Hello, hello!
Guess what? I just had an amazing layover in Kuala Lumpur! I couldn’t wait to tell you all about it. So, after a productive and eventful week in Surabaya, filled with research, FGD, workshops, and a guest lecture, it was finally time for me to head back to the Philippines. Unfortunately, there were no direct flights from Surabaya to Manila, which meant I had to have a layover in Kuala Lumpur. But you know what? It turned out to be quite an adventure!
I decided to fly with Malaysia Airlines because, believe it or not, I’ve never flown with them before. It was purely out of curiosity, and I must say, I wasn’t disappointed. But before I get into that, let me just say that leaving my lovely hotel room at Oakwood Hotel and Residence Surabaya was bittersweet. I had such a great time there, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.
While I was waiting for my flight at Juanda Airport, I dove into the book I bought at Galaxy Mall: “All That Is Gone” by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. It’s such a captivating read, and I was thrilled to find it at least since I couldn’t locate a copy of the Buru Quartet in Surabaya. Imagine me sipping on a latte, engrossed in the book—absolute bliss!
Now, let’s talk about the flight. The planes of Malaysia Airlines were a bit on the older side, they lost my luggage belt, and my luggage had major scratches, and it was disappointing. The food they served was surprisingly good, and to make the journey even more enjoyable, I decided to catch up on some episodes of FRIENDS. It was the perfect way to pass the time.
Upon landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 (KLIA1), I realized it was my first time at this terminal. I’ve always landed at KLIA2 in the past, and I must admit, I prefer it a bit more. Anyway, the immigration queue was quite long, but hey, I had my book to keep me company, so it wasn’t too bad.
To get to my hotel, I opted for the KLIA Transit train, which was another first for me. It was a convenient and efficient way to travel. I ended up staying at Ibis Styles Kuala Lumpur Fraser Business Park because I’ve always been a fan of their interior design. Although I struggled a bit to find the entrance of the hotel, the moment I got to my room, all the exhaustion just melted away. The hallway was a bit hot, but luckily, my room was comfortable.
You know what? I made a small mistake in choosing my hotel this time. I should have stayed at the Gold3 Boutique Hotel since I had planned to visit the Vintage Camera Museum, which was nearby. But alas, it was too late to cancel my reservation at Ibis Styles. Nevertheless, I couldn’t resist taking a Grab and exploring Bukit Bintang, where the museum is located.
Oh, the Vintage Camera Museum was a delight for someone like me, who appreciates the art of photography. It was like stepping into a time capsule filled with all kinds of cameras from different eras. I was in awe! And here’s the best part—I discovered something that totally caught me off guard: an Eslite Bookstore in KL! Can you believe it? I ended up having an unexpected book shopping spree and got some fantastic additions to my collection.
Now, let’s talk about food because you know how much of a foodie I am. I couldn’t resist trying the Truffle Carbonara Pasta and Lavender Tea at Come True Cafe in Starhill. Trust me when I say it was heavenly! Plus, the view of KLCC from there was absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was living in a postcard.
After my delightful meal, I strolled around the area and checked out the shops at Pavilion Mall. It’s such a vibrant and lively place, filled with all sorts of trendy stores and entertainment options. I couldn’t resist doing a bit of shopping myself and snagged a few cool items.
Eventually, it was time to head back to the hotel. I booked a Grab, freshened up in my room, and got a good night’s sleep to prepare for my flight to Manila the next day.
Overall, my layover in Kuala Lumpur was a whirlwind of excitement, discovery, and great experiences. I can’t wait to share more stories with you next time! I hope you’re doing well, and I can’t wait to catch up soon.
Take care and lots of love, Sher