I was genuinely surprised by the beauty of Malaysia. My experiences there exceeded all my expectations. Initially, I thought it would be just another typical Asian country, similar to the Philippines, but I was mistaken. Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, primarily Indian and Chinese. It was often difficult to distinguish between Malays and Indians, as they share many similarities. I noticed that some Malays resemble Filipinos, which I found interesting. However, throughout our trip, people often recognized us as Filipinos, though some would still ask, “Are you from the Philippines or Indonesia?”
Since we traveled on a tight budget and not for leisure, we made careful choices. We booked our flights with Cebu Pacific during a seat sale and secured a year-round promo for our AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru (Legoland). We stayed at Etika Inn, situated in the heart of Chinatown. We chose not to book a 5-star hotel, not because of the cost, but because we knew we wouldn’t spend much time there since we planned to be out exploring all day. Etika Inn was a great choice, especially for friends traveling together, with spacious rooms, clean bathrooms, and Filipino receptionists. Plus, they offered free Wi-Fi!
With only one day to explore Kuala Lumpur before our flight to Johor Bahru, we managed to visit the city’s top three attractions: Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the Petronas Twin Towers.
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Before entering the Batu Caves, there are a few important rules to keep in mind. The most obvious one is the dress code: shorts and skirts are not allowed. If you happen to forget this rule, as I did, you can rent a shawl for RM 5 to cover up.
To reach the cave, you'll need to climb a steep staircase with 272 steps, which can be quite exhausting. We found ourselves taking breaks along the way to catch our breath. Be sure to keep an eye on your belongings, especially your phone, as there are monkeys all around that might snatch your valuables—this adds a unique challenge to the climb!
Once you reach the top, you'll be greeted by various temples inside the cave. Just remember to remove your shoes before entering any of the shrines.
I never expected the Petronas Twin Towers to be that colossal! We had to step back quite a bit just to capture the full image. It has become an iconic spot for tourists, particularly couples, due to its unique architectural design. Many liken the towers to two people standing face-to-face, holding hands. The view is truly stunning, and it's a perfect spot to relax and sit for a while. Don't forget to take plenty of photos; you won’t get bored just looking at them!
I highly recommend visiting at night. Not only will you avoid the scorching sun, but the towers also light up beautifully in the evening.
This street clearly belongs to Chinatown, and the picture says it all! You can find inexpensive "I love Kuala Lumpur" shirts, magnets, pens, bags, keychains, ashtrays, and more here. Miniature Petronas Twin Towers for home displays are also available. While some stores have fixed prices, others allow for bargaining to get a better deal. An interesting bonus is that some sellers speak Tagalog, likely because they know Filipinos love to buy pasalubong for their family and friends—and, of course, to negotiate for a lower price!
The food was amazing! I absolutely loved the chicken curry! They refer to it as "Chicken with gravy," which puzzled me at first. I expected actual gravy, so I was a bit disappointed when it arrived. But after tasting it—WOW! It's legit curry! I ended up ordering two servings because my friend found it too spicy for her taste. The "pancit-looking" dish, iced Milo, and rice also hit the spot.
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN IN KUALA LUMPUR:
- Transportation costs double at night.
- Make sure your taxi uses a meter. If they offer a flat rate of RM 30, look for another taxi.
- If you prefer your food mild, be sure to specify it—most dishes are spicy!
- There are free buses that travel to various tourist destinations.
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