KL, Genting Trip 2006

This is the second trip to Malaysia in a month. However it is a different feeling altogether, perhaps, because of the companions that went together.

The trip started with an unpleasant incident whereby I forgot to collect one of the gift from the cab's boot. It was meant as a birthday gift for one of us. The dull moment dissipated as hours passed.

Even though it was a Monday, the Tuas Checkpoint was flooded with coaches. Just as we thought it was bad enough, we encountered the next major jam in Kuala Lumpur. We moved off at 0800hrs and we reached the destination at 1800hrs. 10 hours of journey is totally uncool.

We reached Royale Bintang Hotel, checked in and quickly had a dinner at Swensen's. The price of the food is half compared to that in Singapore. We noticed something interesting as well. The baked rice is wet in Malaysia but dry in Singapore.

Browsed a brief while in Sungei Wan Mall. Then, split up with the girls to return to Swensen's to get a birthday cake for the birthday girl.

Went back to hotel for some Mahjong sessions. Began to appreciate the game a little bit more. Then at midnight, one of us went to get the cake and came in to surprise the birthday girl. It had been a long day, so the cake went into the freezer and we closed in for the night.

The next day, we went up to Genting Highlands. The birthday girl got to know an economical way of getting there by taking a train and then a bus to the peak. Cost us less than RM10

We took this little ride as a kickstart. When I got down, I felt a little dizzy. The queues were long and we ended up with some brain twisting riddles to kill the time. Managed to solve some while still puzzled at the rest.

Luncheon is at Kenny Roger's. Affordable rate. Went on to a Ferris Wheel ride. From the ride, I noticed that the whole mall is decorated with some global significant buildings such as the Twin Towers of KL, the Big Ben of London, The Statue of Liberty of New York.

We also went for the bumper car. In the queue, most of them were small little kids. Some observations made were that there are actually kids that don't bump, but rather drive their way out to safe spots, and then encircling the rest

of the bumping cars.

Near evening, we went to the ride that defined the whole experience we had over there. It was a life-changing experience. An experience that emboldens one.

The ride is the tallest structure in Genting Highlands. It stood about ten-storey high. Each time, 12 brave souls are sent up to the top, given 10 seconds to view the scenery from above, and then scream as they drop all the way down within 3 seconds and get back up and down and up and down.

In the queue, I didn't think much of the ride. As I sat on the carriage, I began to ponder why in the first place did I place myself there. Soon, the park staff checked our safety belts and sent us up. I looked down. Nice scenery. You can practically see the whole Genting Highland from the top. Spectacular view. The 10 seconds of waiting was punishing in itself. Hugging the strap real tight, I awaited for the fall.

It occured just like that. My legs were raised up as the countering force pushed them up. The most terrifying moment I believed was only the split second when we drop. Because the 3 seconds are too fast to cause an impact. Felt some wobbly-ness when I alighted from the ride but I thought that was awesome.

We went for the ride again later on. All the same but just that this time the mist was thick. And I could feel the water condensing on my face on the way up.

Just when it was our turn at the roller coaster, the ride was closed due to the mist and rain. After some shopping and browsing, we took the bus back.

The next day, we went to Petaling Jaya thinking that Petaling Jaya was a shopping mall. It turned out to be a location. So we took a cab to 1Utama Shopping Mall and spent the rest of the day there. Evening, we went to Berjaya Times Square via a cab.

The cab driver was an interesting uncle. He shared with us his 20 years experience of driving a cab. He mentioned that most policeman aimed to be a traffic police because of the bribe amount that can be collected off the road. So most policemen will give their superior a few thousand ringgits to get their superior to post them to the traffic department. He also know of some top official at the traffic division that earns up to RM50000 just by collecting bribes.

Also, he shared with us the dangerous part of the life of a cab driver. He says a driver who have driven for 10 years will definitely face at least one burglary case in their career.

We watched the latest Bond movie, Casino Royale, at the Times Square. It was a midnight show. And then we made our way back to the hotel to continue playing mahjong before we slept for two hours.

The way back was a short one. Great trip, Great trip.