Sunday, September 26, 2010

2006 July: Kuala Lumpur: Day 1: KL Invasion

Travel Date: July 20-21, 2006
Destination: Kuala Lumpur

My 2 day invasion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

We reached Kuala Lumpur by roughly 6 hours travel via Transnational Coach Service from Lavender Street, Singapore. It was my first time to travel during night to reach a destination before sunrise. What is the hassle thing about it? It is to wake-up in the middle of your deep sleep to register on the immigration of Singapore and Malaysia on it’s borders.

We reached the Puduraya Bus Terminal by around 4 in the morning, its not like the busy terminal because we arrived there too early. It is scary at first, so I do not recommend night travel for a solo traveler. First thing we did is to exchange our money to Malaysian Ringgit. In 2006, PHP14.35 is equal MYR1. From the terminal we took a cab to send us to Florida Hotel (71-73 Jalan Thambypillai off Jalan Brickfields KL). Personally, I do not like our hotel, it is a three star hotel and the service is not that good. We were not allowed to check-in when we arrived there at 4:30am. So what we did is to stay in the nearby 7-11 store, their’s is not like having a table and chair. It is just really a store, so what we had to do is to seat on the actual side walk area and eat our early breakfast and wait until 6 in the morning.

Once we reached the hotel elevator it becomes too smelly, up to the hotel walk way until you close your hotel door, the smell still stinks. Room and bathroom are not so clean and are also very old. Plus, I do remember that there are some creepy crawlers in the bed.
View from Florida Hotel:

Officially the first morning of our KL adventure, we woke up at 9 and get ready to check the available trips going to Genting Highlands. Good thing about the hotel is the location, it is just a walk away from KL Central Station. It is a terminal for buses and trains. We had our brunch at McDonalds, they do not have rice and the taste of their burger is a little spicy.

Genting Highlands Ticket Booth in KL Central Station:

We took the Genting Highlands bus service, and travel around an hour to reach the Theme Park. See the below photos on our way to the top of the mountain. Too bad the cable car is not available, thus, we were not able to experience the thrill.

Genting Highlands is a very huge place with indoor and outdoor theme park facilities.

It is also very near to the largest hotel in the world, First World Hotel (The World's Largest Hotel, Guinness World Records 2006/2007/2008/2009).

Best experience here is the Snow World.

We missed our 4pm return shuttle to Central Station, thus we waited for the 5pm service. They are very accurate when it comes to schedule, thus you need to be more punctual.
From Central Station, we took a train going to Putra Station, our next destination is Menara Tower (http://menarakl.com.my/). (Trivia: It is included in the stops for the Amazing Race Asia Season 1). Can’t remember how much is the entrance, but it already includes the use of a recorded sound presentation that serves as a guide as you walk around the top of the tower. You will also see the Petronas Twin Tower from afar.
After this, the night is not yet done. We took a cab to send us to Petaling Street (China Town), shopping time. We bought a mini Petronas Tower as our souvenir.

For our dinner, once again we bought McDonalds goodies and eat in our hotel.

Then, it is time to sleep.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

2006 March: Cebu, Philippines

Travel Date: March 01, 2006
Destination: Cebu, Philippines

From Tagbilaran, we took Ocean Jet (http://oceanjet.net/schedule.php?origin=Tagbilaran&destination=Cebu) going to Cebu. We stayed there for only less than 8 hours.

First stop is Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City.

We have visited the Cathedral, Sto. Nino Church, Fort San Pedro and Magellan’s Cross.

Of course we will not miss the Ayala Mall, Cebu. I must commend that Cebu is not left out in terms of the branded apparels offered in the malls.
I see that Cebu, very much like of downtown Manila, city type than provincial.
Thanks to my cousin for touring us in Cebu in a day.

Bohol, Philippines

Travel Date: February 26 - March 04, 2006
Destination: Bohol, Philippines

We took Philippine Airlines going to Bohol. From the airport, we rented a van going to Catigbian Town. The land travel lasted for almost 2 hours with no traffic. Here are the places we have visited for a stay of less than 1 week in Bohol.

We have visited Sagbayan Peak, where two hills were connected by stairs.
View from Chocolate Hills Deck in Carmen town.

We tried a river cruise in Loboc River. You can choose between a smaller boat which can go to mini falls and a bigger boat that offers lunch.

This is a church near the drop off station in the river cruise service.

In Maribojoc town, we have visited Punta Cruz Church and the Light Tower.
In Panglao, we stayed in Dumaluan Beach Resort (http://www.dumaluanbeach.com/faq.php). Aside on swimming in the beach with white sand, they also have outdoor swimming pool. There are standard fan rooms and family air-conditioned rooms you can choose from. Their sheets and pillows are clean. Food is not a problem since they also have a restaurant.
Complete your Bohol trip, by watching the sunrise in Panglao Island.

Thanks to my family and relatives who have welcomed us during our stay in our hometown.

Date Visited: 2006 February

About

Hello! Welcome to my travel tales! 

I'm ruffeecola, a backpacker in Philippines and suitcase traveler in Asia. Love checking low fares and hotel hunting and mostly stay in the middle of the road. Addicted in planning and sorting itineraries, for my solo travel and trips with my family and friends. Collection includes: paper bills, maps, photos, postcards, stamps and Starbucks mug. Travelling with Nikon D40 and Nikon J1 and Pinky St dolls. 


As a kid, I’m not into summer breaks. I did not know the difference of school season and April-May vacation in Manila. I only see mountains and white beach sand in books, magazines and television.

Year 2007, it was my first time to travel by plane. We’re going to Bohol, province where my parents grew up. Same year, I was able to leave the country and see what’s outside the Philippines.

Now that I’m able to send myself to somewhere I wanted, I’d like to share with you, reading this page, my tales as I walk the roads most and less traveled, as I hike the mountains, as I watch the waves, as I learn the culture and as I see the people.

Hoping to inspire you to grab your opportunity to see the world and for the world to see you. Happy reading!

You can send in your questions about the places I've been to on my Facebook or Instagram account.



  

Some of the succeeding posts might be familiar to you because I’m making this web as a collection of my previous blogs since 2008.

The Header

Sharing to you previous headers or cover photos of the blog

2013 March 24 - 2016 December 01
Background image was inspired by our trip in Misibis Bay, Albay.  While tri-text inspired by Elizabeth Albert as we have visited Bali, Indonesia; as I watch Anthony Bourdain on his travel shows; as I look upon other tri-text quote about travel and exploring.

2016 December 01 - current
Background image was taken from our family trip in The Garden of Morning Calm, Nov 2016.  The text was inspired from the closing credits of Sung Si Kyung and Lee Hwi Jae's show in KBS, Battle Trip.


The Contributor

Meet my sister cheznuts29 who is willing to share her stories and photos taken from her trip in Seoul, South Korea last October 2017.