Nov 09, 2012 01:59 PM
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Continued from Singapore Visit, read the review under 'Singapore - General' (https://mouthshut.com/review/Singapore-General-review-rsostuusnr )
Our air tickets to KL booked earlier (130$) for just an hour travel but it makes life easy. We were told the bus journey is time consuming 6-7hrs on Aerolines and Customs officials at Malaysian side sometimes trouble passengers of Indian origin. Train mode was also ruled out as we understand the clearance area resemble a ‘fish market’ calling out Passenger names at the nick of the moment when the train about to start and in that din one may loose sight of his travel docs, sometimes even stamping is not done on Passport but given a paper slip that holds you responsible for any eventuality.
Such experiences of others, made us to decide on taking flight between Sin-KL
Day 5:
Flight journey was trouble free except for travel time (1.5 hr) from KL airport to city sentral (LRT). This is the transit point to KL Airport with KL. We checked into Hotel Radius. Large rooms and well maintained. After settling down, took cab to Petronas Towers to try for Tower pass, luckily they are available. We bought to see sky bridge, spent some time there. KL skyline has some large skyscrapers with equally large minarates of mosques.
We then walked towards KLCC (convention center) and to Aquaria. Very absorbing aquatic experience with a 90-metre tunnel tank with a moving conveyor, you get to see Sand Tiger sharks, stingrays, marine turtles and other sea creatures swimming around.
Later, got on to KL-hopin-hopoff bus services to visit KL tower, China town, Little India, KL green belt, finally to Pavilion mall. It is huge with volume of merchandise put up is truly stunning. Cocoa Boutique, lives up-to its name, one can savour chocolates of all types.
Day 6:
We proceeded early to Genting Hilands, at Phang 60km from KL and at 2000m altitude. The first 50km is traveled by bus. Puduraya is bus terminus for travelling various parts of city and even to Batu, Genting etc… very busy and tourists must be cautious being robbed here. On bus, once you leave the metropolitan area in the north of Kuala Lumpur (Gombak), the bus winds up the mountains on the impressive Karak Highway which was built into the hillsides. Finally, Genting Skyway, is a 3.4km long cable car route with great view of the rainforest, the highlight of the trip. Genting is cool with sporadic rains as clouds hang on while breeze sweeps thru. Better to wear warm clothes. It is much larger than Sentosa and can call it Las vegas of Malaysia, where casinos are open only to visitors as gambling is considered sin in Islam and hence no malayi is allowed to play. One need to have lots of energy to move around the hilly terrain.
Though many hotels are there, ‘First World’ is biggest with over 15k rooms. With cold breeze sweeping and rainy climate, we thought of staying back overnight, tried for a room at First world but was on waitlist until afternoon and finally got a spacious room. We relaxed there, munched, visited indoor theme parks modelled on international cities. Some outdoor themes are enjoyable. Later in the evening at ‘Pavilion’, there was a magic show which is entertaining.
Overnight stay at Genting was not on our itenary but as we were told the crime incidents, bag snatching, mugging on rise in KL and after 8pm it is not safe to roam, so we decided to stay back at Genting overnight. Next morning we returned to KL.
Day 7:
We rested in the room for a while and later visited Batu caves for a darshan of Lord Murugan. The statue at the base is a tall, magnificent idol of Lord Murugan. 300 steps up there lays the historic Batu caves, few hundred years old, very appealing.
While returning we met some people and soon got into an animated discussion on history of Malaysia and what is trending in Malaysia, Politics, Crime rate, Economy and local Indians grappling for basic rights. Malaysia like any other Asian country has lop-sides as well. But it is better if the local authorities act firmly on crime stalkers and anti social elements, as it gives a sense of Safety among tourists and locals alike.
Singapore scores high over Malaysia on Safety, in addition to bonhomie of locals. But Malaysia offers same quality products for less prices compared to Singapore.
However, we have enjoyed in KL as much as in Singapore, and carry home fond memories and satisfaction of having a pleasant trip. Thanks Singapore and Malaysia. Back home, back to work!!!
