Backpacking Malaysia-KL 2015 New Year Celebration

This is it!  This is the day that I've been waiting for.
Its New Year's Eve Countdown.
From Bukit Bintang, there's a skybridge connecting Pavillion Mall to KLCC.  This is about 10-15mins walk only.

Around 9PM, I leave the hotel and since its still early, I searched for a nice view to take a photo of the KL Tower that I had to walk several blocks away from Bukit Bintang.

night view KL Tower

Then, I had to walk back going to Pavillion Mall

entrance going to Pavillion Mall

first time to see well lighted Petronas Tower, and its amazing.. 
seems like the two towers are holding hands... :)

I had to wait for two hours for the countdown, good thing, there's a live show in front of KLCC.  

after the fireworks, the Petronas Tower is covered with smoke..

Going back to the hotel was a nightmare.  Since there are a LOT of people around KLCC, I wasn't able to take the same route coming here.  I thought, taking the other route is just parallel from the skybridge, but I found out that I took the longest road going back to Bukit Bintang, I arrived 1:30AM.  Luckily, I was able to meet the Israeli couple who took the same route with me and we had a long chat while walking.

New Year's Day, time to leave KL but I still have some time to explore around so I decided to go to Chinatown.

I'm addicted to capture the KL Tower-hahaha...

Chinese lanterns in Jalan Petaling

There's this famous temple that I planned to visit in the morning, but when I got off the train station, it was completely deserted.  Though I know where to go, I still asked the guard for confirmation.  I need to cross the overpass bridge and walk along the highway going to the temple.  I felt the area is not secured for me to walk alone, so I decided to leave.

took this photo inside the train

Since I still have more time to explore, I decided to walk the same route the other night going to KLCC.  The scenery is different in the morning.

there's a public swimming pool in the park

Now its time to leave KL.  My solo travel here is very memorable.  Good thing, there's a Tous les Jours cafe in the corner of the street that's where I have my daily bread for breakfast.

last try of Laksa noodles at the airport while waiting for boarding

I still have few money left, so I computed the amount I need to buy frappe and sardine puff.  I miscalculated and forgot to include VAT, selling price here is always VAT exclusive, but upon paying, VAT is added to your total bill.  I asked the cashier to cancel the sardine puff as my money is short with few MYR.  Then from the back, the supervisor called "it's okay, for complimentary".  Whew.. Happy New Year from Gloria Jeans Kuala Lumpur Intl. Airport.  I got a free sardine puff. :)

Backpacking Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur

Its New Year's Eve of 2015, got to take the KL City tour before the countdown. 

at Bukit Bintang Intersection

the KL Tower at Bukit Bintang

inside the Berjaya Times Square, I can't remember the number of escalator they have..

I took the train to KL Sentral going to Batu Cave.  I'm thankful because the transportation system, trains to be exact, is very efficient and easy to follow.

this is the view where the train station ends

the monkey

Entrance to Ramayan Cave

at Ramayana Cave

there's a temple in between Ramayana Cave and Batu Cave, while I was passing, there's a lady muslim who's climbing the stairs of the temple.

the world's tallest statue of Murugan, aHindu deity, is located outside Batu Caves.

monkey's sprawling the stairs going to the cave

its noontime, and i'm climbing this 272 steps, I almost passed out.

glad I was able to reach the summit, this is what's inside the cave

Oh no! there's more stairs going to the temple

at the temple inside the Batu Cave

Backpacking Malaysia, Day 1-Malacca

     While growing up, wherever I go, either school, church or doing errands, there's always someone with me. That is why, this Malaysia tour is very memorable to me, as this is my first time to travel alone and in a foreign land.  

     My bucketlist includes celebrating New Year's Eve in different parts of the world and experience the New Year's countdown to its landmark.  This year, I decided to go to Malaysia, where the New Year's Countdown will be held in the famous Petronas Tower.  

     I arrived at KL Airport Dec 30, 2014, midnight.  It was my plan to spend overnight at the airport and go to my hotel in the morning for early check-in.  I'll just drop my bag and proceed to Melacca for day tour.

at Bukit Bintang intersection, road under construction that is why the traffic is congested.

     After checking-in, I was greeted by the male receptionist.  Because I got there early at7AM, and check-in should be 12nn, He let me proceed to my room already since he's self-confessed fan of Jericho Rosales/Christine Hermosa.  I was so happy to know that!  After checking-in, I then went back to KL Sental to proceed with my day tour to Malacca.  

     After 2hrs of travelling, I reached Melaka Sentral.  The Central Bus station of Melaka.

the Melaka Sentral Bus station

where to go from here?

The original Laksa, and other breads from Melaka

Minnie Mouse inspired Trishaw and there
are a lot more different Trishaw theme.

    After my walking tour in Jonker St. I then proceeded to my main destination.  I asked the Trishaw driver how much is going to Island Mosque, and he told me to take the taxi instead.  I hailed a taxi and asked the driver to bring me to the Mosque.  I then talked to the driver if he can wait for me and bring me back to the Sentral after I roam around the Mosque, we agreed he'll wait for 30mins for me.

Upon entering the gate to Melacca Straits Mosque, known as Island Mosque to locals

Before I entered the Mosque, I was asked to cover my head.  Luckily I have my shawl with me,
but there's rented shawl just in case.

there's nothing much to see inside the Mosque

it is called Island Mosque because it was built above the waters.