Avril Lavigne Live Concert in Malaysia 2012

Avril Lavigne Live Concert in Malaysia 2012 will be held at the Stadium Merdeka Kuala Lumpur on the 18th February. Branded under the Black Star Tour, this will surely be a show not to miss as the Pop Punk Princess will most likely give a rocking show to remember for a long time since her last attempt to perform here in Malaysia back in 2008 when authorities canceled the concert. This time, the Avril Lavigne Concert in KL is brought to you by Tune Talk and the concert starts at 8.30pm.

Avril on stage

There is also a 20% early bird discounts for those who purchase the concert tickets before the 31st January 2011. Avril Ramona Lavigne was born on 27 September 1984 and is from Canada. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than US$2 million. In 2002, when she was 17 years old, Lavigne broke onto the music scene with her debut album 'Let Go' and has been popular the world over since.

Avril Concert in KL layout plan

Ticket Prices for Avril Live in KL, Malaysia

Tickets for Avril Lavigne Concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rock Corner  KLCC, Subang Parade, The Gardens, Midvalley Megamall, The Curve
Victoria Music Centre and The Guitar Store outlets
Prices: RM298 (Tune Talk Zone);
RM198 (Rock Zone)
RM 98 (Regular)

For inquiries call Ticketpro Hotline : 603-78807999
Buy Avril Lavigne Tickets from TicketPro Malaysia

Avril Lavigne Concert in KL 2012 Information

• Venue: Stadium Merdeka
• Time: 8.30 PM (Doors open at 7pm)
• Date: 18th February 2012

How to go to Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur;

• Monorail: Nearest Monorail stops are at Hang Tuah and Maharajalela, located approximately 0.4 kilometres from Stadium Merdeka.
• Trains: Nearest stop on Putra LRT is at the Pasar Seni Station while for Star LRT, the stop is at Plaza Rakyat. Estimated walking time from these two places are between 15 and 20 minutes.
• Buses: Public buses are widely available within the city at designated public bus stops. Almost all buses are air-conditioned and equipped with automated ticket vending machines.
• Taxis: Taxis are available widely in the city and at designated taxi stands. Please note that rides between midnight and 6 am are subject to a 50% surcharge, in addition to the metered fee.

 

Avril Lavigne on stage

During a concert

Avril Lavigne Black Star Concert Live In Malaysia is presented by TuneTalk and brought to you by JS Concert Productions. You can get more information on the star at her official Avril Lavigne Website. You can also see other popular musicians that are having Live Concerts in Malaysia. If you are traveling from around Malaysia or from across the border, be sure to book your hotel accommodations ahead.

Fans should be pleased to know that this will be her first performance here after a major controversy back in Aug 29th 2008 where an Islamic movement in Malaysia claimed that the singer was too sexy and it was not the right time to perform here due to the Independence Day celebrations which was two days away. Let us hope that this time around, the show will go on without any other issues and fans will be able to catch the Avril Lavigne Live Concert in Malaysia 2012.

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Matta Fair 2012 March

Matta Fair 2012 March 16-18 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur is back again with some amazing travel packages and deals for everyone! This will be the first major travel fair to welcome the Year of the Dragon and over 100,000 people are expecting to visit the fair over the three day event here at the Putra World Trade Center in KL. 

As usual, the Matta Fair 2012 will be held from 10am to 9pm while this years theme is "Get the Best...In Travel" as many Malaysians and foreigners are always looking forward to the fair to get the best travel packages for Malaysia and the world. The total number of booths are also increased to 984 which will be one of the largest in years. You can also expect to see more Muslim Tour Packages.

Matta Fair Sabah Tourism Booth

Visitors who own Matta Credit Cards will be in for some surprises as they will be getting two entrance tickets, two meal vouchers and special access to the Matta Business Lounge. The fair will also be selling items related to the travel and tourism industry. Among the many products found there will include souvenirs, gifts, cameras and camcorders. Other featured vendors will include credit card companies, theme park representatives, resorts, luxury hotels, travel magazines and tourism bodies from other Malaysian states and other countries.

Matta Fair Video

Crowd entering the main Matta Fair hall at PWTC, KL

Matta Fair March 2012 will also occupy a total space area of 20,500 square meters at Halls Number 1, 1M, 2, 3 and the Linkway at PWTC. This means, there will be much walking to do here so come prepared as always. If you have never been to a travel fair like this, you should know that it is almost impossible to cover the entire fair in one day if you are shopping for some travel deals or packages. 

For travel companies and exhibitors who wish to register, you can do so by downloading the form at the official MattaFair website. Registration will open on the 9th of January 2012. There will be a discount of RM200 for early birds who register while the exhibitors who participated for three years and above at this event are entitled to a discount of RM500.

Here is a list of Matta Fairs around Malaysia for 2012

1. Selangor Matta Fair 2012

10-12 February

Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC)

2. Johor Matta Fair 2012

25-27 February

Expo Hall @ Danga City Mall, JB

3. Kelantan Matta Fair 2012

To be confirmed

4. Kuala Lumpur Matta Fair 2012

16-18 March

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)

5. Perak Matta Fair 2012

16-18 March

Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak

6. Sarawak Matta Fair 2012

March or April

To be confirmed

7. World Islamic Tourism Mart

May 31 - June 2

To be confirmed

8. Penang Matta Fair 2012

6-8 July

Penang International Sports Arena (PISA)

9. Sabah Matta Fair 2012

6-8 July

Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu

10. Johor Matta Fair 2012

13-15 July

Expo Hall @ Danga City Mall, JB

11. Negri Sembilan Matta Fair 2012

27-29 July

To be confirmed

12. Melaka Matta Fair 2012

24-26 August

Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC)

13. Kuala Lumpur Matta Fair 2012

7-9 September

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)

14. Perak Matta Fair 2012

7-9 September

To be confirmed

 

Tour agents busy at work

How to go to Matta Fair 2012 at PWTC

By Car:

• You can drive there and park around the PWTC area, Hentian Putra or the open car parks.
• Here's a tip if you don't want to spend time looking for parking - Drive up to the Seri Pacific Hotel (old Pan Pacific Hotel) entrance and give your car to the valet parking which cost about RM15 the entire day. No hassles as you simply walk straight into the Matta Fair from the hotel entrance.
• Other option would be to come very early and park in the PWTC.
• Another place would be to park across at The Mall Shopping Center and walk over.
• Avoid parking along the road illegally as you are bound to get summoned by the police.
• Again I stress, to avoid the traffic jam, you need to head there very early before 11am.

By Taxi: 

• Get into any taxi and tell them Matta Fair at Putra World Trade Center or PWTC.

By Bus:

• An Intrakota Bus stops just outside the Jukebox Shoe Shop opposite the Puduraya Bus Station and this bus goes to Hentian Putra which is opposite PWTC. It will cost approximately RM1.20 (US$0.35) one way.

By Train:

• STAR LRT stops at the PWTC Station and is a very short walk to the Matta Fair.
• PUTRA LINE LRT stops at Masjid Jamek Station and you change with STAR LRT.

Matta Fair March

Date: 16-18 March (Fri - Sun)

Time: 10AM - 9PM

Venue: Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur, KL

Telephone: +603 92876881

Matta Fair cheap flights

You can also read about my last experience at the Matta Fair August 2011 at the PWTC. There was even a special Bridal Exhibition and Honeymoon Package Fair during the main event.

For the regulars who visit this fair, you will know that there are many opportunities to get cheap flight tickets and travel packages to many destinations when you slowly shop around during the three days. As usual, I always make it a point to check out what is on promotions and what new destinations are being offered at the Matta Fair 2012 March.

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Erykah Badu Live Concert in Kuala Lumpur 2012

Erykah Badu Live Concert in Kuala Lumpur 2012 is set to take place on the (Cancelled) 28th 29th of February at the KL Convention Center. The First lady or Queen of Neo-Soul will also be doing this stand alone concert which is also two days after her 41st birthday. Back in 2009, many local fans were disappointed as Erykah pulled a last minute cancellation from the Sunburst Festival 2009 leaving many fans sad. This time around, the concert is to go ahead without any issues in Kuala Lumpur. 

Born Erika Abi Wright in 1971, the singer is well known for her outrageous hairstyles. Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful head wraps. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. In her early youth, she decided to change the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she firmly believed her original name to be her slave name. The term 'kah' signifies the inner self. Badu is her favorite jazz scat sound and is also an African name for the 10th born child used for the Akan people in Ghana.

Till today, Badu also remains an activist in her hometown of South Dallas. Her charity organization, Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3), provides community-driven development for inner-city youth through music, dance, theater and visual arts.

Erykah with a Mohawk hairstyle

Erykah has also made five albums to date which are Baduizm (1997), Mama's Gun (2000), Worldwide Underground (2003), New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008) and New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). She has also won an American Music Award (1998), Three Soul Train Music Awards in 1997, Two Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in 2003 and 2008 and Four Grammy Awards. Her best known single is also 'On & On' (1997/98).

After the Erykah Badu Malaysian Tour, the singer will perform live in Australia on three dates at Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. So if you miss the KL Concert, your next best chance is to catch Erykah Badu live in Australia 2012.

Tickets will go on sale from January 5th at AirAsia RedTix while you can find more information about the Grammy winning singer on her Erykay Badu official website. Hopefully this time around, the concert in KL will go on as planned. Tickets may also be available at TicketPro Malaysia but everyone is awaiting for the news to come out which should be early January 2012.

Concert Update: Erykah's concert has been pushed to the 29th Feb 2012 (Cancelled). 

For those who are traveling from across the border, make sure you have your accommodations planned as there are numerous hotels around the KLCC area. This would probably be the one time that you get to see an Erykah Badu live concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is one of the must visit places when you visit Osaka. Located within the main city itself, you can get there via bus or train and be prepared to spend a full day there. For those traveling with kids, this would most certainly be on top of your itinerary alongside the Osaka Aquarium which is just a short walk and boat ride away. Well, as I have always been a theme park lover, it was only right that I visited this spectacular place while I was in Osaka. 

Universal City train platform in Osaka

My journey to Universal Studios Japan was complimentary as the company had arranged a special visit in regards to the AirAsia X's first flight to Osaka in early December 2011. We made our way there via the Osaka subway which took us roughly about 20 minutes from central Osaka Station without any problems. It was a bonus when English was widely found on ticketing machines, in the trains and even at the platforms so getting lost was pretty hard to achieve.

Here is a good tip for those on a budget - When you arrive at Universal City Station and exit, you will see a convenience store (Lawson) so it is best to buy your food, snacks and drinks here before heading in. We walked in about five minutes before reaching the main entrance to the theme park. Here, you will find a number of shops and cafes along the way and without hesitation, your eyes will be glued to the main entrance to the park which is also one of the most popular places to take photos.

Universal Studios Japan entrance

After getting our entrance tickets to Universal Studios Japan, a whole new world opened before my eyes as I walked in. Something was different - the mood, feel and atmosphere was suddenly changed to this wonderland feeling. A sea of people was seen at the main walkway into the park while costumed characters in striking colors were entertaining guest at random places. Hearing the famous piped music along the streets brought memories of my Universal Studios USA trip back as my last visit to the States was in 2000. It was 11 years since I last visited a park like this.

Crowd at the theme park entrance

4D Cinema

Japanese performers hits the streets for a Christmas Show

As me and the group got a little further inside the park, street ushers began to clear the main streets as a special Christmas Parade was about to take place. Those who knew, lined the street curbs while our Malaysian group had no clue to what was going on. Eventually, we followed suit and stood by the curb awaiting the parade. I have to say that the Japanese people do a fantastic job in performing these kinds of shows. Armed with pride and smiles, the dancers were seen very happy and energetic throughout the ten minute show which was followed by a 'Snowman' performance.

Snowmen performers during the Christmas Show

Guests line the streets in front of the Hollywood Dream Roller Coaster Ride

Mel's Drive In Diner at Universal Studios

If you have never been to a Universal Studios, you should know that the format of this theme park is very American-styled. You will see replicas of American Diners, Streets and even townships throughout the park. Apart from these, you will find thrilling rides on roller coasters, 3D and 4D cinemas, Movie experiences and even spectacular shows from famous movies.

Below, you will see a series of random pictures which I took during my visit here so have a great time looking at them. Click on the pictures if you want to see it in a larger size. If you have any questions regarding USJ, please feel free to leave a comment below. Additional information about this place is at the end of the article. 

Hello Kitty Stall

Some of the cute accessories worn by local Japanese kids

Japanese students pose for a photo with their reindeer hair bands

A ranger takes out a 'Dinosaur' for a walk

One of the rides I enjoyed and would recommend for families and kids would be the Jurassic Park Ride. Even tough it has been over 10 years ago since the movie, the ride is still one of the memorable ones to experience. As suspected, when out group got there, the line was incredibly long with a minimum wait of 30 minutes.But at the end, it was all worth it.

Jurassic Park

Streets around the theme park in a Christmas mood

Typical American Pizza Parlor at USJ

Fancy Coke Booth

Classic Snack Vehicle

Street Performer poses for a photo

Some of the theater shows at USJ

I loved this sign, wish they sold it as souvenirs

Spiderman - The Ride, another very popular attraction

Terminator - The Ride which is quite popular at Universal Studios

While I have experienced Terminator - The Ride in the USA, I just had to try my luck here in Japan again. Lining up was pretty quick, about 10 minutes waiting in the Cyberdyne Systems waiting room. The good news, it's really entertaining for all ages but here's the catch. The entire dialog before the show/ride starts is in Japanese. So, if you do not speak the language, you will most probably be lost like I was in here. Just a heads up.

 

Classic American street shops

Universal Studios Japan Store - Popular souvenir place

Sesame Street Cup Noodles

Tickets for Universal Studio Japan

Ticket Prices	Adults Age 12+	Children Age 4-11	Seniors Age 65+
Studio Pass	6,200yen	4,100yen	5,500yen
2-day Studio Pass	10,700yen	7,200yen	-
Twilight & Day Pass	8,200yen	6,100yen	-

Hard Rock Cafe at Universal City Walk Japan

JR Line to Universal Studios Osaka, Japan

How to go to Universal Studios Japan?

• Best way is to take the train from the main Osaka Station in town.
• JR Osaka Loop Line (環状線 Kanjō-sen) runs in a loop around Osaka.
• Alternately, look for the JR Yumesaki Line and stop at Universal City Station.
• There are buses from Kansai Airport to USJ.

Universal Studios Japan Information and Address:
Information Center Telephone:＋81 6 6465 3000
Address：2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554 0031
Official website for Universal Studios Japan.

AirAsia X Flies to Osaka, Japan four times a week from Kuala Lumpur.

Apart from exploring the many places around here, this is the best theme park experience I had had in a long time. The place is also worth a visit for all walks of life. While you are visiting Osaka, there are a number of things to do like shopping at Shinsaibashi, Dontonburi or visiting the many historical places or even visiting the Osaka Aquarium which is one of the top five in the world. But as for things to do with kids, I would hands down recommend visiting Universal Studios Japan.

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Emirates to fly Airbus A380 from KL to Dubai

Emirates to fly Airbus A380 from KL to Dubai this January 1st 2012 and will be the first commercial A380 flight out of Malaysia. On boards the plane, there are 14 private suites in first class while the business class seats extend to a 2 meter long flat bed. In conjunction with this inaugural flight, Emirates, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts and the StarMetro Newspaper ran an offline campaign to give Malaysians a chance to experience the luxury of the A380 and also enjoy a relaxing holiday in Dubai. Those who submitted a cut out from the local newspaper would be drawn to win a pair of Business Class Tickets to Dubai. 

Private suites on the Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 is one of the most environmentally advanced aircraft in the sky and is also known as a premium hotel in the sky. With fuel efficiency as low as 3.1 litres per 100 passenger kilometres, ultra quiet engines, and a host of light-weight components, The A380’s fuel efficiency is better than most modern small passenger cars in terms of fuel economy per passenger kilometre – this is a key advantage in reducing emissions and maximising eco-efficiency.  Emirates is also the largest operator of the A380, with 13 aircraft currently in their fleet and orders for 90 aircraft in total.

Emirates A380 Private Suite Cabins

Emirates A380 Flat Bed Business Class Seats

 The unique shower and spa on board the A380 plane

Bar Lounge on board the A380

One of the highlights is the First Class feature that  is the talk of the travel industry which is the Onboard Shower Spa, brought to you by the airline's premium spa brand, Timeless Spa. On the Economy class, there are more generous seats, wider aisles, gourmet chef-prepared meals and the Emirates' personal touch means passengers could be mistaken for thinking they have settled in the wrong cabin class.

Emirates A380 Economy Seats

*All pictures taken from Emirates website.

On a side note, the Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380 Plane will arrive as early as April 2012 and will most likely be flying the Kuala Lumpur - London route. It is currently undergoing final fittings and paint work in Hamburg in Germany before being delivered. This is the first of six Airbus A380 planes that Malaysia Airlines has ordered. 

As a number of people have already been on these magnificent wonders, there are still many who have not even seen or been in one of them. For those of you who are yearning to fly on these super luxury planes out of Malaysia, you can now do so by booking with Emirates to fly the Airbus A380 from KL to Dubai this January 2012.

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KLIA Duty Free Shops

KLIA Duty Free Shops at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport offers a wide range of products to suite all kinds of travelers moving in and out of Malaysia. At the main terminal building of the KL International Airport or KLIA as it is commonly called, there are a number of duty free shops available here for domestic travelers and even for those sending off or receiving guest. The Satellite Building which caters to international flights is connected via aerotrain and houses even more duty free shops, food and beverage outlets, a spa and even a hotel.

For travelers coming into Malaysia, this would be the main airport that you will arrive at and it is here that you will come across the many international and local brand names, food and beverage outlets and also retail stores while exiting your arrival gate. From there, you will head towards the aerotrain which is in the center of the satellite building to get to the immigration and baggage area at the airport.

Bulgari, Braun Buffel, Bonia and Aigner Duty Free Stores in KLIA

While the main satellite building is divided into four wings, north, south, east and west, you will find duty free shops at all areas therefore if you require to purchase something special, you will need to check the information post or visit the main information counter to inquire about the item you need. In the middle of the satellite building, you will notice a jungle in the airport which is called The Jungle Boardwalk. Here, anyone can enter this unique attraction and see a true Malaysian rainforest with a waterfall.

Below are pictures of the many stores available around the duty free area of KLIA. Chances are you may have seen most of these stores but rest assured, there are many new ones which opened over the last few months of 2011. As they are spread into the four wings, note that there are signs indicating where where these stores are located. If not, you can always ask the information counter. 

Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hush Puppies and Sembonia Stores in KLIA

You will find all kinds of duty free shops at KLIA ranging from designer brands right till local products. For the trendy, there are top international brand names in the main satellite building while local designers can be found at both terminal buildings. For those who are require some rest and relaxation, there is a hotel and a spa located in the main satellite building. The many premium airline lounges also provide areas for you to rest and relax so check with your airline for this service. 

Ralph Lauren, Khazanah Clothes, Made in Malaysia and L'Occitane Shops in KLIA

Time Watches, Cigar Store, Duty Free Chocolates and Guardian Pharmacy in KLIA

You can also find a number of stores selling chocolates, cigars, souvenirs, kids clothes, electronics, bookstores and even a pharmacy in the main satellite building. If you are not feeling well, there is also a clinic located at one of the wings here. For those seeking cigarettes and liquor, there are duty free shops in the area that cater to many brands.

Royal Selangor, Poney, Mystical Borneo and MPH Bookstore in KLIA

Hugo Boss, Burberry, Dunhill and Bulgari Stores in KLIA

Charles & Keith, Hermes, Godiva and La Mer Shops in KLIA

Satellite building main area where Cosmetic Brands are available

While the main area of the satellite building is right in the center where the Jungle Boardwalk is, there are also a number of cosmetic and beauty product stores here. For those who are serious into make up, there are a number of big names like Kiehl's, La Mer, Anna Sui and more located around here. This area also where the main KLIA information center and aerotrain station is located. Take note that there is always some sale going on in Malaysia and sometimes, some of the international brands will have very good discounts at the airports.

For those who travel frequently, there is a Travel Contest 2012 - Win RM5000 Vouchers from KLIA which is running from 15th December till 15th January 2012. A simple and easy contest, there is no requirements like purchase, slogan or votes. Just join and you stand a chance to be one of the winners.

You should also know that there are over 100 food and beverage, brands and retail stores around the international airport here. While some are located in the main terminal, most of them are found at the satellite building. The best way to see these stores is to go a little earlier for your flight and you can maximize your time at the KLIA Duty Free Shops.

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