Interchange Stations

KL transportation is undergoing some changes under the new management of RapidKL. It has taken over the LRT (Ampang, Sri Petaling and Kelana Jaya lines) and the bus system in the city.

Throughout this year RapidKL has been introducing new routes, systems and also new buses. I must say they are trying hard to improve the public transportation service in KL. However, there are still much things needed to be improved.

RapidKL new bus

First, is the use of common ticket. Instead of buying tickets are seperate counters for different LRT lines, why can't we just use the same ticket from our origin place to our destination?

Eg, if I have to get from Pandan Indah station to KLCC station. I have to interchange at one station, Masjid Jamek. So I'll have to buy a ticket from Pandan Indah to Masjid Jamek (For Ampang LRT line), then buy another ticket from Masjid Jamek station to KLCC (Kelana Jaya line).

Masjid Jamek is suppose to be an interchange station. Interchange station means we do not to exit the station and then purchase another ticket to continue our journey.

the green colour word says 'walkway'

Maybe is the lack of interconnecting between the 2 stations. Maybe the government of Malaysia should do some proper planning before carry on with the project.

The gap between the Masjid Jamek 'interchange' station

There are some other 'interchange' station which are actually not connected. Such as:

-Hang Tuah Station (connecting Ampang line and KL Monorail)

showing the distance of covered walkway

-Titiwangsa Station (connecting the Ampang Line and KL Monorail again)

walkway with without pavement

-KL Sentral Station (Connecting the KL Monorail and Kelana Jaya Line/KTM/KLIA Transit).

covered walkway over the open air carpark

It should be called 'Interchange stations with walking distance' instead.

Here is a short story about young couple from Singapore having their vacations in KL:

Anyway, we reached Royal Bintang Hotel at around 2pm, after battling the traffic jam, with the uncle honking at the crazy taxis. Then we checked into our room, located at the NON-SMOKING level. We were finally smoke-free!

We blasted the air-con in our room and scooted out to jalan jalan. KL is damn warm, but Singapore is worse. Trust me.

Midvalley Megamall was our first stop. But first, we gotta figure out our way there and the hotel staff were kind enough to help. Heh heh. We're really lucky.

We walked a short distance to the KL Monorail, Bukit Bintang Station. We needed tickets to bring us to Midvalley station.

Boy: "We need to get to KL Sentral first."
Me: "Ok, we go there to change train?"
Boy: "Yeah, but I think we need to get the tickets to KL Sentral."
Me: "HUH? Not to Midvalley?"
Boy: "No leh, the guy said go to KL Sentral first."
Me: "Not cross the platform at the Interchange meh?"
Boy: "We not in Singapore lah dey."

alfresco and freaking hot.

Me: Yea, we not in Singapore lah dey. We were in KL. Where transport SUCKS!!!
Big time.

try pronouncing all those.

5 stops for RM2.10 per ticket. Summore cannot cross the platform one, nabeh.
We alighted at KL Sentral, and we had to find our way to the KTM Komuter. We were told it was just across the road from the Monorail station, but no dude, we don't see no KTM Komuter!!!
Nevertheless, we braved the traffic and crossed the road. My boy loves the traffic light's green man. Unlike Singapore's flashing of the green man, it RAN. The legs could move, holy shit. Hahahahaha! Kawaii!
Anyway, we found our way after walking through this pasar malam and crossing not just one road but 3? Quite scary, because the cars just zoomed everywhere. So we actually crossed 3 ROADS instead of just crossing one platform, after reaching their so called "Interchange". I'm stunned.
I'm so thankful for Singapore's transport. At least I know I'm not paying the hefty adult price for crap transport.
We bought 2 tickets to Midvalley Station (1 stop only lor!) for RM1 each.
So much trouble just for ONE STOP to Midvalley Station. Nabeh. Malaysia, please implement the cross the platform thing. Makes things easier, ok?
They really need to put some brains into their transport facilities.
Firstly, we had to wait for 15 long minutes (!!!) just for ONE train to bring us to our destination which is just ONE STOP away (can't get over this).
Secondly, it was warm (no air-con, just industrial fans) and dark (lousy lightings), without much seats (I think they damn budget).
Thirdly, we had to run after the train because it overshot our waiting area. Yes, the fucking train was shorter than the platform. What the fuck?!
Grr.
Anyway, we got to Midvalley Mega Mall and I was a little grouchy already. Wasted so much time just to get there.
Not that I support Singapore so much but hey, I think the Malaysian gorvernment can at least learn something from our neighbour country.
I have relatives staying in Singapore and my university is in Johor Bahru so I am a frequent traveller to Singapore. Their public transport system is well-organised. From detail signboards to digital displayboard showing the arrival times of trains at every stations.
Just see this. You'll understand.
Back to the common ticket. Well, perhaps the government ARE doing something about it.
Is Touch'n'Go familiar to you? It is a stored value card introduced years ago for Malaysian drivers so that they won't have to queue up paying at the toll plaza.
And don't forget that this card can also be used at LRT, Monorail and KTM stations. However everytime when I passed by the stations ticket counter I could see people queing up buying the single trip ticket.
Getting a stored value card for the benefit of yourself isn't very difficult, is it? Every Malaysian should have their MyKad by now, so everyone should have their own Touch'n'Go card.
Maybe there aren't many Touch'n'Go service counter for people to top-up their value in their card. And there was once my dad trying to use the Touch'n'Go card at a station but the service was out of order on that day.
There is still much work for the government and rakyat to do. Remember, Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is coming in a few days time! =)

Day 2 at Pangkor

From the previous day.

COULDN'T sleep the whole night so got up the bed at 5 something, took a shower then went to the beach. The sky was still very dark and only could hear the waves. Quite scary being alone there. Stayed at the swing and listened music.

It was about 6.30am when the rest had waken up, we went to Teluk Dalam trying to catch the sunrise. However there were many clouds on that day so this was what we got...

We stayed at the jetty and beach. Took some photos and enjoy the scenary. It was freaking cold when the wind blew. As we were riding on the motorcycle, everybody was shaking.

Reaching the jetty

We then headed back to Nipah Bay for breakfast. It was then my first time riding a scooter. It was easy, as long you know how to ride a bicycle. Should have rent another scooter on the day before. While having our breakfast, saw the Malaysian Navy armies were marching along the beach.

Everyday these people swim from the ship (on background) to the beach

After breakfast, we went back to change for water activites. There were some beach activities such as snorkelling, jet skiing, canoeing, boat trip etc.

We went for snorkelling first. It costs RM15 including the boat and snorkel set. They dropped us at an island nearby where we could see some corals and fishes. They also provided some bread for us to feed the fish.

Han Chee, Kelly and Hiang Sin

Catherine, Bee Li and Alans

There were many fishes but the water was not so clear compare to Redang. However we did enjoy ourself as they were not many people there at that time.

Some people fooling around

"Nemo, where are u?"

Sheltering from the sun

Somebody in deep thoughts

After that, we went for canoeing. They charged for RM10 per hour. Because they were 7 of us and each canoe only limit to 2 person, so I had to canoe on my own. It was my first time trying that and I must say it was a very nice experience. Too bad there weren't any photos taken, scared that the camera will get wet.

We then went back to our room and get ready to check out. All of us were queing up for the bathroom. So Bee Li and I had our hair washed using the pipe water outside. We checked out almost an hour late but the manager didn't charge us extra.

A last shot before leaving the beach

Before heading to the Pangkor town jetty, we had lunch at Pantai Pasir Bogak. There was one place that we wanted to go but didn't have enough time. It is a remote beach located at south of the island not known to many people.

Hopefully there is a chance next time. Hopefully.

Reached Lumut at 3 something. They went to buy some dried sotong and snacks before leaving for home respectively. I took the 4pm bus back to KL.

Ipoh Mari

ON Saturday followed Perry to Ipoh. He was going there to find his coursemate while I wana give a suprise to mine! Hehe. It was a last minute decision.

Perry came to pick me up at 7.30 in the morning and we reached Ipoh around 10.30 am. Stopped at Jusco for awhile before Perry fetched his friend from her house nearby.

Traffic jam at the toll

At the same time SMSed my friend to find out where her location was and coincidently she was heading Jusco to watch movie with her friends. So asked Perry to drop me at Jusco again before he and his friend went off.

Went up to the cinema and was hoping that she didn't notice me until she get a sudden suprise from me! Hehe. I acted as a stranger and went to her to ask for directions. She was totally freaked out when she saw me. Haha.

Too bad they already bought the movie tickets by the time I reached there. So I would just have to watch seperately. We watched '1 missed call: Final'. I still prefer the first movie. It's alot more scarier compare to this.

"Hello? Don't always play miss call can onot?!"

After the movie, followed her and her friends walked around the complex. Then her friend brought us for lunch in a coffee shop somewhere nearby, called the 'JJ Corner'. Many of the Jusco stuff went there for their lunch break. Cheap and near I guess.

After that, we went to Ipoh Parade. Just walked around. Christmas trees and decorations were already being displayed.

Saw one stall selling something I never seen before. It is called 'long sou tong' or the Dragon's Hair Candy. My friend bought a packet for me to try it. Very sweet.
At about 5.30 pm they left the parade to go to a friend's house. I didn't join them. Felt like I was at Ipoh on the wrong day. That day she was supposed to out with her friends and I think they had some plans for themselves. Because of me they had to canceled and couldn't do anything much. My bad.

So went to watch movie for the second time, alone. There was a show just started on that time so I got a ticket of it. It was a Malaysian made movie, 'Possesed', starring Amber Chia and korean transsexual singer/actress Harisu.

"Where is my pillow?! Give me back my pillow!!"

Well, I think the movie is not bad for a Malaysian movie. It was shot entirely in Kuching. The story was about a girl (Amber) searching for her sister (Harisu) after waking up from a coma. Go watch it if you haven't already.

After the show, Perry called and came to pick me up. Went to his friend's house for awhile before leaving for KL at about 8 pm.

Well, didn't really do much and go many places in Ipoh this time. Hopefully get to see some attractions and taste the famous food here in near future.

Day 1 at Pangkor

ON Wednesday morning, went to Puduraya to board the 8.30 am bus to Lumut. The bus journey took 4 hours to reach there. Met up with Bee Li, Han Chee and their friends at the ferry terminal. 5 girls and only 2 guys in the trip. The ferry took us about 40 minutes from the jetty to Pangkor town.

The new Lumut jetty, part of it are still under going construction

Inside the ferry

Upon reaching Pangkor, there were people came to us and asked if we needed to rent motorcycles or cars. Well, we didn't want to rent at that time until we found a place to stay. From the jetty, we took the taxi (more like a van) to our chalet at the Nipah Bay.

The pink taxi

The place we stayed is Suria Beach Resort. It is at the other side of the island from where we got down the jetty. We took a big room, with 5 beds. Air-conditioned, attached bathroom with 3 showers and it only costs RM90 for that room.

Inside the room

After checking in the room and getting ourself ready, we went for lunch nearby. Then they went to rent 2 motorcycles and a scooter. It is easier to travel around in the island with that.

Bee Li and her friend, Alans

However for someone who doesn't have a motorcycle licence and doesn't how to ride a motorcyles like me, it's abit susah and troublesome. Whenever we were going to some places, somebody would have to come back for the second time to fetch me. Lucky that Pangkor is not a very big island.

After lunch, Bee Li and her friend went to look for their friend on the other part of the island. And the rest of us went to Fu Lin Gong. It is a chinese temple and there is a big rock on the above it where you can climb up to take some photos and enjoy the view overlooking the sea. There is also a mini Great Wall of China.

Entrance of Fu Lin Gong

"Look, the fish so big!"

View from the top

Great Wall of China Pangkor

We took some pictures at there.

Let's sit a-round

Blur shot. Cameraman over excited I guess

Pangkor houses and the Peninsular Malaysia at the back

Me with Han Chee and her friends

Between the big rocks

Bee Li's aunt wanted to have a BBQ session for us but it was cancelled on the last minute. A friend of Han Chee staying in Pangkor brought us to eat asam laksa nearby. Then we follow Han Chee to her aunt house for a short while. We then headed back to Nipah Bay as the sky was getting dark.

The place we had our asam laksa

Motorcycle is the best way to travel around

Housing area of Pangkor

A drama happened while we were heading back to our chalet.

The road on Pangkor was steppy as it has many mountains. A friend of Han Chee was fetched me on her motorcycle and when we were going up the hill the motorcycle was moving very slow. I jumped down from the motorcycle and started pushing it from the back and then hopped back to the seat. The other friends who were riding behind us saw it and couldn't stop laughing.

What was amazing is that, the friend who fetched me didn't know what was happened until we told her when we reached our chalets. I thought she knew about it.

Took a nice shower when back to the room. Bee Li and Alans came back abit later. They had their dinner at the Bogak Bay.

At night, went for a walk along the beach. We stayed there and played the swing, chit chat then went for supper at a stall nearby. Ordered an ikan bakar but it wasn't that delicious from those I tasted before.

The girls on the big swing

The whole group of us

On the next day...