On my way to the Welsh Blogging Trip Showdown Junket, I flew Air Asia from the Gold Coast in Australia to London Stansted via Kuala Lumpur.  Air Asia helped me out in 2009 when they chipped in some flights when I did my Blogger Communities trip through Indonesia - where I stayed with the locals and experienced their fantastic world via experiencing things like eating Cows Nose With Peanut Sauce and drinking Tea With Egg.

However, this time I had to do a long haul with them to the other side of the planet, which I’ve never done before with a low cost carrier. Almost 24 hours of travel time is not pleasant in anyone’s language, and I usually find these long flights from the arse end of the world (Australia) to Europe pretty gruelling. I’ve only done a ‘short’ haul (by Australian standards) 8 hour flight to south-east Asia before on a low cost carrier.

Flat Bed Seats – Premium Class

My flight was made so much better when I found out a Premium Class seat was available for me to road test on the Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur leg. That’s right, Air Asia has installed these Flat Beds, or business class-like seats that fully recline to horizontal, which I think is a first for low cost carriers.

I was surprised that Air Asia has gone down this route of including Premium Class Seats in their planes, considering that other low cost airlines have thought of cramming in as many people as possible in every space available, for example, check out this article I wrote about a funny survey about standing on planes on short haul flights.

But Air Asia has gone ahead with the idea, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good and comfortable the Premium class seats were. On an Airbus A330, there are 12 of them available for booking.

Here they are on the Airbus A330.

The acid test for me was to see if I could actually catch some sleep on a flight. I usually cannot sleep in a plane when I’m upright, and I typically turn up to a destination looking like a travel zombie that’s about to gain gravel rash on the bags underneath my eyes. It’s a bloody terrible feeling.

However, I did gain some valuable sleep on these Flat Beds for a few hours. I was very impressed with the level of comfort, and the Flat Beds are similar to the business class seats that are in use on more established long haul carriers. The seats actually do fully recline back until they are flat.

How Much Does Premium Class Cost?

In terms of costs, I went to the Air Asia website to check out what the investment in Premium Class seats will set you back. For the Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur route, the Air Asia Premium Class costs around $AUD600, depending on how far in advance you book – those prices are similar to Economy Class on other airlines! Have a look at their website for other routes. So I think that’s pretty reasonable if you want an increase in your comfort levels on a long haul flight from Economy Class. Everything else is the same, for example, paying for the food you eat and other extras, but you know what you’re paying for. Check out the website about inclusions.

Economy Class has improved too!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sweet talk myself into an upgrade for the Kuala Lumpur-London Stansted leg because the plane was chocka block full of other travellers, so I had to go in the Economy Class section (Australians like referring to the Economy Section as ‘Cattle Class!’). However, Air Asia has also improved their Economy Class section as well – considerably.

Last year when I flew from the Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur, their Economy Class seats didn’t recline back at all, and since I’m a tall person, I felt a bit cramped for this journey! Many of Air Asia’s customers provided feedback that this wasn’t so desirable, and they’ve listened.  The economy class seats are a lot more comfortable now – they recline back, and feel much softer on my backside. Actually, the Air Asia group is active on Twitter and actually engages with their audience, so check them out here.

Please Sir – Can I Have Some More?

So if you’re reading this Tony Fernandez (he’s the head honcho of Air Asia) and Azran Osman-Rani (he’s running Air Asia X), I’d like to say thanks to the Air Asia team for letting me try out your Premium Class seats. I really like them, and I’m going to try my best to score one of these Flat Beds on the way back to Australia!

And if Richard Branson loses the bet with Tony regarding on which of your Formula One teams scores the least points this season, at least make Richard sit in one of these seats while he’s dressed up in an Air Asia stewardess’ uniform!

Disclaimer: Visit Britain and Air Asia helped me get to the United Kingdom from Australia with in kind support. I’d like to thank them both for that, especially the bit in Premium Class!

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Have you ever turned up to an airport at midnight, dreading the prospect of haggling with a taxi driver that may take you on a special 100 buck early morning scenic tour, a la Mean Streets: Confessions of a Nighttime Taxi Driver?

Or, if you want to avoid that, mortgaging your house to pay for the convenience of an overpriced room at an expensive hotel chain walking distance from the airport?

Even worse, sleeping at the airport itself on a poorly cushioned chair that you’re trying to share with other tight arse travellers – and cockroaches?

Yes, I’ve been in all of these situations.  And they all really suck.

But I’ve come across a viable alternative which promises to eliminate all of those dodgy late-night-accommodation-searching scenarios.

It’s called Tune Hotels.  And they operate in the same manner as many of the low cost airlines do – you pay for what you want.

When I first heard about the concept, it sounded a bit strange to me – paying the different components of accommodation separately.  But after staying at Tune Hotels, it now makes perfect sense.

Biresh from Tune Hotels kindly let me crash at their Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) hotel at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  I needed a place to sleep overnight after my awesome month long trip through Indonesia, and I was able to see what Tune Hotels are all about.

This is the Tune Hotel at the Kuala Lumpur LCCT:

Anyway, this is how the system at Tune Hotels works:

First of all, there is a room base rate.  The base rate includes the room per night only.  The room includes a comfortable bed and bathroom with hot water and powerful showers.

The base rate at Kuala Lumpur airport starts at RM 9.99, or about $USD3 per night depending on availability and the length of time booked in advance (similar to how a low cost airline works).  Even if you book at short notice, the rates are reasonable.

The longer you book in advance, the cheaper the price.

You then pay for the extras you want.  Add-ons include things like air-conditioning, towels and soap/shampoo.  Or otherwise, you can bring these things yourself.

There’s more on the Tune Hotels concept here at their website.

This is a typical room. They can be a bit small (or ‘space efficient’ as Biresh says!) , but they more than do the job.

The Tune Hotel rooms themselves are modern, basic and clean.  There’s no television or phones, but many travellers don’t need these anyway. They just want a place to crash that’s clean without the bonus of insects that may find their way into your mouth when sleeping the night away.

If you want air-conditioning, this is paid for in 12 hour lots.  There is a timer in the room which lets you know how much air-con time you have left.

I like the idea of the air-con vouchers. It stops energy hungry sods from leaving the air-con on all day just so the room is cool when they come back to sleep again, thus preventing the unnecessary release of greenhouse gases which will raise sea levels by a few more millimetres.

With regards to paying for towel rental, do you use a different towel each day at home? Neither do I.  Many backpackers bring their own anyway.

Even the toilets and shower facilities are great!  I had just spent a month backpacking around Indonesia using only a bucket for a shower, and I found their showers were powerful enough to clean an elephant!

Here is a photo of the bathroom – Look – no mould!

So what’s the verdict?

For me, Tune Hotels are excellent value for money (especially one located walking distance from the airport).  Their hotels are modern, comfortable and clean.  They even use King Coil beds, which some of the more expensive hotel chains use.

In comparison, I’ve paid truckloads more for a lumpy dorm bed in a dingy backpacker’s where there was cigarette stained carpets resembling a leopard skin, accompanied by scurrying cockroaches.  And this was with communal bathrooms with trickle-showers that were a breeding ground for unidentified bacteria that would have scared off any agar plate.

If you wanted to stay at the Kuala Lumpur airport Tune Hotel, I’d suggest booking in advance to make sure you can get a room.  Understandably, they’re often booked out, which says something in itself.  You can even pay for a refresher deal for a few hours if you want to chill out before your next flight.

There are other Tune Hotels located in other cities, such as Penang, Bali (Indonesia) and Kuching (Malaysian Borneo), with grand plans to open a lot more in the next few years.

Tune Hotels is an offshoot of the Air Asia group. Tune Hotels are popping up all over the place – understandably, where Air Asia flies.

You can also follow Tune Hotels on Twitter.

By the way, the Tune Hotels Twitter account is not a bot – it’s operated by a real person (Biresh!) who actually interacts with you!

So the bottom line is: if you want a clean, affordable place to crash on your next travels around south-east Asia, Tune Hotels is definitely an option for you.  And I’m not just saying this because the accommodation was provided free of charge to me by Tune Hotels.

You can tell from the photos themselves (ie. they’re my photos, not ones from a PR Agency!) that it’s a great place to stay.

But don’t just take my word for it – stay there for a night or so and find out yourself.  It won’t cost you much anyway!

And while you are there, check out Kuala Lumpur with Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur Regional Guide.

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I’ve been back home in Brisbane for the last few days thinking about the awesome trip to Indonesia I have just experienced.

The 4 week trip felt like it lasted for 4 days!  I had such a blast, and I’ll never forget it!

I was amazed at the variety of experiences I had on this trip.  Each place was just so different in character, feel, and food!

When I originally thought of this trip idea, I wanted to experience the real Indonesia – not the tourist one.

The only way to do this is to stay with the locals and have them show you their world.  That’s exactly what I received – and so much more.

I was shown the very best of Indonesia.  And I saw the very best of the Indonesian people.

So to all of Indonesia – Thanks so much for everything.

Unfortunately, Indonesia does receive some bad press, but the hard reality is that 99.9999999% of their people are extremely wonderful, hospitable and caring human beings, and I have definitely been grateful to receive this hospitality.

My job was to show all the good in Indonesia, and I think I’ve accomplished that!

Thanks to the local blogging communities, there were so many things that I experienced that would have been almost impossible as a solo traveller.

Things such as drinking Teh Telur (Tea With Egg), Kacang Memet (Shaved Ice with Red Beans), eating Cow’s Nose with Peanut Sauce.

Experiences such as an Indonesian Wedding, the off the beaten path areas of Banda Aceh, and Muara Takus temple.

These are experiences that money cannot buy.  I am so grateful that I was able to be part of your lives.  I consider myself very lucky.

And I think I’ve made a few more friends in Indonesia!

Thanks so much again, and I hope to see you again soon!

I would also like to thank Air Asia for their support for flying me to and from Australia.  Hope to to this again sometime!

For other bloggers out there in cyberspace, the websites of each Blogging Community I visited are listed below.

Drop an email and say hello – I’m sure the Indonesian bloggers will be happy to hear from you, and follow each other on Twitter.  They’re a friendly bunch and love to have a good time.

Here are the websites:

Banda Aceh – AcehBloggers.org

Pekanbaru – Bertuah Blogging Community

Palembang – Wongkito Blogging Community

Bandung – Bandung Blog Village, Batagor, and RumahBlogger.

Semarang – Loenpia

Surabaya – Tugupahlawan

I had such a good time this year. I might have to try and swindle another trip next year!

To find out more about this magnificent country and its people, check out Bahasa Indonesia Book 1: Introduction to Indonesian Language and Culture.

Anyway, normal service at The Travel Tart will be resumed from next week!

Keep an eye out for a return to the crazy, wacky and downright absurd aspects of world travel today!

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I’m now back home after my fantastic trip throughout Indonesia in October 2009.

This culminated with the Pesta Blogger 2009 conference on Saturday 24 October.

Basically, Pesta Blogger means ‘Blogger Party’, and conference is a loose interpretation.  The whole day is related to all things about blogging, and sharing new and interesting ideas on the direction of blogging within Indonesia.  I was even involved in a panel on photo blogging and using photos to back up the writing.

But I mentioned I was a writer that takes photos, not a photographer who writes!

The previous night was spent having dinner at the United States Ambassador’s residence – as the U.S Embassy was the major sponsor of Pesta Blogger.

This dinner was somewhat swish for me, as I’d spent the previous few weeks eating the excellent food off the street.

But this was still nice!  I was even allowed to take this shot of the main boardroom without being interrogated!  Seriously, it was pretty relaxed.

Saturday involved about 1200 participants from throughout Indonesia in the Blogger Party.   The atmosphere, like last year, was buzzing and I had a chance to meet loads of fantastic people.

Here are some photos from the conference:

The main conference room.

Even a Storm trooper turned up to celebrate.  I’m not sure why.

Just imagine wearing this plastic suit of sweat in 30 degree Celsius heat and 80% humidity.

This photo was taken with Tristram from the U.S. Embassy.  The Storm Trooper even managed a shot with the newly appointed Indonesian Minister for Technology.

Like last year, I had many interviews with the press – here is one with Tito from Radio Australia.

I caught up with old friends that I had previously stayed with throughout my trip.

And I had my photo taken with loads of Pesta Blogger participants. Just Google Image ‘The Travel Tart’ and I’m sure there will be approximately 200,000 results from Indonesia posted in the next couple of weeks.

Like last year, everyone is genuine and passionate about whatever the like blogging about.  And this year’s Pesta Blogger was another good excuse to network with like-minded people and add another tonne of people to Facebook and/or Twitter.

I could see complete strangers helping each other out throughout the day, which is pretty much reflective of my entire trip here to Indonesia.

You can see more about the conference at the official Pesta Blogger site.  You might need to use Google Translate to see what’s going on. Or try this Indonesian Phrasebook.

Anyway, one more post about the trip is left, so stay tuned.

Oh, and you can fly Air Asia to get to Indonesia from many places in their ever expanding network. Check out their website for a cheap airfare somewhere!

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Bromo, Indonesia, is a Volcano is located south of the city of Surabaya in East Java province.

It’s not a huge volcano, but the setting is spectacular – it feels like one is on the moon when walking through the valley that leads up to the volcano.

Here are some pics:

The volcano at Dawn.  Bromo is the one that is smouldering:

Dawn reveals a captive audience:

Later on, you can be driven near the Bromo crater to climb to it and walk around.  It’s a nice walk, or if you want to be lazy, you can hire a pony to then climb a lung-testing series of steps.

Looking right into the guts of the Bromo crater. If you really want to, you can throw some offerings in – a bunch of dried plants.

And anyone you don’t like!

Check out the odd lava flow:

The best bit is walking along the edge of Bromo – and not be overwhelmed by the odd spurt of rotten egg case entering your nostrils!

If you want a bigger pic, check out Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park at Dawn.

Air Asia flies to Surabaya regularly from Jakarta so you too can visit Bromo, Indonesia. Check out their website for a cheap airfare!

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