SingMaThai 19 – 27 Jan 2008 __ Day 1: JKT – KL

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The name of the trip is SingMaThai, Singapore – Malaysia – Thailand. It was a request trip by my dad. Famous among the traveler, particularly the mainland Chinese. The writing will be divided into 7 parts. Day 1: JKT – KL, Day 2: KL, Day 3 (21 January): KL – Phuket, Day 4: Phi Phi Island, Day 5: Phuket – KL, Day 6: KL – Singapore, Day 7,8,9: Singapore – KL – Genting – KL – JKT. The writing will include comments and reviews on whatever accommodation, hotels we stayed,, airflight we use, tour we’ve taken, place we ate, etc. ENJOY.

DAY 1: JKT – KL

ALL set. Today has come. The day that we’ve planned about a year ago. Somewhere in February 2007 when we just got back from our 1 st honeymoon (Bangkok, Pattaya and KL, Genting) and shared our story with mom and dad, they seemed very enthusiast. My dad said, and also I’ve heard from my fellows from China, this SingMaThai, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand is famous holiday destination among the mainland Chinese. So, when they said OK to go by early next year, we start to search for cheap airflight and hotels and learn with full enthusiasm about what place to go, and things to do.

Initial plan was only Malaysia and Singapore for the whole 9 days (both of us + mom and dad) then mom and dad extend to Bangkok, Pattaya for another 5 days. AirAsia ticket for JKT – KL – JKT already on hand, because of the very cheap price (fare = 0), we bought total 5 tickets, additional for Natz’ mom. After further discussion, we felt that 9 days could be too long for only Malaysia and Sing. Somewhere in September 2007, we decided to add another place to go and lucky to get the cheap price for the airflight too. We’re going to exotic PHUKET and extension to the famous PHI PHI ISLAND. ALL set. Tickets in hand, hotels booked, Travel Itinerary prepared, Budget set, Ready to go.

19 January 2008. Having breakfast at Mutiara Lounge (Terminal 2E Soekarno Hatta airport) to start our journey. 08.30 the flight, arrived in KL at 11.30 (1 hour ahead than WIB). Arrived at LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal – for Air Asia), we took the Aerobus to KL Sentral instead of Skybus which belongs to AirAsia. With RM 1 cheaper than Skybus (Skybus RM 9), we loose more time since Aerobus turned out to wait until the bus full before going. Unlike Skybus which has scheduled time. From KL Sentral, we took 2 taxies to Petaling Street (China Town) cost us RM 10 per taxi.

At Petaling Street, we already have booked rooms at China Town Inn (2), 2 rooms. After rest for a while, we going out for lunch between Petaling Street and Pasar Seni Monorail Station. Shin Kee Beef Noodle Specialist. This one we’ve wanted to eat since last year’s visit but haven’t got a chance. The place is always full and close very early at 2.30 PM.

That evening, we headed to Sunway Lagoon by public bus from Petaling Street. Many public bus headed to Sunway Lagoon from there, you just need to pay attention to the ‘kondektur’ when he shout “Sunway, Sunway!!” Although nothing special there, every tours from Indonesia offer their participant to this place (on their itinerary), so we thought that we should come also. Only a shopping mall and a vacation playground like Dufan/Ancol. Last year, Natz bought a tiny hot pen and a cute bag at Parkson, but this year, nothing seems worth to buy. Dad only bought Nescafe from the lower ground Giant hypermarket.

At night, we have dinner in front of Petaling street. There, a lot of Chinese Food and all looks delicious. That night we have Chinese style grilled duck, chicken and pork as the main course. After dinner, the whole family walk by the Petaling Street. At night, the street was different, the seller all over the place and in the middle of street. So, at night, no vehicle allowed in this street. Bought some souvenirs for friends back home. Before rest, we walk to Puduraya Bus Station to bought Bus Tickets to Singapore for 23 Jan 11.59 PM. Today pretty tired, but happy, our vacation starts smoothly and can’t wait to experience tomorrow.

REVIEWS and COMMENTS

AIRASIA
Love this flight. Last year also use this flight. Not to mentioned Bali in 2006. Everywhere we go by our own (not business trip from company), we MUST use this flight. Low price, with service I consider OK, booking is easy, and if you diligent enough to checked the web periodically, you might surprise to get very cheap price, even fare = 0 !!!

You may not believe, but we actually get the tickets at the price lower than trip to Surabaya or Semarang for example. Can you believe, we got the ticket for only IDR 529,000 per person for return trip? The fare was 0. That’s the cheapest price ever !!! And flight from KL to Phuket only RM 252.76 per person, or equals to IDR 730,000 only !!!

I don’t mind not getting any food and drink on their compliment. Usually, we bought our own drinks and snacks. The only thing is, you have to sneak and hide from the stewardess and make sure they don’t see you eat or drink. However, I haven’t see or heard anybody get warning so far.

CHINA TOWN INN (2)
This hotel is RUKO looks from outside, but nice and tidy inside. Located right next to Swiss-Inn in the centre of Petaling Street.This one is new compare to China Town Inn (1). Natz stayed here several times and together, this is the second time. Some rooms are quite smoky-smell and unfortunately you have small change to switch to another room due to full-booked. Better you make reservation before showing up (www.hotelchinatown2.com) and be there not to far from the time you mentioned, other wise the room will be given to others. The room was small, but it has cable-TV (limited channel), telephone, air-conditioner, and hot water all running well.

Location also OK. Cheap price but low quality product all over the place, bags, T shirts, watches, shoes which mostly come from China. Chinese foods also famous in this place, like Chicken rice, Beef Noodle, Chasiew, Grilled Pork and Yong To Fu. Not very far is the Puduraya Station Bus, only 10 minutes by walk. All Buses available there, especially for out of town like Genting and even Singapore. Not far from Puduraya (near Ancasa Hotel), there’s nasil lemak (Malaysian local food) that become favorite of dad, only 1 ringgit per wrap. Bus stops also near, in front of Petaling Street (between Petaling Street and Wisma Fui Chiu), there’s bus stop called Kota Raya, not very far, there’s Pasar Seni and Central Market (in front of Pasar Seni) which you can take bus (no 11) to Batu Cave. Pasar Seni Monorail Station which you can take monorail to Suria KLCC to see Petronas Twin Towers.

With standard room rate RM 89 and RM 99 for deluxe, it's a place worth to stay.