Tuesday, September 8, 2015

10 Things About KL and surroundings

So here it is, a new 10 things post finally uploaded!
And I have my own good friend, Andanty Rahmaningtyas as my guest-writer, because talking about KL, she's expert about it since she is living there for almost 5-6 years. She was also accompany me when I had a short trip to KL some years a go, even we went Penang together (just begging her to do Penang list as well :p). So this is the 10 things about KL from her point of view.


Kuala Lumpur might just a quarter size of Jakarta. It look smalls, but actually has interesting places inside! If you only have weekend in Kuala Lumpur, here are the places and things that you can do. But if you have more time, there is much more to explore!

 1. Staying in the city center would be the best.
Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Pavilion Mall is the main area. The best way to go around KL is through their MRT, LRT and Monorail. Prepare your train map before going out. Taxi would be the very least option I would suggest, because they tend not using the meter and over price. Or unless, you book the taxi using the taxi app called MyTeksi. It is a reliable taxi apps to use. And sometimes even you book through hotel, they won’t put the meter on, they will just simply charge you the price. There are also a GoKL busses that can take you around the city center. It is a free bus with wifi inside and they will come approximately 15 minutes once. There are 4 lines, Green, Blue, Red and Purple bus lines (Map is available online). However, it still depends on the traffic which can very bad during weekend.

 2. Hop on Hop Off
If you only have very limited time, Hop On Hop Off is one of the best choice you can take. With RM 45 for 24 hours, it has more than 20 stops you can visit. Including Twin, Pasar Seni, Museums, Istana Raja, Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Mosques, etc. Go to the upper deck and feel like a tourist and don’t forget to put the sunblock! :)

 3. Petronas KLCC and KL Tower 
The famous twin tower KLCC! No one ever leave KL without taking picture in the Twin Tower  The best time to visit would be at night because the lights are so beautiful. And you can see the dancing fountain while you enjoying the lights. If you wish to go to the Petronas bridge, the ticket price is RM 80 and you need to book in advance because highly chance to sold out especially during the peak hours (sunset). You can see the whole KL from the 84th floor, but I would say nothing much you can do, except taking picture, because there is no restaurant or viewing deck. KL Tower also give the whole view of Kuala Lumpur and they have restaurant inside. If you have more budget, you can enjoy KL view while having dinner.

 4. Bukit Bintang and Changkat 
The 24 hours nonstop place is located in Bukit Bintang. There are lots of bars and restaurants. From Bukit Bintang you can walk towards to Pavilion Mall. There is a chicken Hainan restaurant called Chee Meng in Bukit Bintang (opposite of CIMB Bank). Their Nasi Ayam served with chicken broth soup is super delicious combine with Ice Lychee would be your perfect lunch in KL.

 5. Petaling Street and Pasar Seni 
Petaling Street and Pasar Seni is the place where you can buy souvenirs. They just located next to each other. Petaling Street is the Chinatown where you can find fake goods, such as bags, luggage and wallets, but bear in mind, don’t bargain if you are not going to buy, because they easily get irritated if at the end you not buying their stuff. Pasar Seni is the place where you can buy Malaysian souvenirs. Apart from that, there are also painters who do caricatures and paintings behind Pasar Seni which can be done in 1-2 hours.

 6. Batu Caves Temple 
Next stop would be Batu Caves. Located a bit out from city center. You may take KTM to Batu Caves from KL Sentral. Please wear the comfortable shoes or sandals because you need to climb approximately 200 stairs to reach the top. And please mind your clothes, because it is a temple, hence you need to wear appropriate clothing. And also, beware of the monkeys! Some of them are very naughty. Last but not least, bring water because you will be very thirsty when climbing the stairs.

 7. Putrajaya 
The Putra Mosque and Steel Mosque (Mesjid Besi) are the must visit places. It surrounded by huge manmade lake. The non-muslim also can go inside the mosque, but you need to wear jubbah (they will provide). I will ask the jubbah when go inside the mosque even I don’t have to wear it  To go around Putrajaya, either you take the one day sightseeing bus tour for RM 15, or rent a bike from Putra Mosque, or you can hire a taxi with a cost of RM 75. My favorite option would be rent a bike!

 8. Mamak Pelita, NZ and Cheese Naan
It would never complete if you visit KL without having a roti canai and teh Tarik in Indian Restaurant or they call it Mamak. There are tons of Mamak restaurant in KL, but the best Mamak would be Pelita Nasi Kandar. Located nearby KLCC, around 3-5 minutes walking distance. Or you can go to NZ restaurant, opposite KLCC (across the Ambank Building). You may have your roti canai and teh Tarik with the beautiful KLCC view at night. If you want to have a different meal in Mamak restaurant, you can go to Cheese Naan RSMY located near Medan Tuanku Monorail station. Their Cheese Naan is superb! They are not stingy on giving the cheese. 

9. Durian Buffet
One of my favorite things in Kuala Lumpur is Durian Buffet! Yes, it is a buffet! You can eat all you want with a reasonable price. Previously was located in Petaling Jaya, SS2, but now they moved to Petaling Jaya SS15. With the price of RM 9, you can eat Durian Kampung as much as you want. If you want a better Durian (I don’t know what is the type or the called), you need to pay RM 15. With RM 15, the Durian taste is like milky Durian. They will cut it for you, so you just sit and enjoy your Durian.

 10. Little India 
Located not far from KL Sentral, you can find lots of Indian shops from sari to banana leaf restaurant. If you are an adventurous person in food, try their banana leaf dish. You can have some dishes that served on top of banana leaf. You can find a good quality of sari and Indian Punjabi dress with good price as well.

Once again, thanks Anty for helping me! :)

Sunday, August 2, 2015

it's been almost a year




It's almost a year a go I'm
moving to this so called island of God. They said, it's a paradise. And I can't agree more.  

I kinda like my new life :)


Monday, September 1, 2014

10 Things About Vientiane

Accommodation in Vientiane : iHouse, Pangkham Road, Water Fountain/Mekong River.
Length of stay : 2 days 1 night.


1. If you want to see everything in details, stay for minimum 3 days 2 nights. Mine was 1 night, and it was enough because I don't really want to go to every temples. Yes, lots of temples there.

2. You can only change your money to Lao Kip when you arrive there. Even money changer in Thailand don't have Lao Kip. So you just change at the Airport. My experience was difficulties to change Lao Kip FROM Singapore Dollar. Better bring USD so you can change anywhere. The only one Bank that has most of the money is Phongsavanh Bank, and it has branch at the Airport.

3. Better stay around Rue Setthathilath or Rue Samsenthai, because it's in the centre and almost everything in walking distance.

4. Always bargain for tuk tuk! If your Hotel has a bike rental, better go by bike, cheaper!

5. Going Buddha Park is a must. It's 45 to an hour from the city center. If you're too lazy or don't have so much time like me, prefer take a taxi, and ask your hotel about it and bargain the price. I got 300K Kip then it reduced to 280K Kip for round-trip. You can also going by bus 14 from the central station in front of Morning Market (Talat Sao). But then again, you still have to change tuktuk at Friendship Bridge. Believe me, don't ever try tuk tuk for the whole trip because it's quite bumpy, unless you're an adventurer.

6. Talat Sao also a good idea to find souvenirs and traditional cloth. Again, bargain everything!:D

7. I found it's quite difficult to find foods, since I need Halal food. Cafes are everywhere but their Menus are almost the same like Italian or Thai food. Benino cafe quite nice though. But if you want to explore culinary as well, Khop Chai Deu restaurant at Rue Setthathilath serves nice Lao Dishes menu. Even for me it tastes a bit similar to Thai food but you should try. For some menus you can even get free Laobeer or a shot of Lao Whisky.

8.  If you have some time, have a breakfast at Scandinavian Bakery, the eldest bakery in town. It has WiFi too.

9.  For coffee lovers, you should try Le Trio Coffee which is the first boutique coffee roaster in Vientiane. Nakes espresso is also recommended, too bad I didn't have much time to go there. Do visit on your way to Pha That Luang, it's quite near there. So many people Joma Bakery has a good coffee, but it was so so for me both coffee and their cakes.

10.  Explore along the way of Mekong River at night, lots of young local hang out there for running or just walking around. There was bazaar too, but I don't know exactly it was permanent or not, but it's open on weekdays.



Saturday, July 19, 2014

10 things about Bandar Seri Begawan

Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan : The Brunei Hotel, Jalan Pemancha, BSB.
Length of Stay : 2 days 1 night.


1. It fits as weekend getaway.

2. Nothing much we can do or see there, so it's also a good idea to go there on Ramadhan (Fasting Month).

3. Go and do pray at the most famous Mosques there. My favorites are Jame Asri  Haasabil Bolkiah, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, and As-Solihin.

4. In the afternoon, go to food bazaar at Stadium, you can find nice cendhol, batik cake, also martabak that taste different from the others. But I think there would be less options at 5pm so try to go before that.

5. Visit Empire, the biggest and classy hotel in Brunei. All golds are for real! And it has nice swimming pool and beach view as well.

6. If you're not going on Ramadhan, visit their beaches, they have several hidden beaches too!

7. Eat like a local. You are not really going Brunei if you never try Ambuyat. Just google it! :D But my favourite is definitely Nasi Katok!

8. Even its difficult to see Istana Sultan but take a picture in front of the gate is a must!

9. Taxi is difficult to find, better browsing how to do tour around the city before you go. I'm not sure they have rental cars. By bus? Well you'll be wasting your time to wait. I was lucky I have a friend's friend who lives there :D

10. If you're not mainstream, and want to know how reach Sultan Brunei is, just travel over there, you'll know! ;)


Sunday, June 8, 2014

10 things about Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation in HCMC : Hong Kong Kaiteki Hotel (capsule hotel), 22 Bui Vien, District 1
Length of Stay : 2 days 2 nights


1. Beside the city tour, do CU CHI TUNNEL and DELTA MEKONG half day tour, it's a must! (I still regret that I didn't go because of my tight schedule)

2. If you have some more time, go to Mui Ne (6hrs from HCMC) too!

3. Find a hotel/hostel near Ben Tanh Market. All places in District 1 are actually a walking distance but it's just easier to stay around that Market, especially because there is direct bus to and from the Airport only for 5000 dong, rather than taxi you can spend for around 150.000-170.000 to District 1.

4. Make sure to take only Main Linh and Vinasun taxi. They're recommended.

5. I am not sure how to give a recommendation for the transport. All city sightseeing places are in District 1, so all walking distance but sometimes the weather is just bloody hot! The motorbike rent is recommended when you can drive. If some of motorbike's driver ask you to go with him, dealing the price from the beginning, because they can say we can pay whatever we want but end up we have to pay 250.000/hrs. Choose whatever its affordable for you! But if its possible, just go by Taxi which use taxi meter.

6. Try Vietnamese coffee is a must! My recommendations are Trung Nguyen and Highlands. And for a tea lover, try blooming tea at Phuc Long.

7. HCMC used to be in History for American aggression in Vietnam, if you like history, its worth it to visit War Remnants Museum. If you want to see masterpiece of Gustave Eiffel in Asian, you'd better visit Saigon Central Post Office! And its really nice to take a pic at City Hall at night.

8. Try local Pho! And its spring rolls. You can find Halal one too. I tried Pho Muslim in District 5 and Serai Malaysian restaurant in District 1.

9. Shop a lot at Ben Tanh market! Cheap cheap cheap!

10. Since it changes name to Ho Chi Minh City, its also nice to take a picture if you find a 'Saigon' name.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

10 things about Penang

Accommodation in Penang : The 80's Guesthouse, Lorong Love, Georgetown.
Length of Stay : 2 days 2 nights.


1. It's a must going to Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si temple (both quite close), Street Art and try to go to every jetty's, worth to take a pic.

2. Try nasi kandar around jalan Penang, it's famous and long queue so be patience. Try to drink their teh tarik, dunno why its different from Singapore one, and it tastes nicer actually! And at least try Char Kwaytiaow.

3. Take almost with all the street art (so remember to bring MAP from the info centre).

4. If you went to Bali before, don't expect too much for Batu Ferringghi. But it has night market and nice seafood.

5. If you have time, strolling around Georgetown by bike. Not too tired since its bloody hot in the afternoon. And its a bit pricey to go by becak, 30RM in an hour. I got my bike from hostel only for 15RM, on rental usually 35-45RM.

6. If you love coffee, going cafe 55 is a must. If you have much time to go out from Georgetown, try Full of Beans at Straits Quay or Queen Bay Mall.

7. LOTS of nice and unique cafes, prepare and googling it before, because it depends on your interest.

8. If you afraid of dog, be careful, lots of them in the street haha. They won't bite, but still since I'm so scared of dogs, it was bit challenging! :))

9. I had a great time and for me it was a nice services at the 80's guesthouse at Love Lane.

10. Perfect for weekend getaway! More than enough.


My March 2014 getaway. Thanks to Andanty, my high school mate, who pushed me to make this trip happen :)