Our Malaysia trip was supposed to be a side trip of our Singapore trip, but since the ticket cost would just be more or less the same if we are to take a RT bus from Singapore to Malaysia, it was an easy decision to make it a stand alone trip.
I hope I can give justice to my Malaysia trip. This one is a past trip but my details would be enough so you can maximize your 4 days and 3 nights without spending too much. I did mine for less than 5000PHP (Converted to MYR). There were 3 of us in our group, we brought our tickets for 2675.05 PHP/pax last October 10, 2010 for travel last January 28-February 1, 2011 (via Cebu Pacific).
Day 1
We departed January 28, 8:55 PM from Manila and arrived January 29, at 12:55 AM in KL. Bus ticket stations were available before you exit the terminal, you would just have to walk a short distance to board your bus. This option is more affordable than taking the cab. It would drop you off at KL Sentral where taxis are available.
Getting a metered taxi at the time was not an option since it was too early in the morning. It was 20 MYR from KL Sentral to Chinatown. After a few turns-we reached our hotel, and it was a surprisingly short distance for 20 MYR. We didn't think of haggling at the time, but if you are good at it, go for it. :)
We arrived at our hostel-which I have nothing but praises for. Below are the details of our online booking.
The Explorers Guesthouse
No 128 & 130 Jalan Tun H.S Lee
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
| Date | Room Details | Per Bed | Pax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 29th Jan | Basic 3 Bed Private Shared Bathroom | MYR38.00 | 3 | MYR114.00 |
| Sun 30th Jan | Basic 3 Bed Private Shared Bathroom | MYR38.00 | 3 | MYR114.00 |
| Mon 31st Jan | Basic 3 Bed Private Shared Bathroom | MYR38.00 | 3 | MYR114.00 |
| Total: MYR342.00 | ||||
| 10% Deposit US$11.79 | ||||
| Service Charge: US$2.00 | ||||
| Charge on Card (Service Charge + Deposit): US$13.79 (MYR40.85) | ||||
| amount due on arrival: MYR307.80 (US$106.11) | ||||
The place was big enough and has a homey feel to it. The staff are nice, helpful and accommodating. Free Wifi access, PCs for internet usage are available for free, you can have your peanut butter jelly sandwich and coffee any time of the day, they let you borrow umbrellas when its raining, comfort rooms are clean and you can even leave your sachet stuffs and you would still find it the way you left it even after they cleaned the comfort rooms. Location is great and 2 LRT stations (Masjid Jamek and Pesar Seni -Price ranges from1.20 MYR ++) are accessible in the area. Towels and blankets are available for a minimal fee.
We walked the empty streets...
...then took the LRT to the Suria KLCC Mall and the Petronas Towers.
It was early in the morning but the waiting area for those who wanted to go up the sky bridge was already packed. By the looks of the line plus the fee that they are charging (10 MYR), we decided that going up is not worth it.
After relaxing at Starbucks, we walked around and had our lunch at the Suria KLCC Mall. We then headed back to the guest house.
Same old Starbucks...
There are prayer halls inside, so it is a requirement for women to dress appropriately. (They let you borrow a robe and a scarf before you enter.)
The walk back to the guest house from Masjid Jamek was a tour in itself.
We were up early the next day. Our stop was the Batu Caves. We walked to the LRT Pesar Sani station going to KL Sentral.
From there, there's a train going directly to the Batu caves. Very convenient.
I lost count, but it was supposed to be 272 steps going up.
If you are not buying a replica of the Buddha-you are better off buying your souvenirs at China Town.
Be prepared to eat the traditional Malaysian Flat bread (with dips!) as it's the only available food in the area...
It does taste better than it looks...
The place was full and everyone was eating the flat bread by hand (so you would have to do too-dips and all).
...enjoyed taking pictures of the National Geographic frames scattered inside the Lot 10 Shopping Centre...
...then rode the Monorail-LRT back to visit the Petaling Street in China town before ending the day.
I heard they now have the Puduraya Bus station, but be sure to ask the front desk of your hotel before heading out for directions. It was a 3 hour bus ride (13MYR) from KL to Melaka. (We took the bus that was about to depart-but a number of other buses are available from 12-13MYR).
Melaka is a must see if you are to go to Malaysia. Cab from the bus station to Melaka center is 5 MYR.
7.55 MYR for a Mc Donald's Value Meal.
Melaka Maritime Museum-3 MYR Entrance Fee
After just 3 hours of sleep, and much deliberation,we were up and headed to the Titiwangsa Park (We just can't miss the Miss You Like Crazy Park). We took the train and a cab to the park. It was a bit hard to catch a cab back to the train station so do not push your time.
By the time that we're done, we were running to KL sentral to take the train to the LCCT (KLIA+Bus). We almost missed our flight-the man in the Cebu Pacific counter was texting while we were waiting in line, mind you, we were the only people in line. When his co-worker called his attention, he rolled his eyes and checked us in. I was almost afraid to leave our bags as the man resumed his texting with our bags still in the counter.
What's good is that we did not have to wait much at the airport as we barely had time to buy ourselves some hot dogs and have our money exchanged to SGD (for my Singapore trip)and back to PHP before we heard our boarding announcement.
Overall it was a good trip, I would probably stay overnight at Melaka and visit the Genting Highlands when I go back! And as I said, overall I spent less than 5000PHP (hotel, transpo within KL-LRT and minimal cab ride- food- I have packed snacks from manila-souvenirs and local groceries for my trip).
In Malaysia, there are no entrance fees to enjoy the sights!So if you want an affordable international trip, Malaysia is a good pick.
