Places To Visit In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, or commonly known as KL among the locals, is the capital city of Malaysia. If you have never heard of this country or never travelled to this side of the world, let me introduce a little bit of my country to you.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country with the majority of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other races. Although the national language is Malay, most Malaysians can speak at least two to three languages fluently. So, you don't have to worry about language barrier because most Malaysians can speak English very well.

Currency is MYR or commonly known as RM (Ringgit Malaysia) among the locals. Cash comes in COINS: 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent; BANK NOTES: RM1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100.

Food price: You can get a simple breakfast at mamak shops with a drink for RM5. If you eat at Chinese coffeeshop (known as kopitiam), you can expect to pay RM6 or RM7 for a bowl of noodles or a plate of chicken rice, excluding drinks. If you eat in an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay RM25 to RM30 per person. If the restaurant is inside a shopping mall, a meal could range from RM30 to RM50 per person. Restaurants charge 10% for service charge and 6% GST (Goods & Services Tax).

Tipping: No tipping is required in Malaysia as it is not a common practice here.

Local Transportation: LRT, MRT, Monorail, Bus, Taxi, KTM Komuter Train. In addition to these, you can also get UBER or GRAB car from your smartphone for your convenience.

Let me introduce some of the beautiful places to see and visit around KL.

PETRONAS Twin Towers

The tallest twin towers in the world. It houses offices and a huge shopping mall with many branded boutiques, cinemas, cuisine from all over the world (Malay food, Chinese food, Western, Japanese, Korean, Arab, etc. at the food court, restaurants, cafes. There is an aquaria inside the mall for those who want to see sea creatures up-close. In front of the shopping mall is a huge KLCC Park with water fountain display.

How To Get There: Take the KELANA JAYA LINE LRT towards Gombak. Stop at the KLCC station which is situated inside the shopping mall inside the Twin Towers.

Suria KLCC. This is the shopping mall inside the Twin Towers.

Aquaria KLCC spanning 60,000 square feet with a 300 foot tunnel which allows visitors seeing up-close with over 50,000 sea creatures. Admission fee: RM69 (Adult), RM59 (Child), RM49 (Senior citizen). Children below the age of 3 is FREE. It is open daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Last admission is at 7:00pm.

KLCC Park: the water fountain display with lights at night. Admission is FREE.

Batu Caves is the focal point during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam every year. The temple on top of the hill is dedicated to Lord Murugan. The caves is believed to be around for 400 million years old. Climb up the 272 concrete steps to the top to see the view and visit the temple inside.

How To Get There: Take the KTM KOMUTER from KL SENTRAL towards BATU CAVES which is the last stop. There are also buses that goes to Batu Caves but they don't stop directly in front of the caves. You have to walk around 8-12 mins from the bus stop to Batu Caves. To check how to take the local bus, go to www.myrapid.com.my and click on Plan My Journey and type in the location from the place you're at to Batu Caves and a detail route with which LRT or bus to take will be shown.

Thean Hou Temple is a huge Buddhist temple with its 6-tier design making it an iconic landmark in KL. Admission is FREE. Just walk around the temple and you'll notice the intricate carvings and decorated ceilings inside the temple.

If you're there after the sun sets, the whole temple will be light up with red lanterns and lights all over. There is a food court in the basement if you like to have a vegetarian meal there. Don't be surprised if you see Chinese couples in wedding attire taking photos because the Marriage Registar office is located inside the temple for any Chinese couple who would like to register their marriage officially.

How To Get There: None of the LRT or KTM stations is within walking distance from Thean Hou Temple. The best way is to take a taxi. To save on the taxi fare, you can first travel by KTM to Mid Valley station or by LRT to Bangsar station. From there, you hail for a taxi and travel for 2-3km to reach Thean Hou Temple.

Muzium Negara (National Museum) is built in the shape of a tradiational Malay house. Experience the history and culture of Malaysia in this museum. Opens daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Admission fee: RM5.00 (Adult), RM2.00 (Children age 6 to 12). Admission is FREE for children below 6 years old. Website: http://www.jmm.gov.my/en/museum/muzium-negara or CLICK HERE

How To Get There: There are several ways. You can take the KL HOP ON HOP OFF bus and get off at the museum, or you can take the MRT and stop at the Stesen Muzium Negara station, or you could walk 0.5km from KL Sentral to the museum.

Central Market (Pasar Seni) used to be a wet market selling fruits, vegetables, and meat. Now, it is a cultural place to get your local souvenirs, arts and crafts for your family and friends back home. The upper floor is a food court selling local delicacies.

How To Get There: Take the MRT and stop at the Pasar Seni station.

Sunway Lagoon is a huge water theme park located a little outside of KL city center in the suburb of Petaling Jaya. For admission fees and the types of theme rides and games, please visit the website: https://sunwaylagoon.com/pricing/ or CLICK HERE

How To Get There: Take theKTM Komuter train to the Subang Jaya Station then catch a feeder bus to the Sunway Pyramid stop. Or, take the Putra LRT train to the Kelana Jaya Station then catch a feeder bus to the Sunway Pyramid stop.

Jalan Alor is a food haven not only to locals but to many tourists who wants to taste all the good food that this country has to offer. Do not come in the day time because this street only comes alive during evening till late at night so have make sure you come with an empty stomach. Most of the shops here accept cash only.

How To Get There: From KL Sentral, take the Monorail and stop either at the Imbi station or the Bukit Bintang Station. Jalan Alor is accessible within walking distance from these two stations.


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HOW TO GET FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER:

Most international flights will arrive at the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). There are few ways to reach the city center as I explain below.

EXPRESS COACH / STAR SHUTTLE BUS / SKYBUS / AEROBUS: RM10 (Adult) , RM6 (Child). *Please note that some buses charge RM11 for adult. This bus will take you from KLIA to KL SENTRAL. The bus will depart every 30 minutes and the journey to the city center takes 1 hour. KL SENTRAL is a hub where you can take the LRT, Monorail, KTM train.

EXPRESS RAIL LINK (ERL): RM55. It will also take you to KL SENTRAL.

TAXI: RM70-RM80. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.

UBERX: RM90. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.

GRAB CAR: RM80-RM110. Journey takes roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.


If you have any other queries about KL or Malaysia, feel free to drop a comment below.

Tourists Scams in Europe

I'm sure you have heard of travel stories from friends or read online where they were the target of pickpockets while travelling around Europe. Yes, it's true.

Come to think of it, it's sad. I mean, the city is so beautiful with historical buildings, palaces, amazing museums, rich in history and culture, and yet your holiday trip may be spoilt by this.

There are many tactics used by the pickpockets and I want to tell you some of the most common ones you'll encounter in major tourist attractions.

1. Gypsy Women
You will see an old lady (usually in headscarf to cover her hair) with clothes that shout "I'm not local"  approaching your, and you can distinguish them from their skin colour which is darker than the European people. She will tell you that she came from another country and that she has no money. Sometimes, they will carry a baby or a small kid on a stroller to gain your pity to donate your euro to her. Just walk away. Pretend you don't understand what she's talking about.

2. Throwing Baby
Another tactic used by these women are by throwing a baby (usually it's a doll) into your arms. You will be caught off-guard as you'll try to catch the baby. As you do that, her accomplice will poke around your bag and pockets.

3. Petition Sign
A group of youngsters or kids will approach you and ask you to sign a petition Tudor some causes such as world peace, ecology environment protest, or simply to sign for a donation for orphanage or old folks homes. Some will act as if they are mute or deaf and ask you to read the board they show you. If you sign that thing, they will demand payment from you and if you walk away, they will follow you. While you're reading the petition note, the accomplice will rummage through your bag and steal whatever they can get. I was a target when I was in Berlin. Two young boys approached me and ask me to read the petition and sign while the other boy try to unzip my bag from behind and put his hand inside. I quickly turn around and swing my bag to my front and walk away but they followed me until I quickly ran into a random hotel. They did not dare to enter the hotel.  DO NOT sign or read anything. Just walk away. If they follow you, quickly enter a restaurant, cafe, hotel.

3. Friendship Bracelet
Someone will try to give you a wrist bracelet (made of strings) and he/she will say it's free, a friendship bracelet. He will then tie it around your wrist and after that, he will ask you to pay. DO NOT take or let anyone tie anything on your wrist or hand. They will demand a small donation. Just walk away.

4. Rose
Same thing with the friendship bracelet, they will try to give you a stall of rose saying it's free, or it's to welcome tourists to the city. DO NOT TAKE the rose or you will have to pay. I was approached by a girl offering me a rose in Vienna and when I didn't want to take it, she threw the rose into my hands. I quickly walked away letting the rose fell to the ground.

5. Mustard Spill
Someone will spill mustard or any other liquid onto your shirt (on your shoulder area) and pretend to help you clean and wipe it off. When you put down your bag on the ground, his accomplice will snatch your bag and run away.

6. Magic Show
Someone will pretend to be a street artist by performing either playing a musical instrument or a magic show. While you're focusing on the act, the accomplice will stand behind or near you and try to cut through your bag with a knife and put his hand inside to take things.

7. Helpful People
If you're buying train/metro ticket at the ticket machine, someone will approach you trying to be helpful by saying they will help you to buy the ticket since you can't read German or French on the machine. The accomplice will be behind trying to cut your bag or unzip it. Don't lose your focus. Be alert of your surroundings.

8. Pickpockets at train station
They will wait until you board the train or step out of the train. The moment you want to walk into the train, he will snatch your bag or wallet from your pockets and the door is closed. You're inside the train and he's outside. You can't do anything. On the contrary, when you want to step out from the train, he will do the same thing but this time, you're outside and he's inside with the train going fast to the next stop. Always be careful when you step in or out of the train, subway, metro.

9. Taking Photos for you
Someone will try to be nice and helpful by asking if you want him to take a photo for you. He will then run off with your camera or phone.

10. Phony Police
They will pretend to be police officers demanding to check your wallet for fake money that has been circulating lately. They will return your wallet but take away your money.

So, what can you do?

1. Always be alert about everyone around you.
2. Carry your bag in front of you.
3. Put your hands inside your pockets when you're standing still.
4. Buy a money belt and put your passport, cash inside.
5. Do not put too many cash inside your wallet.
6. Just walk away whenever someone approaches you.
7. Don't trust anyone especially if they're being too helpful.
8. DO NOT wear any jewellery when you're on the street.
9. Try to avoid walking alone on the street at night.
10. Research about which area should be avoided especially if you're alone wandering off unknown places.

Planning For My Europe Trip 2.0

I have backpacked on my own to 8 European cities within 4 countries in 2015 covering Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Vatican City. It's been nearly 3 years since I travelled to Europe, so I've decided to make the trip this year.

Initially, I wanted to travel last year in 2017 but there's a lot of things happening and I was so busy to plan anything that I just put it aside without any thought. This time, I'm going to travel to 4 cities within 4 countries. Can you guess which are the 4 cities I'm going to visit?

Let's make it a contest and the winner whom guessed it correctly will get a little souvenir from me. Here is how you can join:

STEP-BY-STEP ON HOW TO JOIN THE CONTEST

1. LIKE the Facebook Page of this blog: The Budget Backpacker (Link: https://www.facebook.com/thebudgetbackpackerpage/ OR CLICK HERE)
2. Tag 5 friends in the comment section of any post in The Budget Backpacker Facebook Page.
3. In the same comment section of the Facebook Page, you have to type in the 4 cities you guess I'm going to visit in my upcoming trip.

RULES & REGULATIONS

1. Each participant can only submit ONE entry. Other subsequent entries from the same participant will not be entertained.
2. Only participants whom follow the step-by-step listed above are eligible to enter the contest.
3. Closing date: 31st May 2018 (the date may be amended without prior notice)
4. Only ONE (1) winner will be announced.
5. If there are more than one participant with the correct answers, the participant whom commented the earliest time will be picked as the winner.
6. The winner will have to message me in Facebook private message or email me his/her home address for the prize to be sent.
7. The prize will be sent through mail to the home address of the winner. 
8. The blogger is not responsible for any damage or loss of the prize during the mailing journey.
9. All decisions are final. No correspondence will be entertained after the winner has been announced.