Travel Diary : Kuala Lumpur

With just a kilometer of strait or an hour by foot from Singapore border to that of Johor Malaysia; it won't really come as a surprise that this nearby country is one of the most favored destinations for quick weekend getaways. A 45- minute plane ride or a 5 hour journey on land will take you to one of the most buzzling cities in the world, beautiful white sand beaches and a place of beautiful people with vibrant heritage.



I've been to different parts of Malaysia several times yet each visit offers an exquisite experience as if I'm seeing each landmark, tourist spot and sceneries all for the first time. Traveling to Kuala Lumpur by plane is what I considered the shortest plane ride I ever been. I was just in the country 7 months back and stayed at Trader's Hotel with the most awesome view of Petronas Towers. It was an overnight stay and that trip was the exact definition of rest and relaxation.

This time, I've decided to visit Kuala Lumpur yet again and explore a different side of it with my brother. This trip's somewhat special as it's my first time to travel with someone from my family.

With my KL Travel Buddy - Little Bro

Accommodation : 

We stayed at Le Apple which is located at the heart of KLCC. It was one of the less pricey accommodations within the area which I thought would give us the view of the Twin Towers. We booked through Agoda and got a pretty good offer for the duration of our stay. Didn't realize that the Petronas view would entail a surcharge. So we'd settled for the city view instead. The interiors were a mix of vintage and rustic vibe. I specifically adored the multi colored sofa located at the reception floor. The room is about 28 sqm which included the basic amenities for a deluxe room. The buffet breakfast was a let down as I was expecting a variety of cuisine but the food choices managed to keep my tummy full and happy. Overall, I'd probably book with them again. The hotel is just across Avenue K which is a new shopping center connected to the KLCC subway station. So if proximity, price and accessibility are on your check list when booking a hotel at KL, Le Apple will definitely be a 
good choice.







Our first stop was Bukit Bintang. This is Time Square, HK TST and Orchard Road rolled into one. The area is KL's shopping district coined as the "Star Hill". I've always wanted to come here and I finally did this time. It has an upscale vibe featuring the odd-shaped Sephora boutique which looked like a science fiction unit 50 years forward. Pavillion and its crystal fountain is a famous landmark for those who would like to have their photos taken. There's a long stretch of fancy cafe and bars which will suit to anyone's liking.

Petronas Towers :

A trip to Kuala Lumpur isn't complete without a selfie, groupie or an instragram worthy shot of Malaysia's signature landmark. The 88-story Twin Towers come alive at night with its majestic heights and sparking lights.




Merdeka Square :
It would be good to start off as early as possible as the place tends to be overly crowded with tourists around noon. Getting here from KLCC should be quite easy. Take the train and get off at Masjid Jamek, exit then turn right. Should take you about 3 minutes to get to the square. We reached the train station around 1130 am and it was scorching hot. Thanks to my trusty floppy hat, I managed to get a bit of shade.

Merdeka means Indepence and the 100 metre-high flagpole marks the spot where the Malayan Flag was hoisted on August 31, 1957 signifying the independence of the country from British rule. The square is a good place to lounge, sit around and perfect location to visit other attractions. I took a good number of photos and later realized that this side of Malaysia has history written all over it. Everywhere you look is like a page taken out of Malaysia's vibrant history. It was a good decision to actually see this side of Kuala Lumpur. Standing there in the middle of the square facing the pole made me feel like I was part of the monumental event. 





KTM Berhad:
I love old railway stations. There's something about the old, rustic vibe that is seemingly nostalgic and poignant. Or maybe I'm just an old soul.  KTM Berhad is notable for its architecture with a mix of Western and Eastern designs. Standing there at the edge of the rail made me feel a sense of calmness and peace. Something tells me that I really need to board a train to travel to another country. Europe may be next? The place is perfect mileu to capture those vintage-romantic shots.






Batu Caves:
Got the stamina to climb 272 steps? Then this tourist site should be on your list. It will only take 20 minutes to get here from KL Sentral. When you get to Batu Caves station, you'd be greeted by the large statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity. A religious and iconic site for tourists, this should definitely part of your itinerary.







This trip has given me a new glimpse of Kuala Lumpur, an entirely different experience. Exploring the city mostly on foot, getting lost and laughing about it with my brother was a truly an experience I'd hold dear to my heart. 

P.S 
Sorry for the photo dump

♥♥,
Jhesy 

Travel far enough, meet yourself

This trip started within the walls of my bedroom. I was drowning in my own thoughts aimlessly browsing on random pages when I chanced upon the 24-hr sale of Tigerairways. I have been wanting to go out into the world again by myself ; but this time, to a place where communication is a barrier and I know not a single soul. A pang of fear crawled in and I brushed off the idea hastily. But,the thrill of flying solo, exploring an unknown grounds on my own and immersing into a culture I have always loved pulled me back to the train of thought leading me to questions :

Am I really ready to do this on my own?
Will I make it out alive? 

The idea seems daunting but after days of endless contemplation, I've decided to let go of my inhibitions and have given myself the opportunity to cross one off from my bucket list.

Oh yes! the Bucket list. Everyone has them. Whether written on used tissue paper after a wasted night at the bar,to a page of your most kept diary or simply keyed in Evernote or notes.Some have them on a vision board plastered on their walls while others opt to keep them hidden in their thoughts. Our list often includes places we want to go in this lifetime
but we often hold ourselves back from experiencing them as we dread the thought of traveling alone. So we wait for that someone of the same interest, same level of keen to get up at 05:00 in the morning to watch the sun break the dawn at Angkor Wat or to foolishly cross one border to another on foot.But what if you allow yourself to experience that wonderful opportunity of wandering alone?




Beaming with excitement and with nothing but list of places in mind, I booked a flight to Phuket, Thailand for a 3-day adventure. It was May 2014 and the country has just concluded Songkran. I thought I had everything planned from itinerary, hotel, emergency numbers down to the basic Thai words to allow me to bargain and say "no chili". A day before my flight, news broke that Thailand will be under the state of Martial Law. Travel
advisories were everywhere and everyone who knew about this sneaky little plan of mine had expressed their disapproval and asked me to call off the trip.Was that a sign? Probably. Yet, I convinced myself that things like these happen and it's inevitable. And that there has to be a way around it. But I was filled with fear and tears were forming in my eyes while repeatedly asking myself whether I should go or not. It was 4:30 am when I called the airline and they confirmed that the flight will push through. I went on halfhearted and amidst the tension, I reminded myself that this is one of those roads less traveled and if I make it out; I'd have a story to tell - I was there.








If there's one thing amongst the many things this solo trip has taught me  was that, traveling by yourself will give you a new sense of independence. There's this adrenaline rush running through your veins to try out new things, explore and become a version 2.0 of yourself

Veer away from stereotype:
Get out of your comfort zone and free yourself from the notion that it's not safe for women to travel solo. Everyone should go on a trip alone once in their lifetime. Be it a trip to next town or city or go grand and roam around the globe.Regardless of your ethnicity or gender, I encourage you to pack your bags and book that ticket to someplace you've never been.




A boost of confidence. 
It takes courage and a whole lot of it to travel alone. It's not merely an issue of safety but rather a question of are you capable to take care of your self? On the road, you will face different challenges, issues and at downtime you'll get to reflect and face your own demons. This is one of the best things about going solo on trips, you grow and become a much stronger version of yourself. Though we're accustomed to relying to someone when traveling, it is rather satisfying when that someone is you. 





You earn some travel smarts on your own
You will make mistakes. Lots of them. No matter how carefully you plan for every detail, something will be off course. Not everything will be according to plan. When I landed at HKT airport, I thought I was smart enough to take the mini van thinking that I could make it to the hotel by 10am and will have enough time to explore Phuket Town before heading to the beach. I even purchased an island hopping package from the airport thinking that it was a good deal. The trip to the hotel took almost 3 hours and learned from the hotel receptionist that the package was twice the usual price. Each mistake, you learn, grow and get better. 






You learn how to relate to people ( more ) : 
The experience will open your eyes and see the world from a different  perspective. You'll hear stories from people and though they may be baffled at first to learn about a girl traveling by herself yet your conversation will end with both of you feeling amazed to learn about each other's life story. You will understand the value of empathy and relate to others on a whole new level. You get to open your heart, your mind and engage yourself to experience the country, people and culture.






Satisfaction Guaranteed 
Vacation should be about rest and relaxation. At times, when you travel in groups, you tend to worry about keeping everyone happy and satisfied. Traveling alone will give you the opportunity to be the sole arbiter of your itinerary. No disappointments and arguments. Stress free and no bitter feeling or guilt when you missed out on a famous landmark or forgot to list down the famous restaurant you're supposed to eat in. This is all you. No one else. 




You'll get to enjoy "Me Time"
Traveling solo will leave you astounded. You'll be amazed by the things that you will discover  about yourself. It may sound cliche but the best travel companion you can have is yourself. Some people have an aversion of doing things on their own, fear of being alone. Going on the road alone will give you the opportunity to get to know YOU. To depend on no one but YOU for happiness. To rediscover the feeling of joy within the serenity of your own company. 



I didn't know what to expect when I set out to travel on my own. I stepped out of my comfort zone, got lost only to realize that I was right where I was supposed to.be. It was liberating, a rewarding experience. I came back seeing things with a new set of eyes. Out there on my own, miles away from home; I slept underneath the stars and woke up to the sound of the waves. My aversion towards being alone was replaced by feelings of gratitude and new found deliverance. 



So give your self some alone time. Challenge yourself to disconnect and relish the gift of wandering alone. This thing people called wanderlust is a terrible feeling but amidst the stillness and blissful silence, you will find answers in the most unreal places.

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole.Travel. Meet new people. Go
down some dark alleys. Try everything. Exhaust yourself in the glorious
pursuit of life" - Lawrence Fish

♥♥,
Jhesy