Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a popular attraction in Selangor which is approximately 13 km North of Kuala Lumpur. Batu or similar to our dialect- means stone cave. It's main attraction is the large statue of Hindu deity of war and victory , commander of the Gods- Lord Murugan and beside it, a 272-step-stairway to lead you to the main cave. If you've been to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and climbed the 252 steps on top, then it should be easy peasy.

The statue of Lord Murugan is famous for Pilgrims. 
It's hard not to notice that people going to the top are on bare feet, 
carrying kadivas or offering as their penitential act.

And whew! finally, reached the top

Graceful defined is when you manage to look cool, not a streak of hair out place, no sweat after reaching your goal no matter how small even a 272-step-stairway. But truth of the matter is it's so difficult,  and esp. you'll find it hard to breath in elevation! 

When the will is strong, everything is achievable. Sometimes you have to climb up high to get an excellent view of everything you've been missing below. Ok, #hugots101. Indian deity Gods is so interesting to know, I'm thankful for all the Bollywood movies I've watched with matching full production song and dance numbers! But coming to Batu Caves, I can't help but be awed by people's faith, it was indeed a good stopover!

Happiness & love,
itsmelory (^.^)

The Central Market & Old Town Coffee

Malaysia's central market has been classified heritage site by the government. From a simple wet market it was converted into a souvenir shop by 1980's. This flea market offers wide selection of local products like batik, coffee, handicrafts, all kinds of souvenir- at a very cheap price!  Everything on sale.

Old Town Coffee

Malaysia's famous coffee shop with its traditional Ipoh setting and ambiance, we couldn't miss it!  Ipoh "white" is a popular coffee drink from Ipoh Perak, made by roasting the beans with palm oil and served with condensed milk! To be honest, I am a black coffee drinker but for the love of  culture, I'm on the go! 

Warm and comforting treat after all the walking!

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Istana Negara & KL City Gallery

Translated as National Palace, Istana Negara is the official residence of Malaysia's monarch. The first time I learned that Malaysia has a monarch! Malaysia has Yang di-Pertuan Agong as head of the State.

Quick history from Wikipedia: after the world war the conference of Rulers (made of 9 Sultans of the Malay state) have established a cycle of reign based on seniority and each of the 9 Sultans can hold the position as King up to 5 years. By seniority, Ibrahim, Sultan of Johor was first in line but declined due to old age, next in line Abu Bakar Pahang, Sultan of Pahang was however rejected 5 times. 

The most striking head of state was  Abdul Halim of Kedah, first Sultan from 1970-1975 at the age of 43, and then his 2nd term between 2011-2016, the only and first Yang di Pertuan Agong to have hold the position twice!

Shades mode on, all gold and yellow for the Royalty. 

Ang saya-saya sa Malaysia 

  To KL City Gallery

Next we went to City Gallery, a tourist information boutique and souvenir shop for a quick walking tour. In here, you'll get a good insight of the past, present and future of Malaysia. Old photos of KL from being a tin manufacturing town, during the world war and after the take over of UK and looking forward to the future.  It is the ideal "starting point" to your KL tour, so please expect crowd and long lines!

Yes, feeling like Hercules on this side of the shop!


Colorful street pillar reminiscent of Indian culture, ever vibrant and colorful!
Ok, maybe the next country to go to? Hmm.

Across the KL Gallery is the former National Parliament Center

 


Can you guess what's in the background?

But of course, Kuala Lumpur itself, the muddy point where 2 rivers meet! 

So that ends our city tour. We went next to Saisaki Restaurant for some sushi and maki(s)! Time to recharge not only the phones but the body and spirit before another series of walking tour, and (shopping maybe!)

Happiness & love,
itsmelory (^.^)

The Petronas Towers

Selamat pagi KL! Another day in the lovely Malaysia. I feel so blessed to be waking up on a bed so comfy, and a buffet for breaky. Such grace!  By 9AM, we are gathered at the lobby for our City Tour to visit KL's most iconic landmark- The Petronas! Known as the Petronas Twin Towers, it  is the tallest building from 1998-2004, and to date, still remains the tallest twin towers in the world.

Sorry for the blur photo, I haggled for a lens for MY15.

You get what you pay for. Lols

Standing in a height of 451m, Petronas Towers is an 88-floor tower which was inaugurated 1999. During design phase, the government specified the building must be completed within 6 years therefore 2 construction companies were hired in order to meet the deadline; the Tower 1 by the Japanese Hazama Corporation and Tower 2 by the South Korean Samsung C&T Corporation. Imagine that when each floor is completed, a flag of the construction country is raised, a friendly competition on the race to finish the first tallest twin tower!

Nady & Lory

Located at the base of the tower is Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur's upscale mall.
According to our guide, they have an underwater aquarium and science center but we did not get that far since we're only there for a quick toilet break. Haha.

Happiness & love,
itsmelory (^.^)

That Carl-Ritz moment

So after our Putrajaya tour and snaps were done, time to find our home away from home in KL. We were supposed to check in at Marriot Hotel, but some sort of miscom. between the agency so we were left with no rooms daw! Everyone's a bit tensed like seriously, where to stay? Finally before we could finish the jar of refreshments they've prepared we were told the only available rooms are from their adjacent hotel which is Ritz Carlton- this tour proves to be full of surprises, how does one say no? Insta-upgrade!  

Carried our luggage to the next hotel passing luxurious boutiques to Ritz Carlton. Checked in and finally, freshen up for our next program- another stomach development program. But first, let me tour you around this plush hotel. 

Welcome to  Carl-Ritz KL

The Ritz-Carlton is a luxurious residence in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle District, a 5-minute walk from Pavilion Mall and other nearby malls.

Happy to be sharing the room with May! It's easy to go around her, like I just met her today and yet, I almost know her all my life! She is very friendly and very open about her life story, love story and who knows what more in the coming days, hmm. 

Probably my (most) favorite brand- of all the toiletries I collected from traveling.  

Every night, fruits and brownies. Such a sweet gesture!

And a nice poem too.

I like this area, reminds me of a-mini-round-about accented with sharp lines,
white paints, and soft lights. I always take my kunwari-lakad pose, here like everyday! 

  Dinner @ Muzeum Palace

So after we have completely settled in and freshened up, we walked to Muzeum Palace for our Chinese dinner. The place reminds me of my favorite Emerald Garden in Roxas Boulevard, traditional Lazy Suzy table with “old smelling” table cloth (its just me), amber lighting which makes me sleepy, and that strong carpet smell which is really disturbing! We asked the waiter what's the weird smell and she said, they recently washed the floor rugs, so probably the reason for that smell. Anyway, we "tried" to enjoy the food but it was just so-s0 esp. with the smell!  The stir- fried vegetables and shrimp was well okay though!

Looks yum, don't you think?

So after dinner, and when the chismisan session was over, we went back to our hotel so we could rest for another loaded schedule for tomorrow. I'm just excited for the days to come, but for tonight, beauty rest mode on! Thank you Lord!

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Putrajaya, Malaysia

Putrajaya was built 1999 when the seat of government was moved from Kuala Lumpur due to overcrowding. After almost like 30 minutes, we got a closer look of the government center and the Mosque or commonly called the Pink Mosque made of what else but pink granite with lovely architectural details next to Perdana Putra where the Prime Minister resides and Putrajaya Lake which is, surprise surprise- a man-made lake.

Government Center across beside the Pink Mosque

The Putrajaya Mosque

Standing beside the scenic Putrajaya Lake, the mosque is constructed of desert pink reminding me of that split moment of dusk when the sky is a fusion of gray and rose. We were given also pink hijab to match the color of the mosque. So much pink! My first time to visit a Muslim shrine, and I'm quite amazed of how much they put on the details. Intricate dome details, and pinks, lots of pink stuff to pinkee by.  

Nady overlooking the man-made lake.

Wearing my pink hijab. Expectation

vs. Reality

Happiness & Love,
itsmelory (^.^)

Meeting Malaysia

My ghost month proves to be really interesting this year because I was chosen to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! For the first time in forever.. I would always tell my friends, in fact just a weeks ago that it's one country I’ve never been but I’d really love to visit. The whole universe echoed my heart, thank you Universe because I was given this opportunity, and the best thing about it? All for free! I can’t thank the universe enough and North Star group for this. How does one get so #loryluckyme?

I didn’t managed to attend the meet & greet with fellow “tourist” (naks, makatourist) prior to  the flight because I was occupied with meetings here and there. I was touched to see my own bag of goodies on my desk complete with tour information, ID, luggage tags, 2-way ticket. Impressive, 5 stars for Northstar! Remembering the travel agency from way back our Thailand trip but anyway, since Malaysia is visa-free, I packed a day before not too concerned with my ootd’s since the weather forecast seems fair, showed up early morning at Terminal 2 for my early flight to Kuala Lumpur!

Finally, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the largest and capital city of Malaysia. In Malay, kuala means the point where 2 river points meet, and lumpur meaning muddy. It is interesting to read the history of Kuala Lumpur from a small town where houses were built out of wood and very prone to flooding. During Selangor Civil War, Kuala Lumpur was heavily damaged and burnt to the ground. Not until the occupation of British Resident Frank Sweetenham, the town was rebuilt using brick and tiles from houses up to government offices. Today, Kuala Lumpur is rated as alpha word city, and is the hub to 20 of the TOP 2000 Forbes List with majorities of residents 60% of Malay origin, 20 % Chinese, 10% Indian, and the 10 % of different nationalities. 

KL on a week-day, but they too have traffic during rush hours. 

We arrived almost lunch time, the entire flight was smooth and uneventful. Sidney Sheldon’s book kept me occupied on the first few minutes after take off, and you probably guessed, then sleeping the entire flight! I’m happy to meet new bunch of friends, and my seatmate Nadia – Nady baby being the bunso in the group was such a charming company. 

First stop in KL? Yes foods. We went to a buffet lunch at Degrees Restaurant located at Sama-sama Hotel, just around the airport area. After filling our stomach, we freshened up a bit, and on our way to a City Tour starting with- Putrajaya. 

Seri Wawasan Bridge

En route is this futuristic looking bridge which appears like a sailing ship exactly the vision of the country Malaysia to sail forward, towards Millenia Malaysia. We made a quick stopover for some picture-taking. Overlooking from the bridge you’ll get a glimpse of one of the most famous landmark of Putrajaya also known as  The Pink mosque.

Channeling my "malay ko, malay nya, may Malay sya" 

a.k.a. first official selfie of the day.

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^)