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Business trip at a glance
Country: Malaysia
Period: 18 Aug to 21 Aug 2008
Flight timings:
18 Aug: SQ 106, SIN-KUL, ETD 0835 ETA 0930
19 Aug: MH 1154, KUL-PEN, ETD 1710 ETA 1800
21 Aug: SQ 195, PEN-SIN, ETD 1730 ETA 1855
Accommodations:
Eastin Hotel (18 Aug)
Bayview Hotel (19 Aug to 21 Aug)
Currency exchange rate: MYR 1.00 = SGD 0.42 (end Jul '08 period)
Airline Review
Singapore Airlines
The IATA code for this airline is SQ. Not too sure why my company made this arrangement to travel by plane even though it's only about 35-mins flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Initially was hoping to take those luxurious coaches as I've not tried before. However I do realized that it will be necessary to fly back from Penang as I don't want to sit on bus coach for several hours.
Although both SQ flights were short, beverages and snacks were served. Only hot beverage (left photo below) was served on flight SQ 106 to Kuala Lumpur, while tuna wrap and beverages (right photo below) were served on flight SQ 195 back to Singapore.
Malaysia Airlines
The IATA code for this airline is MH. It was my first time taking Malaysia Airlines. This domestic flight MH 1154 was only half-occupied with passengers when I took it. Despite the domestic flight was only 30-mins, salted peanuts and ice Milo were served (photo below).
Airport Review
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
The IATA code for this airport is KUL. Was really impressed with the architectural design of Kuala Lumpur International Airport upon arrival; through the glass panels, it gave the impression that the airport was built inside a forest (left photo below). Didn't know that I've arrived at their satellite building, but luckily followed the rest of the passengers to take the aerotrain to the main terminal building for custom clearance and luggage claim. Must comment that the departure hall had sufficient signage and notices for passengers to locate international and domestic flights (right photo below).
Lots of shopping could be done inside the transit area (left photo below). Like most international airport, it has free-wireless internet service available. Since KLIA is their capital airport, lots of their 'National Carrier' can be easily spotted (right photo below).
Penang International Airport
The IATA code for this airport is PEN. Penang International Airport is the third busiest airport in Malaysia. Really feel refreshing by the aquarium-like interior design of the airport (photos below). Basic facilities are available in the airport, especially shops selling local snacks. Bought lots of their local snacks, such as tam bun biscuits, at the very last minute in the transit area prior my departure. Do note that there is no free wireless internet service available at this airport.
Accommodation Review
Eastin Hotel - Petaling Jaya
Eastin Hotel is located at Jalan Damansara, which takes about 15-mins drive to Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur city (depending on traffic).
This hotel was awarded for the best 4-star business hotel for four consecutive years (photos below). Really appreciate that free wireless internet service was provided to all occupants.
As the deluxe rooms were fully booked, the hotel up-graded me to Executive deluxe without additional charge (photos below). The cost of a deluxe room was MYR 300 per night with complementary breakfast.
Breakfast was at the restaurant located on ground floor, and several international selections, such Western pastries or Chinese dim sum, could be chosen (photo below).
Bayview Hotel
Located at George Town of Pulau Penang, Bayview Hotel takes about 20-mins drive to the Penang Airport.
The Bayview hotel is a 4-star hotel located right in the city centre (photos below). It's quiet and peaceful, yet a stone's throw away from Penang's heritage buildings.
The cost of a standard room was about MYR 180 per night with complementary breakfast (photos below).
What I like about this hotel breakfast was the availability of bean curd (left photo below).
Actually wanted to walk around the pubs near the hotel and have dinner outside. However I had to complete my audit report, therefore had my dinner in the hotel. Maybe wasn't unsatisfied with what I took during the tea-time, I ordered another plate of Penang Char Koay Teow from the hotel room service (right photo below). This room service dinner cost MYR 29 without 5% government tax and 10% service charge.
Great view of George Town could be seen from my hotel room (photos below). Double click the left photo below to spot the Penang Bridge at its top left corner.
Food Review
Swez Brasserie restaurant
Took my late lunch at the 'Swez Brasserie' restaurant of Eastin Hotel. Since was very hungry and to save time, I ordered a dish that was easy to prepare by the chef: chicken rice (photo below). The chicken rice cost MYR 25 and coke light cost MYR 10, both without the 5% tax and 10% service charge. To be frank, the chicken tastes the same as those of hawker standard here in Singapore.
Eyuzu Japanese restaurant
Patronized this restaurant located inside the Eastin Hotel at 2100 hrs, which was a rather late timing for dinner. Had this curry udon (left photo below) and shared the Eyuzu roll with my colleague (right photo below). Taste wasn't that good and the food was rather pricey: Curry Udon cost MYR 25 and Eyuzu roll cost MYR 35, and as usual the price indicated here does not include 5% tax and 10% service charge.
Eden Airport restaurant
As there was time before the flight to Penang, so my colleague and I decided to have lunch at KLIA. Went to this Eden Airport restaurant located at a corner of the departure hall. I've ordered a plate of fried rice at MYR 22 (left photo below) and a Penang Ice Kachang at MYR 10 (right photo below) for myself.
We also shared the dim sum; the egg tarts cost MYR 7 (left photo below) while the two other dim sum cost MYR 12 and MYR 18 (right photo below).
No tax or service charge was added to the final bill, but other miscellaneous charges such as Chinese tea (MYR 11 for two pax), hand towers (MYR 2) and ground nuts (MYR 6) were included. The food taste average.
Local Penang Food
My colleague and I were brought for a short tour at George Town by a marketing personal from the audited company as a returned hospitality. We went to a coffee shop along Penang road to try out the local food, and ordered Penang Laksa, Chendol and Char Koay Teow. Can't remember the price as the marketing personal insisted on paying.
The Penang Laksa tasted rather sour compared to Singapore version that is rich with coconut milk. Also shrimp-paste sauce (shown in the table spoon) was added to enhance the taste of Penang Laksa (left photo below). The chendol was not an unfamiliar dessert, except the red bean seems slightly bigger than those I've eaten in Singapore (right photo below).
Simply love the Char Koay Teow which had the exact spiciness I wanted and fried to the right quality (left photo below). This coffee shop does have the ambiance of those 1960s or 70s coffee-shops in Singapore (right photo below).
Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant
Had lunch at this restaurant located in the arrival hall of Penang Airport, because there was no other "proper" food outlet, also the check-in counter wasn't opened when we reached there. Nothing fantastic about the food and its standard remained the same with the rest of the franchise outlets (photos below).
Rest and Relax (R&R) Review
Suria KLCC
Good to have some spare time after the audit to go for a short tour in KL city. Went to this Suria KLCC as my colleague has never been there (photos below). Suria KLCC is a 6-story shopping mall located at the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers. Suria KLCC is a premier shopping destination with over 300 flagship stores. However to me the mall was nothing special as I had been there twice in separate trips. We left the shopping mall after window-shopping there for 2 hours.
Menara Kuala Lumpur
Even though it was my third time to this Menara Kuala Lumpur tower (photos below), I still had to company my colleague as he wanted to go. Admission to this tower was MYR 20 per adult. The tower is 276-meters tall and could even see Batu Caves on a clear day. My suggestion is to visit at about 6 pm to observe both day and night time view of Kuala Lumpur city.
George Town
George Town, formerly known as Tanjung Penaga, is the capital city of the state of Penang and also Malaysia's sixth most populous city.
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The Historical Core of George Town has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. |
- Aside from colonial European architecture, a huge assortment of Asian architectural styles also exist throughout the city. Relatively large number Peranakan Townhouses (photos below) dominate the cityscape.
Khoo Kongsi (邱公司)
- Visited one of the oldest association clans in Penang: Khoo Kongsi (photo below). Had to pay for admission fee where it will be used as maintenance fee for this historical site.
Food Souvenirs
As didn't visit much places during my trip in Malaysia, therefore bought only four types of local snacks. These snacks were bought when I was in Penang (photo below). The Pandan Tambun biscuits was my favorite.
