Countdown

The countdown to the end of college starts right now! I am super excited to end my agony! I can't wait to start working and earning my own money! One boring afternoon, I invented this wacky idea of posting the number of weeks left (before the end of college) on my dorm room including some reminders to myself.

Orange Peeptoes

One of my best finds in Singapore was this orange peep toes from Topshop. I have never bought anything from Topshop in the past because I couldn't afford it. But I indulged myself this time because this pair was on SALE!

M Hotel Singapore

Like I said in my previous entry, I got a free overnight stay at M Hotel Singapore because my Cebu Pacific flight got cancelled. During my previous trips in Singapore, I have always stayed in my sister's place so this was my first time to stay in a real hotel in the Lion City. When we got to the hotel, we were informed that a buffet dinner was waiting for us. 

I made sure I got my own room with free internet so that I could tell my parents that I am fine. Besides, I deserve this for wasting an entire day in the airport! The queen sized bed was luxurious. My room had a flat screen TV and a mini bar too!

I felt so stinky after a long tiring day at Singapore's Budget Terminal so I took a long hot shower. I love my spacious bathroom!

A Day in the Budget Terminal

Last November 7, I was set to go back to Manila after a week-long vacation in Singapore. I was already seated comfortably in the plane when suddenly, an announcement was made regarding some technical problems. We waited for half an hour in the runway until the pilot announced that we needed to get off the plane because it might take them longer to fix the problem. As we were getting off the plane, I spotted Lance Gokongwei seated in the front row.

For more than an hour, we waited in the pre-departure area like refugees. Many passengers were already pissed especially the OFWs who only got several days to spend with their families in the Philippines. But many were still hopeful that the flight would push through.

After the long wait, an announcement was made that we have to retrieve our check-in luggage because the flight has been cancelled. You can just imagine the rage of the other passengers as we were getting our luggage from the conveyor belt.

We were ushered back to the departure area and were given food stubs for lunch. While eating, we got another surprise announcement: the flight is back on! I was already a bit pissed myself because it is such a hassle to line up and check-in our luggage once again.

Mid-afternoon, we were back at the boarding gate again. Just when we thought the flight was finally pushing through, Cebu Pacific dropped another bomb! The flight was cancelled again!

Some passengers decided to take a different flight with another airline, but I accepted the free overnight stay at the M Hotel SIngapore offered by Cebu Pacific. After my day-long stay in the airport, I eventually became friends with some of the passengers who suffered the same fate as me. Cebu Pacific rescheduled our flight the following day.

Singapore: Round 2

After my five-day vacation in Malaysia, I spent seven extra days in Sunny Singapore to visit my sister who's working there. I was not really interested to do any sightseeing in the Lion City because I was just here nine months ago. So I decided to have a staycation with no itinerary or whatsoever. I did lots of random things like swimming in my sister's condo, meeting old friends, shopping once in a while and simply lazing around. One highlight of my trip was watching Michael Jackson's final documentary, This Is It.

Aeroline: The Best Bus Ever

Last November 1, I took a six-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore through Aeroline. The bus has two-storeys and all the passengers' seats are on the second floor. I was surprised to find out that the seats in the Aeroline bus are bigger and comfier than airplane seats. Meanwhile in the first floor, there is a toilet and a small lounge with a sofa and flat screen TV. Definitely the best bus ever!

VNC Addicts

Last week in Malaysia, Ate Jov and I got so addicted with VNC! It is a famous shoe brand that started in Malaysia and is now available in different countries. While in Kuala Lumpur, we shopped in VNC everyday because their shoes were so cheap compared in the Philippines. We did a little inventory of the shoes we have bought and here they are:

Okay, before you judge me! Mind you, among the 12 pairs above, only 2 pairs are mine. While 4 pairs are for my sister, 1 pair for my mom and the rest are Ate Jov's. If I had more money and luggage space, I would have bought more shoes. But I had to pace myself because I don't want to have a heart attack when I see my credit card bill next month. 

Kuala Lumpur: Day 5

On our fifth and last day in Kuala Lumpur, we went to the 400 million years old Batu Caves, one of the holiest Hindu Shrines in Malaysia. This was once featured in the reality TV show, Amazing Race. 

Rising almost 100 meters above the ground, the complex consist of three big caves and some other small ones. We had to climb a steep flight of 272 steps in order to reach the top. 

The biggest cave in the temple complex is known as the Cathedral Cave. It has a very high ceiling and features intricate Hindu shrines. 

Afterwards, we made a last-minute visit to KLCC Aquaria, a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. aquarium in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Malacca: A Taste of Portugal

On our fourth day, we booked a day tour to Malacca, the third smallest state in Malaysia. It is also known for its historical city centre, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Christ Church in the main square reflects its original Dutch architecture.  Floral rickshaws were all over Malacca. We tried riding it just for fun, but it was way overpriced.

This is Fort A Famosa, which was constructed by the Portuguese way back in 1511. It suffered severe structural damage during the Dutch invasion that's why it looks like this today. But still, it is pretty for me.

This is the Dutch Square, the most prominent landmark in Malacca. 

This square used to be painted in white until the British governor ordered it to be painted in red, hence today it is also known as the Red Square.

Kuala Lumpur: Day 3

On our third day, we went to Sunway Lagoon, an 80-acre water theme park that has some of the most exciting wet and dry rides I have ever seen. I've been here way back in 2002, but there are lots of significant changes this time around. Initially, Ate Jov and I just wanted to see the place and try out the dry rides, but we couldn't resist the tempting blue waters! So we went to the gift shop and bought ourselves head-to-toe swimwear. 

The world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. I was really shaking in fear when I took my first 10 steps. Thank God I was able to successfully cross the bridge.

After crossing the suspension bridge, we took a dip in the huge pool and tried out the ATV ride.

Kuala Lumpur: Day 2

On our second day, we went around Kuala Lumpur. Our first stop was none other than our next-door neighbor, the Petronas Twin Towers. We went up the skybridge situated between the 41st and 42nd floors to have a panoramic view of the city. I clearly remember this particular skybridge where Catherine Zeta-Jones filmed the movie, The Entrapment. 

Next, we went to Jamek Mosque, the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. As a sign of respect, we were asked to cover up as we roam around the mosque. This was where the early settlers of Kuala Lumpur built their shacks. After, we walked to Sultan Abdul Samad, dubbed as the “Big Ben of Malaysia.”

Clockwise: 1. Merdeka Square. 2. Selangor Club which hosts various sports matches. 3. Independence Square, the site of the annual Merdeka Parade.

Clockwise: 1. Office of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, the main railway operator in Malaysia. 2. National Mosque of Malaysia, which has a capacity of 15,000 people. 

Clockwise: 1. Petaling Street, which is Malaysia's Chinatown. 2. KLCC Suria Mall, the mall beneath the twin towers. 3. Petronas Twin Towers

My Kuala Lumpur Jaunt

On our first day, Ate Jov and I went to Genting Highlands, a self-proclaimed City of Entertainment. My cousins have been here in the past and they gave very positive feedback, but when I saw the place, it wasn't as pretty as I had imagined. It was a bit old and under-maintained. Genting Highlands is a bit far from the city center. We took the metro to KL Central Station and then took one more bus to get there. We rode a very long and steep cable car to get to the highland proper. 

Genting Highlands has an indoor and outdoor park, but we stayed indoors most of the time because it was raining. 

The sunset was beautiful as we were heading back to the city. Mind you, this was already 8:00pm. For dinner, we ate at the food court of KLCC Suria Mall. We had noodles and watermelon shake at Only Mee. As we were walking back to our hotel, the Petronas Tower was glowing at our midst.

The Zon All Suites Residences

Last October 28, Ate Jov and I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a short vacation. Since we took the budget airline Cebu Pacific, we arrived at such an unholy hour: 2:00am. This complicated our hotel reservation in The Zon All Suites Residences. Technically, we were booked for October 28, but check-in time is not until 2:00pm so we could not enter our room yet. The staff was kind enough to offer us a Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite (the only available room) for the price of the Superior Room we initially reserved.

On our first night, we slept in the very spacious Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite complete with a bathroom, living room, dining table and kitchen. On our second night, we moved to the Superior Room. I have always been a budget traveller so I stay in hostels most of the time, but this hotel is an exception because it is surprisingly budget-friendly despite its 4-star reputation.

The Zon All Suites Residences is a 4-star hotel located close to the Embassy Row and blocks of government and corporate offices. The hotel is just walking distance from the number one tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Towers.