Exploring Kuala Lumpur

While fellow Filipinos celebrated National Heroes Day on August 31, my friends and I celebrated Malaysia's Independence Day. We happened to have planned our tour around the city on the same day as well.

Booked a cab in the hotel to service us around the city for the day for MYR 100 per person. But it's better not to because the tourists spots are just near each other and it will be so much cheaper if you just take the bus or monorail. There's also the Hop On Hop Off.

Batu Caves
This is perhaps the farthest from the City. There are two ways to go here: (1) by taxi, which costs, if I remember correctly, MYR 120, one-way, and (2) by monorail.

Be sure to dress appropriately.

Hindu deity, Murugan. #MalaysiaTrulyAsia #travel #asia #culture #UOtraveller #UOaroundyou

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Sep 4, 2015 at 8:37am PDT

Almost there guys!

Just a few more steps

Walked 272 steps just to see...

The lair of monkeys

Merdeka Square
In this area, you can already visit 3 or 4 tourist spots, mostly museums actually. We weren't able to enter any of those museums, but we got to celebrate Hari Merdeka! Sort of. We got there just when it ended.

Music Museum

National Textile Museum

Thean Hou
While searching for places to go in KL, I stumbled upon this and loved the look and colors.

Honestly, from what I've seen on TV and movies, I've always wanted to pray in a temple, light an incense, ring the big bell. I've always wondered what doing those meant. Quite interesting.

They have Chinese Zodiac statues in one area. I had to take a photo with my zodiac sign, The Horse:

Year of the Horse pose

We also went to KL Tower just to see what's there. Nothing, really haha my experience at Seoul Tower was much better with their visual in the elevator going up, making it seem like you were going to space, and going down, like you're going back to Earth.

Then we ended the day at Central Market to shop for pasalubong. Don't shop for food there. It's cheaper in the supermarket. But they have nice home decor and accessories.

I would definitely go back to Kuala Lumpur to check out the museums in Merdeka Square.

Photo Blog: Legoland Malaysia

As mentioned, Legoland was the real reason we booked a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Apparently, though, we found out that Legoland is so near from Singapore (1-2-hour ride) than Kuala Lumpur (5-hour bus ride). We had to book a bus from KLIA2 to Johor, and a hotel in the area.

Sadly, things don't always work as planned.

We booked a bus from Bukit Bintang to Legoland, and had to go there just for the day. The bus ride was from 6:30am to 11:30am, with a 30-minute stop over.

Legoland is quite nice for kids and families to enjoy. Not much to do for kid's at heart, like us, except take lots of photos:

Lego City

Where I got my driver's license. Just kidding.

Minion!!! 😊 #MalaysianBrightLikeADiamond #minions #Legoland #embracetheawkward #awkwardanimal

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Aug 30, 2015 at 9:07am PDT

Land of Adventure

Imagination

Lego Kingdoms

Miniland

Bangkok 2013 x Malaysia 2015 ✈ (📷 from Ann) #bichachos #tbt #travelbuddies

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Sep 3, 2015 at 6:44am PDT

We didn't really try any rides but I was curious with big version of EK's log jam. It looks fun!

Of course I didn't leave Legoland without buying these:

That's it for my Legoland experience!

For reference:
Bus (Bukit Bintang to Legoland): MYR 57
Legoland Entrance Fee: MYR 132 (buy tickets as early
Cab (Medini to Johor Premium Outlet): MYR 63
Cab (Johor Premium Outlet to Medini): MYR 62
Bus (Legoland to Bukit Bintang): MYR 57
Total expenses (excluding lunch and shopping): MYR 371 (approximately Php 4,101)

Tips on shopping in KL

Spent the August long weekend in Kuala Lumpur with my college friends! Originally, our main objective was to go to Legoland. Once we girls got there, we just had to go shopping!

Shopping malls we went to:

1. Fahrenheit 88
2. Lot 10
3. Sungei Wang
4. Berjaya Times Square (BTS)
5. Central Market

Bukit Bintang is shopping paradise! Malls are all lined by next to each other.

For bazaar clothes, go to Sungei Wang and BTS. Sung Wei is like Greenhills while BTS is like Market Market.

Sungei Wang is located at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is right across from Lot 10.

Berjaya Times Square (BTS) can be found in 1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Shopping day! 😥😂 #MalaysianBrightLikeADiamond #shopping #mall

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Aug 31, 2015 at 11:31pm PDT

For high end and branded items, check out Pavilion.

Pavilion is right across Sephora at Star Gallery. 

4th stop: Pavilion #MalaysianBrightLikeADiamond #shopping

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Sep 1, 2015 at 12:37am PDT

Fahrenheit 88 has boutique stores and an outlet store. Lot 10 is quite small but you can find H&M and Zara here.

Fahrenheit 88 can be found between Sephora at Star Gallery and Lot 10. 179, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lot 10 is between Fahrenheit 88 and Sungei Wang. 50, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia



If you're looking for locally made items, check out Central Market. But never buy packs of instant coffee and milk tea. Don't get blinded by the buy 3 for RM50. Go to the grocery store cos they sell those for RM12 only!

Don't shop all in one day. Sungei Wang and BTS will already consume one whole day. There are a lot of stores to check out here.

Some stores don't allow you to try the clothes on which makes shopping faster but a bit tricky if you are not sure what style looks good on you.

Not much of a make up fan, but for those who are, you may want to check out Sephora at Star Gallery. (I prefer going to Myeongdong in Seoul, South Korea, aka make up heaven!)

#shopping

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:43am PDT

Heard about Beryl's Chocolate and planning to buy some to bring home? You can find these in bulk at Central Market. But if you plan to try out different varieties, you may want to buy at KLIA2 instead. It's much cheaper cos there's no more GST included.

Chocolate lover 😍🍫 #chocolates #pasalubong #beryls

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Sep 2, 2015 at 5:21am PDT

On your way to the airport, taxi drivers also offer to bring you to buy chocolates. Not sure if it's at the Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom. You might find all the varieties of Beryl's chocolate there.

We also visited Johor Premium Outlet Store, and it sure was worth the visit! Since it's an outlet store, there were a lot of discounts and promos!

The only proof I have that we went shopping in JPO. We only had 2 hours to shop 😂 #MalaysianBrightLikeADiamond #shopping

A photo posted by nini (@jemappellenini) on Aug 30, 2015 at 10:37am PDT

If you plan to go on a shopping spree in KL, book your flight some time between June and August, in time for their 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival! Lots of promos await ;)

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"Starting over"

I know I do this often but not follow through, but this time, I will make time.

Baguio Backpackers: Ben Cab Museum

For a more relaxing activity, try visiting Ben Cab museum!

Admission to the museum
General: Php 100
Student: Php 80

How to get there? Below is the map from BenCab. If you plan to commute, hire a cab. I don't think there are a lot of taxis passing by that area without a passenger.

Tip: When you plan to hire a cab, group the places that are near each other so you can take your time and not rush.

You can also take a jeep to Asin road from the jeepney terminal near Baguio market.

There's not much to say but... visit the place! It's really interesting. If you enjoy looking at artworks and paintings, or you want some quiet time, you should check it out.

Tin seemed to have enjoyed going around the museum, playing around with the statues:

"Whistle Blower" by Orley Ypon
Oil on canvas, 24x36in

I, too, played around with the statues:

But the paintings really fascinated me:

"Back Side" by BenCab
Acrylic on canvas, 2014, 32x24in

"Chinamoy" by Cawaon Cablog

"Huwag Mo Damdamin Ang Mga Bagay Dahil Ang
Bagay Walang Damdamin" by Lynyrd Paras

Some of the other paintings I liked:

" Sleepwell" by Yao Sampana
Oil on canvas, 2014, 24x36in

"Nowhere" by Olan Ventura
Acrylic on canvas, 2014, 36x24in

"Benguet Houses" by stevesantos
Water color on paper, 2010, 55 x 76 cms

It was about lunch time when we finished going around the museum so we decided to grab a bite at Cafe Sabel.We had Chicken Pesto Panini and Hungarian Sausage Pasta.

The cafe was pretty cozy. It was quaint and colorful, with a couple of paintings on the wall.

Lemongrass Iced Tea (Php 70)
Chicken Pesto Panini (Php 100)

Honestly, I don't know much about Benedicto Cabrera (Ben Cab). There was one thing I was curious about: Who is Sabel in Ben Cab's life? There were paintings of her or were named after her, the restaurant was named Cafe Sabel, it made me wonder who she was. His wife, his first love, his only love, his inspiration... his muse? Found the answer here.

[In 1964] Observes and sketches from his window in Bambang a bag lady/madwoman/scavenger named Sabel. To him she is a symbol of dislocation, despair& isolation – the personification of human dignity threatened by circumstances. Undergoing numerous transformations over the coming years, she becomes a landmark for every stylistic painting transition.

During his first solo exhibit of oil and acrylic paintings at Indigo Gallery in Mabini in 1966, he introduced the character of Sabel.

#cultured

I'm definitely going back to check out the Farm and Garden.

Baguio Backpackers: Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet

I must say, this is one of the highlights of our trip. It was actually my first time to go to the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet. Even though most of the cab drivers we had during our trip asked if we plan to go to La Presa Farms, which is now famous because of "Forevermore" on ABS-CBN, we still chose to go pick strawberries!

Baguio Buddies: Jenny, Tin, Nini

How to get there? From Burnham Park, it takes 15-30 minutes (15 minutes per Google Maps, but then again, you will be crossing mountains).  We rented a taxi for half a day. Per hour, they charged us Php 300.

When's the best time to go? Be there as early as 8am. Since it is quite far, it's better to start your day early. It's still popular with tourists since they can pick and buy, not just fresh strawberries, but also vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, string beans.

You know you're in La Trinidad when there are trucks full of green leafy vegetables passing by.

And you know you're in the strawberry farm when there are lots of ice cream and taho vendors offering their products in strawberry flavor.

The market. There are many stalls outside the Strawberry Farm. It's actually similar to Mines View Park but with fruit and vegetable stands. You can buy pasalubong in La Trinidad as they also have delicacies such as strawberry jam, lengua, crinkles, just to name a few. Didn't check the prices anymore since I was done with pasalubong shopping.

Some items that can only be found in La Trinidad are strawberry-designed pouch (which I got 3 for Php 50) and bonnet, Ilocos blankets (which my friend bought at Php 160, I think).

The farm. Every plot has a different vegetable planted on it. We didn't know where to go but we just walked to where the people are.

To get started, just ask around if they are open for strawberry picking.  The first place we asked charged us Php 500/kilo. We went further into the field and found one that charged a little less at Php 450/kilo. The trick in picking strawberries is cutting somewhere in the middle of the stem.   Don't remove the crown as this will expose the inside of the strawberry.

Unfortunately, there was not much to pick.

Hi kuya!

Buying strawberries. There are types of strawberries to choose from: big or small, will last for 3 days or 7 days. Be careful where to buy your berries. Wag magpadala sa sales talk. Ask if YOU can choose the strawberries you wish to buy. Sellers tend to just grab and get whatever strawberry is easy to get from their pile.

We got the strawberries for Php 250/kilo.

Our trip to La Trinidad would have been sulit if we had our own car. We would have picked not only strawberries but also vegetables. We would have gone crazy shopping for souvenirs, even walis, from the surrounding market.