First thing I observed in Malaysia was their endless stretch of expressways. From above, it looked just like a bunch of christmas lights neatly aligned to form overlapping squares. I would say that Malaysia has a huge land mass, considering that it took us a little over an hour to get to the capital city sans the traffic. They are far from being overpopulated as there's so much land to go around! Anyway, I was able to visit the capital city, Kuala Lumpur where the gleaming glass towers of the 21st century (Petronas Twin Towers) can be found. Unfortunately, I was not able to go up the tower because I was told that around that time (9am), tickets would have already been sold out. Well I guess I'll just have to go back another time then! So I walked off with my tail between my legs and headed to the next big thing, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, which is the fifth tallest tower in the world. This time, I did not pass up the chance to get to the observation deck, even if it cost me RM20. They hand out MP4 players that will serve as your tour guide as you go around the deck. I'd say it was worth it. It's great for tourists like me, who don't have enough time to go on actual tours. The rest of our stay, we dedicated to shopping (Quicksilvr and Roxy brands are cheaper there than here). Malaysia is much like the Philippines. Malay people look no different with Filipinos, except they dress differently because they mostly adapt Muslim clothing. Taxi drivers there don't actually use their meters, but most of them are pleasant (they warned us about snatchers). I wouldn't say the same for bus drivers though. Aside from the native Malay, you'd also see a lot of Chinese and Indian people there. I'd say I haven't seen much of Malaysia (since I've only been there a couple of days) so I would definitely consider revisiting it someday.
Destination: Singapore
It's hard not to fall in love with a place like Singapore. It was just like I always dreamt it to be. First thing I noticed about it (just like what most people said) was that the place looks so clean and organized. I don't believe I saw a single fly or cockroach there (believe it or not!). Their "Carinderias" are known as Hawker centers and the food there are cheap but really delectable. They taste so much like the food served in expensive chinese restaurants here. It's really good food. Even if you eat along the sidewalk, you won't be swarmed with flies. You don't need to worry about transportation because buses and trains abound the place. They are not as crowded and as slow as it is here. Plus the card that you use on the MRT is the same card you can use for the bus. You just tap it in and tap it out, so no need for "kundoktors". It's fun to figure out which bus or train to take to get to your destination (buses are number-coded according to routes while trains are color-coded). It's still fun even if you get lost (I did). I spent more time there than in Malaysia so I was able to go around Singapore river, Merlion Park, Anderson Bridge, Esplanade, Fullerton Hotel, Glutton's bay in one night. One whole day was dedicated to shopping at Bugis Street (cleaner version of Divisoria), Bugis Junction (a small shopping mall), and Sim Lim Square (where there are gadgets-and gizmos-a-plenty at low low prices!). The half of the next day was spent walking around and taking pictures at Sentosa and the other half was spent on shopping at Tampines and at Orchard Road. I really had a fantabulous (fantastic + fabulous) time in Singapore. I like it there, and I hope it likes me to be there too. Hahaha.
It was my grandest vacation so far... and I can hardly wait to take another one! I wish, hope and pray for money to rain down on me so that I can travel a lot lot lot!
"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -St. Augustine
"The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality.. -Samuel Johnson
". . .travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." -Miriam Beard
"The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it." -Rudyard Kipling
I like this quote best: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance - Unknown
