This was our first international trip together! We left Manila via Cebu Pacific on the 28th of March and since summer time is usually the peak season for travelling here in Manila as expected our flight got delayed due to air traffic. No biggie!
As we arrived at LCC Terminal, Malaysia, we had to walk about 5-7mins to reach the immigration. The queue at the Immigration was loooooong and snake like (no different from here in Manila when flights come in at the same time), it took about an hour before we got through. It was a quick process though, and instead of giving us a disembarkation card, they asked us to complete a biometrics of our left and right pointy fingers.
Day 1 of our Malaysia Adventure, it started out very gloomy and we prayed that it wouldn’t rain. Unfortunately, it has been raining in Kuala Lumpur for the past few days and its forecast for the weekend was the same.
We went to CENTRAL MARKET first, to buy our pasulubongs. It’s sort of like Greenhills where you can bargain while you shop. We didn’t stay there long since we had to make so many stops with so little time!
You can see the aura of the country, these were everywhere. There was even a gossip that the after race concert of Calvin Harris is cancelled because of what happened to flight MH370.
Then we went to GENTING HIGHLANDS next,
it’s located on the mountains and it was a long a winding road going up there. The weather was so gloomy as we arrived and fog was everywhere.
It was a good thing that we brought jackets because it was a bit chilly there.
The reason why we went there was to try out their indoor SKYDIVING, unfortunately it was already fully booked and we didn't get to try it.
So for those who are also interested in trying it out, we advise you to have earlier bookings so as to not get disappointed.
Their MAXIMS Hotel there is wayyyyy bigger that the one we have here in Manila. Too bad we weren’t able to see what it looked like inside as we were rushing to out next destination.
They are also building a new theme park.
As we reached BATU CAVES, it already started raining a bit but of course that did not stop us from taking pictures and admiring what BATU CAVES has to offer.
It greets you with a huge statue of Lord Murugan the tallest statue of Hindu deity in Malaysia and second tallest statue of Hindu deity in world, only second place to the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal. It also the tallest statue in Malaysia at 42.7 metres (140 ft) in height. It took 3 years of construction and unveiled in January 2006 during Thaipusam festival.
Normally people go there during the day, so it was the very first time that we saw the place with lights. Due to time constraint, we only had time to roam around the bottom, and wasn’t able to go up anymore…. Oh well, there’s always next time!
And our last destination for the day, the PETRONAS TOWERS. Since it was the night before the Formula 1 race there were tents outside the building related to F1, that area is usually the best place to take photos of the building so we had a hard time taking photos.
But we enjoyed roaming around inside the mall as it was full of posters and gift shops about FORMULA 1.
Day 2! Our SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT experience
This was primarily the reason why we came to KL during that particular weekend. It was both our very first time to watch a LIVE Formula 1 race.
We sat down at F grandstands and I tell you this is the best grandstand because 1. It’s not ultra expensive 2. The parking area is just at the back of the grandstand unlike other grandstands and 3. You have the view of Start/finish line, pit stop entry and at least 4 corners.
The race wasn’t going to start till 3:30 so we decided to take the shuttle and go to F1 Village first. We went to the Malaysian automobile museum , where it shows the evolution of cars especially in Malaysia. Then we set off, to hunt for the F1 goodies that we wanted to take home as souvenirs. We got ourselves a Ferrari cap, as well as a noise cancelling radio headphone.
Them wooden rims!
It would be advisable to have your brunch prior to going to the race since the place is so packed with people, plus there aren't much of a selection with the food and can get a bit pricey.
After our late lunch, we headed back to the grandstand and anticipated for an Air Show, but they didn't seem to have one (probably because they were expecting for the rain to pour at any time).
The Race started on time and people were screaming and shouting the teams they were rooting for. We were of course, TEAM FERRARI and shouted ALONSO whenever his car passed by our view. The start of the race is always the most exciting part! You would hear some people wishing for the rain to start pouring already because the race would be more dramatic whenever the tracks were wet, plus apparently it had always rained during the Sepang Race.
Beneath the grandstand, there were stalls where you can buy different kinds of food and drinks so we decided to take a look and bought ourselves a hearty snack while the race was about halfway through.
As expected, Hamilton won and we got pretty bummed out that our Alonso didn’t get a podium finish. It was a different feeling watching LIVE, as your hear the roaring of the cars your adrenaline starts to pump as well. Though of course, some would argue that watching the race on TV is wayyyy better since you get to see and hear everything that happens and even get to see the replays, but nothing can beat the camaraderie that you get from people screaming and shouting for the same team that you’re rooting for, the smell of burnt tires, hearing the roaring of the cars as it passed by and so on.
People went a bit crazy at the end of the race, and started to crawl under the fence to get in the track. Since it was practically the first time it didn’t rain during the race, this was also the first time the fans we able to get wild and crazy at the Sepang Race track. We also crawled!
This guy went a bit crazy and decided to climb the fence and didn't know what to do! (he was stuck there for quite some time because of his bag)
Walking on the actual race track was a whole other experience, and we didn’t even expect that we would be able to do that!
I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of NIKI LAUDA.
Look at this drunk dude right here, carrying the DRS sign.
Selfie time!
And of course the Stig's Malaysian cousin.
Our last stop was the Calvin Harris concert, we fought though our exhausted bodies from walking, shouting, crawling and danced the night surprisingly there were many Fillipina teenagers at the concert.
Sometimes you really can’t control what happens in a particular trip no matter how planned it was to begin with. All that matters is that being with the person you love and experiencing every bit of adventure together (good or bad). This will definitely not be the last time Sepang Race track will see the likes of us. Till next time!
