Of Long-Distance Bus Rides ...

When I told my family and friends how I would be going to Malaysia, my friends in particular told me, "Why so troublesome? Why not just take a plane straight there?" Of course, if I am to take a plane direct to Kuala Lumpur and back, it really cut the hassle as the plane would bring me directly to the airport, and I need not need to scramble to the airport by shuttle bus. Besides time spent on the road would be cut down as the plane ride would take less than an hour.

However, a plane ticket cost twice as much as a bus ticket. Of course another alternative would be to take a train, but ever since the beautiful. albeit run-down Tanjong Pagar Railway Station closed down, it became a hassle getting to the railway station at Woodlands because we need to take the subway, then bus, go past a military area, and then enter the railway station near the causeway. It became more troublesome getting to the railway station as compared to a bus station, where there are many buses to Malaysia scattered at different parts of the island.

Hence I decided to take a bus. Even though it takes five hours or so to reach Kuala Lumpur, the low rates and the scenery along the way make up for it. I like to see the scenery going past me whenever I travel, and taking a bus is just right. Besides with so many people going back and forth from the causeway, the buses here are very comfortable, with soft cushioned seats and cosy airconditioning, otherwise they would not be able to meet up with the demands of our locals here. :-P

So I booked a return bus journey to Kuala Lumpur and back. Since I was due in Miri on Thursday 5 July, and my flight was at eleven in the morning, I decided to take a night bus the day before. Travelling at night simply saves time and money. We get to sleep on the bus so we do not incur an extra night's accommodation, and we reach our destination bright and early the following day, just nice to start exploring. If I can, I try to travel at night as much as possible.

The bus is even more comfortable than I thought. In fact, compared to the narrow seats some airlines have, the seats on the bus is bigger, wider and gives more legroom. Along the way, the bus will stop for a break, for people to stretch their legs or go to the washroom.

Despite the departure drama I had en route to Malaysia, the return journey was pretty smooth-sailing. Because I took the morning bus when I returned as I did not wish to go back so late at night, I could see the countryside sailing past me while on the bus. The only time there was a delay was when we reached the checkpoint at Tuas and there was a massive queue, as everyone seemed to be coming in at the same time. Since I am a citizen, I just scanned my thumbprint and sailed past the rest who were waiting to get their passports stamped.

The journey was supposed to take five hours, but the whole journey took about six hours due to the waiting time. That is what taking a long distance bus is all about, one need to be prepared to be on the road for quite some time, and to some, they may experience a numb back at the end of the trip. But taking into account the money saved and a great way to see the country, I would still choose to take a long-distance bus ride over a plane ride anytime!

Classic Inn Kuala Lumpur

Few months back when I knew I was going to be in Kuala Lumpur, I started searching for hotels. Being a big city, it definitely has five and four-star hotels available, but I was not willing to spend on hotels, as these cost more than the Marriott Miri. So I decided to look for bed and breakfasts that cost the most S$50.00 a night.

Initially, I came across Paradiso Inn, in the Bukit Bintang area. From what is stated in the website, the place has nice rooms and breakfast is provided. I was about to book this place when I realised, since I was going to take the bus back from Berjaya Times Square early in the morning, would it not be inconvenient to lug my luggage from Bukit Bintang to Berjaya Times Square? 

So I decided to search again. And as I mentioned before, sometimes God answers my prayers without me knowing. Just when I was wondering where else to stay, I came across Classic Inn. One look at the website and where it is located (right behind Berjaya Times Square), I made up my mind immediately!

I booked Classic Inn because I was attracted to the Peranakan-style structure and the layout of the rooms. Besides colonial Victorian stuff, the other thing I am crazy for is Peranakan stuff. People always tell me I should marry a British gentleman or a true blue Peranakan, but that is another story altogether.

In the end, I was happy with my choice. I reached Classic Inn late on the day I was due to check in due to a flight delay and the massive jam. When I entered the reception, the guy gave me my room key, which happened to be on the first floor. The reception counter is open twenty-four hours so I could go back as and when I liked. My friend called the inn looking for me a few times, and the guy at the reception counter helped me to call her back without charge.

 Sign depicting entrance to Classic Inn. Please be warned that the sign is not very obvious at night because it is too high and if people do not specially look up, they may miss the place.

 The yellowish building is the whole Classic Inn

 The entrance to the reception. Notice the Peranakan decorations?

 The reception counter

 Even though this display is on the floor, I like it as it represents the many nationalities that would go and stay there

I did not get the room I liked from the website, as that was a room on the upper level (with the sloping ceiling due to the roof). Since my room is on the lower level, the ceiling is flat. And it is small, but since I was only one person, the room is enough for me since it comes equipped with a television set, dresser, glass, water, mirror and attached bathroom and shower. The bed is very comfortable too! The only thing I did not like about my room is that the window faces the corridor with people going back and forth, so I kept the curtain shut when I was in.

 Steps leading to my room behind

 Stairs going upstairs (I need to pass by these stairs to my right before reaching my room)

 My room number (complete with a peephole)

 This bed is super comfortable! (Notice the curtain above covering the window?)

The dresser (Notice those flowers again?)

 The attached bathroom

The hanging light above my bed

Although the place is small, they have good facilities, including an interesting dining area, sitting lounge at the reception, several terminals with very fast internet access, fastest I have ever come across, and a laundry area at the back of the place. Breakfast is served every morning at the dining area, specially cooked by the staff, and consist of eggs, noodles, orange juice, toast, tea and coffee. 

Incidentally, the dining area is just outside the reception, so when you climb up the stairs to enter the place, you need to pass by the dining area before going into the reception. I really like the dining area because it consist of different kinds of wooden tables and chairs, making the cosy Peranakan feel of the restaurant more quaint.

 The dining area. Notice the interesting furniture?

 I love this bed! This is at a corner of the dining area, and happened to be where I was seated to eat my breakfast as all the other tables and chairs are full.

 Besides the wooden bed that doubles up as a dining table, this is actually my favourite. Look at the hands acting as chairs! I wanted to sit there but unfortunately the table was full on both days I was there.

 The laundry area behind the place

 Sitting area at the reception, with the internet terminals

What is interesting about the place is the many notes of appreciation written by markers on the walls, from their past guests, stretching all the way to the ceiling. These act as wall decorations, so they do not even need wallpaper. I find that so refreshing!

 The notes of appreciation written by the many satisfied guests. A pity I did not write anything as I was in a hurry and there was no more space on the walls.

The place also comes with a lovely garden, but when I was there, for some reason the garden was being maintained, so I did not manage to see the many plants they had there. A pity though, it would have made the place more cosy.

My other gripe is that, no one mentioned the flight of stairs you need to walk up just to get into the reception area from the front. For people with trolley luggage bags like mine, it is a bit difficult to bring the luggage up the stairs to the reception area, but luckily a kind taxi driver helped me out the day I arrived, although I had to bring my own luggage down and lug it to the front of Berjaya Times Square to catch my bus the day I departed.

 The flight of stairs leading up to the entrance. See how difficult it is for people with trolley luggages?

Other than that, the place is pretty cosy, courteous staff, excellent location, delicious breakfast spread and food, fast internet access, nice rooms and a very competitive price at S$46.00 per night! What more can one ask for? If I am ever in Kuala Lumpur again, this is one place I will surely stay at again!

Exploring Kuala Lumpur

Finally I am back from my long trip to Sarawak, where I dropped by Kuala Lumpur for a couple of days, and met up with fellow blogger Julie Lim. All thanks to her, I had a field day exploring the sights of Kuala Lumpur, especially the famous Petronas Twin Towers!

Going to Kuala Lumpur is a welcome change, as after having been stuck in the jungle, I could not wait to get back to civilisation! Unfortunately, the flight to Kuala Lumpur from Miri was late, and by the time I reached the domestic airport in Kuala Lumpur, it was two hours later than what was originally scheduled. To top it off, there was a massive jam from the airport all the way to KL Sentral, where the shuttle bus dropped me. I was supposed to check in at my accommodation around five, but by the time I arrived, it was close to eight.

I was supposed to meet the KL Choicers for dinner, but since I arrived late and was uncontactable by phone, they called my hotel and picked me up from KL Sentral where they treated me to a very delicious seafood dinner at Klang! I felt so welcomed and honoured!

The next day, I met up with Julie where we went for lunch at Pavilion Mall, then embarked on our walking tour of Kuala Lumpur. First she brought me to see the twin towers, then we went to Petaling Street, Central Market, birthplace of Kuala Lumpur, then past a small hill to St John's Cathedral where we attended mass, and finally ended up with dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.

 The buildings surrounding the park in front of the twin towers

The park in front of the twin towers

 One twin tower ...

 

Two twin tower ...

 

 And the iconic twin towers!

 Old Railway Station of Kuala Lumpur

 I kind of like these grafitti! Very artistic!

 Petaling Street, the Chinatown

Actually Petaling Street reminds me of my own Chinatown. The layout is about the same, and there are also many stalls selling products for tourists. However, Petaling Street has a very soothing drink that tastes like water chestnut or longan called mata kuching. Directly opposite Petaling Street is a very famous coffee shop selling beef noodles and the biggest bun I have ever seen.

 Central Market

It was the first day of Ramadan, so there were people distributing packets of porridge to everyone in the late afternoon near Central Market. Unfortunately since I had to leave, I did not have the chance to taste the porridge.

 Old shophouses near Petaling Street

 This fountain is near the birthplace of Kuala Lumpur

 The layout of this stretch reminds me of our City Hall and Padang

For some reason the day I was there, the roads were cordoned off, hence there was hardly anybody around.

 The KL Tower

 St John's Cathedral where we attended mass

 Interior of St John's Cathedral

I had a great day meeting up with Julie and learning more about Kuala Lumpur. Despite our countries being next to each other, I have never actually been to Kuala Lumpur as most of the time, my parents would bring me to other places like Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill, Malacca, even Penang, but never in Kuala Lumpur itself. 

So this was the first time I was actually in Kuala Lumpur, and it was really an unforgettable experience as I got to see quite a number of sights. Thanks to all these memories that made my trip so unforgettable!