Teaser | When Kansai is more than Osaka and Kyoto!

In general, when one says he or she will be visiting Kansai or Kansai region it usually means the 2 famous and popular cities; Osaka and Kyoto. Of course then there's Nara, Arashiyama and etc, but how many have venture out of the places mentioned, such as Kinosaki - a town famous for its onsen and crab (Yes! Crab!!!) or Kannebe Highland - to trek in a volcanic crater. How many visited Kobe and tried Kobe beef? And how many of us know that Kobe is famous for shoes? Or perhaps experience riding Kobe's night cruise?

Here, I would like to share some of the pictures I capture during my trip, will be penning my experiences next week. In sha Allah. Enjoy the pics!

Stay tune for more stories.

Home Away From Home | Ibis Makassar

Strategically located by the famous Makassar landmark, where locals and tourist flock to catch the beautiful evening hues, a short tricycle ride to the nearest mall and a 30 minute stroll to the historical Fort Rotterdam; the birth place of Makassar. Makassar or Ujung Pandang is the capital of Sulawesi, once a thriving port and a trading route for spices, metal goods and textiles before the Portuguese and Dutch came into power. Fort Rotterdam was built after the Dutch replaced the Portuguese as colonial masters in 1667. Being one of the largest port in north-east Indonesia, it is no surprise that the Bugis, Makassar and Mandar ethnic groups are great seafarers and boat builders. Their seafaring prowess and boat building skill were known around the Malay archipelago.

Today, Makassar’s Tana Toraja is famed for having the most unique funeral rituals in the world whereby after all the ritual being carried out, the body is place is in a cave up on the cliff. Where else Tanjung Bira’s white sandy beach and royal blue sea is a great favourite to beach lovers both near and far.

For business and weekend travelers, city hotel that is accessible and convenient to tourist attractions and historical sites would be an ideal pick, and Ibis Makassar City Center Hotel offers just this. Surrounded by culinary excellence where the locals ability to ‘cook up a storm’ for you foodies, 30 minutes drive from Hasanuddin International airport and 10 minutes from Trans Studio Makassar (one of the largest indoor theme park) emphasizes the reason what makes Ibis Makassar City Center Hotel the place to stay.

Impressed with the digital wall at the reception, warmed by the crew’s hospitality and the attentiveness of the Ibis’s GM and PR proves that the management not only emphasizes on the business aspect, they also put an extreme care on each guests wellbeing. Guiding me on to get from point to the other, encouraging me to catch the beautiful sunset photos at Losari Beach and sample the box fish was plus point.

As a frequent travel, my necessity will be Wi-Fi access; both in the room and communal areas, high-speed connectivity, business centre and arrays of breakfast options. And Ibis did not fail me. As expected, all Ibis chain provides standard room layout but how Ibis Makassar City Center Hotel value add was by asking me on whether I would prefer a sea facing room, for me to enjoy the scenery and people surfing. The little details that made a guest felt special and valued.

My Air Asia Experience

And this is MY story... I normally don't have a habit of taking airline photos, let it be their meal, wing tip, livery, crew or etc. Perhaps it is too mainstream to my taste (poyo giler), but I have to give credit to Air Asia this time around, for this few reasons :

i). They started their journey with few 'rangkap of pantun', that I personally think it is the best Malaysia touch ever. Not only I was tickled by it, I was impressed and amazed of the idea (wish it was mine!). Great job to whoever suggested/wrote/excuted it. Clap clap clap... ii). The livery on the flight I took was a nice and soft touch of Malaysia unity, coupled with the pantun = perfect combination. You got my attention alrighty!

iii). I was on board with a group of locals (Makassarese) heading to Jeddah via Air Asia (all the way, transiting in KLIA) to perform their umrah. The look on their face; having to be able to visit Tanah Suci Mekkah was priceless. Fulfillment. Satisfaction. Blessed. I pray for their safe trip to/fro, their prayers be heard/answered and may their umrah be blessed. Ameen.

iv). Love the pilot narrating the flight through-out (or should I say tour-guiding us through-out); briefing us on the timing, routes, below attractions and meal, with cheeky jokes here and there, ending it with a nasihat/pantun orang tua-tua. Keeping the journey alive, and me fully entertained.

v). How can I Ieave out the ever so friendly eye-candy cabin crew in this flight. The crew entertained a group of locals (makciks-pakciks) to a few wefies (note the word : FEW). Never tired of taking orders cum wefie-ing with the passengers. They made the makciks' day definitely, I bet the makciks and pakciks will remember this holiday for the next one year (or more).

Kudos to Captain Shahar and all AK333 crew! Keep up the good work!