Basic HTML Version
t r i p
j o u r n a l
114
{ }
MALAYSIA
KUALALUMPUR
DIALING CODE
+60 (3)
CURRENCY
MYR1 = PHP13.41/US$0.32
TOUCHDOWN
A bus will take you to downtown
Kuala Lumpur from the airport for about MYR10
(PHP134). On the other hand, the train will get
you there in half the time. Metered taxis are fast
and affordable.
BY DAY
Check out the city’s biggest malls: The
Pavilion, Times Square, Star Hill Gallery, Lot 10
and Fahrenheit 88. But for local bargains, the
Central Market — which dates back to 1888 — is
still the place to go.
centralmarket.com.my
BY NIGHT
There’s something for everyone for
just about every type of night out. Head to Zouk
for dancing, Velvet Underground if you’re a more
mature, discerning clubber, or Barsonic if you’d like
to party with the city’s fashionable and edgy set.
SLEEP
Anggun Boutique Hotel is a four-star
boutique establishment located close to Jalan
Alor, Kuala Lumpur’s famous food street.
www.anggunhotel.com
BESTSOUVENIRS
Handcrafted
wood veneers by Arch Collection featuring
Malaysian heritage sites at Central Market.
INSIDERTIP
Beware of motorbikers
when walking on the sidewalk. Snatchers
have been known to strike.
BESTDINNER
Go to Sri Nirwana
Maju Banana Leaf Rice at hip Jalan
Telawi in Bangsar for dinner. Try their
signature deep-fried bitter gourd.
Sammy
Sahuri
producer,
LiTVMalaysia
Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur’s famous food street, used to be the
city’s red light district.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
MALAYSIA
KOTAKINABALU
DIALING CODE
+60 (88)
CURRENCY
MYR1 = PHP13.41/US$0.32
TOUCHDOWN
The Kota Kinabalu International
Airport is only 10 minutes away by taxi, which
usually costs about MYR20 (PHP268). Be sure
to negotiate and agree on the fare before you step
into the cab.
BY DAY
Cycling is the best way to appreciate
Kota Kinabalu’s natural beauty. Join a cycling
tour — take your pick from half- and full-day scenic
trips. Trek Finders has various offerings to suit your
needs.
www.trekfindertours.net
BY NIGHT
Check out KK Times Square for its
many choices of places to hang out during the
evening. FireFly, located on the ground floor, is
one of the newest clubs here and offers good
value for its food.
SLEEP
The Horizon Hotel is located in the city
area. The rooms are reasonably priced, and perks
like the Sky Spa and Gym are pretty cool.
www.
horizonhotelsabah.com
DIALING CODE
+673 (2)
CURRENCY
BND1 = PHP32.93/US$0.79
TOUCHDOWN
The international airport is
approximately 10 minutes (about 10km) away
from the center of Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB).
There are taxis, car rentals and regular public bus
services that can take you to and from the airport.
BY DAY
Visit the Royal Regalia Museum, which
was built in 1992 to commemorate the Silver
Jubilee of his Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah’s rise to the throne in 1967. Have photo ops
at Kampong Ayer, dubbed the “Venice of the East”.
BY NIGHT
At the night market, you can buy local
vegetables, fruits and traditional dishes. For a
different atmosphere, check out The Waterfront’s
trendy restaurants, colorful night lights and open
recreational areas.
SLEEP
The Brunei Hotel in the city center is
newly refurbished and accessible to many
attractions, bus stations, banks and government
offices.
www.thebruneihotel.com
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BANDARSERI BEGAWAN
BEST SOUVENIRS
Amplang
fish
crackers or
kuih cincin
(which literally
means ringlet biscuit).
BESTDINNER
Indulge in seafood,
hands down! Or try some
ikan bakar
(grilled fish).
MUST-TRY
Go mountain climbing.
Sabah happens to have the three
highest peaks in Malaysia — great
for trekkers.
Grace Kou
operations
executive
BESTBREAKFAST
Kelupis
(steamed rice with prawn/beef inside
coconut leaves) and
kueh
or local cake.
BEST SOUVENIRS
The
traditional dress
baju kurung
and
some handicrafts.
BEST DINNER
Dine on local foods
like
ambuyat
made from
sagu
, as well
as delicious skewers of chicken and
beef
satay
.
J.Don Alvarez
front office
supervisor