Flying To The Home Of Air Asia

I was not enticed to go to Malaysia, specifically Kuala Lumpur. I’ve talked to people about their travel adventures in KL. The general consensus: MEH, but there are some interesting tidbits. I wasn’t even enticed to buy a round trip ticket even during those glorious Piso fare days when the fuel surcharge was way lower.

What made me change my mind: Beth, one of my best friends (BFF 1), moved there for work. Given a Piso-fare opportunity, I booked a roundtrip ticket with Cebupacific for Php 3,755.61. Sarah (BFF 2) booked her ticket as well. Sara (BFF 3) just gave birth two weeks before so we brought her hugs to Beth.Tickets were bought in February. Travel date was in October. Lots of time to save up for the trip.

The very famous Petronas Towers. The standard tourist view shot.

The Itinerary and Budget        

I am the self-appointed itinerary-and-budget manager for travel. I had some difficulty crafting this itinerary because the interesting places in Malaysia are far from KL. Just like how the interesting places in the Philippines are far from Manila. 


Legoland is part of the plan. If Lego made your childhood somewhat happy, include it. Otherwise, the place will just be MEH.

We skipped Batu Caves and Genting Highlands. I’ve read mixed reviews for both. My takeaway is that it is something to do, something different, something to take a photo at, but it is something you do, if you have no idea what else to do. The focus of this trip is bonding with by BFFs, and we can have loads of fun without going to these places. *shrugs*           

ACTIVITY	MYR	PHP
Pre-trip fees
Airport Fare via 5J (rountrip)		3,755.61
Sarang Room Downpayment via Paypal (MYR 159 for triple)	53.00	721.93
Air Asia: KUL to JHB	37.33	508.53
Day 1 - Fly to KUL. Fly to JHB. Overnight JB
14:30 Depart Manila NAIA 3
17:50 Arrive KL Airport
Terminal Fee		550.00
Travel Tax		1,620.00
Jollibee Dinner		187.00
Dinner at Old Town	20.60
Taxi from JHB Airport going to Tunes Hotel JB	15.00
Tunes Hotel Payment (Rooms and Legoland)	183.00
Amos Cookies from 7-11	4.95
7-11 Water purchase	4.20
Day 2 - Legoland Day. Night Bus to KL.
7-11 breakfast stuff	3.70
Luggage	2.00
Lunch at Chicken Rice Shop	17.50
Taxi to Larkin Bus Terminal	4.00
Bus to TBS, KL	40.00
Train from TBS to KL Central	1.00
Taxi from KL Central to Sarang Guesthouse (coupon rate at midnight)	6.50
Dinner at Mamak	6.30
Payment for Room at Sarang Home	140.00
Day 3 - Wander around KL. Petaling Jaya, Petronas Towers.
Taho at Petaling St.	1.70
Bacon/Ham	6.70
Comfort Room fee at Central Market	0.50
Lunch at Petaling Jaya	6.60
Train from Central Market to Petronas	1.60
Dinner - Strawberry Shake	5.00
Dinner - Noodles	5.50
Water	1.50
Day 4 - Masjid Jamek, Jalan Alor, more walking
Groceries	93.00
Train to Imbi	1.60
Lunch	9.50
Milk Tea take out	1.50
Train to Masjid Jamek	1.20
Train to Hang Tuah	1.20
Dinner at Fat Brother Jalan Alor	11.80
Water and Kaya	4.00
Day 5 - Souvenir Shopping, City Tour
Museum Entrance Fee	5.00
Tour	35.00
Chocolate souvenir	59.00
Lunch at Mamak	8.80
Cab to KL Central	5.00
Bus to LCCT	10.00
Mcdo Fries and Milo in Airport	8.70
TOTAL MYR/PHP	733.15	7,343.06
MYR to PHP: 1MYR = 13.50 PHP	9,897.53
TOTAL in PHP		17,240.59

 

Bank Stuff

I called my bank to inform them that I will be out of the country and I may be using my credit card. I got MYR via Beth, she sold some of her MYR to me. We had a mutually-beneficial arrangement for that. You can also get MYR via ATM withdrawal.

Accommodation

Cheap-enough accommodation for Johor Bahru: Tunes Hotel. For MYR 183, we had a room that can accommodate 4 pax and the Legoland ticket including the shuttle ride.

Tunes Hotel in JB. We were trying very hard not to look haggard. It worked, 20%.

 
Not-so-cheap accommodation in KL: Sarang Rooms. I know that I could get good deals but I was sold with its reviews from Tripadvisor.

 

Random Tips

Teh Tarik Ice. One of the major highlights of my trip is trying out the Teh Tarik Ice from the streets. They put it in plastic with lots of ice and the plastic bag has a string. Like the softdrinks in plastic that we have here, only bigger, and with a string. A huge source of happiness for only MYR 2

SO MUCH HAPPINESS FOR MYR 2.

Teh Tarik Tea Bags. The ultimate souvenir. Hoard them. We particularly liked a brand - one with green and white packaging (I know, vague description). My sister found that this Teh Tarik is also sold in Cherry Foodarama.

BEWARE OF THE CANALS. We stopped for restroom break during our bus trip from JB to KL. I walked by myself on my way back from the CR, I didn’t notice that there was this street canal with a width of about half a meter. I FELL. I used my upper body strength to lift myself. It was dark. Either nobody saw me, or nobody bothered to help. I limped my way into my seat. I had scrapes in my legs, a wound in my right knee, and a bruise in my right side. OUCH. BAD TRIP. My companions were very understanding. Too bad I didn’t have a complete first aid kit. It was late when we got to KL so we weren’t ale to purchase Betadine ointment until the next day. Lesson: Beware of the canals. I was somewhat luck that the canal wasn’t filled with sewer water. Ewwwww. Or I’ll stink on the ride all the way back to KL.

There’s good food out there. Good food can be cheap enough, if you are up for the search. I was lucky to be with foodies.

Street-type shabu shabu along Jalan Alor

The weather feels like home. Like the Philippines, Malaysia is HOT and HUMID. AIRCON kept us in the room.

Umbrella, Sunblock. Light Clothing.You know the drill.

Learn  how to say thank you in Malay: Terima Kasih. Practice often. Use often.