Malaysia's Excess and Coming Out Party: Putrajaya

Unknown May 21, 2007

In 1999, Malaysia transfered its seat of government from its capital city, Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, a planned city that currently holds a number of federal administrative buildings of Malaysia. Putrajaya was built from scratch and was transformed into a mammoth city it is today. It has since become one of the three Federal Territories of Malaysia along with Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

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Genting Highlands, Malaysia

Unknown May 20, 2007

From Kuala Lumpur we went to Genting Highland, a place on top of a mountain that was developed starting in the 1970's by one of the richest man in Malaysia. Fast forward to today, it is the site of the First World Hotel, renowned for being the second largest hotel in the world, a casino, a theme park, a mall and a nearby residential village.

To go there you need to take a bus from KL Central Station, you can either go there by car or a bus that will have a stop at a place that will offer visitors to ride on a cable car. Riding the cable car seems more exciting as it gives you a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.

It is said to be the longest cable car in Asia and about a kilometer long if my distance estimate is correct. It was also my first time to ride the cable car.

The highlight of the place was the location of course, the weather is cool, just a bit less colder than in Baguio (we went there during summertime in the month of May), the theme park which has an attraction called "Genting Sky Venture" a free fall simulator, a casino, a waterplash pool, a big mall among others.

It's a place that will be much appreciated by travelers coming with their own family, the kids will surely enjoy the place more than ordinary backpackers who prefers the beaches more than the comforts of hotels and themed attractions.

Anyway, It is a nice little side trip for our Kuala Lumpur tour. Anybody planning going here, should make sure to check out First World Hotel as I remember it has one of the cheapest rates compared to other hotels and I'm sure the kids will enjoy the themed park and the oldies might want to try their luck in the casinos. We didn't took our chances though :)

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Unknown May 18, 2007

This trip was my very first trip out of the Philippines. Sending my gratitude to budget airlines such as Air Asia, blokes like me can now easily afford to travel in the South East Asian region and Kuala Lumpur presented the opportunity itself for me to experience out-of-the-country travel.

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Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Unknown May 16, 2007

The summer 0f 2007 was the first time I was able to visit Ilocos Norte province. Before that, all I know about the place aside from being the home province of former President Ferdinand Marcos was that it’s about a 12-hour ride away from Manila. Together with some friends, I finally ended up in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

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Vigan

Unknown May 15, 2007

On our way to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte we stopped over at Vigan, Ilocos Sur to attend a mas (fyi: I got to mass once in every 5 years), eat some empanada and of course visit the heritage village at Calle Crisologo which is included in the list of the United Nation’s World Heritage Sites.

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Walking along Calle Crisologo – seeing those antique shops and old houses that dates back to Spanish colonial era kind of gives you a slight picture of how life was lived back in the old days.

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Around the area you’ll see the Ilocos Sur capitol hall and the nearby park.

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Vigan is a great place to visit on the way further North of Luzon, either by pit stop or the main point of your destination. There’s a nice inn near Calle Crisologo where visitors can stay.
What a way to have a fine food trip (Empanada, but many says Batac’s Empanada is the best of em all) go down a historic tour of the old colonial houses at the heritage village in Calle Crisologo or stroll around town riding one of those horse carriages parked besides the church.
All that and then some.

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