For a very long time I wanted to visit Malaysia and Singapore - a lot was heard about these two tropical destinations.
I was overjoyed to plan an exhaustive week long itinerary with the must-see places. Although Malaysia was limited to just a couple of tourist attractions, Singapore had many more places to visit. It would not be wrong to call Singapore as efficient but an expensive city.
I landed in Kuala Lumpur late in the evening and drove straight to my hotel Furama Bukt Bintang in Kuala Lumpuer - very comfortable room. The first day was to explore the local city in their local transport. The best way to see and feel the local culture of any city is by interacting with the aam janta. Due to heavy showers the previous night, the weather was apt for the day scouting. I took the hop-on-hop-off bus in Malaysia which had decent pit stops at the most visited places. The only place I was really looking forward to see in Malaysia was The Petrona Towers. The spectacular structure of the two towers standing tall at a height of 452m is a view you can't take your eyes off. The elevator gives two stops - one at the 44th floor with a connecting bridge at the two towers and one on the 88th floor which has an observation deck. The views from both the spots will leave you spell bound.
Not just in broad day-light, the tower leaves you speechless when the lights are lit during the night. It's hard to not fall in love!
The next day, I headed to the 400 million years old Batu Caves. This is one the very famous Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan. The statue of the Lord stands tall at 42m high. If you are the type who loves your cardio and would not want to miss it even while you travel, well then the 300 odd steps of the Batu Caves are exactly what you need. Its a hell of a task to climb up but once you do and enter the caves, you are in for some gorgeous range of caves. The only thing to watch out for are the monkeys en-route to the top.
Malaysia being in the equatorial region, the temperature is fairly high hitting 30degrees with humidity all around the year. So make sure you get all dressy in your summer dresses in bright vibrant colours.
I then took an early morning flight to Singapore. My first impression of The Changi International Airport was WOW! The airport is extremely well organised with easy access to information that you otherwise scramble to find. I had requested for a late check-in and The Furama Hotel staff (yes, I booked them too in Singapore) politely obliged.
I loved Singapore as a city - extremely well planned, I had a metro station and a bus station close to my hotel. #TravelTip - always book yourself in a place that is close to a public transport station. This will definitely help when you have to budget explore the city on your own or in time of crises.
The stop at The Marina Bay, The Merlion and The Singapore Flyer are the attractions you wouldn't want to miss. I was most happy about having a capsule to myself in The Singapore Flyer which I missed in London.
Do take a stop in the evening at Gardens By the Bay. You will not be disappointed by the musical light show.
You visit Singapore and you don't have a day to visit The Universal Studio at The Sentosa Island, you would miss out on a lot of fun. I was like a girl in the candy store at The Universal Studios., spoiled for choices among-st the meet-and-greet session with your theme parks of Madagascar, Puss and the Boots, Jurassic Park to a name a few.
If you like the sea, then The S.E.A Aquarium is a must visit. You're sure to find beautiful fish species that make you in awe of the marine life forms we have. The best is The Dolphin Show to see and experience their world up-close.
Singapore also has waxed some of the famous personalities in Madame Tussauds Singapore. Get to be interviewed by Oprah, have your breakfast at Tiffinays or score a goal with Ronaldo. You have it all. If you want to feel home and patriot - a namaste from Modi will bring you back to India in a jiffy.
If you have an extra day, indulge in some shopping. Singapore offers you great brands and equally unique street shopping experiences. You can buy a whole new bag to fill in what you have shopped, just the way I did! :)
If you want to have a great first time international destination travel experience, Singapore is the place to be. Fun guaranteed!
I was overjoyed to plan an exhaustive week long itinerary with the must-see places. Although Malaysia was limited to just a couple of tourist attractions, Singapore had many more places to visit. It would not be wrong to call Singapore as efficient but an expensive city.
I landed in Kuala Lumpur late in the evening and drove straight to my hotel Furama Bukt Bintang in Kuala Lumpuer - very comfortable room. The first day was to explore the local city in their local transport. The best way to see and feel the local culture of any city is by interacting with the aam janta. Due to heavy showers the previous night, the weather was apt for the day scouting. I took the hop-on-hop-off bus in Malaysia which had decent pit stops at the most visited places. The only place I was really looking forward to see in Malaysia was The Petrona Towers. The spectacular structure of the two towers standing tall at a height of 452m is a view you can't take your eyes off. The elevator gives two stops - one at the 44th floor with a connecting bridge at the two towers and one on the 88th floor which has an observation deck. The views from both the spots will leave you spell bound.
Not just in broad day-light, the tower leaves you speechless when the lights are lit during the night. It's hard to not fall in love!
 |
| Daylight - The Petrona Towers |
 |
| Night - The Petrona Towers |
The next day, I headed to the 400 million years old Batu Caves. This is one the very famous Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan. The statue of the Lord stands tall at 42m high. If you are the type who loves your cardio and would not want to miss it even while you travel, well then the 300 odd steps of the Batu Caves are exactly what you need. Its a hell of a task to climb up but once you do and enter the caves, you are in for some gorgeous range of caves. The only thing to watch out for are the monkeys en-route to the top.
 |
| The Batu Caves |
Malaysia being in the equatorial region, the temperature is fairly high hitting 30degrees with humidity all around the year. So make sure you get all dressy in your summer dresses in bright vibrant colours.
I then took an early morning flight to Singapore. My first impression of The Changi International Airport was WOW! The airport is extremely well organised with easy access to information that you otherwise scramble to find. I had requested for a late check-in and The Furama Hotel staff (yes, I booked them too in Singapore) politely obliged.
I loved Singapore as a city - extremely well planned, I had a metro station and a bus station close to my hotel. #TravelTip - always book yourself in a place that is close to a public transport station. This will definitely help when you have to budget explore the city on your own or in time of crises.
The stop at The Marina Bay, The Merlion and The Singapore Flyer are the attractions you wouldn't want to miss. I was most happy about having a capsule to myself in The Singapore Flyer which I missed in London.
 |
| The Singapore Flyer |
 |
| The Marina Bay |
 |
| The Merlion |
Do take a stop in the evening at Gardens By the Bay. You will not be disappointed by the musical light show.
You visit Singapore and you don't have a day to visit The Universal Studio at The Sentosa Island, you would miss out on a lot of fun. I was like a girl in the candy store at The Universal Studios., spoiled for choices among-st the meet-and-greet session with your theme parks of Madagascar, Puss and the Boots, Jurassic Park to a name a few.
If you like the sea, then The S.E.A Aquarium is a must visit. You're sure to find beautiful fish species that make you in awe of the marine life forms we have. The best is The Dolphin Show to see and experience their world up-close.
Singapore also has waxed some of the famous personalities in Madame Tussauds Singapore. Get to be interviewed by Oprah, have your breakfast at Tiffinays or score a goal with Ronaldo. You have it all. If you want to feel home and patriot - a namaste from Modi will bring you back to India in a jiffy.
If you have an extra day, indulge in some shopping. Singapore offers you great brands and equally unique street shopping experiences. You can buy a whole new bag to fill in what you have shopped, just the way I did! :)
If you want to have a great first time international destination travel experience, Singapore is the place to be. Fun guaranteed!
