Inaugural flights are special, for frequent travelers it means more options are now available that can take you to your destination, for the airlines it means a major milestone and opportunities have opened up by servicing new routes. The maiden flight of Air Asia Zest from Cebu to Kota Kinabalu was even more special than normal inaugural flights as AirAsia celebrated and shared this success with all passengers. Everyone on-board our flight were treated to Free Hot Meals, totally unexpected, totally welcome!
There was also one lucky passenger who won for herself one round trip tickets from Manila to any international destination service by Air Asia Zest! She has chosen the right way to fly and got lucky!
Lucky lady and we were lucky passengers =)
I had window seat for our CEB-BKI flight so when the airline crew announced that we were now on final descent; I was so excited for my first glimpse of Kota Kinabalu. I never knew that one day I’d find myself in this neighboring city, thanks to Air Asia Zest for bringing me and fellow travel bloggers and Cebu based media to KK!
Weather outside then was hot with clear visibility. From up in the air I can see pockets of greens and a snaking river, and a long, long coastline. Excitement bubbled up, ‘this trip is going to be amazing’ I thought then and looking back now that I am back in Cebu, yes, it definitely was!
Our plane landed safely in Kota Kinabalu International Airport and then there was another surprised! My attention was caught off guard by a truck spraying water on us and on the plane! It’s a water dousing ceremony! A blessing, a welcome, a celebration! How cool is that?!!! 😀
I later found out that there was also another water truck on the right side, the water spray bowed to the plane in a sort of salute. I almost wish I was on the ground witnessing the dousing ceremony but heyyy I was in the plane, I was in the thick of celebration so shouldn’t ask for more hehehe. 
A Rousing Welcome in the Capital City of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu!
Pic taken from the Air Asia Instagram post.
The surprises kept on pouring! We deplaned to a very warm welcome, each passenger were given this beaded ethnic necklace to welcome us to Kota Kinabalu in the Sabah State of Malaysia. The Sabah Tourism Board Officials put the necklaces on us and also handed us a bag with tourism info packs, our cheat sheet , our ticket in getting to know more about Sabah and Kota Kinabalu.
If you are traveling especially abroad, don’t forget to pick up pamphlets and brochures in the airport, it can serve as your trip souvenir as well as handy to have when you are exploring a new city, a new country.
All passengers of this maiden flight walked to the airport terminal in a festively decorated pathway, an exotic version to a red carpet welcome.
Inaugural flight is definitely love! =)
After speeding through the immigration process, our small group was ushered into the conference area. Welcome and congratulatory messages were shared by the officials of Sabah Tourism Board, Air Asia Berhad and Air Asia Zest Philippines. From the question and answer portion, we learned of the numerous sights and adventures that all guests, tourists and visitors can enjoy in Kota Kinabalu and in Sabah. I’ll be sharing some of them in details on a series of blog posts. Hope you’ll watch out for that. 🙂
Info about the best tourist sites and the list of top Sabah adventures is definitely useful for visitors especially foreign guests like us in Malaysian Borneo.
Before you fly, do your online research for what sites to check out or ask your friends who have been to the place you plan to visit or better yet, read personal accounts and travel blog posts like Penfires. =)
Your Kind of Adventure Awaits in KK and Sabah
Kota Kinabalu and Sabah is a visit to look forward to for those with adventure streak in their genes. Be a nature warrior and climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in the Malay Archipelago. Discover the colorful underwater world by scuba diving or snorkeling in the clear waters and rich reefs of Tun Sakaran Park. Get a tan from island hopping and trekking and hiking. Brave the raging flow of the Kiulu River through white water rafting. Definitely eco-treasures from mountain high to ocean deep wait for you!
If your reason for travelling is to please your tongue and palate, know that you can go for a culinary adventure tour in KK. Feasts on amazing array of cheap but delightfully delicious street food and seafood or give in to your craving for authentic Malaysian cuisine. Don’t forget to try tasting the specialties of the various Borneo tribes while you are in Sabah!
Visiting Malaysian Borneo through its gateway Kota Kinabalu will expose you to its diverse culture and tradition. Heritage walk and cultural shows are other reasons why tourists love this tropical destination in Southeast Asia. It’s also something that you can look forward to when you fly to Sabah via KK.
Kota Kinabalu is an exotic destination, a place for relaxation, a place for adventure. And it’s just 2 hours away from Cebu and less than 3 hours from Manila, you won’t have to travel far and long to discover a new beautiful world.
There are reasons after reasons why you should come and explore Kota Kinabalu and Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Travel more, go for amazing adventures!
Me with my fellow travel bloggers and Cebu media! Happy and fresh from our Kota Kinabalu experience!!!
Thanks to Libotero for this cool group pic! =)
This trip was made possible by AirAsia Zest – The Right Way to Fly and Sabah Tourism Board – Visit Malaysia 2014. AirAsia Zest now flies to Kota Kinabalu from Cebu Mactan International Airport. Visit www.airasia.com for flight schedules, promos and online flight reservation. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
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