KL Sentral Bus Station

Genting Highlands….Tourist Gem on Titiwangsa Mountain Summit.

17 February 202017 February 2020travelingpersecond

Inexperienced to sleep in a room with a Central AC made me didn’t really sleep because of cold. The advantage which I got was keeping myself from welcoming the dawn which was slowly present. At 5:30am, I started bathing in shared bathroom.

That were all because of me. Agosto Inn staff were stunned and rushed to prepare a breakfast menu which was actually quite simple at dining table. Forgive me if it made you nervous, miss….Hahaha.

Pouring tea pot, baking white bread, stirring oatmeal and slicing sunkist oranges in a relaxed manner before Srilankans sat at the same table.

Me: “Hai….Hello….Are you from India?”. My first question to them.

Srilankan: “No, We are from Colombo”.

Me: “Oh, Srilanka”.

Srilankan: “Yeaa….Great, you know that”. Broadly smiling and inviting to shaking hands.

Me: “I hope I can go to your exotic country”

Srilankan: “Yes….You must go there”

You know, how long did I need to realize that hope?….Yup, 5 years later I was present in Colombo. A derfect dream.

45 minutes later, I already rode LRT Kelana Jaya to KL Sentral. I would catch first departure of Go Genting Express Bus at 08:00 hours.

My failure to got a ticket on my first day in Kuala Lumpur wasn’t repeated after a ticket was held before first departure time.

My ticket which including Genting Skyway fare.

Very happy when roar of “The Maroon Red” began to be heard at a corner towards KL Sentral Bus Station which is located on basement floor.

15 minutes before departure. Go Genting Express Bus get ready on its platform.

Bus seats which was full made the driver immediately work in his seat by stepping on gas pedal and then leave KL Sentral in a matter of minutes.

Damn….The first sight was a Chinese descent child who had to pee in front of my eyes. His urine entered perfectly into empty mineral water bottle which held by his mum which is pretty….Hhmmhh. She kept the bottle in a small trunk in front of her chair….I hope you weren’t wrong to take a bottle when you drink, Mam.

As far as 42 km, my eyes enjoyed Karak Expressway views together with Go Genting Express speed. An hour later, the bus slowly approached at Lower Genting Skyway Station precisely at Basement Level 4 (B4). I immediately moved to Genting Skyway Complex level T1 to boarding the cable car.

30 minutes hanging to Genting Highlands Station.

On 9:20 hours, I arrived at Genting Highlands Station which is integrated with First World Plaza. It is located at level 4.

Actually, my expectations to visiting Genting Highlands were just curious, there wasn’t intention to staying there at all because of my limited time to explore. As a result, I only allocated 2 hours to explore First World Plaza.

Because I arrived at First World Plaza on 4th floor, I was doing reverse exploration. Starting from 4th floor and ending on 1st floor. You need to know that what I currently visited was a 4 storey modern mall building.

Nice….The first thing that I did was stop by at a local food and beverage retail store which is very famous in Malaysia, Heng Heng Local Delights on 4th floor. Even though I didn’t know how to bring it home later because of my small backpacks and I am a person who anti-buying baggage planes.

Conventional trip….Still thinking of buying souvenirs….Hahaha

After shopping, I got around myself at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Adventureland and visiting Jurassic Research Center and taking time to play on PlayTime! Video Games Park which is part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

After visiting First World Indoor Theme Park on 4th floor, I returned to 2nd floor to visit Snow World.

I also took time to see Genting Casino which is really greedy because it occupies 2 floors at the same time at First World Plaza. It uses Level 1 and Level 2 for gambling business.

Thin difference: look to lose in gambling or can’t afford to gambling?.

After exploring entire floor of First World Plaza, I decided to return to KL Sentral for exploring Bukit Bintang, which is also a retail and fashion center in Kuala Lumpur.

Massive development by 21st Century Fox has turned Genting Highlands into an Asian and even world tourist gem.

For those who haven’t visited yet, please go a few hours to go there.

KL Sentral….Awesome Transit Oriented Building

11 February 202011 February 2020travelingpersecond

I don’t know how many times I’ve said KL Sentral as far as publishing this 221 traveling articles. I remember, I have five times traced this phenomenal building. Five years also, various sides and interesting moments which I stole from Kl Sentral languishing in external hard disk which neatly wrapped in a desk drawer in my bedroom….Room which continually give me many inspiration in conquering beauty of the earth.

It’s not fair, if its greatness isn’t shared with you. Because I’m sure that you will visit it someday….Or maybe, you have visited it but you don’t understand yet its details.

Operating 18 years ago, KL Sentral has played an important role in Malaysian tourism. KL Sentral meritorious in being the link between Malaysia’s first gate (i.e Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and important tourism spots in city center…. Fast, effective and efficient. Maybe that’s what will be pursued by Manggarai Central Station in 2021 (It’s a station central in Jakarta).

Gives you a basic view of KL Sentral. Here’s my best photo at KL Sentral level 1:

KL Sentral level 1 which seen from Nu Sentral mall on level 2.

KL Sentral level 1 was seen from Kelana Jaya Line platform on level 2.

KL Sentral Bus Station

Before exploring level 1, I will invite you to look at KL Sentral basement level. Why?….Because 100% of my arrivals to KL Sentral use the cheapest transportation mode….Yups, Skybus, Aerobus and Airport Coach which its tickets are only worth USD 3.1.

After passing through Stesen Sentral Street, bus will enter basement level and stop at shelter which sells Aerobus/Skybus/Airport Coach/Resort World Genting Bus tickets. While, behind escalator (is used to go up to level 1), you will find Rapid KL Free Bus shelter which is used by tourists towards Batu Caves.

Left is Airport Coach ticket counter to KLIA and right is Skybus/Aerobus ticket counter towards KLIA2

Direction sign to Rapid KL Free Bus to Batu Caves.

Twice, I went down to KL Sentral basement level and immediately left KL Sentral towards Westree Hotel (2018) and M&M Hotel (2019) through this corridor:

The corridor at Basement level leads to Tun Sambanthan Street.

This is appearance of Tun Sambanthan Street.

Nu Sentral Mall

If you want to continue your trip using KTM ETS (Kereta Tanah Melayu-Electric Train Service), Kelana Jaya Line LRT, Seremban Line commuter KTM, Monorail, airport train (KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit) you have to go up to level 1 KL Sentral using escalator near Skybus/Aerobus ticket counter.

Or….you can also go up to level 1 as access to go to Nu Sentral mall on level 2….Let’s look at Nu Sentral mall.

Connector escalator between several train gates on 1st floor to Nu Sentral mall which is on level2

Finished shopping at Nu Sentral mall, then look for pedestrian bridge to Tun Sambanthan Street. The pedestrian bridge is directly connected to Nu Sentral mall.

Direction sign towards Tun Sambanthan Street.

This is the pedestrian bridge which I mean.

Transportation Area

Before going back down to level 1, you should see where the monorail station is. The floor plan shows that KL Sentral monorail station is a separate building from KL Sentral itself. But not to worry because there is a connection bridge from KL Sentral to monorail station.

Yuhuuu….It was in front of monorail station gate.

Here it is, the monorail….On its way towards Titiwangsa Park.

Come on!….We explore 1st floor. This floor is allocated as access to various modes of train transportation.

Starting from commuter train. There are two commuter train lines in KL Sentral namely KTM Laluan Seremban and KTM Laluan Pelabuhan Klang.

Preparing to take KTM Komuter Laluan Seremban to Batu Caves.

That’s KTM Commuter platform in basement.

Besides KTM Commuter, the most popular transportation mode to city center in Kuala Lumpur is LRT (Light Rail Transit). LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya was the one which was lucky because it was the only chosen LRT which visited KL Sentral.

Ticketing vending machines….Where to buy LRT tokens (tickets).

*Automatic gates* menuju *platform* LRT Kelana Jaya di level 2.

Finally caught a picture of LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya at Pasar Seni Station.

Besides Skybus/Aerobus and Airport Coach, Malaysia tourism also presents KLIA Transit and KLIA Express which are premium trains to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Premium is certainly synonymous with expensive prices but certainly guarantees a comfort.

KLIA Transit ticket counter and its automatic gate

Eatery

Regarding food….As the biggest transit hub in Malaysia, KL Sentral certainly provides many eateries.

At level, there are several food and beverage shops such as La Cucur Express, Panettone (vegetarian food), Meals Station, I Love Yoo !, Chatime, Swiss Oven, Secret Recipe, Starbucks, Burger King, Ayam Penyet Express and many more.

Eat “Penang White Curry Bowl” at Panettone (2018).

Outside KL Sentral (around Tun Sambanthan Street), there are also some reasonably-priced food stalls with topnotch taste. I visited it because I often stayed around KL Sentral.

ABC Bistro Cafe….My hangout place around KL Sentral.

Nearest Cheap Hotels

Tun Sambanthan Street is an important road in Brickfields area. This area provides restaurants, shops and residences. Brickfields also provides many hotels from five-star hotels to budget-friendly hotels.

Westree Hotel during my Malaysia-Singapore trip on 2018

Hotel M&M while visiting an international event on 2019

So….Visit KL Sentral well and just enjoy its facilities.

Genting Highlands….Permata Wisata di Puncak Gunung Titiwangsa.

17 December 201918 December 2019travelingpersecond

Tak berpengalaman tidur di kamar berperangkat AC Sentral membuatku tak benar-benar terlelap karena kedinginan. Keuntungan yang kudapat adalah terjaganya diri menyambut fajar yang perlahan hadir. Jam 5:30 aku mulai membasuh badan di kamar mandi bersama.

Itu semua karenaku. Staff Agosto Inn terhenyak dan tergopoh pontang-panting menyiapkan menu sarapan yang sebetulnya cukup sederhana di meja makan. Maafkan aku jika membuatmu grogi begitu ya, mbak….Hahaha.

Menuang tea pot, memanggang roti tawar, mengaduk oatmeal dan mengiris jeruk Sunkist kulakukan dengan santai sebelum para Srilankan itu merapat ke meja yang sama.

Aku: “Hai….Hello….Are you from India?”. Pertanyaan yang sok tahu.

Srilankan: “No, We are from Colombo”.

Aku: “Oh, Srilanka”.

Srilankan: “Yeaa….Great, you know that”. Tersenyum lebar dan mengajak berjabat tangan.

Aku: “I hope I can go to your exotic country”

Srilankan: “Yes….You must go there”

Kamu tahu, perlu berapa tahun aku bisa mewujudkan harapan itu?….Yup, 5 tahun kemudian aku hadir di Colombo. Mimpi yang Sempurna….#peterpan.

45 menit kemudian, aku sudah meluncur bersama LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya menuju KL Sentral. Aku akan menangkap pemberangkatan pertama Go Genting Express Bus pada jam 08:00.

Kegagalan mendapatkan tiket pada hari pertamaku di Kuala Lumpur tak terulang setelah tiket tergenggam sebelum jam pertama keberangkatan.

Tiket yang sudah termasuk tarif Genting Skyway.

Girang sedikit ndeso ketika deru “Si Merah Maroon” mulai terdengar di tikungan merangsek memasuki KL Sentral Bus Station yang terletak di lantai basement.

15 menit sebelum keberangkatan. Go Genting Express Bus bersiap di *platform*.

Bangku yang tak tersisa membuat driver segera bekerja di kursinya dengan menginjak pedal gas dan meninggalkan KL Sentral dalam hitungan menit.

Damn….Pemandangan pertama adalah seorang anak berketurunan Tionghoa yang harus pipis di depan mataku. Air seninya masuk dengan sempurna ke dalam botol air mineral yang dipegang oleh mamanya yang lumayan….Hhmmhh….Canteeekkk. Disimpannya botol itu di bagasi kecil di depan kursinya….Moga ndak ketuker saat minum ya, Mam.

Sejauh 42 km, mata yang menyusuri pemandangan Karak Expressway beriring laju Go Genting Express. Satu jam kemudian, bus perlahan menepi di Lower Genting Skyway Station tepatnya di Basement Level 4 (B4). Aku segera berpindah ke level T1 Genting Skyway Complex untuk menaiki cable car.

30 menit bergelantungan menuju *Genting Highlands Station*.

Jam 9:20, tiba di *Genting Highlands Station* yang terintegrasi dengan *First World Plaza.* Letaknya di level 4.

Sebetulnya ekspektasiku berkunjung di Genting Highlands hanya sekedar ingin tahu saja, tidak ada niatan menginap disana sama sekali karena keterbatasan waktu ngelayap. Alhasil, aku hanya mengalokasikan waktu selama 2 jam untuk mengeksplore First World Plaza.

Karena tiba di First World Plaza lantai 4, berarti aku melakukan eksplorasi terbalik. Dimulai dari lantai 4 dan diakhiri di lantai 1. Perlu kamu ketahui bahwa yang kupijak saat ini adalah bangunan mall modern 4 lantai.

Gokil….Hal pertama yang kulakukan adalah mampir di toko retail makanan dan minuman lokal yang sangat terkenal di Malaysia yaitu Heng Heng Local Delights di lantai 4. Padahal tak tahu bagaimana cara membawanya pulang nanti karena kecilnya backpack dan anti membeli bagasi pesawat.

Jalan-jalan jadoel….Masih kepikiran beli oleh-oleh….Wekawekaweka **#geli**

Setelah berbelanja, berkelilinglah diriku di Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Adventureland dan mengunjungi Jurassic Research Centre dan menyempatkan bermain di PlayTime! Video Games Park yang merupakan bagian dari Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

Setelah mengunjungi First World Indoor Theme Park di lantai 4, aku kembali turun di lantai 2 untuk mengunjungi Snow World.

Aku juga menyempatkan diri melihat Genting Casino yang sungguh tamak karena menempati 2 lantai sekaligus di First World Plaza. Level 1 dan Level 2 dipakainya untuk bisnis judi itu….#gile

Beda tipis: tampang kalah judi atau gak mampu judi?….#geli

Selesai menjelajah keseluruhan lantai di First World Plaza, kuputuskan untuk kembali ke KL Sentral untuk melakukan eksplorasi Bukit Bintang yang juga merupakan pusat retail dan mode di Kuala Lumpur.

Bersiap pulang kembali ke pusat kota Kuala Lumpur.

Pembangunan besar-besaran oleh 21^st Century Fox telah mengubah Genting Highlands menjadi permata wisata Asia bahkan dunia.

Yang belum berkunjung dimari….Monggo silahkan melipir sebentar kesana.

KL Sentral….Bangunan Berorientasi Transit yang Mengagumkan

14 December 201924 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Entah berapa kali kusebut kata KL Sentral sejauh membidani 201 artikel kelayapan ini. Yang kuingat, aku telah lima kali menjejak bangunan fenomenal itu. Lima tahun pula, berbagai sisi dan momen menarik yang tercuri dari Kl Sentral mendekam dalam External Hard Disk terbungkus rapi dalam laci meja kerja di peraduanku….Kamar yang terus memberiku ilham dalam menaklukkan indahnya bumi.

Tak adil rasanya, jika kehebatannya tak terbagi kepada kalian. Karena aku yakin kalian akan menjejaknya jua suatu saat….Atau mungkin, kalian yang sudah menyambanginya tapi belum memahami detailnya.

Beroperasi 18 tahun lalu, KL Sentral memberikan peran penting dalam pariwisata Malaysia. KL Sentral berjasa menjadi penghubung antara gerbang pertama Malaysia (yaitu Kuala Lumpur International Airport) dan spot-spot penting pariwisata di tengah kota….Cepat, efektif dan efisien. Mungkin itulah yang akan dikejar oleh Stasiun Sentral Manggarai 2021.

Memberimu gambaran mendasar tentang KL Sentral. Inilah foto terbaikku di level 1 KL Sentral:

KL Sentral level 1 dilihat dari Nu Sentral mall di level 2.

KL Sentral level 1 dilihat dari platform LRT laluan Kelana Jaya di level 2.

KL Sentral Bus Station

Sebelum membedah level 1, aku akan mengajakmu menengok KL Sentral basement level. Kenapa?….Karena 100% kedatanganku ke KL Sentral menggunakan moda transportasi termurah….Yups, Skybus, Aerobus dan Airport Coach yang tiketnya hanya berharga Rp. 42.000.

Setelah melalui jalan Stesen Sentral, bus akan memasuki level Basement dan berhenti di shelter yang menjual tiket Aerobus/Skybus/Airport Coach/Resort World Genting Bus. Sementara dibelakang escalator (digunakan untuk naik ke level 1), kamu akan menemukan shelter Rapid KL Free Bus yang digunakan turis menuju wisata Batu Caves.

Kiri adalah konter tiket Airport Coach menuju KLIA dan kanan merupakan konter tiket Skybus/Aerobus menuju KLIA2

Petunjuk arah menuju Rapid KL *Free Bus* ke wisata Batu Caves.

Dua kali, aku turun di level basement KL Sentral dan langsung meninggalkan KL Sentral untuk menuju ke Westree Hotel (tahun 2018) dan Hotel M & M (tahun 2019) melalui koridor ini:

Koridor di level Basement menuju Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Ini loh penampakan Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Nu Sentral Mall

Jika kamu ingin meneruskan perjalanan menggunakan KTM ETS (Kereta Tanah Melayu- Electric Train Service), LRT laluan Kelana Jaya, KTM komuter Laluan Seremban, Monorail, kereta bandara (KLIA Ekspres dan KLIA Transit) kamu harus naik ke level 1 KL Sentral menggunakan escalator di dekat konter tiket Skybus/Aerobus.

Atau….kamu juga bisa naik ke level 1 sebagai akses untuk menuju Nu Sentral mall yang ada di level 2….Yuk lihat Nu Sentral mall.

*Escalator* penghubung beberapa *train gate* di lantai 1 menuju Nu Sentral mall yang berada di level2

Selesai berbelanja di Nu Sentral mall, maka carilah jembatan penyeberangan menuju jalan Tun Sambanthan. Jembatan penyeberangan orang (JPO) ini terhubung secara langsung dengan Nu Sentral mall.

Petunjuk arah menuju jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Inilah jembatan penyeberangan orang (JPO) yang kumaksud.

Transportation Area

Sebelum turun kembali ke level 1, kamu harus melihat dimana letak stasiun monorail. Floor plan menunjukkan bahwa stasiun monorail KL Sentral adalah bangunan terpisah dari KL Sentral itu sendiri. Tapi tidak perlu khawatir karena tersedia connection bridge dari KL Sentral menuju stasiun monorail.

Yuhuuu….Sudah di depan *gate* stasiun *monorail*.

Tuh dia, *monorail*nya…..Saat menuju Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

Yukkkk….Kita bedah lantai 1. Lantai ini dialokasikan sebagai akses menuju berbagai moda transportasi kereta.

Dimulai dari kereta komuter. Ada dua line kereta komuter di KL Sentral yaitu KTM Laluan Seremban dan KTM Laluan Pelabuhan Klang.

Bersiap naik KTM Komuter Laluan Seremban menuju Batu Caves.

Itu dia *platform* KTM Komuter di *basement*.

Selain KTM Komuter, moda transportasi menuju ke pusat kota yang paling populer di Kuala Lumpur adalah LRT (Light Rail Transit). LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya lah yang beruntung karena menjadi satu-satunya LRT terpilih yang menyinggahi KL Sentral.

*Ticketing vending machines*….Tempat membeli token (tiket) LRT.

Tertangkap juga wujud LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya di Stasiun Pasar Seni.

Selain Skybus/Aerobus dan Airport Coach, Pariwisata Malaysia juga menghadirkan KLIA Transit dan KLIA Express yang merupakan kereta premium menuju Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Premium tentu identik dengan harga mahal tetapi pastinya menjamin sebuah kenyamanan.

Konter tiket KLIA Transit beserta *automatic gate*nya.

Eatery

Perihal makanan,….Sebagai transit hub terbesar di Malaysia, pastinya KL Sentral menyediakan banyak eatery.

Di level 1 terdapat beberapai food and beverage shop seperti La Cucur Express, Panettone (vegetarian food), Meals Station, I Love Yoo!, Chatime, Swiss Oven, Secret Recipe, Starbucks, Burger King, Ayam Penyet Express dan masih banyak lagi.

Makan Penang White Curry Bowl di Panettone (2018).

Di luar KL Sentral (sekitar jalan Tun Sambanthan) juga terdapat beberapa kedai makanan yang cukup murah dengan cita rasa jempolan. Aku mengunjunginya karena sering menginap di sekitaran KL Sentral.

ABC Bistro Cafe….Tempat nongkrongku di sekitaran KL Sentral.

Hotel Murah Terdekat

Jalan Tun Sambanthan adalah jalur penting di daerah Brickfields. Daerah ini menyediakan restoran, pertokoan dan tempat tinggal. Brickfields juga menyediakan banyak hotel dari bintang lima hingga hotel dengan budget bersahabat.

Hotel Westree saat trip Malaysia-Singapura 2018

Hotel M&M saat mengunjungi sebuah event internasional 2019

So….Kunjungi KL Sentral dengan baik dan nikmati saja fasilitasnya.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->