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Vesak Day, which commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment
and death, will be celebrated in Singapore and Malaysia on May 24.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
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.
SEE &DO
Wear the most comfortable
attire and go to the Bukit Bintang area,
and spend time walking and checking
out as many places as possible such
as the nearby Petronas Twin Towers.
Kuala Lumpur offers a wide array of food
choices so it would be fun to go on a
food trip.
SLEEP
The accommodations and service
at One World Hotel in Bandar Utama are
top-notch. It is just beside 1 Utama Mall.
EAT
Eat to your heart’s content at Asia
Café in SS15, Subang Jaya. It is a hawker
center which offers a variety of cuisines.
SHOP
Head to Petaling Jaya’s Amcorp
Mall for hard-to-find buys.
INSIDER TIP
If you are planning to go on
a tour, hire a taxi. A one-day tour will cost
at least MYR200 (PHP2,600).
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.
SEE &DO
If staying in KK for a while,
it’s highly recommended for reasonably
fit visitors to devote two to three days
in order to climb to the summit of
Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain
in Malaysia. It can be a challenging
(
and very cold) climb, but the view is
spectacular.
SLEEP
A decent mid-range choice is
Best Western, along Jalan Pantai. Tip:
Get the windowless rooms for better
savings!
EAT
Bak kut teh
is a delicious herb-
packed soup found in numerous places
all around KK.
SHOP
Check out 1Borneo – it’s quite
large, as far as Malaysian malls go.
MUST-TRY
See the protected orangutans
at Sepilok, a conservation center a
couple of hours from KK.
Jason Cruz
social media
manager
MALAYSIA
KOTAKINABALU
Bryan Jasper
Balangue
regional hr
programmanager
MALAYSIA
KUALALUMPUR
DIALING CODE
+65
CURRENCY
S$1 = PHP33.51/US$0.81
TOUCHDOWN
From the airport, take a
taxi downtown for about S$15 (PHP503),
depending on the time of day. Peak hours
carry a S$3 (PHP101) surcharge. Or take
the MRT and you’ll be there in about 25
minutes for S$2 (PHP67).
SEE &DO
Visit the Night Safari for a
nocturnal zoo experience. Many animals
actually sleep during daytime and are
more active after dark. You can get up
close and personal with giant fruit bats
in one of the aviaries. If you’re into
wild rides, head to Universal Studios
Singapore and try Human and Cyclone!
SLEEP
Wanderlust is a boutique hotel
near Little India with funky concept
rooms in different colors and styles.
EAT
Hawker centers are the best place to
try a variety of local food. Visit Maxwell,
East Coast Lagoon and Newton Circus.
SHOP
Check out the eclectic shops on
Haji Lane.
INSIDER TIP
Check the Singapore
Symphony Orchestra’s website for a list
of their free events.
Mary Rose
Posa
university lecturer
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE