If you are looking for a brand new top load washing machine, read until the end! Haier Electrical Appliances Malaysia Sdn Bhd today officially launched the Haier IRIS 2698 Top Load Washing Machine Series, a new-generation laundry solution designed to make every day washing smarter, more convenient and more efficient for Malaysian families like us.

Haier Malaysia IRIS 2698 Top Load Washing Machine Series is now available at Perfect Lifestyle Home Expo in Mid Valley with special promotions and lucky draw.

The launch brought together media partners, business partners and industry guests to experience Haier’s latest laundry innovation, developed in response to the evolving needs of modern households.

For families like us, we need larger laundry loads especially our busy lifestyles, the role of home appliances continues to evolve. Haier is focused on developing solutions that do more than deliver performance – they simplify everyday routines while providing greater convenience, care and peace of mind.

Here is something about the IRIS 2698 Series, it focus on — Clean, Care, Smart and Health — combining advanced washing technology with intelligent features to deliver a more effortless laundry experience.

Designed Around the Realities of Everyday Laundry

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Julian Thean, Head of Brand Marketing of Haier Malaysia, said innovation remains at the heart of Haier’s commitment to improving everyday living.

“At Haier, we believe innovation should go beyond technology — it should solve real challenges faced by consumers every day. The IRIS 2698 Series reflects our commitment to creating smarter and more convenient solutions that help families enjoy a better quality of life.”

Four Technologies Shaping a Smarter Laundry Experience

According to Ms. Stacy Kew Poh Yin, Product Director of Haier Malaysia, the IRIS 2698  Series combines advanced technologies to deliver stronger cleaning performance, enhanced fabric protection and effortless operation.

“The IRIS 2698 Series was developed around four key pillars — Clean, Care, Smart and Health — ensuring consumers enjoy a more efficient and worry-free laundry experience.”

Clean — Double Drive Technology

For tangle-free and cleaner results. Traditional single-power washing systems rely on a single driving force, which can cause clothes to twist and tangle together during the wash. In contrast, Haier’s exclusive Double Drive Technology uses two driving forces to create stronger and more effective washing action. This innovative technology helps reducing tangling while delivering deeper and more thorough cleaning. Designed to handle multiple items and larger loads, Double Drive Technology provides powerful cleaning while maintaining enhanced care for fabrics.

This is extremely useful when cleaning large loads like bed linens, comforter or duvets. The Double Drive Technology means more powerful cleans, more effective washing too.

Care — Essence Wash Technology

For a faster, cleaner wash. With Essence Wash, users can complete a load of laundry in just 39 minutes based on recommended laundry load of up to 3kg. This helps to save valuable time without compromising on cleaning performance.

Essence Spray Technology instantly premixes detergent into a concentrated essence before spraying it directly onto fabrics, enabling faster and more even soaking from the start of the wash. This supports effective stain removal while delivering a thorough clean in less time.

Smart — AI Wash and One Touch

For intelligent, effortless washing. The AI Wash function uses precise motor control to automatically detect laundry weight, match the appropriate water volume and adjust wash time, detergent intensity and spin ratio. Dedicated care programmes are also available for delicate items and bedding. With One Touch, users simply press and hold the button for three seconds after powering on, allowing the washing machine to automatically set the parameters and begin the wash.

Health — Fresh Air System

For fresher clothes after washing. The Fresh Air System rotates the inner tub every hour after the wash cycle to enhance airflow, reduce moisture and help prevent odours, keeping clothes fresh for up to 12 hours inside the tub.

Elevating Everyday Living Through Smarter Home Solutions

With the launch of the IRIS 2698 Top Load Washing Machine Series, Haier continues to strengthen its commitment to developing innovative home appliances that respond to the changing needs of modern households.

By bringing together powerful performance, intelligent technology and user-focused design, the new series is designed to help Malaysian families spend less time managing laundry and enjoy a more effortless everyday experience.

Go and check out the Haier Malaysia IRIS 2698 Top Load Washing Machine Series is now available at Perfect Lifestyle Home Expo in Mid Valley and don’t forget the special promotions and lucky draw.

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International travel is expensive.

Between flights, hotels, transfers and all those little fees that sneak up on you… It’s easy for a dream vacation to become a money pit. The good news is…

Traveling overseas can be affordable. By using a few tricks you can cut costs on nearly everything. Flights, hotels, currency exchange, you name it.

This article breaks down the smartest ways to book international trips on a budget.

Here’s what you’ll uncover:

• Why International Trips Cost More Than They Should

• Cross-Border Payment Friction Explained

• 6x Budget-Friendly Booking Strategies

• Common Booking Mistakes To Avoid

Let’s jump in.

Why International Trips Cost More Than They Should

Booking an international trip is not the same as booking a domestic one.

You are dealing with a whole extra layer of costs, including:

• Currency conversions

• Foreign transaction fees

• Payment processing delays

• Booking site markups

Every one of these adds like a few percent on top of your total bill. They don’t seem like much when you look at them one by one. But when you add up flights + hotels + tours + dinners… suddenly your budget is running 10-15% over what you expected.

Online travel is a big business – Billions and billions of dollars worldwide. Billions! That means there are lots of moving pieces and lots of opportunity for undisclosed fees to creep into your reservation.

Cross-Border Payment Friction Explained

Here’s something most travellers never think about…

Payment friction occurs when sending funds across borders costs more, takes longer, or fails. Payment friction impacts virtually every transaction conducted internationally. Whether paying a hotel deposit overseas or remitting a booking fee to that mom-and-pop B&B abroad.

Cross-border payment friction can show up as:

• Foreign exchange markups (usually 1-3% per transaction)

• Failed transfers due to bank rejections

• Settlement delays of 2-5 business days

• Hidden intermediary bank fees

Latest data from the World Bank indicates that globally, it now costs customers on average around 6.49% to send $200 — more than twice the United Nations target of 3%. This is a significant percentage/value of money lost to fees before boarding a plane.

Whether you are paying deposits internationally or sending booking funds overseas, it pays to know how to avoid failed money transfers before committing to a booking. If your money fails to arrive you could lose your deposit, your booking could be cancelled, and you’ll be forced to rebook at a significantly higher price.

Great news? The friction of cross-border payments can be minimized with proper tools and processes.

Budget-Friendly Booking Strategies

OK on to the tips. These will help you book international travel for a fraction of the price.

Book At The Right Time

Timing is everything when booking international travel.

Statistic shows that international travelers tend to book 85 days prior to travel. That is when you will find the best prices for flights and hotels.

Book too early and you could miss last minute deals. Book too late and prices skyrocket. For the best of both worlds, shoot for booking around 2-3 months prior to your trip.

Use Online Travel Agents (Not High Street Shops)

Online travel agents are a budget traveller’s best friend.

UK research recently published found travellers booking with an online travel agent saved £364 on average on a one week holiday compared to those who went through a high street travel shop. Now that’s what you call significant savings just by choosing where to book your holiday through.

The most trusted OTAs include:

• Booking.com

• Expedia

• Kayak

• Skyscanner

• Hopper

Always compare prices on 2-3 sites before purchasing anything. Hotels/flights can differ by 15-20% between sites.

Always Pay In Local Currency

This is one of the biggest budget mistakes travellers make…

At checkout at foreign websites or ATMs, you’ll sometimes be presented with the option for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where you can choose to “pay in your home currency for convenience.” The catch is this:

The exchange rate is usually terrible.

Always pay in the merchants local currency. Your card issuer will give you a far better rate than the DCC processor. Doing this alone will save you 3-5% on all international transactions.

Use A No Foreign Transaction Fee Card

Not all cards are created equal.

Most regular credit/debit cards charge 3% for foreign purchases. That’s $90 on a $3000 trip. Right into the bank’s wallet.

Instead, look for cards that advertise:

• Zero foreign transaction fees

• No overseas ATM withdrawal fees

• Competitive exchange rates

Travel rewards cards and many newer fintech cards waive these fees altogether. Do the math – changing cards just for one large international booking will often break even on that purchase alone.

Bundle Flights, Hotels, And Transfers

Bundling is one of the oldest tricks in the book…

However, it still pays off. The majority of OTAs provide you great discounts when booking flights together with hotels. You can even get airport transfers or car rentals as complimentary deals.

Look for:

• Flight + Hotel packages

• All-inclusive resort deals

• City pass bundles

You can typically save 10-25% versus booking each piece individually. That’s cash back in your wallet to spend on your vacation.

Travel During Shoulder Season

Skip peak season and travel during shoulder months instead.

Shoulder season is considered to be right between high season and low season. Prices decrease, however the weather is still pleasant. Shoulder season usually falls around September-October and April-May for most places in Europe. Airfare, hotels and sometimes restaurants will be significantly less expensive.

Common Booking Mistakes To Avoid

Even seasoned travellers make these budget-busting mistakes.

Avoid them at all costs:

• Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday: Airfares are typically higher on weekends. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to book.

• Not following cancellation policies: If your plans change, being able to cancel your flexible bookings for a little extra money can save you hundreds.

• Foregoing travel insurance: A canceled flight or illness overseas can easily erase your budget.

• Not clearing cookies: Some sites keep tabs on what you search for and then hike up prices behind the scenes. Clear your cookies or use private mode when price shopping.

Making these small changes can save you hundreds of dollars on every international trip.

Bringing It All Together

Booking international trips on a budget is not about cutting corners…

Every dollar counts. Eliminate friction from cross-border payments. Choose the best booking platform and card for your needs.

To quickly recap the best budget-friendly strategies:

• Book 2-3 months before departure

• Use online travel agents to compare prices

• Always pay in local currency at checkout

• Get a no foreign transaction fee card

• Bundle flights, hotels, and transfers

• Travel during shoulder season

Use these tips and your next overseas vacation will be much cheaper than you expect. Your dream vacation is waiting for you – you just need to plan ahead so you don’t break the bank booking it.

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The Malaysian Immigration Department has temporarily suspended the issuance of international passports with validity periods exceeding 10 years. This decision follows check-in complications faced by overseas travellers with foreign airlines.

Key Details & Resolution

The Incident: The issue came to light following a viral Facebook post about a Malaysian traveller stranded in Dubai because their passport validity exceeded 10 years (specifically, 10 years plus an extra 6-month validity rule enforced by some destinations).

Free Replacements: Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban announced that affected passport holders will receive free replacement passports with a standard maximum validity of 10 years.

ICAO Stance: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has confirmed that there are no international restrictions against passports being valid for over 10 years.

Updated: Doc 9303

2.2 Validity Period for an eMRTD

The validity period of an eMRTD is at the discretion of the issuing State or organization; however, in consideration of the limited durability of documents and the changing appearance of the document holder over time, a validity period of not more than ten years is RECOMMENDED. One MAY wish to consider a shorter period to enable the progressive

upgrading of the eMRTD as the technology evolves. – https://www.icao.int/sites/default/files/publications/DocSeries/9303_p9_cons_en.pdf

Airline Support: To assist impacted Malaysians currently abroad, the department will issue a formal notification letter to all international airlines. Not all airline system having issue with International Passport with validity over 10 years.

Duration of Suspension: The suspension on issuing passports exceeding 10 years will remain in place until the matter is fully resolved with international carriers.

Luckily, I didn’t manage to renew my Malaysian Passport to 10 years or else I could be stuck in Singapore last month. Remember to replace your Malaysia Passport with 10 Years Validity.

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Mee Pok is flat yellow noodles originated from Chaoshan region of China. It is popular in some parts of Malaysia and Singapore.

Mee means noodles, ‘pok’ means thin and not ‘pork’. It probably sounds like pork but it’s never made from pork.

The noodle itself is springy in texture, al dente and it can be cooked into soup based or dry noodles. Personally, I think mee pok is more popular in Johor and Singapore than Klang Valley.

There are many versions of cooking involving mee pok. Some using non-pork ingredients to cook mee pok while some use minced pork and hence the famous bak chor mee in Singapore. Bak Chor Mee literally means minced pork noodles (using mee pok as noodles)

Mee Pok is pork free while bak chor me is cooked with pork, that’s the difference. I prefer Bak Chor Mee than the usual Mee Pork due to the taste and ingredients. Always eat Bak Chor Mee in Singapore, I always feel its their national treasure.

 Lastly, Mee Pok is never made from pork. Its just a plain flat yellow noodles!

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Finally a new challenger arrives! Vietjet Thailand is preparing for the inaugural flight of its new daily Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok service on 9 October 2026, following encouraging booking performance since sales opened on 29 May 2026. The early response reinforces Vietjet Thailand’s expectation that the route will become a high-potential addition to its international network.

Vietjet Thailand Starts Kuala Lumpur Bangkok Flights from 9 October 2026 and I hope to sit on the first flight to Bangkok!

The new route will mark Vietjet Thailand’s first direct service to Malaysia, providing greater travel choices and supporting two-way demand between Malaysia and Thailand.

To support the route’s introduction in the Malaysian market, Vietjet Thailand held a Media & Agent Seminar in Kuala Lumpur on 6 August 2026, bringing together representative of the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Kuala Lumpur Office, Malaysian media, travel agents, and tourism industry partners.

Mr. Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Vice President of Commercial and Customer Service of Vietjet Thailand, said “Since opening sales on 29 May 2026, we have seen encouraging booking performance for the Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok route. The early response is in line with our expectations and validates our confidence in the potential of the Malaysian market as we prepare for the inaugural flight on 9 October.

This route is an important part of Vietjet Thailand’s regional network expansion and will strengthen Bangkok’s role as a connecting point for Malaysian travelers continuing to destinations across Thailand and the region. Beyond the initial launch, our focus is on building sustainable demand in both directions by working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, travel agents, and our industry partners to drive stronger travel flows between the two countries, while delivering enjoyable journeys with friendly service, affordable fares, and memorable travel experiences under our ‘Enjoy Flying’ concept.”

Mr. Mongkol Wattaro, The Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Kuala Lumpur Office, said “Malaysia remains Thailand’s second-largest international visitor market, with nearly two and a half million Malaysian travellers visiting Thailand during the first half of 2026. This reflects the strong and longstanding tourism relationship between our two countries. TAT continues to collaborate with stakeholders across the tourism industry to stimulate year-round travel demand, encourage Malaysian visitors to explore more destinations throughout Thailand, and support the continued growth of tourism between the two markets.”

The Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok service will operate daily from 9 October 2026 with the following schedule:

Kuala Lumpur (KLIA Terminal 2) – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport)

• Flight VZ681 departs Kuala Lumpur at 15:15 HRS and arrives in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) at 16:30 HRS local time.

Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) – Kuala Lumpur (KLIA Terminal 2)

• Flight VZ680 departs Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) at 11:00 HRS and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 14:10 HRS local time.

The route will be operated by Vietjet Thailand’s brand-new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, configured with 189 seats and designed to provide passengers with a modern and comfortable travel experience. The aircraft features a spacious cabin, larger overhead storage compartments, and improved operational efficiency, supporting Vietjet Thailand’s continued fleet expansion and regional network growth.

In addition to Bangkok, the new service will connect with Vietjet Thailand’s domestic and international network, allowing Malaysian passengers to continue their journeys to destinations across Thailand and key regional markets. Through Vietjet Thailand’s convenient Check-Thru service, passengers can check in at Kuala Lumpur and have their baggage transferred to their final destination, supporting smoother connections through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

To celebrate the opening of new route, Vietjet Thailand is offering a 100% discount on base fares for the Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok route. The promotion is available for booking from 6 to 30 August 2026, for travel between 9 October and 30 November 2026, giving passengers an attractive opportunity to experience the new daily service.

Bookings for the new Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok service are now available via www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Thailand mobile application. For the latest updates, promotions, and flight information, please visit www.vietjetair.com

Currently, Vietjet Thailand operates 12 Thailand domestic routes, including flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, cross-regional flights including from Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The airline is also actively expanding its international flight network to many destinations across Asia-Pacific, connecting Thailand with Japan, China, Vietnam, Taipei, Cambodia, India, South Korea and other top destinations in the region. Further information at www.vietjetair.com

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The best Malaysia Travel blogs curated and ranked based on multiple factors, including content relevancy, subject expertise, posting frequency, and freshness of content. Blogs with highest credibility within the Malaysia Travel space are ranked higher. This list is updated regularly to ensure it reflects the most active, influential, and valuable Malaysia Travel blogs on the internet today.

I am grateful for Feedspot for featuring Places And Foods as Top 3 Best Malaysia Travel Blogs to Follow in 2026. I have not been updating my travel blog that often this year but this motivates me to write and blog more..

I am also saddened to know the passing of the founder of Malaysia Asia, Mr David Hogan Jr who is also part of the Best Malaysia Travel Blogs to Follow in 2026. We know each other for a very long time during the early days of our travel blogs. Rest In Peace David Hogan Jr.

I will be back to blogging often soon due to SEO as well as how Google Search new algorithm in 2026 and beyond. I don’t miss the old days of carrying heavy DSLR but I missed the hard work of doing research before traveling and writing a proper article.

Once again, Rest In Peace David and thanks Feedspot.

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This won’t a very long story but just a straight forward answer on how to claim your baggage damage in Changi Airport. This is an awareness post, not a sponsored post and this is based on my recent trip to Singapore.

I recently flew to Changi Airport T2 and I spotted two visible cracks on my Airways Travel Luggage. The luggage supposed to be crack proof but it cracked anyways.

Talked to an airport staff and she asked me to report at Lost and Found Counter which is within the baggage claim area. Please do no exit first, visit the Lost and Found Counter to report your damaged baggage.

The lady took some photos, make a report and gave me three options. They can repair the luggage for free (but since I was in Singapore for short stay, it was not applicable), the airlines will compensate based on the damage or I took the report and claim under Etiqa Travel.

They compensated me for SG80 dollars cash and I accept it. I will decide later on how to deal with the damage as I am unsure whether I still can claim under Airways Travel Luggage as they only cover 5 years warranty.

I sincerely hope that this story will help you to claim your damaged baggage in Changi Airport. The airport staffs have been helpful and fantastic.

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The beloved character makes its Southeast Asian debut as a POP MART Friend, with Dreamstar Isle and Southeast Asia’s first POP BAKERY now open at Resorts World Sentosa

Every star has a place where its story begins. This summer, Twinkle Twinkle is embarking on a new journey across Southeast Asia, with Singapore chosen as its first stop in the region. Coinciding with the opening of POP MART’s new Resorts World Sentosa store on 29 July, the visit marks Twinkle Twinkle’s first appearance in Southeast Asia as a POP MART Friend and the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved little stars in the region.

At first, the little stars had only seen a faint glimmer from afar. Curious about where it came from, they followed it to Singapore — and discovered that the light was not coming from any single place.

It was found in the city’s cultures, nature and everyday life, and in the smiles, hugs and unexpected connections shared with people along the way. What began as a brief first visit soon became something more: a wish to stay and keep discovering the many little lights that make Singapore shine.

Dreamstar Isle will become Twinkle Twinkle’s first permanent home in Southeast Asia. Located within the new POP MART store at Resorts World Sentosa, Dreamstar Isle will give fans more opportunities to meet Twinkle Twinkle in person through regular POP MART Friend appearances, seasonal programmes and exclusive experiences throughout the year.

Southeast Asia’s first POP BAKERY has also opened at the RWS store, bringing the world of Twinkle Twinkle to life through locally inspired themed desserts.

Following a Glimmer to the “Star Nation”

Ahead of the visit, POP MART released Twinkle Twinkle’s official Singapore itinerary on 21 July, inviting fans to look out for the little stars at different locations across the city.

On 24 July, Twinkle Twinkle arrived at Changi Airport for its first appearance in Southeast Asia. Dozens of local fans gathered to welcome the rosy-cheeked little star, capturing its first moments in Singapore and greeting it with waves, high-fives and photos.

The warm airport reception became the first light Twinkle Twinkle found in Singapore, offering an early glimpse of the connection that would define its time in the city.

From Changi Airport, Twinkle Twinkle travelled across Singapore, strolling past the colourful shophouses of Joo Chiat and discovering the city’s Peranakan heritage. It explored the underwater world of the Singapore Oceanarium, posed beside the Merlion and sampled local favourites at Lau Pa Sat.

Along the way, Twinkle Twinkle became more than the subject of a city photoshoot. It waved to passers-by, crossed paths with fans at local landmarks and brought people from different cultures and backgrounds together in shared moments of joy. Each encounter became another small light to remember.

For a group of little stars beginning their Southeast Asian journey, Singapore — affectionately known in Chinese as the “Star Nation” — felt like more than a fitting place to start. It seemed as though the distant glimmer had been leading them here all along.

One Glimmer Became a City Full of Light

Created by illustrator and designer Daxin in 2020, Twinkle Twinkle is a group of little stars, each with its own distinct personality. Innocent and curious, yet sometimes stubborn and endearingly clumsy, they tell stories of courage, love and longing. Through the characters, Daxin hopes everyone can recognise a little of themselves.

Singapore was originally meant to be only a brief first stop.

But somewhere between the warm welcome at Changi Airport and the unexpected encounters around the city, the colourful streets of Joo Chiat and the memories made beside the Merlion, Twinkle Twinkle began to understand the light it had seen from afar.

Singapore’s light did not come from any single landmark. It was found in the city’s open, multicultural spirit; in the wonder of the ocean and the flavours of Lau Pa Sat; and in every smile, wave and hug exchanged along the way.

The little stars decided to stay.

With the opening of POP MART Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore has become the first permanent home on Twinkle Twinkle’s Southeast Asian journey. Dreamstar Isle gives the little stars a year-round home in the city, turning their first regional appearance into the beginning of an ongoing relationship with local fans.

A New Home at Dreamstar Isle

Located within the new POP MART store at Resorts World Sentosa, Dreamstar Isle is Twinkle Twinkle’s first permanent home in Southeast Asia. It is a place where fans can meet the little stars through regular POP MART Friend appearances, seasonal programmes and exclusive experiences throughout the year.

Rather than marking a one-time visit, Dreamstar Isle creates an ongoing space for Twinkle Twinkle and its fans to meet again and again. It also serves as a starting point for the character to build deeper connections with Singapore and its local culture.

To celebrate the occasion, POP MART has introduced a new design bringing together Twinkle Twinkle and Singapore’s Merlion, connecting the character with one of the city’s most recognisable cultural symbols.

The RWS store is also home to Southeast Asia’s first POP BAKERY. Originating from POP LAND, POP MART’s theme park in Beijing, POP BAKERY brings characters to life through imaginative desserts, handcrafted drinks and immersive experiences.

For its Singapore debut, POP BAKERY has created Twinkle Twinkle-themed treats featuring locally inspired flavours, including coconut and sea salt. Together, the POP MART Friend appearances, localised designs and themed desserts offer fans new ways to experience the world of Twinkle Twinkle beyond its collectible products.

For Twinkle Twinkle, Dreamstar Isle is a place to continue discovering and remembering the little lights found across Singapore. For fans, it means their first meeting with the little stars will not be their last.

The Journey Continues

Singapore is the first stop on Twinkle Twinkle’s Southeast Asian journey and the home of Dreamstar Isle — but it will certainly not be the last destination.

Twinkle Twinkle will continue travelling to more countries and cities, meeting new audiences through POP MART Friend appearances, local experiences and stories shaped by different cultures.

Every new place may reveal another light. Every encounter may become a story worth adding to the map.

In Singapore, the little stars followed one glimmer and found a city full of light.

Where will the next glimmer lead them?

The post Twinkle Twinkle Begins Its Southeast Asian Journey in Singapore appeared first on PlacesAndFoods.

Something cool from one of my favourite airlines to fly to other part of Asia and the rest of the world.

Emirates is revealing another world first in the sky, transforming journeys for Economy Class passengers with the introduction of the U-Dream Headrest – a game-changing new seat addition that enables Economy Class customers to experience a whole new level of support and comfort inflight. Backed by a significant investment, installation is already underway across Emirates’ fleet, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to helping Economy Class customers fly better.

The U-Dream is a multi-way adjustable headrest designed to provide full neck and head support during sleep or relaxation, which will be incorporated onto Emirates Economy Class seats across all Emirates A350’s and most of its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. As the first airline in the world to introduce it, the U-Dream headrest is already garnering outstanding praise from Emirates customers.

As part of Emirates’ innovative Z400 seat by Safran Seats, the leather U-Dream headrest is padded and features flexible side wings that can be folded inwards to gently cradle the head and neck. This helps passengers maintain a comfortable sleeping position without their head falling forwards or sideways. The design moves vertically and tilts to align with passengers of different heights and body types, providing personalised comfort throughout the flight. The U-Dream has been independently tested and verified to meet the rigorous aviation safety standards of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).Emirates is introducing the advanced headrest at scale, giving Economy Class customers an enhanced level of ergonomic support typically associated with premium cabins.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:

‘Emirates never rests on its laurels when it comes to customer experience and we have found a way to significantly improve the comfort for Economy Class passengers, especially those travelling long-haul. The U-Dream changes the game if the person wants to sleep – by supporting the neck in full. No more neck pillows needed. It’s another innovation that shows our commitment to customers and cements our Economy Class as the best.’

Customers are reporting that the U-Dream headrest is easy to adjust and use, and Emirates cabin crew are also trained to assist customers where needed. The leather headrest is designed to be easily wiped down and is cleaned after every flight.

Currently already in the sky on 3 x A350 aircraft, Emirates is installing more as quickly as possible. In collaboration with Safran Seats, all Emirates’ A350 aircraft will have the U-Dream headrest installed by the end of the year. The U-Dream headrest will also come pre-installed on all 270 Boeing 777Xs that Emirates has ordered. From 2027 onwards, U-Dream headrest installation will also begin on Emirates’ retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

Emirates Economy Class Experience: setting the global standard

Emirates has redefined the Economy Class experience by combining exceptional comfort, award-winning hospitality and industry-leading innovation across one of the world’s largest international networks. From gourmet dining, the world’s largest entertainment library in the sky, complimentary Wi-Fi, thoughtful amenities and renowned service – Emirates continues to set the benchmark for Economy travel.

Designed for long-haul comfort

Every Emirates flight is operated by a widebody Airbus A380, A350 or Boeing 777, giving Economy Class customers the benefits of wider cabins, more spacious aisles, larger overhead bins and improved cabin comfort. Ergonomically designed seats, generous legroom, mood lighting and personal entertainment screens help customers arrive feeling more refreshed. On the latest Airbus A350, customers also enjoy spacious 3-3-3 seating, large 13.3-inch 4K screens, USB-C charging, higher ceilings and Emirates’ latest multi-dimensional adjustable headrests, designed to provide enhanced neck support for better rest on long journeys.

The world’s largest entertainment library in the sky

Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment ice offers more than 6,500 channels of content, making it the largest entertainment library available onboard any airline. Customers can enjoy thousands of movies, TV programmes, documentaries, music albums, podcasts and live sport from leading providers including HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, BBC, Discovery+, Shahid and Spotify. Younger travellers are equally well catered for, with dedicated children’s content, specially designed headphones and multiplayer games.

Fast, free connectivity above the clouds

Emirates is introducing Starlink across its fleet, bringing fast, reliable internet to customers at 40,000 feet. Economy Class customers can stream, browse, work, game and stay connected with friends and family throughout their journey. 1 million connections to Starlink have already been made by Emirates customers, who praise the speedy service as ‘better than home’.

Exceptional dining – a frequent flyers award winner

Complimentary multi-course meals and beverages are served on every Emirates flight, regardless of route length. Menus are inspired by regional cuisines and complemented by soft drinks, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages where available. Emirates regularly delights customers with extras such as warm cookies, popcorn and ice cream on selected routes, while a wide range of special meals caters for different dietary requirements. In the recent 2026 Best Airline Food and Drinks Survey, Emirates leads the way when it comes to premium dining in the sky and was ranked as the best for Economy Class meals, as well as Business Class meals and cocktails – as voted by thousands of frequent flyers.

World-class hospitality

With cabin crew representing 140 nationalities and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates delivers a consistently warm and personalised onboard experience. Every crew member is trained to the airline’s global hospitality standards in the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence Dubai, ensuring attentive service for every customer, with specialist care for families, children and passengers requiring additional assistance.

Made for families

Emirates has long been recognised as one of the world’s most family-friendly airlines. Children’s meals, complimentary baby food and infant essentials, baby changing facilities, children’s entertainment, pillows, blankets and age-appropriate activity packs help make travelling easier for families from take-off to landing.

Thoughtful touches throughout the journey

Long-haul Economy customers receive complimentary amenity kits created in partnership with United for Wildlife, while children receive collectible travel kits, toys and Emirates’ Fly with Me activity magazine. These small details reflect Emirates’ commitment to making every journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

A network customers can rely on

Emirates connects customers across six continents through its Dubai hub, offering seamless long-haul travel with a consistently high standard of service. The airline also handles almost three million bags every month, achieving a remarkable 99.9% baggage handling success rate – one of the best records in global aviation.

Rewarding every journey

With Emirates Skywards, customers can earn and redeem Miles on flights, upgrades, hotels, shopping and exclusive experiences. Young travellers can also join Skywards Skysurfers, allowing the whole family to earn Miles together from an early age.

Emirates in Malaysia

• Emirates has been serving Malaysia since 1996, offering seamless global connectivity from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai and beyond.
• The airline operates 21 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Dubai, using both the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
• Emirates’ Malaysia Airlines codeshare partnership allows passengers to book an entire journey with Emirates and connect to 17 destinations across Malaysia, all on one ticket.
• Emirates’ codeshare agreement with Batik Air gives customers convenient access to five domestic destinations (Penang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching) and three regional Southeast Asia points, via Kuala Lumpur.
• In 2024, Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tourism Malaysia to jointly promote inbound tourism and showcase Malaysia’s diverse cultural and natural attractions to travellers from across the airline’s global network.
• KLIA was the first airport in Malaysia capable of handling the Airbus A380, with Emirates launching its iconic A380 services to Kuala Lumpur in 2012.

About Emirates

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travellers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service. Can’t wait to fly with Emirates again one day. Read more at https://www.emirates.com/my/english

The post Emirates redefines Economy Class journeys with world’s first U-Dream headrest appeared first on PlacesAndFoods.

BBC just posted the story hours ago. F1 is coming back to Malaysia in October but as a replacement for Bahrain F1 Race that was called off earlier this year due the Middle East conflict.

The Sepang F1 circuit was last in 2017 and it is expected to stage the race on behalf of Bahrain F1 GP on 2 – 4 October 2026, a week before Singapore F1 Race.

It is coming back not as Malaysian F1 GP but as venue for Bahrain F1 GP. The confirmation is expected to be announced by Malaysian Prime Minister later today.

When Malaysia is confirmed, it will mean races on three consecutive weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia and Singapore.

I will be delighted if F1 is coming back to Malaysia and I don’t really care even its for replacement. My first experience with Malaysian F1 Race was back in 2005 when I had the paddock pass to BMW Racing Team as part of the ORIS media.

My last experience with Malaysia F1 Race is back in 2015 when Malaysia Airlines sponsored my tickets. It was a great experience with after race concert with KPOP stars.

The post Malaysia set to host venue for Bahrain F1 Race appeared first on PlacesAndFoods.