Exploring the City... and the Pigging Out Continues (Kuala Lumpur Trip - Day 2)

Doing research before a trip reaps benefits indeed. On our second day in KL, instead of the “mandatory” touristy trip to Petronas Twin Towers, we saved ourselves the time and trouble and got a much better deal at the KL Menara Tower.

 

KL Menara Tower from afar

 

Before the trip we made a reservation for a lunch buffet with its rotating restaurant the Atmosphere 360. The restaurant, located at the 88^th floor offers stunning 360-degree view of the whole city of Kuala Lumpur. For just the price of P1200 per person, you get to enjoy its buffet lunch and a free view at the top!  (www.atmosphere360.com.my)

 



Register Here



We arrived a bit too early for the buffet. (too excited, lol). We registered at the 2^nd floor counter and were given entrance tickets to the restaurant. They were strict with the schedule and would not allow anyone to go up unless it’s time. While waiting, one can walk around and check out the shops there. My companions bought honey, souvenir magnets and some scarves. 




Colorful Scarves

Honey Haven

 

For tired (or lazy peeps) there is an air-condioned audio visual room (refrain from snoring!)

 

If shopping is not your thing, there are many attractions in this tower to keep you entertained: Blue Coral Aquarium, Animal Zone, F1 Simulator Zone, Observation Deck (not recommended if you have already booked a dining session at Atmosphere 360), and KL Menara Eco Tourism. If you're lucky, you may chance upon their activites like the KL Tower Base Jump and Towerthon Challenge (fancy a stair climb?)  (www.menarakl.com.my)

 

Blue Coral Aquarium

 

 

Back to our favorite topic! Lunch at Atmosphere 360 is served in 2 sessions. (11:30 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm). You have more than enough time to eat, take pictures, chat before they turn off the rotating mechanism. (TIP: If you got more moolahs to spare, the dinner buffet would be a better choice to enjoy the romantic night scene!)



Dining area rotates

Food served was International but focusing more on Malaysian, Indian and Chinese Cuisine. Dishes were not too many but considering the price and the view, the rate was a steal! (Wallet Dent: 88 Malaysian Ringgit per person)

Buffet area is stationary.

 

View from the top (the other twin was camera shy)

 

Atmosphere 360

To lose the many calories that we just consumed, our scheduled activity in the afternoon was a city tour. We took a cab ride (20 Malaysian Ringgit) to Masjid Jamek / Little India Area. We planned to visit the Masjid Jamek Mosque but sadly it was already closed for the day!

 

I got disappointed as I was really looking forward to my first mosque visit. So what’s a girl got to do? Just imagine a girl with nose pressed to the iron gate, rapidly snapping photos with a pair of trespassing arms. Yeah, you get the picture.

 



Masjid Jamek Mosque

 

There are also certain dress codes to remember and follow when entering places of worship.


Dress Code

 

Our next stop, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building which known for its Moorish architecture. Take time to walk around and feel its majestic presence. Fronting the building are some posters explaining the history of the buildings in the area. Read to learn something about them.

 

A picture-perfect Sultan Abdul Samad Building

 



Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Textile Museum

Our next stop was the city gallery. For this you may just stop by for 15 mins just to learn more of the city’s history. It is a small museum with a nice gift shop. There is a nice photo spot at the entrance.

 



City Gallery



 

Now it's time for shopping. We found our way to another gem in the city, the Central Market. Yes, there are the tourist souvenirs as expected but there are many cute and unique stuff to see. Antiques and retro items displayed side by side to lure any vintage lovers in. There are also local snacks sold here. Souvenirs by the way are much cheaper here compared to the other places.

 

Shop til you drop!

 

Artsy crafty stuff to love

 

 

Oriental decors for your home

Snack all you want!

 

It was nearly dinner time when we left Central Market. Our last stop for the day: Petaling street in Chinatown which was just a few minutes walk away. But again we were warned by some pedestrian to keep an eye on our belongings. Nearing Petaling, we heard the buzz and high energy of this street. Lots and lots of stalls sell souvenirs , clothes and snacks. Tourists and locals flock to this place. We bought some souvenir shirts (Size L at 6 Malaysian Ringgit) then looked for a restaurant for our dinner.

 

 

Almost there..

 

 

 

People, why are you all here?!

 

We chose a traditional Chinese restaurant called Kim Lian Kee. I had their Tom Yum noodles and it was delicious. Pared with a HK style milk tea, it was a perfect ending to my “little foodie trip.”

(Wallet Dent: Dinner for 3 at 28 Malaysian Ringgit)

Dinner Time

 



Slurp!

 

Back at the hotel (for the hotel review, click here) while my companions bought beers from the 7-11 across the street (don’t bother inquiring on the hotel’s exorbitant liquor prices), I had my “2^nd dinner” from the food cart on wheels just outside the hotel entrance. (Still not as good as that of Hong Kong’s sorry.)

Food cart outside Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel
 

 

Little did we know that the night refused to end without some more drama...
 

We stayed by the food cart and had a chit chat with the cart owner when we suddenly saw some guys shouting and running after a man. Every bystander's face was that of confusion. Later, it turned out that those were policemen in civilian clothes ambushing and running after a thief (a car-napper, if I understood correctly). They got him in under 2 minutes. (Wow, that was efficient!) We all stood there gaping at the scene then went on our own businesses after it ended, but one nosy girl  attempted to go near the handcuffed thief! (looking for something to post on facebook, maybe? :p)

 

And finally, we decided to call it a day...

 

 

Total Expenses (in Malaysian Ringit):

Buffet Breakfast at hotel (for 2 pax) - 40

Buffet Lunch (for 3 pax) - 264

Taxi Rides - 45

Dinner (for 3 pax)- 28

Souvenir Keychains/Pens/Magnets - 32.90

Souvenir Shirts - 64

Food Cart Snacks - 4

Beers - 27

 

 

 

Pigging Out at Jalan Alor Food Street (Kuala Lumpur Trip - Day 1)

 

My latest travel destination: Kuala Lumpur

After landing at Kuala Lumpur Airport's Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) we proceeded to get a cab from the taxi counters in the airport. As advised in travel blogs and forums, it was indeed cheaper and less hassle here than to hire one outside. We paid 78 Malaysian Ringgit for a one way trip to the City Center. Cab ride from LCCT to Kuala Lumpur City Center took 1.5 hours.

Notice I did not make any comments on the airport? (As the name implies, it was really not worth mentioning :p) 

It was a pleasurable ride as the friendly taxi driver gave us their country's culture and local insights and tips. We passed by a big area of palm trees which he proudly explains as the big mass of greenery that you see from your plane's window.

We soon arrived at our home for the next days, the Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel. (http://www.furama.com/bukitbintang) For a separate review on this cozy hotel, click here.

Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel Lobby

 

After settling into our rooms and freshening up, we excitedly ventured out to have dinner and to get our first taste of what Kuala Lumpur had to offer. The helpful concierge gave us a map and directions to the famous Jalan Alor Food Street and reminded us to keep safe as it is already night time.

It was quite a long walk for first timers especially if you’re not sure of the place. It took us 15 minutes to reach our destination. (pestering people for further directions along the way included.)

 

 

Finally, Jalan Alor was just around the corner. Directions to this place can be found at the end of this post. Previously a red light district, it is now a very brightly lit street lined with many restaurants and food stalls. Seeing the red lanterns all over the place, you will not doubt that the restaurants are mostly Chinese/Malaysian. The look and feel of this place is quite similar to the food streets found in Taiwan or Hong Kong.

 

Jalan Alor Food Street

 

Since we had some “oldies” companions, which translated to no-more-walking-please-the-nearest-resto-will-do, we decided to try out the first restaurant which was just around the corner ~ Long Kee. In all fairness to the restaurant, it seemed to be the largest one, which included a stall selling Malaysian/Chinese goodies such as meat jerkies, moon cakes, chips, snacks, white coffee and local Malaysian delicacies, great for take home gifts. (http://loongkee.com.my)

 

 

Long Kee Restaurant

 

There were seats provided outside if you wish to dine al fresco or if you want to see your food grilled in front of you.

Al fresco dining at Jalan Alor Street

 

Yum Yum

 

For the longest time, I have heard of this Bak kut Teh which is a staple at the any Malaysian or Singaporean menus but I don’t really know why I haven’t tried this before. And that dish definitely showed up at our dinner table. We also chose a dish of spicy clams and a plate of ginger-garnished bamboo shells.

 

Bak Kut Teh
 

 

Spicy Clams

 
 
 

Bamboo Shells in Ginger Sauce
 

The Bak kut Teh did not disappoint. We all like the tenderness of the meat and the flavor. The portion was big enough for 4 persons to have second rounds. My personal fave was the clams as I enjoy spicy food. The bamboo shell dish was good as long as you like the taste of ginger (warning: strong ginger taste).

Moments later, food gobbled, plates emptied, fingers licked (yeah we were THAT hungry), we visited their food stall to check out some foodies to take back home.

Food Shopping Time :)

 

Wallet dent: 95 Malaysian Ringgit (Dinner), 140 Malaysian Ringgit (Goodies)

We strolled further down the road and saw this Turkish ice cream stall. I got to try this one (I always have room for desserts, who doesn’t?)

 

 

 

 

Verdict: Well, it looks unique but it tasted just like any ordinary ice cream. Oh well, at least I could say that I had tasted a Turkish one. (Exotic!)

Next discovery was a hotpot cart on wheels. Since I was not entirely satisfied with my “Turkish” ice cream, and I super love the sate flavored fish balls sticks in Hong Kong (drooling now), so I just had to try this one too (companions’ protests ignored).
 

Eat and Run!

 

Fish balls, squids ball, sausages and many other unknown stuff on sticks. I got a fish ball stick costing 2.50 RM and cooked in it the soup pot.

 

Stick all you want!

 

The taste? Not as yummy as I expected. Sauce was different from that of Hong Kong’s. Do I like it? Hmm. It's ok to try but nothing spectacular.

Soon after, an appetizing smell was calling out to me. My next supposed target was grilled lamb meat on stick. Wow it made me remember the same food that I tried in Beijing before and I liked it. (No need to comment on my appetite.) But sadly, my companions were excited to go and my tummy was forced to sign off for the night. Sorry tummy.

My dining experience at Jalan Alor was a pleasant one. It is a nice place to sample local Malaysian and Chinese cuisine.  
 
As for safety concerns (as warned by hotel staff), I find it safe enough as I was trained well by Manila's Thief Spotting and Self Protection Academy, lol! Just remember to keep an eye on your belongings, as we tourists have the tendency to be too excited that we often forget to be wary of our surroundings. That makes us the favorite target of thieves.
 
I'm not saying that Kuala Lumpur is not a safe place, but extra care is needed when we are in a new place. Regardless of where we go, safety must always be top priority. :)


Directions to Jalan Alor Food Street

1. Coming from Berjaya Times Square (Imbi LRT Station), walk away from the station going to the nearest stoplight at Jalan Sultan Ismail Street.

2. Turn left at Jalan Sultan Ismail.

3. From there, walk straight and you will find restaurants, coffee shops, Sungei Wang Plaza, (all on your left side) until you reach the big street Bukit Bintang.

4. Turn left at the corner of BB Plaza and walk straight. Look for KFC on the right.

5. Cross the street towards KFC.

6. Jalan Alor is right behind it.


Enjoy! :)







 

Furama Bukit Bintang Hotel Review

For our first visit to Kuala Lumpur, we chose Furama Bukit Bintang to be our home for our stay. We booked in advance through Agoda. Though the name indicates Bukit Bintang, the hotel is actually in the Imbi area. 

 

From the hotel entrance, one can see the Berjaya Times Square Mall which is a very short walk away. (But you have to pass through a couple of dark alleys.) And, in case your tummy calls out to you in the middle of the night, have no worry, there are many restaurants across the street, (mostly Chinese) and also a truck-turned-foodcart parked outside the hotel to satisfy your hunger pangs. 

 

Chinese restaurants in front of the hotel

We entered the brightly lit lobby and were received warmly by the reception staff. Check-in was done in just a few minutes, with a required deposit of 300 Malaysian Ringgit.




Hotel Entrance

 

Hotel Lobby

There is a lounge/coffee shop called Cinnamon Lounge at the lobby area, which will be an ideal hangout place after a tiring day's activities. Be warned though, drinks are not that cheap. We opted to buy drinks from a 7-11 across the street, at just 1/3 of the price! Sorry Furama, we're just being practical. More savings mean more money for shopping! Yey!



Cinnamon Lounge

Hotel guests are required to insert the room card for the elevators to work so safety is not a problem.



Ready to enter!

 

Our room was very spacious and modern. We got a twin room which can accommodate an extra bed. Internet was available, but LAN connection not wifi  ^_^

 

 



The Room

If you love having bubble baths, sorry to burst your bubble, only an enclosed shower is available. But goodness, don't waste your time in the bath, there are numerous stuff to do outside!



Toilet and Shower

The mini bar is equipped with complimentary water, water boiler, coffee, and tea. The closet contains a safe box and even an iron and iron board.

Cupboards, Safe Box, Iron Board

 

The next morning, we lazy bones woke up a bit late, so we ended up trying out the hotel's buffet breakfast. Spices @ Furama offers breakfast starting 6:30 am to 10:30 am. For hotel guests, rate is only 20 Malaysian Ringgit per person.

 

Speaking of breakfast, I encountered a slight problem with Agoda. When I booked the room, it was indicated that breakfast is included but another line says room only. After emailing the hotel, they confirmed that it was a glitch on Agoda's system and that the room I booked did not include breakfast. I emailed Agoda, but did not get a reply. (What the?!) But breakfast rate is cheap so I did not insist on the free one.

 



Restaurant

 

Enough of side tracks, dishes served were Asian-inspired and a bit American. With the wide array of choices, we ate to our hearts' content, forgetting that we were scheduled to have a buffet lunch at the KL Tower. LOL! Still, I have to mention that I particularly enjoyed the rosemary potatoes and the chicken sausages. Yum yum :) 



Pastry, Eggs, Rosemary Potatoes



Noodles, Pork & Beans, Chicken Sauces

The restaurant also has a poolside dining area. Just be careful not to get splashed by naughty swimmers :p



Dining Al Fresco,



Swimming Pool

The pool is quite small but enough for a quick dip. There is also a fitness center for those who cannot not miss a workout. :)



Kiddie Pool and Gym

My overall rating for this hotel is a 4 out of 5. With the quality of service and amenities, rate is relatively pocket-friendly. A twin room is approximately around 210 to 230 Malaysian Ringgit as of writing.

 

Location-wise, the Bukit Bintang Walk and  Jalan Alor Food Street  are some 10-15 minutes walk from here. Grocery and dining are not problems with the Berjaya Times Square Mall around 3 minutes away. Nearest LRT station, Imbi is also located here. Location is good but not the best. But, I personally have no problem with that.

 

As for safety, despite witnessing a cop-caught-a-thief scenario on our second night, we still feel that the area is safe enough. More on this, click here. Another thing, I hope the back alleys of the restaurants across the street leading up to Berjaya Times Square can be brighter. They are ok in broad daylight, but these alleys may be a bit scary at night. We skipped these short routes and walked the perimeter of the restaurants to avoid being in the dark.

 

Will I return to this hotel? Well, if my wallet will allow, I definitely want to try the fancy hotels lining the Bukit Bintang Shopping Area. But if I'll be on a smaller budget, Furama will surely top my list of choices. :)