or should I say, 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Life is a constant learning. Take risk and conquer your fear. You're here for a moment not a lifetime. So live each day with a smile and by these mantra: "Carpe Diem!"(Seize the day!) "Carpe Noctem!" (Seize the Night!)

Back in 2017, we intend to just explore Malaysia and Singapore and from two countries, we did tri-country voyage in 7 days. These countries are Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. You ask me "How did you do it?" "You must have been tired!"

Well, its easy. Most of the time, we used public mode of transportation and still have 8 hours of rest. 

First, let me share about my Malaysia trip. 

July 24, 2018 - We had 24 hours in the land of Malaysia. We arrived almost around 7 PM from Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2(55 kms from the KL Center). We  traveled by land for three hours from General Santos City on the same day, too. We rode taxi from Ulas Bus stop (17 kms from Airport) to FBIA, Davao City. It may  seem exhaustive but when you're determined as I am you would only feel it after the whole trip.

Good news! If youre departing from the Island of Mindanao and Palawan's international airport or seaports to any destination in the Brunei-Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) you are exempted from paying the P 1,620.00 travel tax. It was implemented after Memorandum Circular No. 23 was signed last May 8, 2018 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by the Authority of the President.

When we first saw it last May we were elated but realizing there's no TIEZA office in GenSan where we can apply for it beforehand - we find it disappointing, we were even planning to leave on a Monday just to apply for it but we couldn't because we have work and we have already offered most of our FORCED LEAVE for this trip so we thought we cannot enjoy such privilege because we thought we had to apply for it  days before departure.

Before we check in for our International flight, we have to secure a travel tax at TIEZA counter inside the airport. I asked if we could avail the exemption and the lady in the counter gave me a cold response. She told me that they have to validate things first and seconds later she handed me a green certificate-looking paper and told me we need not to pay the said amount. Thanked her and told her she's an angel and she smiled. I like it when people give me genuine smile. But when heading to the Immigration Officer, we have to pay P700.00 at the booth for the terminal fee unless we're Overseas Filipino Workers(OFW). sigh. But its okay because we've saved P1,620.00 because there are really airports that still collects terminal fee for international travel. FBIA, is one of them..

TIEZA Travel Tax Exemption Certificate

To tell you honestly, the only thing I was worried about this whole trip was going to the immigration officer - its the most nerve-wrecking thing to do when traveling abroad but Im blessed it went so smooth even if Im having a TRI-COUNTRY voyage. 

How to get to KL, Malaysia Center from KLIA 2:

by Bus

Since we arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2) around 7PM we decided to just take the bus from the airport because we don't have to hurry getting there anymore. From KLIA 2 you have to head down to level 1. Since its our first time we kind of had a hard time navigating our way out of KLIA 2. From the Immigration Area we head out to the exit with banner "SELAMAT DATANG KE MALAYSIA". Once outside, we tried locating the counter for the bus ticket by looking through the signages. We took the walkalator all the way down and found 10 counters aligned on each sides, we chose the one near door 1, the one on the left side where you could find "Capsule Transit" sign.

We asked the guy on counter 1 about where we could purchase the cheapest ticket and would depart soon and he referred us to counter 3 (Don't worry, I'll post the photo below).

We rode the JETBUS A03 that fetches passenger near door 1 and it costed RM11.00 only. The trip took more than 1 hour and we're fine with that except with stinky passengers whose smell will really give you headache even if youre not seated next to them. So make sure you have vapor rub or white flower or anything that counters unlikeable smells. It is rude to tell them they stink so you better keep quiet and cover your nose, instead. If you take the KLIA 2 train the trip will only take 30 minutes from the airport to the city center. When we arrived at Terminal Berspadu Selatan (TBS) we crossed the bridge from the bus stop towards the train station.

 I like riding train because its where you could first observe the locals behavior and communication styles.  When we purchased LRT ticket we found ourselves confused after seeing blue token written on it is "rapidKL" instead of the usual tap cards. (see photo below)

RapidKL blue token

I thought it was something to be exchange somewhere but it works just like a tap card we alighted at Hang Tuah Station, the station in Bukit Bintang. The rapidKL token costed RM 3. 40  from BTS to Hang Tuah Station.

Breakdown

Bus from KLIA 2 to TBS/BTS: RM 11.00

BTS to Hang Tuah Station: RM 3.40

Total: RM 14.40 only

by KLIA Ekspress train

Take the Klia ekspress at level 2, you can either purchase your ticket at the counter or using your VISA card in their mobile counter. Travel time takes 33 minutes from the airport to Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS) and costed RM 55.00 one way. Saves you time but too expensive. Good for people who arrive in the daylight, though. :)

Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS)

The Hang Tuah Station entrance-exit near Bukit Bintang, KL, Malaysia

Bukit Bintang City Centre

We told ourselves that we'd visit Bukit Bintang City Centre in the morning because its just 5 minutes away from our hostel but I think we spent so much time being lost in this city we disregard the idea of exploring this place when we passed by it on our way back to Hang Tuah Station. Maybe, next time. :)

When we passed by BUKIT BINTANG CITY CENTRE as per instruction stated in maps.me we find ourselves in a street next to a construction site, theres a pedestrian in the intersection but as we follow the app for direction we find ourselves in a sidewalk, figuring out how to crossover the road and then we saw a guy walking with his hard cap and safety vest on, we asked him on how to get to the other side of the road because we cant find a pedestrian lane plus the road seems like its a super lane and then he said "follow me!" with quite delight in helping two strangers visible on his face while his hand gestured towards the road like inviting us over for a dinner that he's gonna pay but no just to follow him. We kind of hesitated because HELLO, WE'RE FOREIGNERS HERE. WHAT IF WE GET CAUGHT JAYWALKING. WE CANT BAIL OURSELVES. WE CANT AFFORD TO BUY TICKET BACK TO PHILIPPINES FROM MALAYSIA. But he's reassuring and continued walking before us then we found ourselves walking on the street as him where a 10-wheeler vehicle just passed through. It was such  a terrifying yet thrilling experience.

Tip: To make sure youre riding the right train, check the last stop of each train destination. ike if you're heading to Hang Tuah, from BTS, check if the last destination is SENTUL TIMUR. 

When we were on our way to SIM Hotel from the scarry "jaywalking" we found ourselves walking to a street with expensive cars aka HOT cars but you can rarely see people outside their cars and the building mostly they are inside an establishment or the casino. We didn't have a hard time heading to the hotel because they already emailed the location and landmarks near it.

We arrived safely in the hotel, stayed in our own capsule for a while. I like how the capsule had all the amenities you would look for in your cozy bed, a table, television, charging ports and ofcourse MIRROR! I tried to get acquainted with all that's inside my capsule but I just couldn't figure out the television so I gave up on it and tried the buttons below the mirror. It can be explored by sliding your index finger on it. The first set was for the color of your capsule's light and the other was for the brightness. I like how you need not to tap or use force on it coz you just have to slide a finger to make adjustments and when our stomachs started to churn we decided to go out to eat dinner around, it was I think, 10 PM and instead of following our invisible TO DO LIST one of which is to try "Malaysian delicacies and exotic food" we opted for "eating at the nearest eatery we could find" and that is at the eatery by the corner of the street.

Since its already late in the evening, we have already inculcated in our minds that we might not get the delectable foods because surely most of it will be unavailable and "touche!" We kept on ordering foods on the MENU that are no longer available so after many attempts of ordering the food we want we settle with the viands that is left on the MENU.

 I personally ordered the chicken soup in a coconut because it looked delectable and almost all the tables I saw before us have it but when I tasted it, I, sorry to say this, despise the taste. I think, primarily, its because of the trip I took to get to Malaysia. My taste bud isn't working well, and I just didn't appreciate it but I think it really tasted good because if it is not then why is it considered as their 'Best Seller'. 

By the way, the vehicles here have its steering wheel on the right side its just one of my many observations that I wanted to let you know because when I first saw a car passing through I thought that car was driver-less vehicle. I thought cars in Malaysia are modern enough to be ridden without a driver until I realized the drivers seat is on the right so the left side are either vacant or without steering wheel. Reminder to self: Read more about the country you're visiting you might end up looking like an imbecile. lmao

After having our dinner we then head off to the road where we first enter the said street. I call it "Route 1" - its the road where we have to circle the whole place to get to Berjaya Tasik Selatan. I looked around for possible shortcuts and to familiarize the place. I don't know if you're like me because I don't look at landmarks name, I don't have a good memory. I tend to look at the building and its façade, my eyes look at something that is eye-catching and its embroidered on my mind forever.

As we continued exploring the place, we found ourselves lost in the beauty of the night life in Kuala Lumpur. One thing caught our attention, its the peak of Petronas Towers and we continued walking to the direction where we can visibly see it and minutes later we are in a busy street, finding bands in every corner of Bukit Bintang and talented artist that can sketch your photo in 5 to 45 minutes depending on the artworks size. We arrived there on a Tuesday so imagine how surprised we are that the night life there is so alive we could only imagine how things would be if its Friday Night or Saturday.

(This is just one of the many streets that has bands performing live in Bukit Bintang and the people swarming in one corner is same with the others)

We really circled the area using our first route and as I get acquainted with the sights and observe the place around me I saw roads that most likely, will lead us back to the hostel. From the 'first route' we used  to pass through Berjaya Tasik Selatan (BTS) Mall until I feign like I know the way and told my colleague we'll take the shortcut back to our hotel. :)

As we walk through the streets, we observed that the place is not suitable for people walking on their own. It looks unsafe for a solo traveler. We continued walking and looked around us, it was the back area of BTS where buses are parked then on our left side we saw street arts. I like street arts because its one way of how people, usually, introverts, express their freedom of speech and emotion.

I thought streetarts can be found in certain streets only and we were surprised to see this street filled with artworks on the wall.  We arrived safely at our hotel's doorstep by walking through a vacant lot behind our building just next to BTS.

ZZZZZzzzzzz's

Had a good 8 hours of sleep, we left our hotel around 10 AM for a quick trip to the Petronas Towers. As we leave our room the guy in the counter asked us if we're checking out and we said we'll be back before 1PM we just have to take a picture at Petronas Towers and as we head outside our hotel we took the road in the corner - the one which we surely believes goes straight to BTS and we were right. It saved us time and energy and outside BTS, is a Krispy Kreme mobile store. 

So what do a tourist like me, do? ofcourse, take pictures with it as my background with caption "KK, do you love me?" uploaded on my Instagram :)

We walked to the other side of the road and we took the overpass to get there, my legs are still a little wobbly but Im fine with climbing up and down it just as long as we're safe. Down the road there's this lady selling breakfast meal and I got the last serving of rice she was selling. I ordered the spicy chicken and fried rice and it costed RM 2.70* only. The viands she is selling doesn't just look good it tasted so good as well. Its really true about food in Malaysia, they are not parsimonious with the ingredients you can tell by how it looks and taste even the foods sold in the street is scrumptious.

We went to the bus stop near ISETAN The Japan store, while heading there a guy came to us  and asked us where we're heading then offered us a tour to the chocolate Factory before going to Petronas Tower. He offered us a decent amount, if you're a foreigner you'd find it cheap, RM 10 for the two of us. Cheap! But we said no. Why? because we are aware that there is a free bus service in Kuala Lumpur and we're not gonna let ourselves get scammed. haha. Although were not really sure if we could catch the free bus, we left him and said "thank you" because why not? As we were taking pictures near ISETAN, my colleague saw the free bus and so we stride towards the place where we saw it heading over. We had to pass through the pedestrian lane, first. Yes, I know, very law-abiding citizens! We passed through McDonalds, Starbucks, Giordano and few money changer stores, more street foods in the sidewalk, souvenir shops on the side and finally! herd of people surely waiting for the free bus to stop before them! At first we're like "where do we need to secure a pass? should we go before this people? how do we know we're going to the right place?" but when the bus stop right before us our body tells us to hop in right away. 

We were looking through the glass window of the bus and eyeing only the Petronas Tower. Although we enjoyed sight seeing as well as seeing people alight and getting in the bus at designated areas and then when we saw that we're almost back to the place where we rode the bus we decided to alight at the Jalan Raja Chulan station next to Muzium Telekom. Its where interactive exhibits on telephone and telecomunications history can be found.

Address: Jalan Raja Chulan,  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We went first to the opposite side of the street and I noticed that there's a painting on the building wall and the KL Tower! Tell me if you also have your photo taken there! 

Address: Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ofcourse, going to another country or even just a city with lack of prior knowledge about it means being lost is inevitable. So, Petronas Towers, wait for us. We're on our way to you but first, let us savour the taste of being lost in a City, particularly, Kuala Lumpur. When we were on that spot above, we realized we were in the wrong direction so we had to go back to the bus stop. We went behind Muzium Telekom because I saw a familiar landmark, basing on its façade, a Catholic Church - the St. John's Cathedral - an old Catholic Church situated in the city center. 

We walk back to Jalan Ruja Chulan street and observed that the pedestrian is mixed with bicyclist, a blue lane street is dedicated to both. As we continued walking we saw a tall brown building on the opposite side of the road. Few walks and we found the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church that was built in 1918 still on the other side. Few meters away from it we found ourselves just stone throw away from KL Tower and steps away from Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco-park we went in thinking its the shortcut to Petronas Tower. Gah, Petronas Tower should really be worth this struggle. Then as we explore the place, the  TAMAN ASEAN,TAMAN HERBA, DATARAN BATAI, AND CANOPY WALK we realized it will cost us wobbly legs and we might not be able to do public transportation because climbing up and down the stairs will be very challenging. Imagine doing a trail walk towards the place and by trail, we all know it will take much of our time and we have to go back to our hotel before 1 pm. So we went out and felt tired already from all the walking that we almost gave up and opt for a taxi but no taxi would stop in front of us so we continued walking. We came across a Malaysian guy in his office attire and asked him where to catch a vehicle towards Petronas Tower, he told us to ride the green GO KL Bus and we followed his direction based on how he arc his hand and arm. Told him "Selamat" and he was delighted to hear us speak it, he kept asking us where we're from and how we were able to speak their language instead of going briskly to work. He was so amazed, he really cant stop smiling. Little did he know, we also say "Salamat" (Thank you) in the Philippines. 

Bus stop in front of Hotel Istana

As we head over to the place he was pointing, we find ourselves standing in the middle of the intersection. We waited for the pedestrian logo to go green so we could walk to the other side of the road and then head over to the bus station which is on the opposite side. The bus station is located infront of the Hotel Istana.  There are actually four (4) colors of free bus service in KL - its the red, blue, green and purple bus and we have rode all of them all in just half day. Yup, we save much on transportation in KL. So please, if ever someone in Kuala Lumpur offer you a ride for a certain fee heading to certain landmarks, please don't take the bait. These Go KL /free bus services pass through and stop on the famous KL landmarks and place. 

When we rode the GREEN Go KL/Free Bus Service, there's this French man with his family, I think, Ara have mentioned it in her blog but he's really unforgettable to us. Unlike other men out there, this man is unpredictably excited and jubilant, taking pictures on both sides of the bus, from time to time, while it is moving. He's done all the moves that you could ever think whenever he takes a snap and he was talking to his family while doing so. I love listening to French people, even if I don't really understand them. He's talking about landmarks while looking at his travel book about Malaysia. He's the most audible person in the bus and he's lucky we cannot comprehend what his talking about coz surely one among us would really join the conversation. We were thinking how could his family be so chill and observing while he is so ecstatic and is moving from side to side isn't it the other way around? Mostly, men are the ones who looks around with their eyes not with their whole being and its not weird, though. Its fascinating how a man could be like one around his family and people in a public place. She must be something because men are reserved and even if they are funny sometimes, they tend to do it in private but he's not worried about how people will react. He's just being himself which is, to me, laudable. So enough of this family man, whose pellucid exuberating soul made two girls' day and lets talk more about Petronas Tower. As we pass through Pavillion Mall, the one I really wanted to explore since the time we arrived in KL, we saw the KLCC Mall, really tempted to jump out of the bus to go there but we're very firm on following our itinerary. We saw the Petronas Tower, I was silently observing the people, some are foreigners and surely they're heading to Petronas Tower that I suddenly forgot the existence of the French man. What mattered that time is to alight right next to the Petronas Tower and not be lost on our way there not even alight at the wrong station because the clock is ticking and the time is running fast, its already past 12 noon. I was nervous because we're almost there and we might get lost, again. The tower is already visible but one wrong move and we'll have to suffer the consequence. We remained patient and waited for the bus to have its several turns, sometimes we lost sight of it but our faith tells us we're heading there. Few minutes passed and we finally saw it - the ground floor and the entrance - very giddy to hop off and take pictures and explore the place. When we arrived at the place we really stride towards the fountain as fast as we could. Snap some pictures and I became a tourist photographer. There's this guy who approached me and asked me to take his picture with the Petronas Tower as his background and he handed me his iPhone X like its just a cheap rate phone. Took a lot of photos of him coz hello, its not about the subject its about how good a photo looks like with it. Besides all he wanted is to have photo with it as his background but all of us know that what's important in this situation is to see the peak of the towers in every taken pictures. 

Also, there are number of guys who are selling phone camera lenses and there's this guy who is nice enough to lend us the lense he is selling and he even offered to take our picture with it. He's really nice and didn't even insist his product to us although he told us he's giving the $49.99 worth lense (original) for $20 which we know is still expensive because CONVERTION, baby. Told him we actually have our own lense. I  actually showed it to him and told him my lense just swam to the tiny pond next to the fountain row while I was taking pictures and its taking a blurry photo and  second excuse, we left the other one at our hostel (which is a lie). After having a decent photo taken by this kind young entrepreneur and thanking him we went inside the tower for a quick photo-op, just incase people will ask us about the interior of it, atleast we can tell about the interior of the lobby area. 

We went back to the bus station and enjoyed the sight of the iconic Petronas tower from the glass window of the GoKL bus. We were really thinking of riding the taxi back to our hostel because its already 1 PM and Lord knows how long this trip is gonna take and if the traffic is tolerable or worse, gladly, we made it back to the bus station near the ISETAN - The Japan Store, we walk meters away from it and then hailed a taxi. Ive interviewed the driver, Im pretty much very inquisitive so I asked him how long he's driving a taxi and he told us he's driving all his life and its actually apparent but you can see and say he's enjoyed driving the wrinkles in his face is apparent in her eye area than in his forehead. We arrived at the hotel at exactly 2pm so we scurry towards the hotel and was sweating already. When we entered the hotel, the receptionist looked at us confused and kind of wary. Our cards are no longer working and I find it funny because it will never work - its past 1 pm and what do you expect? its time bounded. Funnily, the receptionist made a joke that is not funny which made us worried, especially me because I thought he was serious, only to find out he was kidding. He was very nice and he didn't charged us even if we arrived at the hotel 1 hour after the check out time. He helped us in accessing our capsule and our locker and after that we left the hotel, to catch our flight. We went to BTS Mall and ate our lunch at McDonalds. One thing I like doing inside the mall is explore there grocery store and Im very happy of my discovery when I went to BTS Grocery store. I found the Old town Hazelnut Coffee. I took three bags when an old lady approached me and told me about Old Town White Coffee Promo. I was hesitant but when she brought me to the aisle where boxes of it are piled up (in it are two bags 0f OTWC Hazelnut Flavor and 2 cans x 240 ml of White Coffee) I grab two boxes, bearing in mind that I might get a problem with the airport personnel if I bring more than four bags of it but I swear getting two and 2 cans of OTWC is such a steal for around RM 17.00 same price when you buy a single bag. :)

NOTE: BTS have no BAGGAGE COUNTER so if you carry stuff from the grocery you'll probably carry it wherever you go. Hello body pain! We skipped strolling around the mall after knowing that and the fact that they do not have, BATH & BODY WORKS and MAC store!

From the mall, we walk towards the Hang Tuah station, imagine me, with a frail body, carrying my bag and the two boxes of coffee, walking under the heat of the Sun in Bukit Bintang down to the train station. We enjoyed the trip until, Ara, noticed the  mentioned train stops. I was so tired to notice the difference until we both realized we're heading towards AMPANG Station. AMPANG! We reached the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, we saw different types of houses, it seems like this place is the residential district of KL, from vertical condo type homes to row house and other subdivision housing style homes. We disembarked at Cempaka, third to the last stop to Ampang. We were so worried because we cant transfer to the other side, cant risk the token, either. So we went to the officer and asked him how. He told him we have to take the train again towards Ampang and transfer to another train and we became worried because we cannot see a train coming. Gladly, after 10 minutes a train came right before us. We hopped in and timed it. 

Two minutes travel time every station.

Tolerable. 

We reached the Ampang station and walked away from the train, thinking of when the train to Chan Sow Lin(Interchanged Station) will arrive...

A man came to us, carrying his 7/11 sandwich and a drink on both hands. He went out of the train and asked us where we're going. I WAS MOVED. I HAVEN'T MET ANYONE WHO WOULD DO THAT. He told us to hop back to the train because its heading there. I cant stop thanking him for what he did. He was so nice! Whoever you are, THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS and for taking the time to walk out of the train to approach us and ask us.  You really have eased the pain, physically and mentally. You've shown us who the people in Malaysia are, very kind and helpful. God bless your golden heart!

I lost sight of him when we arrived at Chan Sow Lin, I think it was pretty normal for him to help other people because he never looked at us or make us know that he's leaving. He just left. From Bandar Tasik Selatan (BTS) we went to the KLIA transit platform purchased our ticket there and got a tap card in return. 

We went to the platform and patiently waited for 30 minutes for the train to arrive. BTS is four stops away from KLIA 2 and travel time usually take 32 minutes. 

The KLIA transit aka KLIA ekspres is a good mode of transportation in Kuala Lumpur, its time bounded. With regards to the train itself, the seats are small, surely made for Asian physiques. It has an informative tv screen that showcases  Malaysia's tourist destination and flashes informative details. It has no armrest, though.

 It costed RM 38.00 from BTS to KLIA 2.

Everything went smooth during our whole trip here. We appreciate the GoKL bus! We saved much because of it. We love the cheap good food! the people! Its actually a good place to start or end your Southeast Asian trip. Best place to stay at is in Bukit Bintang you can find cheap hotels there, too. Don't be like me who brought too many clothes because you would suffer the consequence! It would be nice to only carry the basics and leave the unnecessary outfits or if you prefer, buy clothes at thrift shops and throw them out after wearing them. PACK LIGHT! you'll never know when to see affordable goods and walking is necessary especially abroad. So make sure you have flipflops or are wearing comfortable shoes for long walks.

BREAKDOWN

Hang Tuah Station to BTS - RM 3. 40

BTS to KLIA 2 - RM 38.00 

Total: 41.4