My Trip to Malaysia

"Malaysia - Truly Asia" is the slogan given by Malaysia Tourism Industry. Its a Vesak's (Buddha-Poornima) 3-day holiday and half the Singaporeans headed towards Malaysia for spending something different. Long queue awaited us the Customs/Immigration cells in Malaysia-Singapore border. Ultra-luxurious 24 seater bus carrying us started its journey towards Kualalumpur, capital of Malaysia at around 9:30am. Expressway is neat and broad resembling one in western countries. Greenery especially Date trees occupied the entire road sides. Bus stopped at one of the motels. It was not posh. It resembled Sriperumbudur's bus stand. Chinese song was broadcasted through Loudspeaker. Either one minute, one hour and for hours, same music was repeated with different "chi", "ki", "wee" sounds in that Chinese song. Still you will enjoy this. Malaysia Ringitt is half in value compared to Sing Dollars. So everything we bought looked so cheaper. Last stretch of 20KM got covered in nearly one hour due to traffic congestion. Reached KL Pudu Raya Bus Stand around 5pm. It is worser than Parry's Corner Bus Stand in terms of Pollution, Space, Toilets and Cleanliness. Malaysia government should do something on this. We saw all roads starts with word "Jalan" or "Bukit".

Due to late arrival we missed the booked Hotel Florida. Our Tamil helped in talking to a Taxi Driver and he was friendly to take us to one of hidden reasonable hotel. We then went to Batu Caves and it was world class. You can see Underground Mamooth Caves of USA in a hilltop here. One Murugan Temple was situated inside it.

Next day, we covered KL Towers and Petronas Towers. World Tallest Building Petronas Tower glitter in Silver Steel. Next we went, National Monument and War Memorial and are okay. We wanted to go Islamic Museum and National Mosque, but left due to distance and lack of time. South East Asia's Biggest Mall is not posh, but is a place to do any shopping you wish to do. We then went to Merdacca Square meaning Place of Freedom and it resembled low graded version of Trafalgar Square. Malaysian Highcourt was opposite to it. China Town and Little India (Masjid India) resemble T-Nagar, Chennai. Crowd is also equal to that. Get Windows-XP VCD for 10Ringitts here!!! I didn't buy it as I respect Anti-Software Piracy. Also get latest English movies 3 per 10 Ringitts. Lower Taxi charges, Low cost restaurants and cheaper garments are really notable here.

Next day we went to Genting Highlands. We felt the climate dropped to less than 18 degree Centigrade. Lovely weather. 3 ringitt Cable-Car travel above a thick forest is world class and amazing. Casino eaten 10Ringitts from me. Theme Park trip is okay. Galleria Observatory gave a bird's eye view of Genting Highlands. We saw Chin Swee Caves Temple from the observatory. Missed going there due to lack of time.

We got last few bus seats on onward journey. We got last few rooms available in Town Inn. We got last few bus seats available on return journey. We got last few free-tickets to climb bridge between Petronas Towers situated in 42nd floor. We got last trips to one of main rides in Genting Highland Theme Park. "Something" gave chance for make the trip an enjoyable one. Thanks for the "Something".

Reached Singapore at 5am. Lovely trip.

My Trip to Langkawi and Penang

- 2day Langkawi and 1day Penang trip started with 14 hour bus drive from (a) Singapore to Butterworth, (b) 2 1/2 hour bus drive from Butterworth to Kuala Perlis and (c) 45 minutes ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi. Good transport frequency is available in Butterworth and Kuala Perlis. Langkawi is an exotic island present near Malaysia-Thailand border.
- Butterworth passenger facilities in all sense is bad, inspite of it being the main hub to lot of Malaysian cities.
- Rented a car named "Proton" manufactured in Malaysia (80 ringitts including CDW insurance) and drived upto 170km covering a Black Sand Beach, Seven Wells Waterfalls, Underwater World (Coral reefs here are the best you can see anywhere), White Sand Greenish water beach and the Langkawi trademark "Beautiful Eagle". Stayed in a 2-star hotel named "Hotel Central". Acco booked through internet.
- After the stay on Friday & Saturday, caught the first ferry to Kuala Perlis, then Butterworth, then 60 Cents Ferry travel to Penang. After paying lot of money for everything in Singapore, I feel pity for the Malaysia government in collecting such a small amount. They almost collect very little money everywhere.
- In Penang, Pandian's friend Muruganandam arranged a taxi with Chinese driver. He was very friendly and showed us (a) Fort Cornwallis, (b) Kek Lok Si which houses the pagoda of ten thousand Buddhas (c) Wat Chayamangkalaram where Buddha in all positions sleeping, standing etc and (d) Penang Hill (800m) climbed through Winches that travel almost 30 degree for 25 minutes. Fare is 4 Ringitts return. Points (b), (c) and (d) are REALLY AMAZING. I thought it would have been worth to spend 2 days in Penang and 1 day in Langkawi. It is sure that you can spend atleast 3 hour each at (b) and (c) alone.
- Interesting things: Almost all women wear a cloth around their head named "tudung". Body costumes are western. Some where shy when they guided us the route. Some of them exactly gave wrong direction, when we asked the route, may be they were not interested in saying "don't know". Hospital symbol which we know as "+" is replaced by "Moon Symbol".
- Back to Johor Bahru and then to Singapore around 10am.