It has been 3 years since I last travelled overseas with my backpacking attire due to the horrendous COVID-19 pandemic. Nobody would have expected in their slightest imagination that there were times when staying at home becomes a survival method instead of a form of sluggishness. Things are certainly getting better now, albeit the side effect of the pandemic remains. I went to Malaysia back in 2020 and wrote my experience here. This time, I rolled back to Kuala Lumpur with a friend to experience another fun hassle I had missed so much. In the end, traveling allows one to seek comfort from things that don’t come around so often; the luxury of having time and energy to heal by momentarily experiencing life from different scopes.
Before anything else, I’d say that I see eye to eye to all the circulating motivational quotes about traveling when you are young, especially when you are still in your 20s. Fewer physical restraints are one thing, but the energy to adapt to a new environment and adjust yourself is also another reason to engage with the world of traveling from as early as you can. Compared to my backpacking trip three four years ago when I was 23, I felt that I got drained more easily both physically and mentally now. This one week-long holiday also cost me approximately two weeks of flu back to my country. I couldn’t imagine the remaining stamina I would have been left with when I want to travel again in my 30s—affordable backpacking would seem so out of reach by that time.
Day 1: Recommencing another journey to remember
Together with a long-time friend, I flew a morning flight to Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia and begin to move to town by Skybus service for RM 15. Upon my arrival at KL Sentral, I purchased a Touch-n-Go card for RM 20 (with card fee of RM 5 and balance of RM 15). There I stayed at a hotel around Pudu street, Bukit Bintang. It’s a win-win situation since the hotel is located nearby public transport services that everything felt convenient despite the walking steps I had to endure all along.
After getting some plentiful rest, I decided to visit the clamorously sparkling night life of Alor street to get some dinner. There I tried the famous Kunefe, a Turkish dessert made of Kunafa pastry (kadayif/shredded phyllo) stuffed with generous Mozarella cheese filling, cooked until colored in golden brown and topped with ground Pistachios. It is often served with sweet syrup but also can be eaten without it. I bought a value package of Kunefe with Pistachio drink for RM 28,9 at Kunafa Crisp, Alor street. Personally, I like the how cheesy it felt in contrast to the sweet syrup poured on top of it and a huge cheese fan as I am was greatly satisfied with how the dessert has lived up to my expectation.
Day 2: Cold brew in Genting Highlands
On the second day, I was out for another exciting journey to embrace. I walked to Petaling street nearby the hotel and discovered so many gems in the so-called Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. Hon Kee Famous Porridge Chinatown is famous for the raw fish porridge, but I wasn’t so keen on the idea that I turned to salted egg pork one for RM 9 and ate just fine.
Afterwards, I took LRT to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) in order to secure a bus ticket to Genting Highlands for RM 10,4. This means of transport might not be a suitable option if you are having a timely schedule on your hand, but surely an affordable one. I got off at Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, where you can find lots of luxury brands with better pricing. There are also several shops to purchase souvenirs such as Ban Heang, a patisserie/cake shop unique to Penang, as well as Loong Kee, the famous dried pork shop.
As for dinner, I returned back to Petaling street to try the famous Lai Fong Lala Noodles that serves lala (means clam) as its specialty. Lala Bihun tasted okay with moderately spicy broth for RM 8. There is also tofu fa and soya bean at an intersection around the street for RM 3.
Day 3: Scorching heat in town
On the third day, I went back to the city’s centre to explore more it it. I had breakfast at the famous Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam after a long queue for almost an hour. Kaya butter toast felt wholesome to my stomach added with warm soft-boiled egg. I also ordered curry chee cheong fan and quite enjoyed the mixture of thick curry broth and chewy rice noodle roll. I also visited Pasar Seni around KLCC to see pretty handcrafted stuffs sold as souvenirs, but personally I found them kinda pricey, which is understandable considering the convenience offered while strolling around inside clean and cool tenants.
The National Museum of Malaysia is another traveling spot to visit as you may learn about the history of Malaysia until present time in such an alluring approach. Entrance fee is only RM 5 per person for the whole experience, and I think it’s a pretty good deal to have a place for date.
I decided to have my lunch around Little India and discover some specialties. Legend’ Claypot Briyani House in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur serves various kinds of Indian meals with generous portion. Briyani chicken claypot was pretty delicious with savory spices and large fatty cuts of chicken for 2 to 3 persons. All waiters/waitress were especially friendly and genuine withe their service, so it added to the experience. The only thing that I didn’t feel like my cup of tea was the roti idli (rice cake) that tasted mawkish no matter how I tried dipping it to sambar (a spicy south Indian stew made of lentil and vegetables) or the chutney (a flavored sauce made of coconut, tomato relish and other savory ingredients). Roti canai was the best kind of flattened bread I have ever tried, but it would be interesting to taste more types of Indian bread like dosa, paratta and so on.
Day 4: A quiet sayonara
Another suggestion I would like to share as I conclude my backpacking trip is: always bring your umbrella everywhere, for you never know when you will need it. I was pretty fortunate that I managed to bring my own and didn’t lose it until the end of the vacation lol, but an umbrella is such a game-changer since rain comes from time to time unpredictably but walking is still necessary to transfer from one station to another. The scorching heat at midday is just as worse and burning even when you wear hat and long-sleeved outfits, and my umbrella has sheltered me from such a scorching exposure.
Total budget spend: around RM 1,400k to 1,500k
The Scorching Heaven 