A Southeast Asian Adventure: Exploring Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Genting Highlands
It was 27 October in 2015 when I was about to leave for my first trip abroad with my cousins without any guardian. I was super excited because it was a 15day trip all by myself without any restrictions. The tour was covering Singapore,Kuala lampur and genting highlands.
We left for the airport around 7 in the evening as it was a overnight flight, our first stop was Singapore.
Around 6 in the morning we touched down Singapore at the changi airport and damn no wonder why it is rated as the best airport in the world. It was treat to the eyes to watch a mini replica of gardens by the bay at the airport with an artificial waterfall.
We got through the immigration and it was super smooth, and then we collected our baggage and stepped outside the airport and the then we saw the amazing skyscrapers of Singapore
It was a very new experience as we were just 19years of age and delhi-ncr was in the under development stage for such huge buildings. We took a cab from the airport and the cab driver left us surprised because he told us that he is 78 and retired from his previous job and the reason he was driving a cab was to keep him busy in later stages of his life. That was a reality check for me as the culture in India I saw was no work post retirement. So it was a lesson for me to never stop working because age is just a number.
We reached our hotel, it was located in a place called Little India. The Hotel Name was Hotel BOSS and it was super luxurious. We checked into our room and we were starving, we went to the hotel restaurant and ordered chicken biryani and samosa. We ordered samosa out of curiosity to know how will a samosa from Singapore will taste. We finished off our food and asked for the cheque and our bill was 34.5 SGD to which we all smiled and said “ bas 34.5dollar” to which later realised it was almost 2100rs. We went to our room and dozed off in a blink of an eye as we were tired and a tummy full of tasty but expensive food on the very first day of our trip.
We woke up in the late evening and were searching where to go tomorrow, so we went to the hotel lobby to know do they arrange day trip to the universal studios and yes they did. They charged us 100SGD for per person which included pickup and drop off to the hotel. After booking for the day trip we headed back to the room to get changed as the staff suggested as to go to the Clarke quay for a good first night in Singapore. We left for Clarke quay, took a cab which costed around 15SGD.
Our first expression of Clarke quay was amazing as it has restaurant,cafe on the bank of the river with Netherlands look alike boats as well. We ordered a beer bucket, we wanted to try their local beer. “Tiger” was the name of the beer and it was super smooth,worth a shot. We ordered chicken wings and told the waiter to make it spicy because our Indian taste buds can’t accept less spicy food. Yet the food wasn’t as spicy as we wanted but the chicken quality was amazing. Perfectly cooked I wood say.
We decided to walk our way to the hotel as we had a lot of beer and food. We had bloated tummies.
While walking we came across a red light, we waited on the foot path to turn the light green for the pedestrian but even after 10mins of waiting it didn’t turn green and we were confused whether the light is working or not. We were in doubts whether to cross the road the Indian way or not. Then a guy joins us and presses a button placed on the pole and with 10 seconds the light turned green. We were amazed because this was the first time we ever saw something like that. We discussed all the way walking to our hotel that this technology must be followed in the Indian traffic system.
So,this is the end of the very first and hell of a day for us in Singapore.
Day 2: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
We woke up around 6:30 in the morning because our schedule pick up was at 8PM.
We got and ready and headed to the lobby for our pick up, A mid age male was our driver for the pick up who was a fun guy with a great sense of humour.
We reached our destination in 15mins. And there were long line for the entrance.
After waiting for almost 20-25 mins we entered the Universal studios and it was magical. It was a fairly land to be honest, it was just amazing.
There were amazing rides on the themes of the movies produced by Universal studios.
We saw a roller coaster for the very first time and we were hell excited to ride it.
We went for the ride while looking at others who were in the ride, we were sceptical for a second because it looked scary but the YOLO attitude in us wanted to try it and yes we did it, and it was mind blowing.
We saw all the cultural shows and the theme park.
After exploring for almost 4 hours we were hungry and decided to have a meal at McDonald’s which was located in the food court of Universel Studios.
After a tiring yet a fun day we were heading to our hotel with tons of memories which I can’t describe in words.
Day 3: Sentosa Island adventure
We decided to Escape to the tropical paradise of Sentosa Island for a day of sun, sand, and adventure. Explore attractions like Adventure Cove Waterpark and relax on pristine beach of the sentosa island. We were sitting at a beachfront pool cafe at the and enjoying our chilled beers in this sunshine. There we got know about the history of sentosa island that it is a man made island which was made for the purpose of tourism and enjoyment of locals after hectic work days.
Day 4: After 3 days of enjoy we came to the last day of us in Singapore and we were suggested to go to Nature Retreat at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road Shopping.
We Spended our final day in Singapore reconnecting with nature at the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, home to lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and serene lakes. After the amazing experience at the Botanic garden we were indulged in shopping along the Orchard Road, Singapore’s premier shopping district, renowned for its upscale boutiques, luxury malls, and designer brands.
We saw all the luxury outlets which we only heard of as there was no DLF Emporio at that time. We bought some accessories from gucci and perfume from Ysl. They were pricey but worth the money as the quality was amazing and the fragrance was amazing and very long lasting.
#last day spent well.
We had a flight to catch at 8 in the morning for Kuala Lumpur.
Day 5 Kuala Lumpur – The Heart of Malaysia
Day 5: Arrival and Petronas Twin Towers
We landed at the KLIA and the journey from KLIA to the city was almost 100km which took us almost two hours to reach Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s dynamic capital city. We booked pan pacific hotel in Kuala Lumpur which was one of the best hotel of the city. We checked in and freshened up and decided to go to the marvel at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. We went to observation deck for panoramic view of the cityscape and it was truly amazing after that we went explore the Suria KLCC shopping mall at the base of the towers.
Day 6:Trip to Aquaria KLCC
Aquaria KLCC was a wonderful underwater world that shows the depths of the ocean without getting wet. It had vibrant coral reefs to mysterios sea creatures, every corner of Aquaria KLCC offered a glimpse into the wonders of marine life.
We saw a shark up close and it was huge and were shocked to know that it was appearing smaller due to the glass.
It was once in a lifetime experience.
After spending the afternoon with marine life we decided to spend the night with the amazing nightlife which Kuala Lumpur offered. They have this street called buckit bintang which offers different clubs and cafés and the nightlife was far better and cheaper than Singapore by a far margin.
Day 7: Modern Marvels and Foodie Delights
We went out to discover the city’s modern marvels at attractions like KL Tower and Kuala Lumpur City Gallery. We went to try Kuala Lumpur’s diverse food scene, sampling local favorites such as nasi lemak, roti canai, and satay at renowned street food stalls and authentic eateries.
Day 8: Day Trip to Batu Caves
We hired a taxi for the day trip to Batu caves as it is related to our Hindu culture and it has one of the biggest temple of lord Kartikeya। As soon we reached batu caves we awestruck by the large statue of lord kartikey and a series of limestone caves housing Hindu shrines. We had to walk approx 600 stairs to reach the entrance of batu caves. But post walking the stairs and going inside the temple we all felt spiritually energised.
Day 9-10: Genting Highlands – The City of Entertainment
Day 9: After exploring the caves,its day 9 and second last day of our first trip abroad. It’s our journey up to Genting Highlands, a hill station retreat perched at an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level. We experienced exhilarating attractions at Resorts World Genting which was huge with indoor and outdoor theme parks, vibrant entertainment,venues, and a world-class casino. Outdoor Adventures and Indoor Entertainment
We Spended our first day in Genting Highlands exploring the main attractions and entertainment options available at Resorts World Genting. From thrilling rides at the outdoor theme park to shopping at SkyAvenue Mall and catching live performances at the Arena of Stars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy amidst the cool mountain air.
Day 10: Farewell and Departure
As our unforgettable journey through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Genting Highlands comes to an end, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible experiences and memories we have created along the way. We Bid farewell to the vibrant cities and verdant landscapes of Southeast Asia, knowing that we have embarked a truly unforgettable adventure.
Conclusion
From the gleaming skyscrapers of Singapore to the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur and the scenic heights of Genting Highlands, this 10-day itinerary offered us a captivating glimpse into the diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences of Southeast Asia. If you’re seeking urban excitement, cultural immersion, or natural beauty, this Southeast Asian adventure promises to leave an indelible mark on your soul. So pack your bags, embark on this unforgettable journey, and let the magic of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Genting Highlands captivate your senses.