Mango Airlines Flight Review: Why Not Today?

Mango Airlines SOC Ltd, known as Mango, is a state-owned South African low-cost airline which was founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of South African Airways. Mango's main base is OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg. I have decided to try another low-cost airlines on the way back to Pretoria from Cape Town and I must say I am surprised with the facilities provided by a low cost airline.

Orange is the official color of Mango Airlines

Typical 3-3 Seat Configuration of Boeing 737-800 series with in-flight entertainment, the Mango TV

Okay....here's the main reason why I have chosen to try out Mango Airlines. They offered the first in-flight Wi-fi in South Africa which provides broadband internet access at 30000 ft. This is And it offers unlimited access at an affordable cost of 50 rands (USD 5). But to my disappointment, the flight which I have boarded JE704, is the one and only aircraft that does not have the wi-fi. That's quite a bummer for me.

Catchy Tagline of Mango Airlines, "Why not today?"

Despite the disappointment of not being able to try out the G-Connect Wifi internet above 30000 ft, I must say that I am still satisfied with the overall flight experience. My friend did manage to try it and he told me that it was pretty awesome. The tagline itself is catchy and the facilities served on board and ease of check-in is terrific for its affordable price. I will definitely fly on Mango Airlines again in the future for  the G-Connect Internet! but 'Why not today?' I will soon~ :D

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Kulula Airlines Flight Review: It's Fun!

Kulula Airlines or Kulula ( meaning in Zulu and Xhosa: It's easy), is a South African low-fare airline, operating on major domestic routes in South Africa. I had the opportunity to experience yet another low-cost airlines on route to Cape Town few weeks ago and I would say this is one fun experience. 

Green is the official color of Kulula air which is a subsidiary airlines of British Airways

The main fleet, Boeing 737-800

the typical 3-3 seat configuration of Kulula  Airlines

The Fun Part of Kulula Airlines

Kulula sure knows how to make it fun by capturing pictures of thei happy Cabin Attendant

The affordable buy on-board food that cost about USD 4 (chicken sandwich and orange juice) with a fun tagline "I'm Tasty and I Know It"

Yet another tagline, It's so fresh, you can smell the farm it came from..hahaha Ok not really but you get the idea.

First impression of Kulula Airlines? It's provides some fun atmosphere. Food wise, yea it's really fresh, affordable and cheap. Price is also cheap with check-in and baggage check-in included. The airlines is about 12 years old which is about the same compare to Air Asia. I don't see the reason why Air Asia is charging everyone for every single service such as baggage fees and check-in fees. That sounds very cheap-skate to me trying to 'suck' every single cents from your customer. A suggestion for Kulula Airlines, it would be great to include some products for in-flight shopping. 

Overall satisfaction and rating, I would like to give a rating of 4 out of 5. 

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Top 5 Reasons for my return to Zebra Crossing Lodge in Cape Town

4 years on and finally I managed to return to Cape Town again. First thing on my mind while purchasing my air tickets, Zebra Crossing Lodge. I did mentioned on my first review about Zebra Crossing Lodge that I will definitely return again for my stay in Cape Town and yeah here I am for 4 days 3 nights. Despite some minor setback and incidents which have happened in Cape Town, these top 5 reasons are the main factors that made my stay memorable.

No. 5: The Lemon Trees

As soon as you enter the lodge, you will be greeted by green lush  lemon tree. As lemon is not common in my country, Malaysia, it's great for me to look at those trees everyday :D..

No. 4: The Hail Storm Experience 

This happens only once in a blue moon, and yes, really once in a blue moon. With experience with all kinds of precipitation such as rain (too common and boring in Malaysia) and snow (boring as well), hail is a new experience. It started with a sudden sunny weather during a stormy weekend and suddenly, you could hear loud 'heavy rain' kind of sound and here you are, the round spherical hail which is suitable for some ice coffee during hot summer (unfortunately not in Cape Town at that time). 

No.3: Beautiful Rainbow after the hail

No places offered you the best rainbow view ever than Zebra Crossing Lodge (I hope it will be always...lol) As soon as the hail stopped, the sun emerged again with rainbows~ beautiful indeed after a stormy session

No. 2: The Location

click for panoramic experience

The Zebra Crossing lodge is located at a strategic New Church St.. it took me about 10-15 minutes taxi ride to either the Cape Town's very own gorgeous Table Mountain which is one of the 7 Nature Wonders of the World and the breathtaking panoramic view is also view-able from the lodge every morning. Besides that, the South Africa's most visited destination, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, can be reached within 10-15 minutes by taxi. Malls and restaurants are also situated around the vicinity of Zebra Crossing Lodge which can be reached on foot. The airport is also reachable within 20 minutes of taxi ride.

No.1 The Fun People of Zebra Crossing Lodge

The top reason apart from wifi facilities and affordable rates, as a backpacker, you tend to look for a place where you can interact and of course make new friends from around the world. And here we go, the top reason for my return to Zebra Crossing Lodge is the fun people and staff! Thanks to you positive guys and girls (Ian, Regine, Steven, Bryan, Ole the Great Dane, Juanho, Pierre, the staff, Susan and Nadia (too bad I missed out Stacey this time) for the fun, laughter and memorable time~ I am sure to be back again and keep in touch through Facebook or email~ God Bless You!! :D

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Lanseria International Airport of South Africa: A Review

Well I have never planned to blog about any airport that I have visited so far. However, there is always first time. That is Lanseria International Airport of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a small privately owned airport currently undergoing renovation which caters for mostly domestic flight, an international flight and private chartered flight. In other words, Lanseria Airport is considered a low cost cargo terminal for budget airlines which are Mango Airlines and Kulula Airlines as well as Air Botswana. What really make me feel good about this airport are the amenities provided at the departure. Newspapers are given free for your own reading pleasure with free flow coffee and rooibos tea. Free 1 hour of fair usage wifi is provided at the departure hall. The atmosphere is also very relaxing. In my own experience, this is the one and only airport so far to have provided free coffee and tea. Of course I do not expect these kinds of facilities in any huge airport though but this is the first airport to be in my favorite list and ‘hope to return to’ airport.

spacious cosy sofas and chairs which makes the airport looks more like a cafe/hotel instead

that is not a free coffee booth but if you can get any snacks from there at a cheap price

Free coffee, tea, newspaper and wifi..what else do you need for a relaxing departure?

you can also get free coffee at the lower level of the departure hall and yes you can just bring your cup to your seat

two private jets waiting to take-off

this is one of the jet that I wish to fly one day via flying club..who knows it might happen in the future? fingers crossed

This is one cool private jet which is waiting for its passenger

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The Deserts of Arab

If you have the chance to transit in the Arabic region by taking a flight from Emirates Airlines or Qatar Airlines, you will be sure to enjoy turbulence free flight. Apart from that, due to cloudless region, you will be able to experience the vast landscape of deserts. Basically deserts are formed in 4 ways, high pressure, dry air currents, rain shadow and cold ocean currents. In addition to that there are 3 types of desert land forms namely, ‘Erg’, Reg’ and Hamada. Erg desert is the typical form of desert in our imagination aka the sandy dunes of Sahara. Reg desert on the other hand is a desert with tiny stones and rocks and Hamada desert represents desert with rocky land forms. The Grand Canyon is an example of vast Hamada desert. Okay, enough of Geography. This post will show you on the deserts of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Somalia as I have flew past these regions.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai tried to fill up the city with buildings, water and plants to rejevunate the deserts. 

As the aircraft flew further from the city, you will be able to see lesser buildings with 'dark colored' boxes'. These are actually green fields in dark green color. Actually deserts are soil with rich nutrients and with water and care, plants can actually grow. This is a suitable way to prevent and improve greenness in desert area.

In this picture, you can actually see some green fields as well as hilly deserts and some tracks of river tributaries which is a proof of fluvial processes aka presence of water

A reservoir sighted with settlements nearby (white boxes)

this is what a future Martian settlement will look like..no? with water and plants, the desert lands could be revitalised into a settlement even if it is on Martian as NASA has proven that there were once life because of presence of water.

Saudi Arabia

No, I did not fly over Riyadh but just flew over the main desert area of Saudi Arabia with a chance to look at several harsh desert environment

Dried river tributary landscapes

those veins are the dried river tributaries

Somalia

More dried riverbed in the harshest and most dangerous nation in the world, Somalia

I am not sure if this is a road network or a river but the land form certainly looks harsh

Finally some clouds appeared in Somalia

Desert landscapes by the ocean cause by cold ocean currents which the rain falls at the ocean area instead of the land during to rapid cooling of clouds before reaching the land 

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