It would take a little longer to take a free service to the inn than riding the LRT “Laluan Kelana Jaya”. But in order to get around for the lack of Ringgit, I still decided to just take the free service of Go KL City Bus.
Hurrying to leave KLCC Park, I headed towards the KLCC bus stop which is located right in front of Suria KLCC. Arriving under the bus stop auspices, the green line of the “Free Bus Service” had been waiting for its passengers.
I rode it to reach the interchange point between lines, namely the Pavilion bus stop. From there I would catch the Go KL City Bus purple line to reach the Pasar Seni Bus Hub, the closest bus stop to my accommodation, namely The Bed Station.
—-****—-
Cheating underhandedly, I stepped up The Bed Station stairs, hoping not to be spotted by the receptionist when I crossed the inn’s front door. It was because I had checked out that morning, but that time, I forced myself to take a shower in the inn’s shared bathroom on the 3rd floor.
I made it through the reception room on the 2nd floor, at a glance I saw the reception staff were busy serving the inn’s guests who seemed to only just be arriving, indeed I arrived when the check-in period had opened.
Quickly moving, I immediately took a shower to clean all the sweat after walking around town that morning.
As soon as I finished bathing, I immediately went down to the reception desk to pick up the backpack I had left since morning.
The long queue at the reception desk made me invisible when I just came down from the top floor which wasn’t my right to enter it again, let alone to do any activity on that floor….Damn, Donny.
—-****—-
Succeeding to get a backpack, I rushed to Pasar Seni LRT Station which is only 200 meters from the inn.
When I arrived, I rushed to the automatic vending machine to exchange 1.3 Ringgit for a round blue token. That token would guarantee me to move toward KL Sentral.
The LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya with four wagons arrived to pick me up on the second-floor platform, and then I was following its spinning wheels heading to KL Sentral, which wasn’t even one station apart.
Within 15 minutes, I arrived at KL Sentral….
Down the escalator, I arrived at the first floor, and without long thinking, I immediately rushed to the basement level. I had an advantage in that I memorized the whole layout of KL Sentral, at least I had visited that famous transportation hub seven times. That was what made that so easy for me to reach the Aerobus ticket sales counter.
Aerobus is transportation from KL Sentral to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) which offers cheap travel when compared to using taxis, the KLIA Transit train, or the KLIA Ekspres.
I handed over 12 Ringgit to get a ticket to the airport.
—-****—-
A quarter of an hour past four in the afternoon….
After traveling for 45 minutes, I arrived at the 1st floor of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. I was dropped off at one of the platforms at the transportation hub at Gateway@klia2.
Even though my flight would take place at nine in the evening, that didn’t stop me from going straight to the 3rd floor to see more detailed flight information. As usual, I was always detailed and strict about flight schedules, at least that afternoon I had to find out the number of the check-in desk I would exchange my e-ticket for a boarding pass and at what gate my plane would take off.
I couldn’t hide a slight smile from my lips when I managed to get that information on the giant LCD on the 3rd floor.
“17:20, it turns out….”, I thought when I found out when the check-in desk would open.
I decided to do the last congregational prayer in the mosque on the 2nd floor and of course, planned to have dinner afterwards.
Not as usual when I was looking for food at KLIA2. That afternoon the regular restaurant serving cheap Indian food was closing. Was NZ Curry House whose location was covered by renovation boards.
But I don’t bother….
In 2015, I ate at a food court located on the 2M floor. I slightly forgot the position of the food court. But I intended to look for it until I found it. There was a padang-typical restaurant that offers cheap food in the food court.
“That’s it….”, I cheered inside when I saw the food court from a distance.
“Quizinn by RASA….”, I recited the name of that food court.
“Restoran Padang Kota Group….”, yupzzz I saw the restaurant I was looking for.
Presumably not able to linger, I headed for the Padang-typical restaurant and then looked for a menu according to the condition of my wallet. That was when my Ringgit would run out.
Fifteen minutes before checked-in, I was finally able to enjoy a portion of rice for 5.9 Ringgit. That was the rice I ate after I last ate it a day before.
Level 2 Gateway@klia2.
View from Gateway@klia2 Floor 2M.
Several restaurants at Gateway@klia2.
So, that was Quizinn by RASA food court.
My menu that night: White rice, hard-boiled eggs, and vegetables.
Taking a seat, I enjoyed the dinner and then got ready to take my flight.
The sun was at the peak of its power when I decided to retreat from Petronas Twin Towers’ yard. I couldn’t hide the wry smile on the corner of my lips and felt like I was a traveler who didn’t understand priorities just because I visited the Twin Towers right in the middle of the day.
I tried to make peace with myself and intended to make up for that mistake by presenting a new destination in my adventure history. Not a prestigious place, but it could make up for my priority error before. On the other side, this place could be the right spot to drown out the sun’s arrogance.
I stepped towards the east. While trying with all my heart to resist the temptation of the magnificent Suria KLCC gate, the shopping paradise in downtown Kuala Lumpur. How could it not be, a long line of classy four-wheeled vehicles willingly queued in front of it while the visitor’s flow kept flowing in and out of this upscale shopping center?
Arriving at the two-section road on the east side of Suria KLCC, I continued heading south. I still tried to hide from the sun under the palm trees that line up neatly in the middle of the sidewalk….yupzz, a single sidewalk that perfectly divides the road into two lanes.
Slowly, at the end of the road, lush large trees began to appear, giving the city a contrasting atmosphere. It was as if I was heading to an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle of the city.
Even from afar, I was able to feel the fresh air blowing from that green area. Automatically made me speed up my steps toward it. After passing over an underpass base, I found a green area’s gate.
This was Kuala Lumpur City Center Park….People knew it as KLCC Park.
I entered the park from its entrance which was on the left side of the KLCC Park Office building. Entering the park, I took a seat in the resting area which was in a gazebo form right on the east side of Symphony Lake. Wooden benches with concrete legs can be seen scattered all over the park, placed under the shade of large trees whose identities were displayed in barcodes on yellow paper and taped to each stem.
Perhaps this was where the most favorite part of the park was because visitors could intensely stare at the patterned fountain against the background of the Petronas Twin Towers which were supported by Suria KlCC’s low-extended buildings. As if I didn’t want to quickly leave my sitting position.
The city park with a Brazilian-style architectural touch began to be traced deeper when I started to get up from my seat. Stepping along its jogging track, I decided not to pass a bridge that connects Symphony Lake and the children’s pool.
I preferred to pass the jogging track on the north side to get closer to the KLCC Park Children’s Pool. The crowd and coolness that appeared at the children’s pool held back my power to look away. Instead of leaving, I was unconsciously leaning on one of the benches at the edge of the pool.
The main actor in the pool with a depth of just above the ankles was a sculpture of a jumping white whale which was dramatized with the help of a fountain in the tail. While the sculpture of two dolphins also jumped on its side. In addition, the walls of the pool decorated with artificial waterfalls were very inviting for children to get wet under them.
A perfect concept, when the Children’s Pool was juxtaposed with the Children’s Playground in the east. This allowed children to choose one of them or even play in both alternately. Like a Children’s Playground in general, this section was filled with swings, seesaws, and rides up-down stairs with the playground’s floor covered with Ethylene Prophylene Diene Konomer which created a soft and safe tile sensation for children.
For finally….
My adventure in the park ended on a stretch of grass perfectly circled by a jogging track.
It was past noon…
I had to have lunch before returning to the inn and in the end I would stop at the airport to determine my next steps.
Since the afternoon before, my Ringgit had run out and was only enough for the budget to take the bus to the airport and had dinner in it later…..So I decided to eat from a potluck lunch, especially if it wasn’t the same menu as last night’s dinner and breakfast that morning….That was oat powder which only need to be watered with mineral water. A circle of jogging tracks with grass in the middle became the backdrop for my lunch that day.
KLCC Park Tasik Simfoni (Lake Symphony Fountain) on the west side.
Jogging track and bridge linking Lake Symphony and Children’s Pool.
Cool and chill garden atmosphere.
KLCC Park Children’s Pool was right in the middle of the park.
KLCC Children Playground.
KLCC Children Playground.
The spot I found for lunch.
KLCC Park, a one-hectare city park….
It was a simple place that I had wanted to visit since 2014, but I had visited it many times or just stopped by in Kuala Lumpur, and many times I had failed to visit it, of course, the big obstacle was the very difficult time available each time I visited Kuala Lumpur.
This is my best redemption with the success of stopping by that afternoon. I deliberately pushed my way through the traffic jam to Kuala Lumpur City Center but I didn’t put my intention on the Twin Towers but on my main goal that day….KLCC Park.
I left the park feeling happy…Time to go back to the inn, pack up, and went to the airport.
Akan sedikit lebih lama menempuh jalur gratis menuju penginapan dibandingkan menunggangi LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya. Tetapi demi menebus ketiadaan Ringgit, aku memutuskan untuk mengeteng saja dan memanfaatkan jasa Go KL City Bus.
Bergegas meninggalkan KLCC Park, aku melangkah menuju halte bus KLCC yang terletak tepat di depan Suria KLCC. Tiba di bawah naungan halte, deretan armada “Perkhidmatan Bas Percuma*1)” jalur hijau telah menunggu para penumpangnya.
Aku menunggangnya untuk menggapai titik pertukaran antar jalur, yaitu halte bus Pavilion. Dari situlah aku akan menangkap Go KL City Bus jalur ungu demi menggapai Pasar Seni Bus Hub, halte bus terdekat dari penginapanku, yaitu The Bed Station.
—-****—-
Mengendap-endap curang, aku menaiki tangga The Bed Station dengan penuh harap tak terpergok resepsionis ketika melintas di depan pintunya. Itu karena aku sudah men-check out masa inapku tadi pagi, tetapi kali ini, aku memaksakan diri untuk mandi di kamar mandi bersama lantai 3.
Aku sukses melewati ruang resepsionis di lantai 2, sekelebat kulihat staff resepsionis itu sedang sibuk melayani tamu-tamu penginapan yang tampak berdatangan, memang aku tiba ketika masa-masa check-in telah dibuka.
Bergerak cepat, aku segera mandi untuk meluruhkan segenap keringat setelah sedari pagi tadi berkeliling kota.
Begitu selesai berbasuh, aku segera turun ke meja reception untuk mengambil backpack yang telah kuititipkan sedari pagi.
Penuhnya antrian di meja resepsionis membuatku tak terlihat ketika baru turun dari lantai atas yang sebetulnya sudah bukan menjadi hak bagiku untuk menaikinya lagi, apalagi untuk beraktivitas apapun di lantai itu….Dasar, Donny.
—-****—-
Berhasil mendapatkan backpack, aku bergegas melangkah menuju Stasiun LRT Pasar Seni yang berjarak hanya 200 meter dari penginapan.
Begitu tiba, aku bergegas menuju automatic vending machine untuk bertukar 1,3 Ringgit dengan token bulat berwarna biru. Token itulah yang akan menggaransiku untuk bisa berpindah menuju KL Sentral.
LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya bergerbong empat tiba menjemputku di platform lantai dua, untuk kemudian aku larut dalam putaran roda kereta menuju KL Sentral yang jaraknya tak berselang satu stasiun pun.
Dalam 15 menit, aku tiba di KL Sentral….
Menuruni escalator aku tiba di lantai satu dan tanpa berfikir panjang segera bergegas menuju basement level. Aku punya satu keuntungan bahwa segenap denah KL Sentral telah kuhafal di luar kepala, setidaknya sudah tujuh kali aku menyambangi transportation hub kenamaan Negeri Jiran tersebut. Hal itulah yang membuatku dengan mudah menggapai konter penjualan tiket Aerobus.
Aku menyerahkan 12 Ringgit untuk mendapatkan selembar tiket menuju bandara.
—-****—-
Seperempat jam lewat dari pukul empat sore….
Setelah menempuh perjalanan 45 menit, aku tiba di lantai 1 Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2. Aku diturunkan di salah satu platform di transportation hub di Gateway@klia2..
Walaupun penerbanganku akan berlangsung pukul sembilan malam, hal itu tak menyurutkan langkahku untuk segera menuju lantai 3 untuk melihat informasi penerbangan lebih detail. Seperti biasa, aku selalu detail dan strict perihal jadwal terbang, setidaknya sore itu aku harus mengetahui di check-in desk nomor berapa aku akan menukar e-ticket dengan boarding pass serta di gate berapa pesawatku akan di lepas.
Senyum tipis tak bisa kusembunyikan dari bibir ketika aku berhasil mendapatkan informasi itu di LCD raksasa lantai 3.
“Jam 17:20, ternyata….”, aku membatin ketika mengetahui kapan check-in desk akan dibuka.
Aku memutuskan untuk melakukan shalat jamak takhir di surau lantai 2 dan tentu berencana mencari makan malam setelahnya.
Tak seperti biasanya ketika aku mencari makan di KLIA2. Sore itu restoran langganan yang menyajikan makanan murah khas India sedang tutup. Adalah NZ Curry House yang lokasinya tertutp oleh papan-papan renovasi..
Tapi aku tak ambil pusing….
Pada 2015, aku pernah makan di sebuah food court yang berlokasi di lantai 2M. Aku sedikit lupa posisi food court itu. Tapi aku berniat mencarinya hingga ketemu. Ada restoran ala padang yang menawarkan makanan murah di food court tersebut.
“Itu dia….”, aku bersorak dalam hati ketika melihat food court itu dari kejauhan.
“Quizinn by RASA….”, aku melafal nama medan selera*2)tersebut.
“Restoran Padang Kota Group….”, yupzzz aku melihat restoran yang kucari.
Kiranya tak bisa berlama-lama, aku menuju restoran ala padang itu kemudian mencari menu sesuai dengan kondisi dompet. Inilah saat dimana Ringgitku akan habis.
Lima belas menit sebelum check-in akhirnya aku bisa menikmati seporsi nasi seharga 5,9 Ringgit. Inilah nasi yang kumakan setelah terakhir aku memakannya kemarin siang.
Lantai 2 Gateway@klia2.
Pemandangan dari Gateway@klia2 Lantai 2M.
Beberapa restoran di Gateway@klia2.
Nah, itu dia Quizinn by RASA food court.
Menuku malam itu: Nasi putih, telur rebus kandar dan sayuran.
Mengambil sebuah tempat duduk, aku menikmati makan malam itu dengan khusyu’ untuk kemudian bersiap diri melakukan penerbangan lagi.
Apakah aku akan pulang?….
Tidak….Justru petualangan sesungguhnya baru akan dimulai.
Aku akan terbang menuju sebuah kota di selatan India….KOCHI.
Matahari berada pada puncak kekuasaannya ketika aku memutuskan undur diri dari pelataran Petronas Twin Tower. Aku sendiri tak bisa menyembunyikan senyum kecut di ujung bibir dan merasa menjadi pejalan yang tak faham prioritas hanya karena membesuk Menara Kembar tepat di tengah hari.
Aku mencoba berdamai dengan diri sendiri dan berniat menebus kesalahan itu dengan menghadirkan sebuah destinasi anyar dalam sejarah petualangan. Bukan tempat yang prestisius, tetapi bisa saja menjadi penebus kesalahan prioritas itu. Di sisi lain, tempat ini bisa menjadi spot yang tepat untuk meredam angkuhnya surya.
Kulangkahkan kaki menuju timur. Sembari mencoba sekuat hati demi menolak godaan megahnya gerbang Suria KLCC, si surga belanja di pusat kota Kuala Lumpur. Bagaimana tidak, deret panjang kendaraan roda empat berkelas rela mengantri di depannya sedangkan arus pengunjung tak henti-hentinya mengalir keluar-masuk di pusat perbelanjaan kelas atas tersebut.
Setibanya di jalan dua ruas tepat pada sisi timur Suria KLCC, aku melanjutkan langkah menuju selatan. Aku tetap berusaha menyembunyikan diri dari sengatan surya di bawah pohon-pohon palem yang berjajar rapi di tengah trotoar….yupzz, trotoar tunggal yang membelah sempurna jalan menjadi dua jalur.
Perlahan, di ujung jalan sana mulai tampak rimbunnya pokok-pokok besar yang menghampar memberikan suasana kontras kota. Seakan aku menuju ke sebuah oasis di tengah rimba beton kota.
Dari jauh pun aku sudah mampu merasakan segarnya udara yang terhembus dari area hijau itu. Otomatis sukses membuat diriku mempercepat langkah menujunya. Usai melintas di atas pangkal underpass, aku menemukan gerbang area hijau tersebut.
Inilah Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park….Khalayak mengenalnya singkat sebagai KLCC Park.
Aku memasuki taman dari jalur masuk yang berada pada sisi kiri bangunan Pejabat Taman KLCC (KLCC Park Office). Memasuki kawasan taman, aku mengambil tempat duduk di kawasan rehat yang berbentuk gazebo tepat di sisi timur Simfoni Lake. Bangku-bangku kayu berkaki beton tampak tersebar di seluruh penjuru taman, diletakkan di bawah naungan pokok-pokok besar yang identitasnya tertampil dalam barcode pada kertas berwarna kuning dan tertempel di setiap batangnya.
Mungkin disinilah bagian taman terfavorit karena para pengunjung bisa menatap intens air mancur bepola dengan latar belakang Petronas Twin Tower yang dipangkali oleh bangunan rendah memanjang Suria KLCC. Seolah aku tak sudi untuk meninggalkan posisi duduk cepat-cepat.
Taman kota dengan sentuhan arsitektur ala Brasil mulai tertelusur lebih dalam ketika aku mulai bangkit dari tempat duduk. Melangkah menulusuri jogging track, aku memutuskan tidak mengambil jalur jembatan yang menghubungkan Tasik Simfoni dan Kolam Kanak-Kanak.
Aku lebih memilih jogging track sisi utara demi mendekatkan diri ke KLCC Park Children’s Pool. Keramaian dan kesejukan yang tertampil pada Kolam Kanak-Kanak itu menahan kuasaku untuk berpaling. Alih-alih pergi, aku pun tak sadar telah bersandar di salah satu bangku tepian kolam.
Aktor utama pada kolam berkedalaman sedikit di atas mata kaki tersebut adalah sculpture paus putih melompat yang terdramatisasi dengan bantuan air mancur di bagian ekor. Sedangkan sculpture dua ekor lumba-lumba ikut melompat di sisinya. Ditambah dinding-dinding kolam yang terhias dengan air terjun buatan sangat mengundang minat anak-anak untuk membasahkan diri di bawahnya.
Sebuah konsep sempurna, ketika Kolam Kanak-Kanak itu disandingkan dengan Taman Permainan Kanak-Kanak di timurnya. Hal ini memungkinkan anak-anak bisa memilih salah satunya atau bahkan bermain di keduanya secara bergantian. Seperti Taman Permainan Kanak-Kanak pada umumnya, bagian ini dipenuhi dengan ayunan, jungkat-jungkit dan wahana up-down stairs dengan lantai taman permainan berlapiskan Ethylene Prophylene Diene Konomer yang menciptakan sensasi ubin lembut dan aman bagi anak-anak.
Untuk akhirnya….
Petualanganku di taman itu berakhir pada sebuah hamparan rumput yang dilingkari sempurna oleh jogging track.
Sudah lewat tengah hari…
Aku harus makan siang sebelum pulang ke penginapan dan pada akhirnya nanti akan berlabuh di bandara demi menentukan langkah selanjutnya.
Dari kemarin sore, Ringgitku habis dan hanya cukup untuk anggaran naik bus ke bandara dan makan malam di dalamnya nanti…..Jadi kuputuskan makan dari bekal seadanya, apalagi kalau bukan menu yang sama dengan dinner semalam dan sarapan tadi pagi….Yaitu serbuk oat yang hanya perlu disiram dengan air mineral. Lingkaran jogging track dengan hamparan rumput di tengahnya menjadi latar makan siangku hari itu.
KLCC Park Tasik Simfoni (Lake Symphony Fountain) di sisi barat.
Jogging track dan jembatan penghubung Tasik Simfoni dan Kolam Kanak-Kanak.
Suasana taman yang sejuk dan dingin.
KLCC Park Children’s Pool tepat di tengah taman.
KLCC Children Playground.
KLCC Children Playground.
Spot yang kutemukan untuk makan siang.
KLCC Park, taman kota seluas satu hektar….
Adalah sebuah tempat sederhana yang ingin kusasar sejak 2014, tetapi berkali-kali megunjungi ataupun sekedar singgah di Negeri Jiran, berkali-kali pula aku gagal mengunjunginya, tentu kendala besarnya adalah waktu yang susah sekali tersedia saat setiap kali berkunjung ke Kuala Lumpur.
Inilah penebusan terbaikku dengan keberhasilan menyinggahinya siang itu. Sengajanya aku merangsek membelah kemacetan menuju Kuala Lumpur City Centre ternyata tidak kuletakkan pada Si Menara Kembar, tetapi pada tujuan utamaku hari itu….KLCC Park.
Aku keluar dari taman dengan perasaan bahagia…Saatnya pulang ke penginapan, beberes dan pergi ke bandara.
A flight to Kuala Lumpur, which was barely caught due to race with time along Jakarta-Serang toll road, was added with pale faces due to the bitter interrogation of Malaysian immigration staff because of my inconclusive appearance, then making my heart and spirit go high together with my success first steps to leave the KLIA2 immigration counter.
Guys …. My journey in Kuala Lumpur for first time began. Very happy at that time. My fridge magnet will add to be three. Yes like that, number of fridge magnets in my house shows how many countries I have visited….Later when I have visited 100 countries, I will buy a refrigerator as high as my house ceiling. So I can put all fridge magnets on it….Hahaha.
—-****—-
The trip that had been planned since 9 months before departure was finally realized. Still couldn’t believe when I really entered this neighbor country. The itinerary which I detailed in three sheets had taken me to the following 24 destinations:
1.KL Sentral
KL Sentral is the first stopover which is often used by travelers before exploring Kuala Lumpur. Yes, most public transportations from KLIA will end here.
KL Sentral was indeed built by Malaysian government as a transit-oriented transportation building. No wonder, this transportation center is never empty of visitors.
Beware, Donny…Your zippers.
For the first time, arriving here on the first day of my journey, at exactly 11:23 hours. I took time to explore Nu Sentral which is a shopping mall which is integrated with this modern building.
2. Batu Caves
The time that was too late to begin my trip to Genting Highlands made me choose this Hindu temple as my next stop. Located in Gombak area which is 15 km north of KL Sentral with a distance of 40 minutes travel time making the yellow statue of “Dewa Murugan” as the favorite icon in Kuala Lumpur after Petronas Twin Tower.
So, if you can’t use a tripod….Ask someone else to just take a your photo, Donny!….Huh.
90 minutes is more than enough time to dispel my curiosity about the cave which is located in a 400 million-year-old limestone hill.
3.Suria KLCC
After returning from Batu Caves and after hunting for hotels in Pasar Seni area which ended with staying at Agosto Inn, in a light drizzle I hurried to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC). KLCC is center of Kuala Lumpur which offers a modern shopping mall i.e Suria KLCC, a row of five-star hotels, iconic view of Petronas Twin Tower and a large urban park (KLCC Park).
Even though I don’t like shopping, I’m just curious to see this mall which has 350 tenants. The Suria KLCC architecture is in crescent shape when viewed from above….Cool, huh. And you need to know that Suria KLCC construction is an integrated project with Petronas Twin Tower.
4.Petrosains
Before leaving Suria KLCC, I made time to visit Petrosains in 4th floor. Petrosains is Petronas’s petroleum education site, a Malaysian oil giant. Simply set aside Rp. 35,000 to study in Petrosains.
What are you doing….?
5. Petronas Twin Tower
Right to the left of Suria KLCC exit, I finally found the phenomenal twin building. Soft drizzle which accompanied me to enjoy Petronas Twin Tower was unable to drive me out of front yard of the tallest twin building in the world.
Security: “Get Downnnnnnn…..!”
Petronas Twin Tower is the last destination on the first day of journey. Rest faster at Agosto Inn to prepare myself for Genting Highland tomorrow.
6.Genting Skyway
On 6:30 hours, seeing my presence at dining table made hotel staff seem rushed to prepare breakfast which was only oatmeal, orange sunkist, toast and warm drinks which I could take as much as I could from tea and coffee pots.
A morning that was still very quiet I passed to KL Sentral to catch the first bus to Genting Highlands which will depart at 08:00. By paying for a round trip ticket from KL Sentral to Genting, USD 5.5 (price in 2014, in 2019 price have gone up to USD 6.3) I arrived at Genting Highlands 1 hour 15 minutes later.
First time riding a cable car….
That price includes Genting Skyway ride. While the one-way price for this transportation mode is USD 2. The gondola’s lower station is in Gohtong Jaya and its Upper Station is in Maxims Hotel, Genting Highlands.
7. Genting Highlands
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at Genting Highlands after hanging in the eight-persons seat gondola
The main purpose of second day journey, which had to give up my all time in second day was taken away. Deprivation which absurdly excites me . Hope, there was a repetition like this at another time.
Watch out, Donny! Don’t be in the middle of way!….Many people want to pass.
Two hours I explored the resort at top of Mount Titiwangsa in northeast of Kuala Lumpur. If you have much money, you can spend the night in Genting. But passing every mall without shopping, restaurants without taking lunch and casino without gambling, surely that’s me who has never had enough money to do all that.
8.Bukit Bintang
I just needed to reverse my departure way so I could go back to KL Sentral.
15: 30 hours….”Wow, I can still explore,” My thought cheering. Bus, done!….LRT, done!….Commuter, done!….MRT, not yet Donny!, they werw still seen dredging the ground next to Pasar Seni. So what will you ride next?
I decided to try the only monorail route in Kuala Lumpur. When else can I ride it if not now?. This is also my first time riding a monorail which three years later I rode the same mode for free at Sentosa Island, Singapore….Yup, that was Sentosa Express.
Don’t be too long, Donny!. Many people in your back, wait for took photos too.
The famous destination on KL Monorail Route is Bukit Bintang. Bearing a title as the most famous shopping and entertainment venue in Kuala Lumpur makes Bukit Bintang as the most popular retail center which is always hunted by shopping enthusiasts, from housewives, office workers to young women and even tourists.
Aren’t you a tourist, Donny? … No, sir. I’m just a fortunate wanderer who was given a chance to travel around 25 countries….Plakkkk Plakkkk Plakkkk…I hit you, Donny!
9.Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (Titiwangsa Park)
Killing time in a city park at north of city center was my journey’s closing on second day. Founded in former of tin mining during British colonialism made it reasonable by existence of a large lake as former of mining activities.
Sorry viewers….I ran out of battery when in the park….That was better picture.
At four o’clock in afternoon, I was present in the park in a crowd of extraordinary citizens’ activities. Until maghrib pray call reminded me that I wasn’t in “Bluntas Park” (the park name which is closest my home in Jakarta….Hahaha). The mean was, time began to expel me to immediately leave Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (Titiwangsa Park) and better spend my evening near hotel where I stay overnight.
10.Hop On Hop Off Bus
Time is indeed unfriendly when confronted with curiosity. Suddenly I was pushed into last day of journey. Long exploration time is successful in compromising with my tired calf veins in affecting my brain. Then my brain whispered, “Just relax in spending last day in Kuala Lumpur, Donny!“.
USD 11.6, I was forced to give it to double decker bus tour guide…. It’s called HOHO bus….Or, Hop On Hop Off bus.
Hurry up!….Don’t trap in the evening.
HOHO Bus Stop No. 09, located in Central Market, made it easy for me to catch it….It took less than 5 minutes to reach it from Agosto Inn. Not accepting loss, I insisted on visiting several tourist destinations along HOHO bus line.
11.Istana Negara
“Only 15 minutes. After that, every ladies and gentlemen can go back to bus or join to next bus“, her voice became clearer with presence of a mic under guide’s lips. Her face was beautiful within hijab (girl moslem wear ). She Made me melt.
Beware don’t cling to wall !….You could make the wall dirty, Donny….Huh
I rushed away as fast as I could to approaching palace gate. Took a picture with palace guard who stands like a statue and a very tame palace horse even though dozens of different faces took turn taking pictures with it.
12.Dataran Merdeka
A large square adorned with an iconic Mughal-Moor building becomes my next stop. Sultan Abdul Samad is name of the building. Sultan Abdul Samad himself was the leader of Selangor state which was famous for moving capital city of Selangor from Klang to Kuala Lumpur.
Yes….Not bad pose.
The plain is known as Dataran Merdeka, the place where Malaysia independence from British colonial government was declared.
13.KL Tower
HOHO bus which didn’t stop for long time at that communication tower, didn’t make me give up. I nimbly jumped out of bus and a second later HOHO bus left me in KL Tower yard.
Hurry up got in bus!…. Don’t be long time.
I would explore KL Tower before heading to Muzium Negara (State Museum).
If you have more guts, go to Sky Box!, if you want to lunch in an elegant way then try revolving restaurant! ,then go to observation deck to catch beautiful view of Kuala Lumpur city closer to your eyelids!.
Me?….I missed the first two parts. My wallet was only able to put me in the last part….It was better than nothing.
14.National Museum of Malaysia
Want to quickly know about culture of a nation?….Come to its national museum!.
For this reason I was present at Muzium Negara (National Museum of Malaysia). The journey of Malaysians from time to time is clearly displayed in this museum. Starting from prehistoric life….Kingdom life….Even the story of Majapahit Kingdom (Biggest Kingdom in Indonesia) is here.
Like I’ve never seen train before….Huh.
The nuances of Kuala Terengganu kingdom seem to strongly influence this museum architecture which looks so magnificent.
The Malaysian struggle session from British colonialism closed the history learning session at this building which is located on Jalan Damansara.
15.Taman Tasik Perdana(Perdana Botanical Garden)
Hop On Hop Off slowly entered into Kuala Lumpur green area….Amazing, this was the famous Taman Tasik Perdana (Perdana Botanical Garden).
Known as Lake Garden, this park was my best solution to stay away from hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur city which gradually made my ears noisy.
Hi, don’t stick!….Hahaha.
I saw how happy Kuala Lumpur people picnic as a family, swinging their feet along jogging track, rowing a boat on a beautiful lake and I was dissolved with my steps to enjoy green trees which cooling surrounding air.
16.Kuala Lumpur Orchid Park
The colors of flowers were like a magnet which pulled me closer. I was cheerful when a park signboard whispered information that I didn’t need to pay a cent to enter it.
Hi, don’t step on the grass!….Wew, ask for a fight.
A woman with wide hat greeted me with a happy smile. Her duty in arranging the park was finally visited by a thin-pocketed traveler. Without embarrassment, the traveler also posed in front of camera which held by the woman….Already entered, free of charge, also gave an order to catching a picture…. Beuh, plaaaaaakkkk#hitmyface.
17.Kuala Lumpur Deer Park
“Ma’am….Is there something where doesn’t require an entrance ticket in Perdana Botanical Garden?“, I asked without shame
“There, Sir….There is deers across. At the end of this road then turn right “, She said mixed with a smile.
Beuh, if it’s free, don’t ask….Donny is the best searcher and Donny will be the fastest to visiting. As fast as lightning, I was already inside Kuala Lumpur Deer Park.
Hahaha….Similar
All visitors who all quickly entered the park and also quickly left it. In contrast to me who really enjoy behavior of those deers whose its brothers like to steal cucumbers in Indonesia (Indonesia have famous story about a deer that love to steal farmer’s cucumber).
Beuh….Those deers dung beat my bad habit….Free attraction hunter.
18.Kuala LumpurBird Park
The biggest bird’s nest in the world. Home for three thousand birds. This time there was no mercy for my wallet. USD 10.2 flew just to see birds freely roam in the park.
Don’t touch the sign, Donny!….It can collapse….Huh
If you go there, you will find a mandarin duck which for the first time I saw it. Don’t forget to also take part in feeding program for KL Bird Park “residents“!.
19.National Mosque
Exiting Perdana Botanical Garden, HOHO bus drove me to perform Asr prayer at National Mosque.
Be polite!….
National Mosque, which is capable of accommodating 15,000 worshipers, was established to give thanks to God for country’s independence from colonial government without bloodshed.
Feel coolness of main room with soft carpet while worshiping in this mosque. Guaranteed peace and make sleepy.
20.Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
I slowly moved away from Perdana Botanical Garden area to return to city center. Apparently, I had circled the city 360 degrees, because I had arrived again at Dataran Merdeka. This time I was visiting Kuala Lumpur City Gallery.
Like a villager.….Hahaha
Do you want to know about Kuala Lumpur city development plan?
Want to know also how much Malaysia’s income from tourism?….Fantastic.
Want to know too, what building which they want to build to defeat Petronas Twin Tower which actually has also become the tallest one in entire world?
Just pay USD 1.2 and enter into it….It’s great, I guarantee.
21.National Textile Museum
Yup, there was still a little more time…..
Crossing road in Dataran Merdeka, I was shocked by existence of National Textile Museum. No need to spend money to visit it.
Be saw by security guard from inside…..
The museum, which is placed inside a building which is more than a decade old, offers historical and cultural journeys through a series of typical Malay fabrics which are displayed therein. Also some of relics of Kuala Terengganu’s artistic objects which must have been luxury items in its era
22.Petaling Street
Goodbye Hop On Hop Off bus, thank you for taking me to know Kuala Lumpur.
I immediately headed to hotel to pick up a backpack which I had left in receptionist since morning because my stay finished at 12:00 hours.
But yes, back to the habit….Not wanting to lose against time which kept rolling, I pushed toward Petaling Street which is close to hotel.
You want to shop….Do you have money, Don?
Petaling Street is center of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Quite crowded when I enter it and explore each stalls which offer a variety of souvenirs and food.
You have to eat roasted chestnuts….It’s delicious, oath!
23.Pasar Seni (Central Market)
It was getting darker….No need to worry, my flight was still tomorrow. A thing which limited me was LRT’s last operating hour, which was 23:00 hours.
I only needed a few minutes to move from Petaling Street to Central Market. Sitting and enjoying culinary time in Petaling didn’t make me realize that the dark had begun to acquire the day. Maybe it was also because of my tiredness which had conspired with the dark to make me forget
Borrowing pictures from someone (year 2019).
“Ma’am, what can i get with this amount of money?….Just packing as avail as possible, ma’am. Just a souvenir, Ma’am….Don’t pack foods. I want to go back to Jakarta” words which indicate that I was tired and couldn’t think anymore to choose souvenirs.
24.Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2)
Only a few minutes before 21:00 hours, I closed curtain of my journey in Kuala lumpur. It was time to head to airport which will be my bed on the last night. Combination of traveling using LRT Kelana Jaya and Skybus made me arrive at KLIA2 at a little over 22:00 hours.
He who had a Central Market picture above….He came from future….Wow!
Hi, man….Airport is not a tourist destination….Yakss, for you maybe not….For me is yes, because I often invest time in exploring airport which for the first time I visited.
For me, KLIA2 is an exotic place like a seven star hotel which has contributed to taking me around the world.
Already finish….Need three days to write this article. The longest article which I’ve ever written. This article have 2,679 words, Wow.
Penerbangan ke Kuala Lumpur yang hampir tak tertangkap karena beradu cepat dengan waktu di sepanjang tol Jakarta-Serang, dibumbui dengan pucat pasinya wajah akibat interogasi staff imigrasi yang judes karena penampilanku yang tak meyakinkan, membuat hati dan asaku malambung tinggi bersamaan dengan langkah pertamu meninggalkan konter imigrasi KLIA2.
Gaes….Perjalananku di Kuala Lumpur untuk pertama kalinya dimulai. Seneeenggg banget waktu itu. Magnet kulkas ku akan bertambah menjadi tiga. Begitulah adanya, jumlah magnet kulkas di rumahku menunjukkan berapa banyak negara yang sudah kukunjungi…..Nanti kalau sudah mengunjungi 100 negara, aku akan beli kulkas setinggi langit-langit rumah. Biar muat nempelin magnet-magnet itu….Hahaha.
—-****—-
Perjalanan yang sudah direncanakan sejak 9 bulan sebelum keberangkatan ini akhirnya terwujud. Masih tak percaya ketika diriku benar-benar memasuki negeri jiran itu. Rencana perjalanan yang kutuangkan secara detail di tiga lembar itinerary telah mengantarku menuju 24 destinasi berikut:
1.KL Sentral
KL Sentral adalah persinggahan pertama yang sering digunakan para petualang sebelum menjelajah Kuala Lumpur. Ya iyalah, kebanyakan transportasi umum dari KLIA akan berujung di sini.
KL Sentral memang dibangun pemerintah Malaysia sebagai bangunan transportasi berorientasi transit. Tak khayal, pusat transportasi ini tak pernah sepi pengunjung.
Awas mas….Resleting.
Untuk pertama kalinya, tiba disini di hari pertama kelayapanku, tepat pukul 11:23. Aku menyempatkan diri untuk sejenak mengeksplorasi Nu Sentral yang merupakan shopping mall yang terintegrasi dengan bangunan modern ini.
2. Batu Caves
Waktu yang terlalu siang untuk memulai perjalanan ke Genting Highlands membuatku memilih kuil umat Hindu ini sebagai persinggahanku berikutnya. Berlokasi di daerah Gombak yang berjarak 15 km di utara KL Sentral dengan jarak tempuh 40 menit menjadikan patung kuning “Dewa Murugan” menjadi ikon terfavorit di Kuala Lumpur setelah Petronas Twin Tower.
Makanya, kalau ga bisa main tripod….Minta orang lain fotoin aja….Huh.
90 menit menjadi waktu yang lebih dari cukup untuk menghilangkan rasa penasaranku akan gua yang terletak di sebuah perbukitan kapur berusia 400 juta tahun itu.
3.Suria KLCC
Sekembali dari Batu Caves dan seusai berburu hotel di daerah Pasar Seni yang berakhir dengan hinggapnya langkah di Agosto Inn, dalam gerimis ringan aku bergegas menuju Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). KLCC adalah pusat kota Kuala Lumpur yang menawarkan shopping mall modern yaitu Suria KLCC, deretan hotel bintang lima, pemandangan ikonik Petronas Twin Tower dan taman kota yang luas (KLCC Park).
Walau tak gemar berbelanja, aku hanya penasaran ingin melihat langsung mall yang memiliki 350 tenant ini. Arsitektur Suria KLCC konon berbentuk bintang sabit jika dilihat dari atas….Keren ya. Dan perlu kamu tahu bahwa pembangunan Suria KLCC adalah proyek terintegrasi dengan Petronas Twin Tower.
4.Petrosains
Sebelum keluar dari Suria KLCC, aku sempatkan untuk mengunjungi Petrosains di lantai 4. Petrosains adalah tempat edukasi perminyakan milik Petronas, raksasa minyak milik Malaysia. Cukup menyisihkan Rp. 35.000 untuk belajar di dalam Petrosains.
Ngapain siiih….
5. Petronas Twin Tower
Tepat di sebelah kiri pintu keluar Suria KLCC, aku akhirnya menemukan bangunan kembar fenomenal itu. Gerimis lembut yang menemaniku menikmati Petronas Twin Tower tak mampu mengusirku segera dari halaman depan gedung kembar tertinggi di dunia itu.
Security: “Turuuuuuuunnnn…..”
Petronas Twin Tower adalah destinasi terakhir di hari pertama kelayapan. Lebih cepat beristirahat di Agosto Inn untuk mempersiapkan diri menuju Genting Highland di keesokan harinya.
6.Genting Skyway
Jam 6:30, Melihat kehadiranku di meja makan membuat staff hotel itu terkesan tergesa-gesa menyiapkan sarapan pagi yang hanya berupa oatmeal, jeruk sunkist dan toast serta minuman hangat yang bisa kuambil sepuasnya dari tea and coffee pots.
Pagi yang masih sangat sepi kulalui menuju KL Sentral untuk menangkap bus pertama menuju Genting Highlands yang akan berangkat pukul 08:00. Dengan membayar tiket pulang pergi dari KL Sentral ke Genting sebesar Rp. 73.000 (harga pada tahun 2014, tahun 2019 harga sudah naik menjadi Rp. 85.000) aku tiba di Genting Highlands 1 jam 15 menit kemudian.
Pertama kalinya naik cable car….Clingak-clinguk, ndeso!
Harga segitu sudah termasuk naik Genting Skyway. Sementara harga sekali jalan untuk moda transportasi ini adalah Rp. 28.000 (Tahun 2019). Lower station gondola ini berada di Gohtong Jaya dan Upper Stationnya berada di Maxims Hotel, Genting Highlands.
7. Genting Highlands
Dua puluh menit kemudian, aku tiba di Genting Highlands setelah bergelantungan di dalam gondola berpenumpang delapan orang itu
Tujuan utama hari kedua yang harus merelakan waktu sehariku dirampas begitu saja. Perampasan yang membuatku girang bukan kepalang. Berharap ada repetisi seperti ini di lain waktu.
Awas, bang jangan di tengah jalan !….Kasian orang lain mau lewat.
Dua jam aku menapaki resort di pucuk gunung Titiwangsa sebelah timur laut Kuala Lumpur. Kalau kamu punya uang berlebih bisalah bermalam di Genting. Tapi melewati setiap mall tanpa berbelanja, restoran tanpa menyempatkan makan siang dan casino tanpa berjudi, pastinya itu adalah aku yang tak pernah memiliki uang cukup untuk berhura suka macam itu.
8.Bukit Bintang
Tinggal membalik cara berangkat maka aku bisa pulang kembali ke KL Sentral.
15:30….”Wuih, masih bisa ngelayap”, batinku bersorak. Bus, sudah….LRT, sudah….Komuter, sudah….MRT, belum jadi bang, mereka masih terlihat mengeruk tanah di sebelah Pasar Seni. Naik apa lagi dong?…..
Kuputuskan mencoba satu-satunya jalur monorail di Kuala Lumpur. Kapan lagi aku bisa menaikinya. Ini juga menjadi yang pertama kali aku menaiki monorail yang tiga tahun kemudian aku menaiki moda yang sama secara gratisan di Sentosa Island, Singapura….Yup, itu Sentosa Express.
Jangan lama-lama, belakang nungguin mau foto juga tuh.
Tujuan terkenal di Laluan Monorel KL adalah Kawasan Bukit Bintang. Menyandang predikat sebagai tempat perbelanjaan dan hiburan paling terkenal di Kuala Lumpur menjadikan Bukit Bintang sebagai pusat retail terpopuler yang selalu diburu para penggemar belanja, dari ibu rumah tangga, pegawai kantoran hingga pemudi pemuda bahkan para wisatawan.
Bukannya kamu wisatawan, Donny?….Bukan, bang. Aku cuma tukang kelayapan yang beruntung diberi kesempatan keliling dunia hingga 20 negara…..Geplaaakk-Geplaaakk-Geplaaakk.
9.Taman Tasik Titiwangsa
Killing time di sebuah taman kota di utara pusat kota adalah penutup petualangku di hari kedua. Didirikan di bekas pertambangan timah semasa kolonialisme Inggris menjadikannya maklum dengan keberadaan danau besar bekas galian pertambangan itu.
Maap pemirsa….Aku kehabisan batre pas ditaman….Itu aja ya.
Pukul empat sore, aku sudah hadir di taman itu dalam keramaian aktivitas warga yang luar biasa. Sampai-sampai adzan maghrib mengingatkanku bahwa aku sedang tidak berada di “Taman Bluntas”(nama taman terlayak yang dekat dengan tempat tinggalku). Artinya, waktu mulai mengusirku untuk segera meninggalkan Taman Tasik Titiwangsa dan lebih baik menyambut rasa aman di hotel tempatku menginap saja.
10.Hop On Hop Off Bus
Waktu memang tak bersahabat ketika dihadapkan dengan rasa penasaran. Mendadak aku di dorongnya memasuki hari terakhir petualangan. Waktu yang tak sedikit berhasil berkompromi dengan urat betis dalam mempengaruhi otak. Lalu otak berbisik, “Santai saja menghabiskan hari terakhir di Kuala Lumpur, Don”.
Rp. 157.500 terpaksa kuserahkan kepada pemandu wisata bus tingkat macam Routemaster milik negeri ratu Elizabeth itu. Bukan Routemaster ….Itu namanya HOHO….Atau kerennya Hop On Hop Off.
Buruan naik….Keburu soreeee.
HOHO Bus Stop No. 09 yang terletak di Central Market memudahkanku untuk menangkapnya….Tak sampai 5 menit untuk mencapainya dari Agosto Inn. Tak terima merugi, aku bersikeras mengunjungi beberapa destinasi wisata sepanjang jalur bus HOHO.
11.Istana Negara
“Cukup 15 menit saje, setelahnya tuan-tuan dan puan-puan bise kembali ke bus atau ikut bus berikutnye”, suara itu semakin jelas dengan keberadaan mic di bawah bibir sang pemandu. Duh cantiknya wajah melayu berhijab itu. Membuatku luluh.
Awas jangan nempel-nempel….Bikin kotor tembok.
Aku bergegas melarikan diri secepat mungkin mendekat gerbang istana. Berfoto dengan penjaga istana yang berdiri bak patung dan kuda istana yang sangat jinak walau berpuluh-puluh wajah berbeda silih berganti berfoto dengannya.
12.Dataran Merdeka
Lapangan luas dihiasi gedung ikonik bergaya Mughal-Moor menjadi persinggahan berikutnya. Sultan Abdul Samad adalah nama bangunan itu. Sultan Abdul Samad sendiri adalah pemimpin negara Selangor yang terkenal karena memindahkan ibu kota Selangor dari Klang ke Kuala Lumpur.
Ya….Mayan lah posenya.
Dataran itu dikenal sebagai Dataran Merdeka, tempat dimana kemerdekaan Malaysia dari pemerintah kolonial Britania Raya di deklarasikan.
13.KL Tower
HOHO yang tak begitu lama berhenti di menara komunikasi itu, lantas tak membuatku menyerah. Aku melompat dengan gesit keluar dari bus dan sedetik kemudian HOHO meninggalkanku di pelataran KL Tower.
Sonoh naeekkk….Jangan lama-lama.
Aku akan mengeksplorasi KL Tower sebelum menuju Muzium Negara.
Kalau kamu punya nyali, masuklah ke Sky Box, kalau mau makan siang dengan cara elegan maka cobalah revolving restaurant lalu pergilah ke observation deck untuk menangkap pemandangan kota Kuala Lumpur lebih dekat di pelupuk mata.
Aku?….Dua bagian pertama kulewatkan. Dompet hanya sanggup memasukkanku ke bagian terakhir….Lumayan lah daripada tidak sama sekali.
14.Muzium Negara
Mau mengenal budaya suatu bangsa dengan cepat?….Datanglah ke museum nasionalnya.
Untuk itulah aku hadir di Muzium Negara Malaysia. Perjalanan bangsa Malaysia dari waktu ke waktu terpampang jelas di museum ini. Mulai dari kehidupan prasejarah….Kehidupan berkerajaan….Bahkan cerita tentang Majapahit pun ada disini.
Kayak ga pernah liat kreta aja….Huh.
Nuansa kerajaan Kuala Terengganu nampak kuat terasa mempengaruhi arsitektur museum ini yang tampak begitu megah.
Sesi perjuangan bangsa Malaysia dari kolonialisme Britania Raya pun menutup sesi belajar sejarah di bangunan yang terletak di Jalan Damansara itu.
15.Taman Tasik Perdana
Perlahan Hop On Hop Off memasuki kawasan hijau Kuala Lumpur….Warbiasah, ini Taman Tasik Perdana yang tersohor itu.
Terkenal dengan sebutan Lake Garden, taman ini adalah solusi terbaikku untuk menjauhi hiruk pikuk kota Kuala Lumpur yang lama-kelamaan membuat bising telinga.
Nempel….Denda.
Kulihat betapa bahagia warga Kuala Lumpur berpiknik sekeluarga, mengayun kaki di sepanjang jogging track, mendayung perahu di danau nan cantik dan aku pun larut bersama langkahku menikmati hijaunya pepohonan yang mendinginkan udara sekitar.
16.Taman Orkid Kuala Lumpur
Warna-warni bunga itu bagai magnet yang menarikku mendekat. Riang tak berkira ketika papan nama itu membisikkan informasi bahwa aku tak perlu membayar satu sen pun untuk memasukinya.
Dilarang menginjak rumput!….Wah, ngajak berantem.
Seorang ibu dengan caping lebar menyapaku dengan senyum karena bahagia. Karyanya menata taman itu akhirnya dikunjungi seorang pengelana berkantong tipis….Tanpa malu pula si pengelana berpose di depan kamera yang dipegang Sang Ibu….Udah masuk gratisan, nyuruh-nyuruh pulak….Beuh, plaaaaaakkkk.
17.Taman Rusa dan Kancil
“Bu….Ada sesuatu yang tak memerlukan tiket masuk untuk berwisata di Taman Tasik Perdana?”, pertanyaanku yang tak berkemaluan.
“Ada, Dik….Ada kancil di seberang. Di hujung jalan tu belok kanan”, ucapnya bercampur senyum.
Beuh, kalau gratisan jangan ditanya….Donny jagonya cari dan paling cepat hadir. Secepat kilat, aku sudah berada di dalam Taman Rusa dan Kancil.
Mirip….
Para pengunjung yang semuanya begitu cepat memasuki taman itu lalu dengan cepat pula meninggalkannya. Berbeda denganku yang begitu menikmati tingkah para kancil yang saudara-saudaranya suka mencuri timun di Indonesia.
Beuh….Bau kotoran kancil itu mengalahkan kebiasaan burukku….Pemburu wisata gratisan.
18.Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur
Sarang burung terbesar di dunia katanya. Rumah bagi tiga ribu ekor burung. Kali ini tak ada ampun buat dompetku. Rp. 138.000 melayang hanya untuk sekedar melihat para burung bebas terbang berkeliaran di dalam taman ini.
Jangan pegang-pegang plang….Awas rubuh….Huh
Kalau kamu kesana coba kau cari bebek mandarin yang baru pertama kali juga aku melihatnya. Jangan lupa ikuti juga acara pemberian makan bagi para penghuni KL Bird Park.
19.National Mosque
Keluar Taman Tasik Perdana, HOHO mengantarkanku untuk menjalankan ibadah shalat Ashar di National Mosque.
Sok sopan…..
Masjid Negara yang mampu menampung 15.000 jama’ah ini, didirikan untuk mensyukuri kemerdekaan negara dari pemerintah kolonial tanpa pertumpahan darah.
Rasakan kesejukan ruangan utama dengan karpet lembut saat beribadah di masjid ini. Dijamin damai dan bikin ngantuk.
20.Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
Perlahan aku menjauh dari kawasan Taman Tasik Perdana untuk kembali ke pusat kota. Rupanya aku sudah mengitari kota 360 derajat, karena aku sudah mendarat kembali di Dataran Merdeka. Kali ini aku menyasar Kuala Lumpur City Gallery.
Kek orang kampung….
Pengen tahu rencana pengembangan kota Kuala Lumpur?
Pengen tahu juga berapa pendapatan Malaysia dari pariwisata?….Fantastis.
Pengen tahu juga, mereka mau bikin gedung apa lagi untuk mengalahkan Petronas Twin Tower yang sebetulnya juga sudah menjadi satu yang terhebat di seantero jagad?
Bayar aja deh Rp. 17.500 dan masuk ke dalamnya….Kagak rugi, kujamin.
21.Muzium Tekstil Negara
Yup, masih ada waktu sedikit lageeeee…..
Menyeberangi jalan di Dataran Merdeka, aku tertelisik dengan keberadaan Muzium Tekstil Negara. Tak perlu merogoh kocek untuk mengunjunginya.
Diliatin Satpam dari dalem…..
Muzium yang ditaruh di dalam bangunan berusia lebih dari se-dekade ini menawarkan perjalanan sejarah dan budaya melaui sederetan kain khas Melayu yang dipajang didalamnya. Juga beberapa peninggalan beberapa benda kerajaan Kuala Terengganu yang artistik dan pasti menjadi barang mewah di zamannya
22.Petaling Street
Selamat tinggal Hop On Hop Off, terimakasih sudah mengantarkanku mengenal Kuala Lumpur.
Aku segera menuju ke hotel untuk mengambil backpack yang sudah kutitipkan sejak pagi karena memang masa inapku sudah selesai jam 12 siang.
Tapi ya kembali ke sifat dasar….Tak mau merugi melawan waktu yang terus bergulir, aku merangsek menuju Petaling Street yang dekat dengan hotel.
Sok mau belanja….Emang punya duit, Don?
Petaling Street adalah pusat pecinan di Kuala Lumpur. Cukup ramai ketika aku memasuki dan menelusuri setiap selasar yang menawarkan berbagai souvenir dan makanan.
Kamu harus cobain kenari atau chestnut bean yang di sangrai dalam pasir panas….Beuh itu enak, sumpah!
23.Pasar Seni (Central Market)
Semakin gelap….Tak perlu khawatir, penerbanganku masih esok hari. Yang membatasiku hanyalah jam operasional terakhir LRT, yaitu pukul 23:00.
Aku hanya perlu waktu beberapa menit untuk berpindah dari Petaling Street menuju Pasar Seni. Duduk menikmati kuliner di Petaling tak menyadarkanku bahwa gelap mulai mengakuisisi hari. Mungkin juga karena kelelahanku yang sudah bersekongkol dengan gelap untuk membuatku khilaf.
Minjam gambar orang yak (gambar tahun 2019).
“Bu, uang segini dapat apa saja ya?….Bungkusin aja sedapatnya, Bu. Souvenir aja ya, Bu….Jangan bungkus makanan. Saya mau pulang ke Jakarta”, perkataan yang menandakan aku lelah dan tak bisa berfikir lagi untuk memilih oleh-oleh.
24.Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2)
Hanya beberapa menit sebelum jam 21:00, aku menutup tirai petualangaku di Kuala lumpur. Sudah saatnya menuju ke bandara yang akan menjadi tempat tidurku di malam terakhir. Kombinasi perjalanan menggunakan LRT Laluan Kelana Jaya dan Skybus membuatku tiba di KLIA2 jam sepuluh lebih sedikit.
Tuh yang punya gambar Central Market….Itu kan guwe dari masa depan….Wah!
Hi, man….bandara bukanlah destinasi wisata….Yakss, buatmu mungkin bukan….Buatku iya, karena aku sering menginvestasikan waktu untuk menjelajah bandara-bandara yang baru pertama kali kukunjungi.
Buatku KLIA2 adalah tempat eksotik bak hotel bintang tujuh yang berjasa mengantarkanku berkeliling dunia.
Udah yeee….Tiga hari guwe bikin tulisan ini. Tulisan terpanjang yang pernah kutulis. Ma’ap, kuketik. 2.333 kata, mamen. Njirrrr.
