MALAYSIA: Truly Asia

2011 Holy Week SEA Trip

Malaysia - Singapore - Thailand

Malaysia is located near the equator and divided between two regions which is the Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysia being the 66^th largest country by 
total land area in the world.  Malaysia is the only country with territory on both the Asian mainland and the Malay Archipelago and Tanjung Piai, located in the southern state of Johor, is the southernmost tip of continental Asia. The 43^rd most populated country with a population of about 27.5 million.  Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy in South East Asia. The system of government is closely modelled on that of the Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule.   Source: wikipedia

 

Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
Language: Bahasa Malaysia, English
Weather: Tropical all year round
Religion: Islam
Electricity: Voltage is 220 - 240 Volt AC. Standard 3- pin square plugs and socket
Currency: Ringgit Malaysia (RM)
1USD - 3.03MYR
1MYR - 14.18PHP

(Famous attractions)



: T o u r i s m   W e b s i t e s :

Official Tourism Website
Lonely Planet
Mana
Malaysia Tourism
 TripAdvisor

: U s e f u l   P h r a s e s :

Thank You - Terima Kasih
You're Welcome (for thank you) - Sama-sama
Welcome! (to greet someone) - Selamat Datang
Good Morning - Selamat Pagi
Good Evening - Selamat Petang
Goodbye - Selamat Jalan
Where is the bathroom/toilet - Di manakah bilik mandi?

MALAYSIA Map
(Credits to bugbog.com)

: W h e r e   t o   S t a y ? :
Agoda
Booking.com
TripAdvisor
Hostelworld 

TripAdvisor's Top 5 Hotels

Shangri-la Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur
Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur

Top 5 Best Value
V Garden Hotel
Leisure Inn
Lotus Family Hotel
Hotel Summer View
Frenz Hotel
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Here is the transit map to help you hop around KL.

You can download the PDF File here.
(Credits to MalaysiaExpat.com)

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No Facebook for more than a month!  That was my sacrifice since i will be traveling during the Holy Week.  For a traveler like me, it's one of the holidays we look forward to for trips.  Of course, as a Catholic, I also know my obligations hence, the abstinence from Facebook. 

So this time, I am going to the southern part of east asia.  It's my first time, so i feel excited, but not with the weather :-).  

Planning for this trip is kinda hard for me because my friends and I planned to go to 3 countries (Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand).  This means I had to back read 3 threads at PINOY EXCHANGE (Travel and Leisure Forum).  But, thanks to my fellow PEXers, they make my life easier hehe...

Arrival @ LCCT

Our first stop is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  We availed of Cebu Pacific's promo last January to KL for the one-way price of P1,899.00.  Since its vacation time for many, we expected a deluge of passengers.  As early as 5PM, Jas and I we're already at the airport Terminal 3 for our 8:30PM flight.

Philippines and Malaysia has no time difference.  So at exactly 12:30 in the morning, we arrived at Malaysia's Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).  Local temperature was 26 deg. Celsius.

We were rushing to the immigration area because we needed to catch the last bus of Star Shuttle @ 2am. As expected, there was long line at every counter.  Good thing is, they opened other counters to accommodate more passengers.

To save time, while we were in line, we decided to change our 100 USD to MYR inside the immigrations "Bureau De Change".  Jas went to the bank, while I saved her spot.  Luckily, they had a good rate compared to the money changers outside the airport.

It took us around 30 - 45 mins. to clear at the immigration.  They just asked for my return flight since I only have a one way ticket.

On our way to the baggage area, I saw my luggage (that red one) and it looked "kawawa". I wanted to hug my bag because they were like trash thrown on the floor.  I got scared too, 'coz it can easily be grabbed by anyone.  They only do a random check on luggage tags so it unsafe for me.

I heard that since the airport only had limited baggage counters, they had to unload the bags immediately to accommodate another batch of baggage’s.

We reached the bus ticket counters around 1:30 am.  You will not miss this because they were like jeepney barkers that draw the passengers' attention.

First time travelers need not worry commuting by bus.  It's the cheapest way going to the city.  For RM18, we used the Star Shuttle service from airport to hotel.  Just be sure that your hotel is included in their list.  Last trip is at 2AM. The bus did not drop us directly to the hotel.  We had to transfer to another small shuttle.

For online reservation and advance booking, please check their website.

http://www.starwira.com/

 

Just in case you missed the Star Shuttle bus, the second option was Sky Bus.  Last trip is at 3:15AM.  For RM9, Sky Bus will send you off to KL Sentral and then you can just take a cab for around RM20-25 to Bukit Bintang hotel.  But if you take a taxi from the airport straight to the hotel it will cost you around RM90+. Travel time is about an hour.

http://www.skybus.com.my/index.html

One thing I liked about LCCT is that you have a lot of food choices.  It's a shame we were not able to try the OldTown White Coffee shop.  According to some friends, it's a must taste in Malaysia.

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More Malaysia Trip here:

Bintang Warisan Hotel

Hopping around Kuala Lumpur and Petronas Towers

Batu Caves

Genting Highlands

Nando's Chicken