AUTUMN IN JAPAN

Miura san reminded me that it's now Autumn in Japan with some beautiful pictures taken in Hiraizumi Iwate prefecture.   

In Spring time, Japanese people celebrate with "Hanami" (Cherry blossom viewing) and in Autumn, they do "momiji-gari" (Maple leaf viewing). "Kouyou " (the red leaves) are now everywhere in Japan

This "中尊寺”Chusonji Temple in Hirazumi Iwate Prefecture is a World Heritage Site. 

According to the Japanese history, this temple (中尊寺) was established by a monk called  Jigaku Daishi in 850. 

People come here to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful scenery.

Visiting Hiraizumi Chusonji Temple is like a journey back through time taking visitors deep into a Buddhist paradise with nearly 1000 years of history. 

The trees on both sides of the "Tsukimizaka" (moon viewing slope) are cedar trees planted three to four centuries ago.

Spectacular autumn leaves are everywhere.  

Autumn is the best season to enjoy the fascinating view of the "Kouyou" (red leaves) in Japan. There are also many Autumn festivals or "Aki Matsuri" throughout Japan mostly celebrated to either pray for a good harvest or to honour the local Shito gods.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES TODAY - 4

Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said in a statement yesterday that their Low cost carrier Firefly will cease all jet operations by 04 December 2011.

What a pity! Malaysia Airlines has wasted so much effort and money in promoting low cost travel for the benefit of the public. Friends who have flown Firefly commented that they offered better service than Air Asia, both in the air and on the ground. They operate from the main terminals in KLIA and KKIA with the support of areobridges and their fare is almost the same as Air Asia. With less than a year of jet operations, all the services between East and West Malaysia will be terminated, just like that.  

From 04 December 2011 onwards, Air Asia will be the only low cost carrier monopolizing Malaysia domestic routes. Many believed that they will increase their fare for more profit! Why is this happening? Why does Firefly have to pull out when they are doing well? Majority of the people believed that Malaysia Airlines gave up their low cost carrier because of pressure from a certain group who has strong political support. The "talk" in town is that a few greedy people are all out to get rid of Firefly and let Air Asia enjoy all the revenue.   

Air Asia

So what will happen to Firefly now?  According to the Malaysia Airlines Ceo, the national carrier would  absorb all their jet fleet consisting of six B737-800 and two B737-400.

Under the new network rationalisation programme, Firefly's ATR 72-500 aircrafts will only concentrate on serving short-haul turboprop operations, while Malaysia Airlines focus on enhancing its premium full-service offering.

The "takeover of the Firefly's jets" will definitely be a burden to Malaysia Airlines. The poor new Ceo has to make some business realignment exercise and address the network and fleet restructuring plans.

Malaysia Airlines already has an excessive fleet of B737-400 and 800. Where can they deploy the Firefly's jets? If I was the Ceo, I would sell them and make a profit so I could give some "bonus" to all the staff. 

Ahmad Jauhari Yahya has also announced that Malaysia Airlines would remain committed to East Malaysia and continue to operate all services to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Sabah and Sarawak.

The only losers in the Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia swap share deal are the people especially those in Sabah and Sarawak. There is no other choice for those budget travellers but to fly Air Asia. To date, the Government is still mum on the share deal. What is happening is anybody's guess!

May God help Malaysia Airlines !

MIMPIAN JADI GOLF AND BEACH CLUB

Mimpian Jadi Golf club is about an hour 15 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu city. This Golf course was developed by a Taiwanese corporation way back in the 80s. 

         The club house entrance.

 Reception.

 Lobby area.

The Bar.

I have never played here ever since it was opened in the late 80s. I was invited by a friend 2 days ago to inspect the course and have a game there.  

 The buggy hut.

 They have about 100 + old "model" petrol engine buggies.

The tree behind the sign board has dried up giving me an impression that maintenance was lacking here.

It is a leisure course especially for the beginners as most their fairways are wide and flat.

The bunkers are in bad shape. It is easier to use a putter to get your ball out instead of the sand wedge. 

This is the only "yardage" golf course in Kota kinabalu. All other courses use "meters"

 160 yards par 3 service hole - easily "one on" for a birdie or par.

Though it is a buggy course, there is no buggy track - the fairways could be easily damaged during wet season. There are some hidden water hazard right in middle of the fairways!

"Rough" in the center of the fairway! 

 I like this signboard with the wooden monkey relaxing at the side.  

The signature hole, a Par 3 over water.

Hole 14, one of the best kept fairway.

Playing this 443 yards hole 18 back to the club house was challenging for me with water hazard on the left and trees on the right.

Overall, the course is not well maintained. Fairways are not well kept and flood during the rainy season. However the "greens" are still acceptable. Guests playing should not expect too much as the green fee is only RM60 for 18 holes + Buggy + a 1000ml mineral water. With such a price, no body should complain anyway! 

MALAYSIA AIRLINES TODAY -3

Can you believe that the government of Malaysia announced that it had “no choice” but to let some one with no experience running an airline as the CEO of the embattled Malaysia Airlines.

The Deputy Finance Minster made this statement in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament)sitting on 04 October, that the new CEO of Malaysia Airlines has no experience in the airlines industry but asked the members of Parliament to give him a chance! The new CEO was formerly the Head of a Public-listed company in Malaysia.

          Ahmad Jauhari, the new CEO of Malaysia Airlines.

The question is - can he turn the losses into profit? Perhaps, a "Miracle" could happen. Good luck to this man who may belong to a certain group trying to milk Malaysia Airlines dry.

Why didn't the government appoint one of the current most senior manager who knows  the business to be the CEO? Alternately, why not have this vacancy published nation and world-wide to select a capable person to run the airlines? Why take the "chance" instead of the "Choice".

Another very disturbing news is that Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines would be forced to terminate their low fare services between East and West Malaysia.

The brand new B737-800 of the Firefly

Firefly started their East-West Malaysia services from January 2011 with their brand new B737-800 aircraft fleet, providing low fare into Kota kinabalu and Kuching from Kuala Lumpur.  

Click into Flyfly website, you will find the latest news as below:

We are truly sorry for the inconvenience that has resulted from the recent route cancellations due to a business realignment exercise by our parent company, Malaysia Airlines. There are many questions over this and Malaysia Airlines will be releasing a statement to address your concerns in due course.Please rest assured that Firefly will take all necessary steps to minimise the disruption to you, valued passengers who have been impacted by the business realignment exercise.

The rumour is that a new premium carrier, called Sapphire Air will be set up to operate regional and domestic routes. This carrier will be given all the new B737-800 from Firefly. Who are the owners of this Sapphire Air? It's anybody guess! What will be the fate of Firefly, the current low-cost unit of Malaysia Airlines? .......Nobody knows.

What will happen to these Firefly staff when they have no B737-800 aircrafts to attend to?

Many people said that the termination of the East-West Malaysia services of Firefly was "directed" by the boss of Air Asia, Tony Fernandes, who is also a 20.5% share holder of Malaysia Airlines. He sees Firefly as a rival, taking substantial amount of revenue away from his Air Asia. He could not afford to lose to such competition. Many believed that he would do all the tricks to benefit his group after the share swap deal. Remember the QPR T-shirt deal? Malaysia Airlines has to pay RM18 million to QPR, a football club owned by his group.

RM18 million for this T-shirt deal. 

Malaysia Airlines workers unions representing some 20,000 employees have earlier objected to the deal of swap share between Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines sighting that such a deal would not benefit their workers and their welfare would be at stake. As their grievances were ignored, they have given their bosses 2 months to withdraw the deal with Air Asia, failing which they would stage protests in December.    

With the Malaysia Airlines-Air Asia deal, there is a danger that both Malaysia Airlines and Firefly could just disappear from the East Malaysia sky.

Kicking out Firefly, Air Asia would be the sole low cost carrier operating in Malaysia. The consumers will have to dance to the tune of Air Asia's tariff. The winner is Tony Fernandes who will be laughing all the way to the bank all the time!!!

May God help Malaysia Airlines and their staff !   

THE NORTH BORNEO RAILWAY

A ride on the North Borneo Railway is a journey to experience the days of the Chartered Company and the British Colonial rule. 

The North Borneo Railway features a British ‘Vulcan’ Steam Engine number
6-016 manufactured by the Vulcan Foundry Ltd in Newton-le-Willows in Lancashire, United Kingdom.

This steam engine represents the last of a fleet operating in North Borneo since the late 1880s. It is also one of the few functional wood burners left in the world.

The North Borneo train has six colonial period carriages which can accommodate 180 passengers. All the carriages have been refurbished and restored to reflect the luxury of the era.
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The train tour is on every Wednesday and Saturday, departing TANJUNG ARU Railway station at 10.00 am.

 Welcome aboard. 

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Itinerary:

09:45 - Check-in and boarding

10:00 - Depart Tanjung Aru Station

10:40 - A short excursion in Kinarut and visit Tien Shi temple. 

11:00 - Depart Kinarut Station

11:45 - Arrive Papar town - visit the local market and shops of Papar.

12:05 - Guests to reboard train 

12:10 - Depart Papar Station.

12:30 - Lunch is served  

13:45 - Arrive Tanjung Aru Station - End of tour.

 The old British “Tiffin” style lunch will be served on the return trip from Papar.

From local fried rice to Vegetables, Satay and dessert. 

Advance booking must be made to take this train tour from any local travel agents or Sutera Harbour Resorts. The train ride package price including lunch is RM250 per adult, RM150 per child and children under 5 years old are free. This price is excluding transfer from hotel to the train station and back. Guests can either go by taxi or pay a surcharge to travel agent for the guide and transfer services.