Apa Kabar, KL!

So, hey! Here I am starting off on my first post in this blog, my virgin trip to KL! It wasn't at all a well planed trip, but since I needed a break from reality and my fiancé needed one before he kick starts his new job in a weeks time, "Why not?", we thought. We set off to every Singaporean's favourite and most convenient weekend getaway, Johor Bahru- Malaysia! It was the normal routine of queuing up for the transfer bus that will get us to the Woodlands Checkpoint and then after the verification of passports and Identification, battling yet another long queue snaked at the Bus Stand for the same bus to bring us over to the JB Custom. Upon Setting foot in JB, we quickly stocked up on a few packets of Twiggies (I could eat those for every meal, everyday) along with a cuppa from Starbucks. Now, you may ask, what am I doing at JB, instead of waiting in the Departure Hall to my direct flight to KL in Changi Airport which will get me there In approximately 45mins?! Don't look puzzled, or be surprised, but I chose the old-fashioned way: A 6-Hour Train Ride to KL. Yeap, You read that right, 6-HOURS! If you would like to experience a train ride to KL, you could book your tickets through this website : http://www.easybook.com/en-sg/train/ktm It was a whole new experience. And by the end of the journey, i had come to love Malaysia even more for the vast amount and nature along with the rural villages along the way. We had neither, seen a Railway station located in the middle of a forest nor a mountain in Singapore. After what seemed like eternity, we were so glad to hear the announcement "Next Stop: Kuala Lumpur". Lo and Behold!

(No, I wasn't regretting my decision of choosing the train over the flight 😂)

We Grab-ed to our hotel that was located conveniently at Bukit Bintang, best known as the fashion and entertainment epicentre of Kuala Lumpur.

Hotel Transit had just recently opened their doors in 2016 and we were both impressed with the service and cleanliness of this hotel. Everyone from the Front Desk right down to Housekeeping, constantly had a smile on their faces; which made our stay even more pleasant.

Let's just all confess one thing here. The first thing we all got to do once we check into the hotel room is, JUMP ON THAT BED! Yes, guilty as charged. Come on! Who doesn't love all these big bouncy beds in hotels? 😍

After an hour of lazing and rolling about on our beds, we set off to wander the streets of Bukit Bintang. A quarter past 8, and we decided we would visit one of KL's ever iconic identity.

Remarkable, was the only word I whispered to myself, when I gazed up at that skyscraper from the foot of the building. I couldn't believe I was looking at what was named the Tallest Building In The World from 1998 - 2004 and still remains as the Tallest Twin Towers in the world today. Coming from a country that is widely known as a "Concrete Jungle" among both local and foreigners, i have always felt I would never be in awe staring at a 21st century Archetectural building. Never again ever in my life. Until now.

If you are planning to visit the Petronas Towers during your next with to the KL, be sure to visit the SkyBridge and Observation Deck, and grasp the breathtaking cityscape from atop the Twin towers.

For those with a BIG FAT wallet decked with multiple credit cards, I'm pretty sure you guys will be excited to know that The Petronas Towers houses Suria KLCC shopping centre which has 320 retail and restaurants and among them, big names such as Chanel, Cartier, and South-East Asia's first Armani Cafe!

You can get your tickets to the SkyBridge and Observation Deck here: https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my

Other Shopping Centres within that Vicinity : Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (directly accessible through the KLCC Walkway Bridge) Sephora KL, StarHill Gallery, Lot 10 and many others.

Jalan Alor - A Foodie's Paradise. Like I mentioned, we had not planned out the itinerary for the trip, and I am ever so grateful to the Front Desk staff from the hotel for noting that it was a must to visit this street for every tourist. Here, you get to taste everything from authentic Malaysian cuisines to extremely spicy Thai Tom Yum Soup. Finish off your meal with freshly cut fruits and if your stomach permits, a D24 or XO durian from the few cart wheel sellers. The lanes of Jalan Alor burst with life nearing sun down. Make shift tables and chairs lined out on the road, tourists and locals alike thronging the streets with curiosity and hunger and long before you know, the place fills up, just slightly before 6pm. A lil bit too touristy for me.

My best advice to you- Be as hungry as you can be.

I love street markets that stay open late into the night. And Petaling Street was just about the perfect place to satiate my hunger at 12am. Welcome to the Chinatown of KL - Petaling Street. I found that most stores were repetitive; selling fake replicas of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex from as low as RM10. (A piece of advice: If you plan to wear those replicas to their official boutique stores, I would warn you not to do so. Seriously). This will also be a good place to get your friends and family back home a piece of souvenir; if you aren't the kind to spend big bucks on keepsakes and to show off your great bargaining skills! Sadly that night, me and my fiancé did not get a chance to dine at any of the eateries as it was a weekend and they were all packed. We then set out to the next bustling street in search of supper. And the odds were definitely in our favour!

I have officially found my favourite Chettinad Restaurant located in Bukit Bintang. Here are 3 reasons why it's my favourite -1: This Restaurant Serves THE BEST TANDOORI CHICKEN. HANDS DOWN, AND NO EXAGGERATION. And I think this reason alone is enough to convince you to read on. Sri Paandi is open till 12am on weekdays and 2am on weekends. Friendly staff, really clean and loads of amazing food. We had 4 Roti Canai's with fish curry, 2 plates of tandoori chicken and 2 cups of Teh Tarik. And the whole meal only costed us RM45, equivalent to $14 back home. And don't be surprised when you find a live band performing right outside the restaurant.

Address: 18, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Restoran Sri Paandi.

That pretty much sums up my virgin trip to KL. Stay tuned for my next travel blog on Phuket! xoxoxoxo ❤️

#KualaLumpur #Malaysia #blog