City life of Kuala Lumpur seems like a mundane repetitive repertoire of hectic work schedule mixed with hideaway weekends typing away on keyboards (don't get us wrong, we do love our work dearly and writing, ardently) but occasionally, it can seem to drain the energy juice out of us. We secretly yearn for a short getaway and the universe heed our little call recently with a press invitation to a not-so-far-away tourist land - Malacca, all thanks to Freeport A'Famosa Outlet (here), Coach Malaysia (here) and A'Famosa Resort (here). Yes, you heard it right, the fashion brand Coach, debuting its 2-year ambitious project of converting a 1981 Boeing 747-230B aircraft into a unique retail concept store and cafe to the media very soon.
The remedy was a weekend retreat, ferried by the brands from KL city on a Saturday sunny morning to Malacca, on a 2-hour bus trip. Follow us on this lovely two-day trip!
A host of 70 over of us media friends and bloggers were arranged to check-in to the A'Famosa Resort, two to an apartment suite. It was simple, cosy and clean. The cool AC was definitely a welcoming treat after our bus ride.
What awaited us in that afternoon was a fun-filled visit to the A'Famosa Safari Wonderland, with insightful spotting of mother nature's offerings of varied animals in their well-guarded "natural habitat", flora and fauna and sweat-inducing activities in the hot humid Malaysian weather. Day 1 ended with a relaxing dinner and unwound to a free and easy session as we turned in early to welcome the much anticipated official launch the next day.
Rise and shine! Today is D Day! Yay! Beautiful 28ºC Sunday morning.
The bus took the entourage to the neighbouring Freeport A'Famosa Outlet, where the world's brand new first Coach Airways stood majestically (with a length of 231 feet 10 inches and a wingspan of 195 feet 8 inches - not your childhood mini toy plane, mind you), against the clear blue cloudy Sunday Malacca sky, at one corner of the vicinity of this Dutch-heritage-inspired concept retail outlet. Oh, did we also mention that we used to dream of being a pilot during our younger days only to discover that we have a mild acrophobia much later in our adult life)? So, there goes our flying dream! All right, back to reality, please *_^
Fast forward to this special morning, YAB Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Bin Yusof, Chief Minister of Malacca and his guests of honour and other VVIPs successfully officiated the launch of Coach Airways with a series of dance, confetti and merriment, witnessed by the cheerful crowd for the day. Looks like aviation enthusiasts and shoppers alike can prepare to be captivated! Indeed we were all thrilled and could not wait to check out the interior already!
Calling flight FAO1806 Gate23! Your flight is about to take off, last call! We are boarding now.
So, off we went on board the COACH AIRWAYS.
What greeted us upon entering was the cockpit with a screen showcasing the Coach Boeing taking off and landing, minimalistic off-white control panel and seats where you can play a pilot for the day if you wish. Up next would be the passenger and lounge cabins which basically simulate the seatings of an aircraft, except that you have much wider space to play around with, taking insta-worthy pictures away at the passenger seats. Everywhere you turn is decked in bright orange hues that is extremely mesmerising and energising!
A curtain away separates the passenger and retail area where one gets to browse (and shop) the latest curated selection of all-gender ready-to-wear bags, travel accessories - inspired by the next generation's expressive approach to fashion. Coach also released a series of Coach Airways Collection featuring a selection of t-shirts, a passport leather case, a wheeled carry-on luggage and field tote and travel accessories such as luggage tags, pouches and small wallets, printed with a limited-edition reimagination of the house's iconic Signature.
The Queen of the Sky, as the Boeing 747 is affectionately known, now reigns as the Queen of Retail! Talk about retail therapy *_^ We can't help but to congratulate the management team of Freeport A'Famosa Outlet for achieving the Malaysia Book of Record's recognition for the "First Retail Concept Store in An Airplane". The sky is the limit after all, right?
Expect moving along from the excitement of shopping over to the end of the airplane where you will be greeted by the aromatic smell of coffee lingering in the air within the airplane - to calm your somewhat adrenaline pumped heart after your retail therapy session earlier. The contemporary little cafe serves up coffees (and other juices and refreshments if you are not into coffee, just in case) while you enjoy the unique ambient of the transformed aircraft.
That was it, the launch and our tour inside the Coach Airways that weekend. We were ferried back to KL (the reality) and off we went back home feeling a little tired but most definitely contented for we had witnessed and experienced a one-of-its-kind retail moment, existed not far away from the hustle bustle of KL city life. Surely a worthy short getaway for those who would love to explore something different.
Coach Airways is located at FAO Airplane, Freeport A'Famosa Outlet, Jalan Kemus/Sempang Amat, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, and is open from 10am to 10pm daily.
Big thanks to the brands for making our little wish came true. Imagination does take flight, with a little creativity put into it! Cheers, peeps. Till our next adventure, stay luminous and happy always.
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With love,
Jeann
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Thanks so much for dropping by and say hi. Love to hear your thoughts and will read them all! See you again *_^