Touring Around Kuala Lumpur

Our journey to Johor Malaysia started at 5:00 in the morning. Why we chose to depart from Johor back to KL rather? Only because we wanted to see Legoland and take a picture with it before we leave for Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. It’s a chance, and whenever there is a possibility don’t let it pass. It was just an hour only to reach the boundary of Singapore and Malaysia, took MRT and drop off at Woodlands, after then there is a bus that will take you to Johor. (Bus No. 945). Once you reach the border, you have to get off the bus and walk towards through Singapore Immigration (TIP: Don’t forget to get a receipt from the driver, after immigration you can use this to ride the bus again that will take you to Johor Immigration) After the long queues and have our passport stamped at Johor Immigration, we went directly to JB Central where the bus terminal on the ground floor is located.

Please take note that bus going to Legoland and Sanrio World has time schedule that needs to follow. They are very stick on it, and because we arrived too late we were not able to make it so we have decided to hail a taxi from JB Central to Sanrio World and Legoland. The taxis’ charged fixed rate from JB Central to Legoland or Sanrio World for 40 ringgit then at meter back to the city which costs us 110 ringgit back and forth. Manong driver was very courteous, he made sure that we will catch our flight back to KL and drove as fast as he can, unluckily we weren’t able to take a picture of Legoland due to our limited time but at least we have seen it.

We booked our tickets from Johor to KL via Air Asia a low cost courier based in Malaysia. We got our tickets at a very nice price for 1,000+.  We leave Johor airport with disappointment, but again I believed that all things happen for a reason, and without that failures we’ll not be able to learn something new.

As the plane touched down at LCCT, exciting to disembark arose on me because this time I’m going to meet my travel buddy Ate Dyan though we visited only one country together before she leaves for KL, we believed that being far from each other will not be the problem to see and explore the world together. I really miss her. Can’t wait to see her! Following her instruction, we bought our bus ticket bound to the city at the terminal (9 MYR). I also bought a SIM card for a hassle free communication once we reach the city. LCCT was about 1 to 2 hours’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur proper, so we still have time to relax and sleep.

We met ate Dyan, Adhil and Dyna, our company for KL trip at the food stall in the heart of Petalling China Town; good for us because me & Janine were really hungry haven’t eaten yet since the morning. And since it was our get together after 7 months, we can’t help ourselves talking a lot, storytelling, and same like before what we’re doing together. After then we went to our Hotel to drop off our things before we headed to our destination.

We stayed at Hotel Petalling, centrally located in Petalling China Town, a hostel type, very affordable, but the room and the place was good. For just 1,200 pesos for four hands up, I will not complain. I am not a budget traveler, but I am always in practical side. You don’t need to spend too much for your room if it just serves as your sleeping hub at midnight. Be realistic!

We only had 1 and half day remaining to explore KL so we visit only KL’s well-known landmark the Batu Cave, Petronas Twin Tower and Berjaya Time Square and some shopping haven here.

We only change our clothes at the hotel and afterwards we proceed to our first stop.

Located in the Gombak district, Batu Cave is a limestone hill with a series of caves on top and the limestone is said to be around 400 million years old. Batu Cave is the site of a Hindu temple and shrine. It attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists, especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. It also features the world tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity, standing high at the foot of the stairs.  One of the cheapest and fastest ways to reach it was via KTM Komuter that goes straight to Batu Cave (last station) which cost 2 MYR only.

Upon entering we were welcomed by a huge statue of a human body but with a monkey face and tail I don’t know what this so-called but I think it was one of their goddesses. We were also greeted by the troop of monkeys playing, and eating around which some are on the walkway. They say that those monkeys are good snatcher so I don’t bring food with me I’m afraid that they might do that to me. Haha. Walking further, we saw the most photograph statue of Murugan. We took pictures with it like all people did before we had decided to climb the 272 steps stair up high.  Climbing that hill was not that so easy as you expected. It was a very tiring, and it will surely make you exhausted. So make sure that you bring water with you for refreshment. I think I’ve lost a thousand calories haha. But once you reach the top it was a fulfillment. There’s nothing much you can see above, only the cave and if you are not nature lover you will surely not going to appreciate it. But I liked the refreshing air and the surrounding downhill which makes you feel at ease.

After those exhausting steps to the peak of Batu Cave we go straightly to Petronas Twin Tower. So we rode the train again back to KL Sentral and took LRT Kelana Jaya Line. At night was the perfect time to visit this spectacular building, as it lights shine so brightly. So our travel time going to Petronas was enough to reach it at dark. Petronas Twin Tower has a big difference compared to other building beside it. Its beauty was undeniable, very stunning tall edifice which only word you can say is WOW! I am a big fan of this man made kind of structure, not only on the actual piece, but for those people behind that for their vivid idea. I salute them all, and thankful because without their brilliant thought we will not be able to experience how to amaze’. J

The Petronas Twin Tower is a twin skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, ranked as the tallest buildings in the world throughout the years 1998 – 2004 until it was surpassed by surpassed by Taipei 101, but remain the tallest twin building in the world. It also features a double decker sky bridge connecting the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. The skybridge is open to all visitors, but tickets are limited to about 1000 people per day, and must be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. The skybridge also acts as a safety device, so that in the event of a fire or other emergency in one tower, tenants can evacuate by crossing the skybridge to the other tower.

We just had a picturesque in the front of the dazzling charisma of Petronas Twin Tower, and around the building which also offers a place full of sightseeing. When we felt that our stomach was about to cramp, we had decided to go inside Suria mall to look for a place to dine. For so many choices then we fall in the food court. I ordered authentic Malaysian food. Malaysia was not only known for its beautiful beaches, historical site but also for their food. They are abundant with different tasteful cuisine, that’s why we didn't fail to have a taste of it. And they are right, Malaysia didn't disappoint me. After that mouthwatering food, we go back to the hotel to have a rest for the next day.

3^rd day was our last day in KL and will be back to Manila in the evening. We saved our 3^rd day for shopping. Malaysia was a best place for sightseeing, food and also for shopping; you can buy here a lot at very affordable price especially if on sale period. Our first stop was in Berjaya Time Square or BTS, a 48-storey building hotel, condominium, indoor amusement park and shopping centre complex in KL. It houses shopping mall, business office and leisure centre with 1000 retail shops, 1200 luxury service suites, 65 food outlets and entertainment attractions such as Berjaya Times Square Theme Park and GSC MAXX (formerly IMAX) 2D & 3D theatre.

There was a free shuttle bus that will pass by BTS so we took advantage of it because it’s free haha! BTS was truly a huge shopping mall with a lot of local designer's shop. We filled our eyes with the cutie design dress, funky clothes, stiletto, and shoes before we decided to buy. We find food court first to take our breakfast. Food court here was unlike ours in Manila that you can pay directly to the food stall you want to buy your food, but rather you need to buy a loadable card which you just swipe it and shoot you’re paid. What’s so funny experience was that we bought our food in one stall, we are curiously thinking what they want to tell us but they can’t explain it in English they are speechless but I can see in their eyes and action that they have something to say they just accept our payment in cash. Also in the other stall of drinks, they are mad when they accept my payment. And to be honest we don’t have any idea that we need the card in order to buy the food until Ate Dyan and Janine bought in another stall. Haha natawa na lang kami, kaya pala ung isang boy sa food napakamot ng ulo at don naman sa isa galit na tinanggap ang bayad ko. OMG charge as experience na lan. Haha.

BTS shopping mall offers a wide variety of things to buy at very very affordable price. The dress price range from RM25 – RM35, t-shirt can be bought at RM10 – RM20, bags at RM25-40, and shoes for RM25 – RM40. But there are also at discounted prices at about half the price so better check for it and take advantage of the lowest price. So obviously we do have nothing to do for this time but just to shop, and haggling with the owner. Definitely it was a shopping paradise here in KL.

After that exciting bargain hunting, we decided to go back to the hotel at 1pm and drop off our shopped items, took a rest for a minute before we went to Indian market. Unlike BTS this market was an open market, where the stores are just located along the way. You can buy here also clothes at very low price but dissimilar to BTS that much in fashion. There are also a lot of stores that sell gold per gram, I’m aware that Indian people are very much in loved in jewelries. Our main reason why we go here was for the supermarket that sells everything at low low price. We bought here chocolates for pasalubongs and different food that is much cheaper to buy here than in Manila. 

We passed by the oldest mosques in KL the Masjid Jamek across the Gombak River and took a photo with it. This delightful mosque was known in English as the Friday Mosque. The word "Jamek" is derived from the Arabic language which means a place where the people congregate for religious purposes. 

We spent our remaining hours in KL at Central Market; we had first our lunch at Indian resto besides this. Indian foods will not be complete without its spiciness they are very well-known to it.

Central Market is not only a shopping center, but a serves also as the main attraction in KL. The first floor was arranged in stall concept; you can buy here different souvenirs from keychain, shirts, fridge magnet etc. The second floor hosts a food court, offering an array of food. We just spent our remaining hours buying souvenirs here and then we go back to the hotel at 5:00pm. Packed our things and exactly 7:00 pm we went to the bus stop where the bus going to airport was located. Bye Kuala Lumpur! See you next time Malaysia for Penang & Melaka trip.