1. I Book The Tickets

After my last trip to Thailand and Laos, I knew I wouldn't be able to afford another trip next year (2012). I went to Malaysia and Cambodia in March 2009, Thailand, Laos (with a day trip to Burma) in February 2010 and I just knew I'd never be able to afford to go overseas again in 12 months. Told myself I'll go away in 2013.

So; anyway; guess what happened? Yep, you guessed it - Air Asia had another sale on, the booking time ran for a week or so and travel time was from 1st April 2012 to 30th June 2012. So, here's me getting all excited -ooh I'll be able to go, it's not like it's for travel between January and February, this is in the middle of the year and I'll be able to go. I'll have saved up enough by then! Yeah....famous last words huh?

I did book and will get to go. And after reality set in (which wasn't until a few weeks later) I realised I am not going to be able to afford this damn trip - I'm going for six weeks you see - 6 weeks of accommodation adds up to a mighty high number of dollars, not to mention the cost of transport in China is exorbitantly expensive and worse to come - I've just found out that China does not accept foreign credit cards. Which is a real bummer. Far out. I'll have to rely on what's in the bank.

First - I hadn't seen the email from Air Asia about the sale so by the time I did see it, the really cheap flights were gone. The cheapest flight I found from Melbourne to KL was for $171, I put in the details but got a message it was on hold - not confirmed. So..I went back, and found I'd typed in a 'q' after my name, so removed the 'q', started off again with the same result. This happened about five times until I realised I had to click on the red box then remove the 'q' from there. All was good it went through but - by that time that cheaper flight was gone. So I had to start searching again. The cheapest flight then was $50 higher. Oh well, that's life. Anyway, booked a return flight departing Melbourne on the 17th May, flying back on the 27th June. The total for the return flight after adding on pre-purchased meals, pick-a-seat, luggage, taxes etc the grand total came to AUD$487. (Didja know there's a $16 credit card fee now? - Highway robbery!)

Have just checked the itinerary and noticed they have only added on one pick-a-seat and that should be two. I'll have to go check up on that. It's alright, I have a seat picked for the return flight as well. For a short flight, I don't pay extra to choose a seat but for an 8 hour flight I certainly do. I like to sit in an aisle seat as close to the front as possible. Feels less claustrophobic that way.

Booked a flight from KL to Saigon for the following day - 18th May which will see me in Vietnam around 10.10am.