QANTAS DOMESTIC SERVICES

I have flown on Qantas domestic services many times over the years. I believed their in-flight service is one of the best. Their B737-800s have been upgraded with enhanced entertainment options with latest movie and music in every seat. Hot and cold gourmet lunch and dinner pack are offered during meal time.

 

Recently,I took the flight departing at 5.30PM from Brisbane to Sydney. For this one hour and 5 minutes flight they served a hot dinner pack with free flow of wine, beer, juice, soft drink and mineral water even in the economy class.

Sausages, mashed potato and green peas.

Paying AUD125 fare, I have no complaint. Flight departing on time and their cabin crew were experience, pleasant and attentive with a good sense of humour.

Qantas has further enhanced their customer services facilities on ground by providing free Wi-fi in their terminals. Check-in is so much easier by mobile phone or using the "faster and smarter" check-in kiosks, tag your own check-in baggage and drop them.

 Check-in kiosks.

Self service drop bag area

   Close-up of the bag drop.

It was indeed a pleasure to fly with Qantas comparing to Malaysia Airlines on the domestic routes.

IT'S DURIAN SEASON!

It's durians season again! August-September this year have been the peak months. Durians are everywhere!

One of the many roadside stalls along the Kinabalu-Papar road.

 The mixed breed

 Various types of "kampong" durians

At the Donggongon local market 

Also in season is the local favourate "Tarap" at RM3.00 to 5.00 per piece.

 Rambutans too, are everywhere!

"Langsat" and "mangosteen" are available at RM3.00 per kilogramme. 

Majority of the Sabah population loves durians. Price is ranging from RM5.00 - 15.00 per kilogramme. Durian season always make me happy! I prefer the "Local Kampong" durians which are creamy, sweet with a very mild bitter taste.     

 These are my favourite!!!

MT. KINABALU SUMMIT - TO REOPEN 01 DECEMBER 2015 ?

A team of 88 climbers reached the Laban Rata area on 08 August but was unable to access to the summit as the several trails were still inaccessible. 

During a recent press conference, the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister announced the the targeted date for summit climb, subject to the completion of installing the new summit trails, would be 01 December 2015. 

The minister said " We are taking a bit of time because we need expertise in installing the new trails of 6.3 - 6.8 kilometers. There are still large boulders of stones along the old trails that may move or fall in the event of any earth movement". He also elaborated that they need to engage foreign experts to help to built the new trails.

Mountain climbers who are keen to climb Mt. Kinabalu may finally get the chance from 01 December 2015. 

    

MT. KINABALU TO REOPEN FOR CLIMB FROM SEPTEMBER 2015 ?

According to a press release from the Sabah Tourism today, 88 climbers will do a test climb to Mt.Kinabalu on 08 August.

The mountain has been closed since the deadly 5.9 earthquake on June 5 claimed the lives of 18 climbers and mountain guides and caused serious damage to the "climb" trails.

The repairs and restoration work had been carried out over the last couple of months. This Saturday’s climb is to assess the condition of the repaired trail and secondly, to ensure that it is truly safe. According to Sabah Park, the trail from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata is practically intact, except at certain areas that still needed to be improved for safety consideration. The rest of the trail, however, is still undergoing repair and upgrading, considering that some of them were no longer passable. The real challenge in the restoration efforts is the extent of damage between Laban Rata and the peak, some parts of which are now non-existent, full of rocks simply could not be removed. Restoration work up to the peak had been completed, the routes will be even more challenging, due to some changes.

The projected time to officially open the mountain for climbing is still the first week of September 2015. However, the number of climbers allowed to scale the mountain will be reduced by half of its previous capacity, for better safety assurance.

Meanwhile, Sabah Parks director said that the test climb on 08 August is only a day-climb, which would require climbers to descend on the same day, to ensure hundred per cent safety of everyone.

We hope the test climb will be successful so the reopening of the mountain will be realized. 

WOLLONGGONG - NSW

Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, 82 kms or about an hour drive from Sydney. It's our first time visiting this region.

Driving through the scenic Grand Pacific drive, one of the Australia's spectacular driving routes.      

  Taking a break at the Bald Lookout.

A man was preparing to do "hang gliding" over the cliff.

 

Over the cliff.

 

For a moment, I thought he didn't make it. However he reappeared for a landing at the beach below (the glider was in the circle).  

 ....and landed safely!

 

The 665 meter Sea Cliff Bridge is an icon to the people of Wollongong.

Driving through the cliff bridge.

Passing through the city.

Heading to Wollongong Harbour Light House.

A historic lighthouse situated on the southern breakwater of Wollongong Harbour.

The Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse, known affectionately by the locals as Old Wollongong Lighthouse, was built in 1871

While enjoying the sea view and I spotted a number of birds, like the black Cormorant, Fawn-breasted Bower bird and a Cockatoo.

Returning to Sydney in the evening.

BLUE MOUNTAINS - SYDNEY

We headed for the Blue Mountains via M7 motorway from Rockdale, Sydney.

Our first stop was the 26 hectares Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah. With many beautiful landscaped gardens, the view through the valley was spectacular.

 

 

 

 It was Winter, so there were not a lot of flowers in bloom but still so pretty.  

Birds were plenty. As an amateur photographer, I only managed to capture some of them.  

 

There were a number of small Fairy wrens in one of the gardens. Normally male and females looked the same. I was told that they could easily be identified during breeding season. The tail of the male would turn into beautiful blue plumage. 

 

 This male was ready to mate. 

A Gang-gang Cockatoo was spotted high in the tree.

A magpie.

  The Noisy Miner, a common bird could be seen everywhere.

From Botanic garden, Mount Tomah, we drove over to Katoomba town for lunch before continuing our drive to the "Three Sisters" a most spectacular landmark, located at Echo Point Katoomba.

The Katoomba town

 Echo Point Lookout

The Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley, from Echo Point, Katoomba in the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park. 

Returning to Sydney just before sunset. It was a tiring day but we did had a good time.