january-2011

MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR
COUNTRY CODE +60 (3)
CURRENCY RM1 = PHP13.57/US$0.295
TOUCHDOWN A bus will take you to downtown
Kuala Lumpur from the airport for about RM10
(PHP136). On the other hand, the train will get
you there in half the time. Metered taxis are fast
and affordable.
BY DAY Bukit Bintang is a shopper’s paradise.
Start with the bargain buys at Sungei Wang and
then splurge at Star Hill and Pavilion — sales here
are almost all year-round. For outdoor thrills, stroll
around KLCC Gardens and visit the Bird Park.
BY NIGHT The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
at KLCC and the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts
Center feature interesting local productions. True
gourmands will love Bangsar Shopping Center for a
smorgasbord of excellent restaurants.
SLEEP Hotel Maya is a centrally located boutique
hotel that offers stylish accommodations and
great room rates. Click on the site for the best
deals. www.hotelmaya.com.my
Karyn
Patricia
Flores
writer
BEST BREAKFAST Nasi
lemak! For authentic fl avors, head to
what locals call the “mamak” stalls.
BEST BUYS Vincci or Nose are
inexpensive yet stylish brands. Batik
paintings are lovely and easy to pack.
BEST NIGHT OUT Neo on
Jalan Sultan Ismail and the rooftop
at Lot 10 are photogenic bars with
beautiful crowds. Bring your camera!
trip journal
MALAYSIA
KOTA KINABALU
COUNTRY CODE +60 (88)
CURRENCY RM1 = PHP13.57/US$0.295
TOUCHDOWN The Kota Kinabalu International
Airport is only 10 minutes away by taxi, which
usually costs about RM20 (PHP272). Be sure to
negotiate and agree on the fare before you step
into the cab.
BY DAY Expand your knowledge about nature
conservation and spend a day at the Kota
Kinabalu Wetland Center (KKWC), a 24-hectare
mangrove forest that is also a bird sanctuary.
www.sabahwetlands.org/society/
BY NIGHT Check out the Animal Nocturnal
Watch at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria, or sound the
party alarm and paint the town red in Kota
Kinabalu at sizzling hotspots like Texas Restaurant
or Upper Star Pepper Grill and Cocoon.
SLEEP This luxury property, the Shangri-La’s Rasa
Ria Resort, is nestled in a great nook of nature, with
a plethora of outdoor activities. www.shangri-la.
com/en/property/kotakinabalu/rriaresort
Latricia
Tsen Mei
Hsia
sales manager
BEST BUYS Sabah tea which is
cultivated in the pristine foothills of
Mount Kinabalu.
BEST DINNER Taste Malaysian
cuisine and Sabah vegetables at
Tepi Laut, Shangri-La Rasa Ria.
LOCAL SPEAK “Selamat pagi“
(“Good morning”), “selamat petang”
(“good afternoon”) and “apa
khabar” (“how are you”).
{ 84 }
LOCAL SPEAK “Awu” (“yes”),
“inda” (“no”), “berapa?” (“how
much?”) and “mahal” (“expensive”).
BEST DINNER Ambuyat is a
traditional Bruneian starchy dish
best taken with fi sh or beef.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
COUNTRY CODE +62 (21)
CURRENCY BND1 = PHP33.54/US$0.72
TOUCHDOWN The international airport is
approximately 10 minutes (about 10km) from the
center of BSB. There are taxis, car rentals and
regular public bus services that can take you to
and from the airport.
BY DAY See BSB on foot. Start at the Royal
Regalia Building and continue to Mile 1 Queen
Elizabeth Clock, Dang Ayang Royal Mausoleum,
Kampong Ayer (Water Village), Red Chinese
Temple and Tamu Kianggeh (Floating Market).
BY NIGHT Ask around to fi nd out where NRA
Cafe (it stands for Never Run Away) is. This
karaoke joint has loads of songs for you to choose
from for a rollicking night. Though locals consider
it “illegal,” that’s where they take overseas guests.
SLEEP The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a
six-star hotel and golf course where you can also
grab a boat to go to Pulau Kuraman in Labuan.
www.theempirehotel.com
Maurina
Abdul
Hamid
marcomm
off icer
BEST FESTIVAL July is when
we hold a month-long celebration for
our Sultan’s birthday. There are daily
events at which you can meet him.