Thoughts: PAL Slashes Fares to Selected Destinations Up to 70% Off On-Site the 19th Travel Tour Expo

ETA:  I went to the Expo and found out that the ticket prices being offered by PAL only cover the base fare.  Thus, it excludes surcharges and taxes.  For a round trip ticket to Manila-Delhi, PAL quoted us USD 472 (base fare plus taxes and surcharges) plus USD 30 for the travel tax.

     Lifted from PAL's website:

Promos at TravelTour Expo

Visit the Philippine Airlines booth at the 19th TravelTour Expo and enjoy great discount on domestic and international tickets. The Expo runs February 17-19, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Promotional deals available during the TravelTour Expo:

•     Up to 70% off on airfares on selected domestic and regional routes
•     Up to 30% off on airfares on selected US/Canada routes
•     A chance to win round-trip tickets to Las Vegas
•     Other exciting surprises

These offers are only available at the Travel Expo site.

Visit philippineairlines.com/promos for other promos or call PAL Reservations in Manila: (02) 855-8888 for other inquiries. 

     Wondering which selected flights?  Domestic tickets will go as low as Php 555 and Php 777 one-way, depending on the destination and travel period, the farthest date being 15 August 2012.

     For regional and international flights, prices for roundtrip, economy class tickets are as follows:

•  US$30 to Bangkok and Singapore; 

• US$67 to Hong Kong, Macau and Saigon;

• US$117 to Delhi; US$327 to Melbourne and Sydney;

• US$337 to Honolulu; and

•  US$507 to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Vancouver

      I am actually interested with PAL's Delhi flights.  However, I am not sure if USD 117 is just for the base price exclusive of surcharges and taxes.  You see, it's around USD 360 for Delhi on surcharges and taxes alone, not including the Php 1620 travel tax.  I'd be really disappointed if USD 117 is just the base price.

     Anyway, the details can be found here:    

70% off on PAL tickets at Travel Expo

Up to 70 percent discount on selected domestic and international tickets is being offered by Philippine Airlines (PAL) exclusively at the 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012, to be held February 17-19 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

One way, domestic tickets will go as low as P777 to any PAL destination in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao for travel between February 21 to March 21, 2012; P1,000 to Luzon or Visayas and P2,000 to Mindanao for travel between March 22 to May 31, 2012; and P555 to Luzon or Visayas and P777 to Mindanao for travel between June 1 to August 15, 2012.

Meanwhile, roundtrip, economy class tickets will just be for US$30 to Bangkok and Singapore; US$67 to Hong Kong, Macau and Saigon; US$117 to Delhi; US$327 to Melbourne and Sydney; US$337 to Honolulu; and US$507 to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Vancouver.

Also, all Mabuhay Miles Y Flyer members get a 10% discount on domestic and regional tickets, except for Australia and Japan, upon presentation of their membership card at the PAL booth.

Fares are exclusive of government taxes, fees and surcharges. Booking and selling period is from 17-19 February 2012 only.

PAL is one of the major sponsors of the Travel Expo organized annually by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.

Those purchasing the deeply discounted tickets also get a chance to win free regional and international tickets during a daily raffle.

Tickets purchased from the PAL booth or any participating travel agents entitle the passenger to a raffle coupon. Three (3) winners will be drawn daily from February 17 to 19 at the PAL booth.

Prizes may be claimed at PAL's Advertising & Promotions office, PNB Financial Center, Diosdado Macapagal Ave., Pasay City, upon presentation of the PAL e-ticket and raffle coupon.

The annual expo – dubbed the ultimate shopping destination for best travel deals – gets more than 60,000 visitors to the more than 450 booths from more than 200 companies.

This year's expo has the theme: 19th Travel Tour Expo: One Stop Shop to the World! 

Thoughts: 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 [17 to 19 February 2012]

     Since I'm feeling lazy, I'll just lift the details of the country's biggest tour expo from the 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 website:

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event covering practically all segments of the travel business, making it the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry. More than 60,000 travelers/visitors were present in the 2011 edition which had more than 450 booths occupied by more than 200 firms.

On its 19th year, TravelTour Expo will again cover 4 halls, giving exhibitors more booths to choose from while offering visitors a wider variety of travel options. The 3-day event is scheduled on 17 to 19 February 2011 at Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “19th TravelTour Expo: One Stop Shop To The World!”, the show will feature local and international destinations, cultural presentations and discounted travel packages from the exhibitors.

Why join TravelTour Expo 2012?

    TravelTour Expo is the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry

    TravelTour Expo offers you an expanded customer base

    TravelTour Expo is the ultimate destination for the best travel deals

    TravelTour Expo is the prime marketplace for your destinations

    TravelTour Expo is continuously doing its best to bring you a special show every year!

Date:

17 to 19 February 2012

Venue:

SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4,

Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Opening Hours:

17 February - Friday

10 AM - 9 PM

18 February - Saturday

10 AM - 9 PM

19 February - Sunday

10 AM - 7 PM

Ticket booths close 30 minutes before end of show hours

Accompanying Events:

Entertainment, Games, Exhibitors' Presentations & more surprises 

Melaka Travel Adventures - Day 1: Jonker Walk

     Jonker Walk is a street in Melaka flanked on each side with heritage houses turned into hotels, shops and restaurants.  There are temples, too.  On weekends, it becomes a night market and the streets are closed to traffic.  Apparently, Jonker Walk is famous for antiques but on weekends, clothes, souvenirs and food, among other stuff, are sold.  It has sort of a touristy feel but it is masked by rows and rows of beautiful heritage buildings.

     It is quite easy to reach Jonker Walk from the Dutch Square.  Just cross the street, walk along the small bridge over the river and you'll see the street island with a marker: Jonker Walk.  On its right, a huge red building with a restaurant and a souvenir shop selling local food items or "pasalubong," mostly sweets,  like the local dessert dodol, candied or dried this and that, biscuits, chips, etc.  I think the building's name is San Shu Gong.  It's usually packed with tourists on weekends buying just about everything they could carry back home.  Anyway, Jonker Walk is very hard to miss and it'll take less than 2 minutes to walk from the Clock Tower to the marker.

Manila Chronicles: Winter Clothes Shopping at Promod

     You may want to ask me how I know about store sales.  Let me be quite honest about it.  I work 5 minutes away on foot from a mall.  There.  And yes, the store clerks of the shops I frequent know me already because I am always present when there's a sale.

     Anyway, as with Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Topman, and other foreign clothes stores, Promod has been on sale since mid-January 2012 or thereabout for its year-end sale.  And, what's great about Promod?  Their winter accessories.

     Yes, if you're looking for a scarf that does not look a dime-a-dozen, then Promod is your answer.  Their scarf collection is great, although a little on the higher price range.  But, don't fret, they're having a 70% off sale and their sale items will remain until stocks last.

     Also, Promod's faux fur winter stoles are to die for.  Perhaps, you're a fan of Downton Abbey and you've probably seen Lady Mary Crawley with a fur winter wrap.  And your best bet at coveting that winter stole: Promod.

   


      I've seen this one, too, at the store.  So cute!  It's quite heavy, though.

     This one, too, in different colors.  It looks better in person.

     Well, there's this cape, too, but I am not sure if it's on sale, too.  Probably.  Who'll wear it in spring?

 

     Oh, and I should not forget about this one.  This is simply divine, but a little heavy.  You have to put it on when you check-in at the airport.  Putting it on your luggage will just add a lot to your allowable weight limit.

     And, I've bought these pieces for my Hong Kong trip this February, where the weather's a bit cold this time of the year.  Around 14C to 20C.  I'll put on a cardigan over the sheer one, and perhaps, I'll slip the black one on top of a long-sleeved fitted shirt in white, beige or gray.  What do you think?

     Before I forget, I've seen two winter boots over at Promod.  The first one looks more like a rain boot because of its style, or perhaps, a shorter go-go boots (Promod's style last season was mod-like), and a riding boot of some sorts.

Manila Chronicles: Winter Clothes Shopping at Topshop

     Oh yes.  I know.  One of the most read articles on my blog is about winter clothes shopping.  So, I am trying my best to share where one could buy outfits for winter.

     Last week, I've blogged about the sale at the Terranova, and now, I have something even better.  Topshop, which has been on its year-end sale since mid-January 2012, has just offered BUY ONE, TAKE ONE promo on ALL their SALE ITEMS starting yesterday.  Yes, you read it right.  On top of the 50% price slash, Topshop makes further reduction with their Buy One, Take One scheme: you pay for the higher priced item and the lower priced one is free.  For example, those oh-so-cute over-sized winter knitwears and sweaters, which range about Php 1,600 to 1,900 per piece (already with a 50% discount) can  now be yours for half the price, that is, if you buy any sale item within the same price range.  Yes, you can combine any items on sale for the Buy One, Take One promo.  So, you can have a winter sweater and a winter jacket, too.  Or a winter scarf and a winter sweater. 

     Just some of the winter outfits I've been raving about from Topshop (although I couldn't find photos of their oversized sweaters with thick stripes):

     Me, on the other hand, got a little shopping-crazy for their cute shoulder bags, and shoes, too.  

     Happy winter clothes shopping!

Thoughts: 4 Bookstores in Asia [Bookworm, Poplar, VVG Something and Daikanyama T-Site] Made it to the 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

     I am crazy about books...and as much as I love to read, I am most happy when I am browsing shelves upon shelves of books.  Most especially if the bookstore is pretty.  I get depressed when the books don't get the proper respect they deserve, really.  I cringe when my book has a dent, a folded page, or worse, a tear on the page or cover.  I shudder just thinking that books are just stacked haphazardly in fugly, dust-covered shelves; moreso when it's the bookstore itself that has no regard for the books' well-being.

     Yes, I am quite OC about books and being quite discerning when it comes to bookstores, where I buy my books, comes with the territory, of being OC, that is.  I mean, I could stay at a well-lighted, well-designed bookstore for hours, so I was really hyped when I saw an article about the The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World by Flavorwire website.  I mean, bookstores!  Pretty, lovely bookstores!  I'm in book heaven!

     An excerpt of the article/list from Flavorwire is quoted here:

     "With Amazon slowly taking over the publishing world and bookstores closing left and right, things can sometimes seem a little grim for the brick and mortar booksellers of the world. After all, why would anyone leave the comfort of their couch to buy a book when with just a click of a button, they could have it delivered to their door? Well, here’s why: bookstores so beautiful they’re worth getting out of the house (or the country) to visit whether you need a new hardcover or not. We can’t overestimate the importance of bookstores — they’re community centers, places to browse and discover, and monuments to literature all at once — so we’ve put together a list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, from Belgium to Japan to Slovakia. Just so you know now, all you bookstore fiends: neither the Strand nor Powell’s is on this list. They’re both great bookstores, of course, but not particularly pretty (at least in our minds), and thus disqualified. Click through to see our picks for the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and as always, if we’ve left off your favorite, be sure to add to the collection in the comments!"

     And, I got all happier when 4 bookstores in Asia made the cut, 2 in Beijing, China, 1 in Japan, and 1 in Taiwan.  So great, right?  Since, this is an Asian travel blog, I'll only discuss the 4 bookstores in Asia as mentioned.  Include these bookstores in your "places of interest" which you may want to visit while in Beijing, Taipei or Tokyo.

     So, here it goes:

     BEIJING, CHINA

     The Bookworm, Beijing

     "There’s magic in the air at this English-language bookstore in Beijing. Bookworm, Beijing, China."

     The first thought that popped into my head was: "Oh, Hogwarts!"  Yeah, really, the "floating" candles really struck me.  The illusion, though, was more twinkling stars in the night sky.  Very divine, don't you think?

     Here are a couple of photos from The Bookworm's website.  Apparently, it is not only a bookstore but a library, bar, restaurant and events space as well.

     Anyway, here's the About Us excerpt from The Bookworm's website:

A bustling hive of literary activity, The Bookworm is forever expandineag its book offering – at the last count, we were able to boast 16,112 titles on our library shelves.

Our bookshop offers a wide range of sometimes surprising tomes, and our talks continue to beguile our audiences. Our restaurant is well loved for its tasty-yet-value-for-money menu, and spontaneous musical evenings are apt to bubble up from nowhere. 

It’s easy to see why The Bookworm is such a hit among Beijingers; where else can you while away the hours savouring fabulous fare, browsing thousands of books, sipping good espresso, being regaled by eminent authors, catching up with friends over your favourite tipple, or simply just checking your emails? The spacious, interconnecting rooms with floor-to-ceiling books on every wall are light and airy in summer, yet cosy and snug in winter. And the roof terrace is perfect for yard-arm cocktails. 

Booklovers, old China hands, newcomers, students and business travellers alike unite at The Bookworm. Our coffee’s always freshly ground, our chocolate cake voluptuous and our staff delightful. 

So, why not drop in sometime and join us?

      Apparently, The Bookworm now has branches in Suzhou and Chengdu.  However, if you want to visit the Beijing branch, here's its address and contact information:

Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road,

Chaoyang District, Beijing

100027, P.R China

Tel: (010) 6586 9507

Email: books@beijingbookworm.com

Web: http://beijingbookworm.com

Directions to The Bookworm Beijing by Car, Bike or Foot (very detailed):

From Tuanjiehu Subway Station: Exit at the Pacific Century Plaza exit, on Gongti Bei Lu.

1. Head West along Gongti Bei Lu to the intersection of Nan Sanlitun Lu and Sanlitun Bei Lu.

2. Turn South onto Nan Sanlitun Lu and walk 200 metres (passing The Rickshaw on your left) to the first small turning on your Left. (Be careful not to walk too far South on Nansanlitun).

3.You will find The Bookworm, a large green building on your immediate Right. If you reach Banana Leaf, you've gone too far - we're between Banana Leaf and the main road.

From Gong Ren Ti Yu Cheng (The Worker's Stadium): 

1. Head East passing China View on the South side of the road, and 200 metres later, pass Ya Show Clothing Market on the North side. 

2. When you reach the intersection of Nan Sanlitun Lu and Sanlitun Bei Lu (approx 0.5km from The Worker's Stadium), turn South onto Nan Sanlitun Lu and walk 200 metres (passing The Rickshaw on your left) to the first small left turning on your Left. (Be careful not to walk too far South on Nansanlitun).

3.You will find The Bookworm, a large green building on your immediate Right. If you reach Banana Leaf, you've gone too far - we're between Banana Leaf and the main road.

BEIJING, CHINA

Poplar

     "How could any kid (or adult, for that matter) resist those delicious reading nooks? Poplar Kid’s Republic, Beijing, China."

     This one is special; it's designed for kids.  I mean, this is a sure way to get kids fall in love with books and reading.  Just look at the reading area!  Yup, this may very well be a good diversion rather than playing computer games day in and day out.  Ah, to be a kid.  

     A couple of photos from Poplar's website: 

    From Poplar's About Us page: 

Introduction of the Company 

The Beijing POPLAR Culture Project Co.,Ltd (BPCPC) was established in July,2004, by the Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd., which is the largest professional children’s book publishing company in Japan. 

Against the background that more attention is put on international cooperation, the BPCPC devotes itself to the creation and development of a new children as well as picture book culture. In the information era as we are in now, the children’s world accordingly is becoming diversified and more internationalized. We take children as the future pillars of each society and the hope of the world peace. In order to help them grow up healthily, we would launch various forms of international cooperation. With the mission to communicate the colorful and abounding culture, which is so indispensable to a meaningful life, to children, we hope to contribute our efforts to a better future for children, with the assistance of our Chinese friends.  

In the middle of Oct. 2005, Kid’s Republic, the picture book store of BPCPC, opened in Jianwai SOHO community, Beijing. It has become the first specialized picture book store in China. With the aim to supply the children and parents with the top of the best children’s books as well as a relaxing reading environment, not only plenty of carefully chosen Chinese and foreign children’s books are available in Kid’s Republic, a special reading room assembling excellent original version of picture books from all over the world is also established. Meanwhile, a Reader’s Club has been formed and various fun activities relating early reading have been launched. The club also periodically provides early reading information up to date.

In China's children book stores, there are many kinds of books available for children, but more and more people feel something important is missed in most of them, something that touches the heart naturally or some naive enthusiasm. Therefore, we want to introduce picture books, this special art form which has a long history in Western countries and often enjoyed by different generations together, to Chinese children. We hope these fine craft stories and art works nurture their hearts and spirits, and bring them an imaginative childhood.

Here's Poplar's store information and directions on how to reach there:

Store Hours

• Open everyday

• Summer (May 1st – sep. 31st) 10:00 am – 19:00 pm

• Winter (oct.1st – Apr.30th) 10:00am – 18:30 pm

• For more Information, please call: 010- 5869-3032

How to get here?

• Add: the First Floor, Building 13th, Jianwai SOHO Community, No.39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Beijing (Opposite the China World Hotel;At the South Side of the Chang An Avenue; Close to GuoMao Subway Station; Southwest of the Guomao Bridge. Please note, It ‘s NOT SOHO New Town)

• Main Bus Route: Take 28, 57, 705, 703, 801, 976 to Da Bei Yao Nan Station, On the West of the road is Jianwai SOHO Community.

• By Metro：Line 1 Guomao Station, use exit Cand walk 100 meters West.At the path to the South opposite the Jinglun Hotle, look for the sign that says with “Jianwai SOHO”.

• Parking Lot：Base 2 of Tower 13, Jianwai SOHO. Free parking ticket available. 

TAIPEI, TAIWAN

 VVG Something

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/tendertiger/4721388082/#

"Almost utilitarian but filled with simple old-world grace, this store is a little like what we might imagine our ideal ship’s main cabin to look like. VVG Something, Taipei, Taiwan."

     Oh, this one's small, but pretty!  How come I haven't been to it before?  Anyway, I've roamed around one of the Eslite branches in Taipei, but it'll definitely be a treat to visit this bookstore.  Look at the details!  I'll want my private library to look like this.  Before I forget, VVG means "very, very good."

     I've scoured the internet for details about this lovely bookstore and found out that it has a cafe, too!  Also, from the blog of one of the owner's friend, "nanamoose:  m-u-s-i-n-g-s", I was able to learn some facts about the VVG Something bookstore.  An excerpt from the blog post entitled, Taipei Finds: VVG Something, can be found here:

"A cute little addition to the VVG empire that occupies one end of Alley 40 on Lane 181, VVG Something sells beautifully bound, imported hardbacks on gastronomy, along with random household knickknacks like old typewriters, ice-shavers, copper teapots from India, enameled brassware from Poland, and handmade stationary from Japan. If this doesn't already send you pacing out the door to go find it, add bright red French doors, white brick walls a big fat lamps with a black shade, and an oh-so-cute coffee counter that reminds you of an old ticketing booth.

The coffee here comes in gargantuan sizes, so pack up a good book, or simply flip through the ones available here, and while away a rainy afternoon in the company of Some Very Very Good Things."

      For more wonderful photos, you can check out nanamoose: m-u-s-i-n-g-s blog here: http://nanamoose.typepad.com/musings/2011/07/taipei-finds-vvg-something.html.  Or to this blog, entitled the Cookie Cutter here: http://thecookiecutterblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/taipei-vvg-something.html.

      Contact information for the VVG Something bookstore:

VVG Something is at 13, Alley 40, Lane 181, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Daan District, Taipei

台北市忠孝東路四段181巷40弄13號

Tel: (02) 2773 1358

      If you're getting off at Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, it's a 4 minute walk from the exit (via Google maps).

TOKYO, JAPAN

 Daikanyama T-Site

"This slick, super-modern store benefits from clean design and charming flourishes of light and mirrors. Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo, Japan."

     And, this is Daikanyama T-Site, T apparently means, Tsutaya, if I read the Google translated website of this bookstore correctly.  Also, this is more than just a bookstore; it is a complex of stores, and I think, even a pet salon, again, if I read the Google translation correctly.  This one is super sleak, very modern.  So pretty!

     Here are some other photos from its website:

      And here's the link to the CNNGo article about Daikanyama T-Site if you want to know more about it: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/shop/tokyos-stunning-palace-printed-word-334326.

     Here's instructions on how to reach the complex:

T-SITE Daikanyama Address

Ya ivy bookstore
Sarugakucho, 17-5, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒 150-0033

GARDEN
Sarugakucho 16-15, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒 150-0033

How to access 

Train
5 minutes walk from the "station" Daikanyama Tokyu Toyoko Line 

Bus
"Shibuya Station" Toranse Tokyu
"T Daikanyama site" → 

Car
5 minutes from the "Shibuya Station" JR Yamanote Line

Taxi
5 minutes from the "Shibuya Station" JR Yamanote Line

Seat Sale: Philippine Airlines - PHP 777 for ALL Domestic Routes [31 January to 04 February 2012]

     Philippine Airlines is offering a promotional one-way fare sale for ALL domestic flights.  Details are quoted in full from PAL's website here:

PHP 777 for all Domestic Routes
Grab our promotional one way fare for all PR operated domestic flights!

Valid on PR-operated services only.

Selling Period: 31 January to 04 February 2012,
Travelling Period:  07 February to 21 March 2012 and 01 June to 15 August 2012

Book and buy through www.philippineairlines.com using MasterCard, Visa, JCB debit/credit card or BancNet ATM card or My ePrepaid MasterCard.

Limited seats only!

One-way fare From/To MANILA	Fare Basis	Base Fare in PHP	Base Fare + Surcharges (YQ) 1 in PHP	All-In Fare (Base Fare + YQ + Taxes) in PHP ONE-WAY2
FIESTA (ECONOMY) CLASS
Luzon	WPR	777.00	1,073.00	1,202.00
Visayas			1,077.00	1,207.00
Mindanao			1,177.00	1,319.00

Luzon: Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa
Visayas: Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban and Tagbilaran
Mindanao: Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, and Zamboanga

Notes:
¹Applicable One-way Surcharges (YQ): Luzon-PHP296;Visayas-PHP300; Mindanao-PHP400
²ALL-IN One-way fares are INCLUSIVE of Surcharges and  V.A.T.  but EXCLUSIVE of PHP15.00 Aviation Security Fee (ASF).

Fare Conditions:

• Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on economy class
• Valid on PR-operated services only.
• This offer is valid only for sale in the Philippines (PAL ticket offices and travel agents), and in the Philippine Airlines website.
• Last day for ticket issuance is 04 February 2012. Travel must be completed by 15 August 2012
• WPR must be booked during the promo period only. Go-show is not allowed
• WPR is non-refundable and non-reroutable. Upgrading is allowed only to fare types KPR / XPR / BPR / VFB / QPR / HPR / MPR / LPR / SPR / N3 / Y3 / D / C / J1
• Upgrading to higher fare is permitted provided that non-refundable amount remains non-refundable
• Change fee for rebooking due to upgrade is at PHP800 per sector. Rebooking on the same booking class is not allowed. Change fee for re-issuance is allowed at PHP800 per sector. No Show Surcharge is PHP600 per sector
• Other discounts:
  Infant Without Seat – 85% of the accompanying adult fare
• Mileage accrual - 25%
• Free Baggage Allowance for WPR fare type is 15kgs.