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MALAYSIA
KUALALUMPUR
DIALING CODE
+60 (3)
CURRENCY
MYR1 = PHP13.27/US$0.32
TOUCHDOWN
A bus will take you to downtown
Kuala Lumpur from the airport for about MYR10
(
PHP133). On the other hand, the train will get
you there in half the time. Metered taxis are fast
and affordable.
BY DAY
The Batu Caves is a place of worship for
Hindus. To get there, you need to climb a 200-
step staircase. The best time to visit is during the
Thaipusam Festival in January or February, when
thousands of devotees congregate there.
BY NIGHT
Stroll around Petaling Street, also
known as Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, to get all sorts
of bargains and cheap Chinese food. Luna, a skybar
atop the Pacific Regency Hotel Suites, provides one
of the city’s best night views.
SLEEP
Find clean and decent budget hostels near
Jalan Alor, which is famous for its local cuisine and
hawker food. Five minutes away is Jalan Bukit
Bintang, where you can enjoy the night life.
BESTBREAKFAST
Order
teh
tarik
(
pulled tea) and
nasi lemak
at the
mamak
stall.
INSIDERTIP
Make sure to travel
light as the weather is hot and humid
all the time.
MUSTTRY
Watch fireflies in
Kampung Kuantan, just an hour’s drive
from Kuala Lumpur. Take a boat on the
river to see fireflies glowing in the dark.
CK Wai
freelance
photographer
A great idea for souvenirs for friends and family?
Kim
(
seaweeds)
or
gochujang
(
chili paste) from Seoul.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
MALAYSIA
KOTAKINABALU
DIALING CODE
+60 (88)
CURRENCY
MYR1 = PHP13.27/US$0.32
TOUCHDOWN
The Kota Kinabalu International
Airport is only 10 minutes away by taxi, and it
usually costs about MYR20 (PHP265). Be sure
to negotiate and agree on the fare before you step
into the cab.
BY DAY
Visit the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman
Park, which is a 20-minute boat ride from Jesselton
Point. It’s a nice place to relax and enjoy the sun
and sea. The Sunset Bar at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru
Resort and Spa is the best place to watch the sunset.
BY NIGHT
Head to Times Square for the city’s
best restaurants and wine bars. You’ll also be
spoiled for choice at the Waterfront, a one-stop
destination for entertainment with Italian, Indian
and other international eateries.
SLEEP
The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and
Spa is the best for luxury (
kotakinabalu/tanjungaruresort
),
while Hotel Sixty3 is
good for smaller budgets (
.
BEST BREAKFAST
My favorite is
noodles with seafood at Jin Jin Coffee
Shop in Hill Top.
BESTSOUVENIRS
The local roast
pork can be bought at two corner shops in
Segama Shopping Complex.
MUST-VISIT
The small town
tamu
(
bazaar), especially the Grand Tamu
Besar of Kota Belud on the last Sunday
of October.
George
Hong
general manager/
tour agent
SOUTH KOREA
INCHEON(SEOUL)
Chae Won
businessdevelopment
manager,
perfectdives.com
COUNTRY CODE
+82
CURRENCY
KRW100 = PHP3.65/US$0.09
TOUCHDOWN
Look for taxis with stickers that
say “Foreign Language Service”. Cabs can be
shared except for those with black and yellow
tops. Thanks to a new bridge, the trip takes 15
minutes. Eight subway lines serve the main areas.
BY DAY
Stroll around Samchungdong, a little
artsy and romantic area with cool coffee shops, art
galleries and restaurants. Check out Bongeunsa,
the Buddhist temple near Coex Mall, and
experience a temple stay.
BY NIGHT
Head to Garosugil in Sinsa-dong,
Gangnam-gu and take your pick from the trendy
and cozy restaurants, cafés and bars there. Ride
a cable car up to N Tower, Namsan and behold a
stunning view of Seoul.
SLEEP
Check into a traditional Korean house at
Moon Guesthouse
On a budget? Try the government-run Seoul Youth
Hostel
BEST BREAKFAST
Order some
seolnongtang
(
beef soup with brisket
and bone marrow).
INSIDER TIP
Cabs are quite pricey
in Seoul so take the subway. Most places
are accessible by the stations.
MUST-TRY
Check out Gwangjang
Market for the best street food in the
city. Then head to Gyeongbokgung, the
main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
