A Journey Without A Map

Edited using Lightroom Mobile Preset by Younicornx and Inshot Filter Go Grab Your Favorite Preset at sellfy.com/younicornx now!

Hi, Younicornx mate!

This is my very first time flying abroad. I went there with my colleagues for leisure trip and we'd planned this trip since November 2018. We had no plan before until my friend told me that AirAsia had the cheapest flight for SUB to KLIA route. So, it's a YES!

Long story short, in October I prepared my passport at Graha Pena, Surabaya. It only took 3 days since your payment is received. It's cool, isn't? Oh ya, you can apply first by online (download "antrian paspor online" on your device) then choose your schedule and prepare the document. Don't forget to print out your payment proof while picking up your passport.

Btw I'd like to get my E-Passport (IDR 600.000 for 48 pages) but they only provide the regular passport for IDR 300.000 (48 pages). You can get your E-Passport at Kanim Kelas I Khusus Surabaya, at Juanda. If you're willing to apply for passport, you can read here for details.

Then, it was finally November. I had done the online check-in, the boarding pass had been issued  and I just realized something wrong several days before flight. MY NAME WAS MISWRITTEN. Gosh! I called AirAsia Ticketing Service for Surabaya Region, but they couldn''t be reached. At the day before flight, I hit AirAsia Support via twitter direct message and luckily they responded quickly and issued my new boarding pass. 

Arrived at KLIA 2 with my travel buddies | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

I arrived at the airport at 14.00 then waited for one of my friend for boarding. But he didn't come till it was almost 16.00 (our flight schedule was at 16.30) and he couldn't be reached at that time. PANIC! Haha. Finally we decided to print out our boarding pass and scan our passport first. Several minutes later, he came with a bag on his shoulder and a sling bag haha. I thought that we're gonna miss this flight.

We were ready for security check then we had to check our luggage. Yes! Our luggage were overweight haha. Mine was 7.4kg and my friend's was almost 9kg. Lol. Then we shared our belongings till finally we were allowed to bring our luggage. After immigration check, we boarded and took off approximately at 16.30 and after 2.5 hours, we finally arrived at KLIA 2. It was my first long haul flight and I was a lil bit afraid haha. Anyway if you're easily getting bored during long haul flight, bring something to entertain you such as headphone and your favorite playlist or maybe your favorite novel. When we arrived and were done the immigration and customs check, we were looking for nearest food court because we were hungry af huhuu.

Finally, we were full! We're ready to go to our hotel. We bought a bus ticket to KL Sentral then continued our trip by MRT/LRT to Masjid Jamek Station. Our hotel is located around 400 meters from exit gate of Masjid Jamek Station. It's also located near Masjid India. You'll be surrounded by Indian people there wkwkw.

Btw during this trip, I used this portable wifi from JavaMifi. It's compatible with maximum 5 devices. You guys can book this through Traveloka or directly hit their official website.

It's day one!

On our way to Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square), one of the most historical sites in Kuala Lumpur. Edited using preset: Ash and Warm by Younicornx

Our first destination was Dataran Merdeka, also known as Merdeka Square. We only took 5 minutes of walking to get there.

We were almost there! | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

This spot is one of the most historical sites in Kuala Lumpur. It's related to their Independence Day. If you wanna know more, you can read the details here because it will be so long and totally boring to read so much if I write it down here hahaha.

Here we were! The Stunning Sultan Abdul Samad Building! Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

We went here in the morning. It wasn't crowd but there were many people took some pictures here. A good place for photo hunting and morning sunbathing hahaha.

My favorite signs at Merdeka Square! | Edited using preset: Sea and Cold by Younicornx

Next stop...

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery. It was also located in the same place.You just need to walk to the right side. We're here because it's free, no entrance fee. You could see a lot of arts here, include batik, postcards, and some souvenirs. The most interesting things here are located in the second level of the building. You could see the show or a short movie (idk whatever) about Malaysia's population, tourism sector, and many more inside a mini studio, I don't remember its name. It was really amazed me.

Most people will take a picture here, so do we! Edited using preset: Warm and Ash by Younicornx

Next next....
Perdana Botanical Garden. It took a long walk, definitely loooong walk, from carpark before we arrived at this Canopy Park. It was really tiring but super-worthy. We really enjoyed here doing nothing, just sat, took a breath and enjoyed the lake view. There were many people doing idk what's that, it looks like a Yo-Yo wkwkw. You all guys must visit this Canopy Park and do your self healing and be in peace for a while LOL. Btw we also enjoyed the live music performance, they sang an Indonesian song too, at the food court near the carpark. There were a lot of foods and drinks you could try, the special one might be the seafood, yuumm! DON'T FORGET TO ORDER TWO GLASSES OF ICED MILO! Two glasses, ok?

Tbh this is my favorite place to chill Edited using preset: Super Light and Brownie I by Younicornx

Next next next...

National Museum of Malaysia. I think this is one of the best museum I've ever visited. It's interactive and interesting. It's divided into several parts from Stone Age, Colonial Era to Modern Times as of today.

Colonial Maps and Malaysia's current relation in UN Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

Next next next next...
KL Tower. I think this is one of our funniest moment during this trip wkwk. We continued our trip to KL Tower by MRT from Muzium Negara MRT Station to Pasar Seni Station then we moved to LRT line to Dang Wangi LRT Station. At that time, we thought our next destination was near from the station where we dropped.

I love walking with these views! I took this photo near Dang Wangi Station and Bukit Nanas Station Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

With our maps guide, we walked down the streets in the Bukit Nanas area. After a long walk, we realized that we were walking too far. I thought that we were in a wrong way. I suggest you to take a ride there, don't be like us who were fooled by a maps. Thanks!
Long story short, we finally arrived after a super-long-walk. Honestly, when we arrived, my shirt was wet due to sweat. Ewh! haha. I had imagined I would have seen a city view from a height. But all that was flush when we knew the entrance fee (MYR 99.00 per pax, if I'm not mistaken) and realized that I was the only one who wanted to get there. So, we just spent under the tower and enjoyed the breezy breeze.

We finally reached the tower! HAHA. This is Bukit Nanas Station with its monorail Edited using preset: Warm by Younicornx

Next next next next next...
That was extremely exhausting. Me wanna cry and laugh at the same time. Then, after taking a long walk, we took a grab car to our next stop haha.

This is my first rainy moment | Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

Suria KLCC!
I got my first rain here. Therefore, we couldn't take pictures under Petronas Twin Tower. But that's okay, because finally I tasted the food which isn't available yet in Indonesia, Subway! I ordered Meatball Marinara with Italian Sandwich, extra Cucumber and Mayonaise + BBQ Sauce. It was soooo appetizing!
We also saw a mini concert near the KLCC Station right before we went back to hotel.

The next day!

Feel the city vibes! | Edited using preset: Warm by Younicornx

Pavilion KL was our first stop of the day. This day, we didn't take a walk too far due to fatigue. WKWK. Therefore, we decided to shop and watch a movie. I bought several chocolates, a box of dates and a pack of Himalayan Salt for my mom. Then we watched "Charlie's Angels" and it was cool!

Our movie ticket and my shopping plastic bag | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

Next...
We were strolling around Bukit Bintang area and we had lunch at McD because we couldn't decide where to eat, so yes, McD.

Another city view at Bukit Bintang | Edited using preset: Warm by Younicornx

Next next...
We continued our trip to Haniffa Store, a best place to buy snacks or chocolates for souvenirs. It's located in Masjid India Street, near Citin Hotel Masjid Jamek. You'll see a lot of Indian people here.

St. Masjid India, my favorite photo spot! | Edited using preset: Warm by Younicornx

Tadaaaaaa! Look what I just bought from Haniffa Store! Milo was on the top of my souvenirs list and that's all for me. Lol. No, but mostly for my own consumption wkwkw. I had spent almost MYR 150.00 for all of this.

Malaysia's Milo is my fav! | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

We went back to hotel after Milo hunting wkwkw and took a rest before we continued our trip.

Masjid Jamek in the evening, MasyaAllah! | Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

 Next next next...
We did a Maghrib Prayer in the Jamek Mosque (known as Masjid Jamek). Before we left for next destination, it was a lil bit rainy.

Alor Street Night Food! | Edited using preset: Brownie and Ash by Younicornx

Next next next next...
This was our last destination of the day. Alor Street Night Food!
We had dinner in a seafood restaurant and "Bismillah" this was a halal one hahaha. We ordered two size of Fried Rice for sharing, medium and small, then A plate of Mango Sticky Rice, A plate of Omelette, and Shellfish with a herbs that I forgot its name. It was so deliciouuuusss!
I also bought some souvenirs here, a pack of keychain and an airplane diecast. It was my very first diecast!!! I bought a B747 aircraft of Garuda Indonesia Airlines.

A night view from Masjid Jamek Station | Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

 We were heading back to the hotel and saw this view. After taking this photos, something unpredictable was happened on me. I couldn't pass through the exit gate!!! Every MRT/LRT station has their exit gate which is a place for you to take back the given token. After you insert the token, they'll be opened and you can pass through it. But, unfortunately, they weren't opened after I inserted the token and there were a lot of unused token there, I didn't know which one was mine:(  I was so panic, so I asked for the officer's help.

Night situation  in front of Masjid Jamek Station on our way to hotel Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

Last day!
Time flies so damn fast and this will be the end of my story. We finally decided to Genting Highlands on our last day. We took a grab car to Pekeliling Station then go to Genting Highlands by a bus.

Aerobus one way trip MYR 10.00 | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

It took 1.5-2 hours driving from Pekeliling Bus Station to get there. Then we needed a ticket for gondola riding. We booked our ticket via Klook while we were waiting at the bus station. There are two kind of gondola you can choose, Awana Skyway Glass (the base is glass so you can look down) or Awana Skyway Standard, and we chose both of them for return trip.

A view from Awana Skyway | Edited using preset: Super Light + Brownie by Younicornx

There will be a photographer who will take the picture of you before you start riding the gondola and at the final station, you can choose your photo to be printed out. I don't know how much is the price because I didn't print any of it. You can also choose to stop at the first station so you could visit the temple or just go to the final station directly. There's no additional fee for that.

My favorite shot | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

The weather was so cold and when we were about to arrive, it was rainy!
After we had lunch at Pizza Hut Genting Highlands, we were heading back to the hotel to pick up our luggage then went to the airport. Btw I don't share any picture of Genting Highlands wkwkwk it's only a premium outlet with indoor and outdoor theme park.

KLIA Express was heading to KLIA 2 | Edited using preset: Brownie I by Younicornx

We went to KL Sentral by LRT then moved into KLIA Express train. We almost missed KLIA Express train and the next train would be available in the next 30 minutes. So, we had no choice but to run while carrying our luggage so as not to miss the train.

Beautiful sunset spotted at KLIA 2 | Edited using preset: Sunset II and Sea by Younicornx

Our flight schedule was at 20.30 local time and we arrived at the airport about 3 hours earlier. So, we checked in our luggage and bought extra baggage then we had our early dinner at Subway! I miss Subway:(

Thank you for a pleasant flight! | Edited using preset: Ash by Younicornx

And yeesss, we finally landed safely at Juanda Int'l Airport at 22.30 local time:))

That's all my story ahahah in case you need my travel details, here you go:

ITINERARY: 
Pre-itinerary

• Day One (November 16th, 2019)
• Chinatown/Petaling Street
• KL Forest Eco Walk
• Genting Highlands
• Merchants Lane (cafe)
• Day Two (November 17th, 2019)
• Alor Street, Bukit Bintang
• Perdana Botanical Garden
• Suria KLCC
• Dataran Merdeka
• Pavilion KL
• Day Three (November 18th, 2019)
• KL Tower
• Petronas Twin Tower

Post-itinerary

• Day One (November 16th, 2019)
• Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square)
• Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
• Perdana Botanical Garden
• National Museum of Malaysia
• KL Tower
• Suria KLCC
• Day Two (November 17th, 2019)
• Pavilion KL
• Bukit Bintang
• Masjid India Street
• Masjid Jamek
• Alor Street Night Food
• Day Three (November 18th, 2019)
• Pekeliling Bus Station
• Genting Highland

TIPS:

1. Make sure you've planned your budget. In my case, I have a year to prepare my trip, so I have 11 months left to save my money. It really helps. Or maybe you can try this one: buy your flight ticket first while you get the cheapest one, then the next month you book a hotel, and etc. So you won't be shocked with your big outcome at once.
2. Choose the cheapest flight. If you're in a budget-trip, better fly with low cost carrier airlines with sharing baggage (buy 1 extra baggage for 2 pax) because some of them only allow 7kg cabin baggage. But if you're looking for a new flight experience, it's okay to upgrade your flight with a full service airlines (I prefer this one while I'm flying alone). I think it's better to book your flight at least 3 months before. In my opinion, direct flight is the best choice. But still, you can adjust it by your own needs. Some additional for Aviation Geeks, like me, you can also choose your flight based on the aircraft type. International route has much more aircraft type, so you can choose whether wide or narrow body aircraft.
3. Don't be late. While you are traveling abroad, make sure you arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before flight. Because you'll do some security and immigration check before boarding.
4. Make sure you book a hotel which is near to your destinations. Choosing a hotel located in the downtown is recommended. So, you can easily reach your destinations.
5. Prepare your own itinerary. This really helps you a lot. So, you're not gonna waste your time to decide your next move. Most of my trips are not in line with my itinerary, but I easily decide where to go next since I've made my pre-itinerary.
6. Get to know more about your destination. Such as their currency, season, timezone, and many more. I exchanged my currency IDR into MYR a night before flight. Choose a money changer with the best rate, OK? My KL trip was in rainy season, so don't forget to prepare for this. Malaysia also an hour faster than Indonesia Western Timezone, so it's not a big problem for me since I've lived in Sulawesi Selatan which is an hour faster than Java. In short, do your small research regarding to your next destinations.
7. Bring your own tumblr or stainless straw. My hotel provides a water refill so this will help us to be saver rather than buying a bottle of water everyday. Some places might provide public water refill or maybe they didn't allow the use of straw. It also helps us to keep our earth safe by reducing plastic waste. #ecotravelforsustainabletourism HAHAHA what an hashtag.
8. Beauty Tips: I do forget details of skincare and make up that I brought. But here's the tips. If you really wanna save more space in your baggage, just bring several stuffs you can't go without or buy the travel pack size, such as MokoMoko with its sachet package. And for simple make up tips, you can only use your favourite cushion, lip & cheek cream and mascara for your lashes and brows.

That's it! Hope this will help you preparing your next trip. If you have any suggestions or tips, let me know by leaving yours in the comment. Have a nice trip!

Thank you for reading! A lil selfie from Me, Aham and Mbak Tika

Sincerely yours,

          

Younicornx.