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Chinese New Year Lanterns
Pavillion Mall, Kuala Lumpur
Photo was taken through Iphone |
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - While spending my Saturday on February 9, 2013, I realized that it will be not exciting if I spend the whole 4-day long weekend holidays in Singapore. The malls in our area were open on that day but most of the shops and restaurants are closed. And then, came 5:00pm, everything has been closed. Also, there are less people outside the streets because most are either preparing for the Chinese New Year celebration or maybe out of the country for holiday. I'm already thinking of going to Kuala Lumpur because it is the cheapeast that I can travel, but it was only on Sunday when I finally decided. I didn't have the ticket nor booked my accommodation yet. It was totally unplanned.
I woke up at 5:30am, did the laundry and prepared for my travel. I left the apartment at 7:20 am and went to the bus station at Golden Mile Complex. I bought my one-way ticket there (which is more expensive compared to normal days). Return ticket was even more expensive by more than 50%. So I decided not to buy yet.
We left the station at 9:15 am. I missed the 8:30 bus because I still exchanged my Singapore dollar to Malaysian ringgit and bought breakfast. Though I've been to Kuala Lumpur several times, this is the first time that I am taking the bus from Singapore. Based on my research, the total traveling time from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is about 4 hours and 30 minutes. But due to time spent at both Singapore and Malaysia immigration and one stop before coming to KL, it all came to about 5 hours and 30 minutes.
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Facade of Pavillion Mall, Kuala Lumpur
Photo was taken through Iphone |
We arrived Kuala Lumpur at 2:30 pm. The bus dropped us at Berjaya Times Square. I quickly went to a restaurant, Rasa Utama, to have late lunch. Thank God the restaurant has a wifi. I browsed for available hostel and found out that the one I was about to book at www.hostelworld.com website, when my Singapore 3G connection was cut and changed to Malaysia roaming partner, has all been taken. But finally, I was able to find one, which is more expensive than the earlier selection but still with rating that is above average. It was at Changkat Thambi Dollah. I first went to Bukit Bintang to look around. Then I asked the concierge of the mall if the address of my hostel can be reached by walking. She was not familiar with it so I took a taxi. The taxi went back to where I first came and it was just at the back of the Berjaya Times Square mall.
I checked in at the hostel. It was at Classic Inn Budget Hotel. Based on reviews I read, it was quite good and nice. It really was and the location is excellent. The mall was just infront of the hostel. Monorail "Imbi" Station was also right infront of the mall and there are metered taxis around so going exploring the city was easy. I noticed that the Malaysian ringgit I exchanged before I left Singapore may not be enough so I exchanged more. After receiving the ringgit, I realized that the bills have new designs. They incorporated the plastic element on the bill, similar to what Australian and Singapore dollars have.
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Top is the old MYR 1 bill
Below is the new MYR bill |
I then walked around the city and went back to the hostel at 12 midnight. My 3 roommates were all sleeping when I came. I woke up at 9:30 am the following day and then had shower. My 2 roommates have already left. I then took my breakfast. It was a good breakfast with 2 pieces of local delight (I dont know the name), bread, apples and tea with cream. I would rate the hostel as 8 out of 10 with the amenities they have, the location, security and friendliness of the staff. One of the staff actually introduced himself to be half Filipino and was from Sabah, Malaysia.
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Breakfast at Classic Inn Budget Hotel
Some portions have been consumed |
I checked out at the hostel at 11:30 am. But before I left, I first checked the airfare rates at Tiger Airways (www.tigerairways.com). I noted that it was only MYR 88 (USD 30) including taxes and administration fee. It was still cheaper than the return bus ticket if I buy from Singapore at SGD 55 (USD 45). Also, the total travel and waiting time at the airport would be 1 hour and 30 minutes less than taking the bus. So I decided to take the flight back to Singapore. I arrived Singapore at 8:10 pm. It was an enjoyable travel so far.
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