Kuala Lumpur Vacation 13 June – 14 June 2009

Kuala Lumpur Vacation Day 1

This Kuala Lumpur vacation was planned in order to use up our Kuala Lumpur accommodation complimentary certificate which would be expiring soon. At the same time, since we were going into Malaysia, we decided to visit one of the Malaysia attractions close to Malacca, a durian and tropical fruit farm offering durian fruit buffet. We had also arranged to meet up with some friends and we would be speaking to them on the awakening enlightenment meditation retreat that would be held in Summerset Resort Rompin in November 2009. This would help to increase our holiday trips into Malaysia.

We left home at 0530 hrs hoping to avoid any long queues. However we had to stop by a petrol station to top up petrol to clear the ¾ tank rule that Singapore imposes on Singapore registered vehicles going out of the country.

The long queue of cars before Woodlands checkpoint

We were caught in a queue even before reaching Woodlands checkpoint and stuck for slightly more than half an hour before we managed to clear Singapore immigration and custom. Fortunately we managed to clear the Malaysian side pretty fast and we were on our way just before 0700 hrs.

On our way for our vacation

The Ayer Keroh/Bandar Melaka exit

We took the Ayer Keroh / Bandar Melaka exit just before 0900 hrs and made our way to one of the great attractions – Sim Koa Yen – a durian and tropical fruit farm. Located 22 km from Malacca town and embracing more than 4 hectares, Sim Koa Yen abuts the largest dam in Malacca, the Durian Tunggal Dam.

The Durian Tunggal Dam

Sim Koa Yen durian and tropical fruit farm

2.5 km from the main road, you have to travel along gravel road all the way passing by poultry farms and various plantations such as rubber and bananas before you reach Sim Koa Yen. At the entrance of Sim Koa Yen, you will need to open and close the red metal gate yourself to prevent animals such as cows from entering the plantation.

Banana plantation

Rubber plantation

The signboard by the main road

Sim Koa Yen has 29 different varieties of durian clones planted using only organic fertilizer and no chemical fertilizer, some of which include Jiabili, Cibei, Green 15, D24, D99, M Durian 88. Besides durian, other fruit trees planted include jackfruits, rambutans, mangosteens, dragon fruits and mangoes. A very interesting vacation as this is the first time I have been so close to the durian tree. This helped to make the vacation one of the most memorable holidays I have had.

Mangosteens

Rambutans

Belimbing, a small, green sour fruit

A giant 2kg jackfruit

Sim Koa Yen’s farming operations emphasise on environmental protection that protects the nature and ecology, conform to the international specification and care for consumer’s health and have been awarded the SALM, ‘Skim Akreditasi Ladang Malaysia’ or ‘Farm Accreditation Scheme of Malaysia’.

The durian fruit

One kg of durian costs RM15 (USD 4.25). We took the durian buffet which costs RM40 (USD11.30) per person and managed to try at least six different durian varieties before we were filled to the brim. Varieties such as the M Dur 88 do not have much meat and tends to stick to your teeth as you scrape the meat off the seed. The Cibei and the And Bak were nice, tasty and fleshy whereas the Green 15, a Thailand variety, was very meaty but lacking somewhat in fragrance.

Sim Koa Yen Durian & Tropical Fruit Farm

Going on a tour of the farm

The owner ,Mr Yap Peck Hoe, calculating the price of the durians

The hostel in the farm

After leaving Sim Koa Yen about 1100 hrs, we made our way to Jaya Jusco in Ayer Keroh. Here we met a friend of ours, Edwin, in Secret Recipe for a drink at about 1140 hrs and spoke about many things amongst which we basically shared with him the idea of “The Opening”, an awakening enlightenment meditation retreat that would be held for the first time in Asia this November in Summerset Resort Rompin. After hearing what we had to say, he was convinced and committed that he would be there at the event as well as sharing with his friends.

Jaya Jusco Ayer Keroh

Jaya Jusco now offers free parking for only the first 2 hours after which the car park fee is RM1 (USD0.30). We left Jaya Jusco Ayer Keroh just after 1400 hrs and stopped at Restoran Jejantas Ayer Keroh, a Rest & Relaxation stop to purchase a Touch 'n Go card for a friend of ours.

Outlets at Restoran Jejantas Ayer Keroh


& the outlet to top up or purchase your Touch 'n Go card or Smart Tag device, closed on Mondays

The Touch 'n Go card costs RM10 (2.80) and you can top up whatever amount you wish. If you drive often into Malaysia, whether on vacation or otherwise, and do not want to waste time at the toll booths by paying cash, the Touch 'n Go card would provide you a smoother journey. You only need to slow down at the Touch 'n Go and to tap your card on the sensor as you pass the toll booth.

Toll booth:- extreme left lane by cash, with the Touch 'n Go as well as the SmartTag lanes depending on your payment mode

Touch 'n Go Lane

Another alternative is the Smart Tag which costs RM100 (USD28.30) for the battery operated device. This still works with the Touch 'n Go card. Only difference is that you do not have to wind down your window to tap the Touch 'n Go card on the sensor. Just reduce your vehicle speed and keep a safe distance from the front vehicle when passing through the Smart Tag lane.

Smart Tag Lane

Stopping for just about fifteen minutes, we then continued on our journey to our Kuala Lumpur accommodation for this vacation, Hotel Capitol. After being caught in heavy traffic in Kuala Lumpur for almost an hour, we finally reached our accommodation for the night at 1700 hrs. Hotel Capitol is situated in the centre of Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle and is surrounded by the city’s main shopping district, a vibrant nightlife and the centre of commerce.

The entrance to Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur

Being part of the FHI (Federal Hotel International) Privilege Club, we still had another complimentary night stay voucher which would be expiring in July. As this is the last week of the Malaysian school holidays and the middle of the Singapore school holidays, both Federal Hotel and Capitol Hotel were fully booked and we were put on the waitlist. Fortunately for us, we managed to get a room for this weekend.


Hotel Capitol, our accommodation in Kuala Lumpur for this vacation

Our room was on the 17^th floor and overlooked Jalan Bukit Bintang where we could see various other hotels ranging from the budget accommodation to superior five star hotels. Simple and modern, the Capitol Hotel room came equipped with full amenities.

One of the Malaysia attractions, the KLCC Twin Tower, as seen from our room

After taking a break and freshening up, we decided to take a walk around the area. There are numerous shopping centres and food outlets all within walking distance of Capitol Hotel. A very convenient location. There were various other accommodations as well all within walking distances.

Various Kuala Lumpur accommodations as seen from our room

Royale Bintang Hotel

Bintang Warisan Hotel

Cardogan Hotel

Radius Hotel

Food outlet just a few steps away

Another food outlet close by

24 hour convenience store

Yet another 24 hour store

One of the main adhoc attractions

We met up with some old friends of ours, Fong and Jacey, for dinner at The Verandah in Federal Hotel, just around the corner. We had made reservations for the seafood and barbeque buffet dinner at RM40 (USD11.30) ++ per adult. This buffet dinner is only served on Fridays, Saturdays and ever of Public Holidays. For that price, you get quite a good scrumptious spread comprising a wide selection of seafood, barbeque meats, appetizers, hot and delicious international and local favourites, a-la-minute action stalls and mouth-watering desserts. Value for money indeed!

Dinner in The Federal Hotel, The Verandah

As we were members of the FHI, we had certificates for a bottle of wine and a cake as well. So we made full use of it. Oh, yes! And two welcome drinks too, your choice of alcohol or non-alcoholic drink.

The Verandah, 24 hours operation

The garden by The Verandah

It had been an interesting vacation so far and we were quite pleased with our Kuala Lumpur accommodation for the night. At the same time, being able to experience one of the Malaysia attractions and getting to eat our fill of durians, (one of our favourite fruits), helped make this vacation an exciting and memorable one. We were also glad that the two sets of friends whom we met up with today were all keen on attending the awakening enlightenment event which we highly recommend if you are looking at improving the quality of your life.