manila (probably to Vietnam)

July 2011: Probably Vietnam

 *All are Confirmed.