From Kuala Lumpur to Bali: A Southeast Asian Journey

We'll arrive at night to Kuala Lumpur, you're free to just chill at the hotel, or if you like to have little walk around the hotel in the city center. Kuala Lumpur, which lies astride the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers, is Malaysia's largest urban area as well as its cultural, commercial, and transportation centre. The city's commercial quarter, known as the Golden Triangle, is the site of the Petronas Twin Towers, two of the world's tallest buildings.

The tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas reach an impressive 452 meters high up into the clouds. The towers are 88 floors tall and have an impressive total of 76 elevators. Built using reinforced concrete, steel, and glass, the two towers are connected to each other by a double skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors. Visitors can make their way up here for stunning views of KL and the 6.9-hectare KLCC Park below-the views are particularly impressive at night. While most of the floors on the towers are rented to companies-IBM, Microsoft, and Huawei Technologies all have offices here-the bottom floors of the towers are reserved for Suria KLCC, one of the largest shopping centers in Malaysia. With over 300 stores, an art gallery, and even space for a Philharmonic Hall, this retail and entertainment space will keep visitors occupied for hours.

The Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex is an iconic art tourism destination located in the heart of the city. This one-stop craft centre offers a myriad of tourism products such as arts and crafts for local and foreign visitors. The complex is characterised by a Malay Terengganu architectural design, and is a treasury for traditional and modern contemporary products from all parts of the country. Featuring a panoramic view of the countryside with a Malaysian-themed landscape has distinguished the building from other prestigious shopping malls around Kuala Lumpur. It is developed based on four concepts which include education, marketing enculturation and accommodation. Visiting the Craft Complex is like exploring the lifestyle of Malaysian society known for its impressive art craft handed down for generations.

Cocoa Boutique can be described as a chocolate gallery where you can varieties of chocolates of different forms and shape. Free samples are provided to all guests prior to entering the place. The chocolates available at the place are creative and unique in their own ways. Visitors are also provided the opportunity to purchase chocolates, whether be it dark chocolates or milk chocolates. Apart from that, fruit chocolates are highly popular which can range from mango chocolates, durian chocolates to papaya chocolates. There are hundreds of varieties of chocolates available at Cocoa Boutique and definitely a paradise for chocolate lovers.

The King’s Palace or Istana Negara was built in 1928 and was originally the residence of a Chinese millionaire. During the Japanese occupation from 1942-1945, it was used as the Japanese officers’ mess. After the surrender of the Japanese, the building was bought by the Selangor State Government. It was then renovated to become the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor until 1957. Subsequently, it was bought by the Federal Government to be turned into the Istana Negara for the Yang di Pertuan Agong, the Malaysian King. The area is fenced up and at the front of the gate are two guard posts where members of the Royal Calvary guard the entrance. The palace is not opened to the public, and the main entrance with the mounted royal guard at the gate is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Istana.

The National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur is an important place of worship for the local Muslim community. The mosque's stunning design was influenced by the Grand Mosque in Mecca, with a towering 73-metre minaret and an umbrella-shaped main dome covered with thousands of green and blue tiles. You are welcome to visit the mosque and its lovely surrounding gardens outside of prayer times. Note that non-worshippers are not permitted to enter the worship hall. Also, dress appropriately when visiting – head coverings and robes are provided at the mosque if needed.

This white, mosque style building offers several floors displaying artefacts of Islamic history across the world, and in Malaysia. One whole section has models of mosques in different parts of the world, explaining the main styles. Clothing, korans, script, and the building itself are a triumph of respect and pride. Fascinating. Even for a non-believer.

Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling is a bustling shopping district in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. Chinatown is the name given to the original commercial heart of Old Kuala Lumpur. The area surrounds the Jalan Petaling market and is one of the most popular tourist destinations for any visitor to Kuala Lumpur.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is without a doubt one of Malaysia’s most prominent and treasured heritage buildings and a major historical landmark, with a history that dates back to the late 19th century. Situated opposite Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, the building was inaugurated in 1897 and was named after the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time. Designed by AC Norman, a notable British architect who was also responsible for the construction of Jamek Mosque and the National Textiles Museum, the Moorish-style architecture of the building incorporated a blend of British and Islamic touch, depicting Malaysia’s cultural diversity and historical legacy. Constructed using red bricks, the building has three towers that outline its architecture and boasts tall white arches, a grand porch, curved colonnades and two domes that further enrich the visual of the building, as well as a domineering 41.2-m high clock tower that was designed to replicate the Big Ben. The building was initially used to centralise administrative offices by the British administration, and was known as Government Offices in its early years. It had also once housed Malaysia’s superior courts – the Federal Court of Malaysia, the Court of Appeals and the High Court of Malaya. The building has stood the test of time and has been a part of many historical events of the country, including the glorious declaration of independence of Malaya on 31 August 1957 and the illustrious lowering of the British Union Jack. It also serves as the backdrop of Malaysia’s annual Independence Day parades, which takes place at Dataran Merdeka, where thousands of Malaysians and foreign tourists would gather to join in the celebration. Today, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a popular tourist spot. With its unique design that reflects the historical heritage of Malaysia, it serves as the perfect background for your holiday photos.

Batu Caves is a 400 million-year-old limestone hill with a 100-year-old temple incorporated within it. It's best known as the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam. The celebration attracts thousands of visitors who come to see the colourful spectacle of devotees who pay homage by carrying ornately-decorated kavadis (frameworks) combined with various metal hooks and skewers, which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue. Batu Caves is in Gombak, around 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur. You can take the Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu to get to the caves. Taxis are available anywhere around the city.

This is our 3rd day in KL: We'll visit Royal Selangor Visitor Centre and Batu Caves. Royal Selangor Visitor Centre is the go-to place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to experience pewter, both as a beautiful piece to be admired and as a craft. Wander through intriguing museum exhibits and witness real-time pewter crafting, and end your tour with hands-on pewtersmithing workshops. Royal Selangor Visitor Centre is recognised as one of the top tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur.

Batik Factory, where you will witness how crafts are made in the Batik Style, which is a local art of making Malaysian traditional clothing using patterns of flowers, leaves, butterflies and other geometrical shapes. Following this would be the visit to world's largest pewter at the Royal Selangor Pewter. You will witness how the Malaysians make jewelry and utensils using copper, tin and antimony. During the whole trip, you will be seeing the dedication that the Malaysian people have and enjoy mixing with their amazing skills.

Kuala Lumpur, which lies astride the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers, is Malaysia's largest urban area as well as its cultural, commercial, and transportation centre. The city's commercial quarter, known as the Golden Triangle, is the site of the Petronas Twin Towers, two of the world's tallest buildings.

Ubud is known as the spiritual heartland of Bali. Long revered for its temples and artistic heritage, the village has in recent years grown into a vibrant hub attracting expats, yogis and digital nomads. Once you explore beyond the busy centre of town jam packed with cafes, galleries, yoga studios and boutiques, you’ll be surrounded by rice fields, jungle and the lush beauty of the real Bali.

Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve temple complex in Ubud Bali. Its full name as written on a welcome sign is the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata. Bali Ubud Monkey Forest is a small rain forest dwelt by some group of monkeys and other tropical animals. It is strategically located in the hearth of Ubud Village. Monkey Forests in Balinese language called Wanara Wana are spread out on the island and Ubud Monkey Forest itself own very important function of the continuity of the monkey habitat in Bali. Meanwhile, the local community own important role to keep this forest naturally in order to all wild animals able to live smoothly. A small tropical forest in the center of Ubud city offers very beautiful natural beauty, besides the monkeys here you can also visit the temple inside and also see the beauty of the green trees around this place which is a playground for the monkeys.

Ubud Palace is situated in the heart of Ubud Village and is appointed as a tourist destination that is many visited by tourists every day. Ida Tjkorda Putu Kande is the founder of the Ubud Kingdom who led the kingdom from 1800 to 1823. This palace is a center of art and culture while the market is just in front of it as a center of the local community’s economy. The existence of this place as the king’s palace was completed by a Wantilan (a big traditional building/hall for meeting venue) and a shady banyan tree as shelter during the day. The existence of the market as a center of social economy is always set side by side with the palace as a center of art and cultural life. It is meaning that the meeting of two poles reflects the dynamic of the local community’s life and for the king at that time can be used to assess the success of the improvement of art, cultures, and the local community’s economy.

Pura Puseh Batuan is one of the most notable landmarks in the area with intricate stone carvings. It is located in the northern part of the Batuan village, 200 metres off the main road. The temple also has an inscription that testifies to the date of founding of Batuan in 1022 AD. The temple underwent restoration in 1992. It is a five-tiered gateway tower, clearly influenced by Indian religious architecture. Its icons and decorations, however, are typically Balinese in style. The roof of the temple is made of the fibre of chromatic black palm tree. The maintenance of the temple is done by the residents of the village. The temple is situated on the main road from Denpasar to Ubud. A great place to visit and lots of pictures to be taken!

This is one of the best views of rice-field terraces in Bali, so it's not surprising that tourists flock here from Ubud to indulge in a frenzy of photography. The canny locals now charge visitors to park their cars (look for the 'Sentral Parkir Ceking Terrace' sign) and to wander down the staircases looking for good vantage points. Purchase tickets at one of the two booths on the main road, or wait for a ticket seller to find you.

Visiting a coffee plantation in Bali is a great way to learn about the growth and production of coffee, local agriculture, meet some awesome people and sample some delicious coffee. The coffee plantations in Bali tend to be located in beautiful surroundings, allowing you to reconnect with nature and experience rural Bali. You can also buy local coffee from the source for great prices. There are a few important things that you need to know before you visit coffee plantations in Bali: • Not all “coffee plantations” in Bali actually grow coffee! Some “plantations” have gardens and may have a single coffee bush. But really they are set up to give you samples and run shops selling coffee. • Not all coffee plantations in Bali are ethical. Some coffee plantations may not give you the real deal (especially if you’re looking for more specialist blends). AND in some cases coffee plantations keep Luwaks in captivity (small civet cats) to make Kopi Luwak. More on this soon. • Many of the coffee plantations have shops attached. Be aware that coffee in these shops may actually be well above the market price – sometimes charging a lot more per gram than the airport. • Some of the best coffee plantations in Bali are linked to resorts. Yes, you can actually stay at a coffee resort! This may actually be the BEST and most ethical way to visit a plantation in Bali.

Ubud Central Market is situated in the center of town on Jalan Raya, just across from the Puri Saren Royal Palace. Its strategic location explains its great popularity as a local craft center. Besides the normal foodstuffs, the market offers a vast choice of clothes and handicrafts. Perfect shopping place if you want to look for Balinese souvenirs. The market is divided in two sections functioning at different hours. The east section sells fruits, vegetables and spices used for local cooking. The stalls open very early in the morning and close at about 9am. The west section consists of boutiques and booths offering arts and craftwork. The prices depend a lot on your ability to bargain. There’s no such thing as fixed prices. Local residents go to the market every day to buy fresh food, cakes and offerings. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in their daily routine. Handcrafted products are made in the surrounding villages of Pengosekan, Tegallalang and Payangan. You can buy nice scarves, shirts, handwoven bags, baskets, statues and even kites.

Uluwatu Temple is one of the main temples in Bali, and besides, the dramatic view of a temple perched on the cliff over the roaring sea is all reason enough to visit. It is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. The temple is also a remarkable cultural and spiritual landmark that allows visitors to learn about Balinese Hinduism, its traditions, and its unique rituals. Also, many visit Uluwatu Temple for the daily Kecak dance performance, a traditional Balinese dance that takes play during sunset.

Uluwatu is a special part of Bali that no traveler should miss! In between all the fun cafés and seaside clubs, is the Uluwatu beach scene that will blow your mind. The best part is the beaches in Uluwatu are all unique from each other! One thing to keep in mind is that Uluwatu is large and spread out, so you will have to do some driving. Many beaches are also located under the towering cliffs, which makes them a little more difficult to get to. Be ready to park and walk down plenty of stairs, but also know that these Uluwatu beaches are so worth it!

Tanah Lot is a famous tourism resort in Bali, Indonesia. There are two temples situated on a large rock. One is located on top of a boulder and was located on top of a cliff similar to the Uluwatu Temple. Tanah Lot temple is part of Dang Kahyangan. Tanah Lot Temple is a sea temple, a place to worship the Gods of the sea guards. Carved out of the landscape by tides, wind and rain, the huge offshore sentinel rock of Tanah Lot supports a small picturesque sea temple which can be reached by a scramble over the wet rocks. There are reputed to be several large caves just below the water line at the base of the rock which shelter large sea-snakes, the guardians of the temple. Tanah Lot Legend: According to legend, this temple was built by a Brahmana who wander from Java. He is a Danghyang Nirartha who successfull on strengthens the Hinduism for Balinese and building a Sad Kahyangan at the 16th century. The king of Tanah Lot, Bendesa Beraben, jealous with him because his followers began to leave and follow Nirartha. Bendesa Beraben ordered Nirartha to leave Tanah Lot. He agreed, and before leaving Tanah Lot, with his strength he was to move boulders into the middle of the beach (not into the sea) and build a temple there. He also transformed his shawled into a snake as temple's guard. This snake is still there until today and scientifically, the snakes including sea snakes that have a characteristic flat tail like a fish, striped black and yellow and has 3 times more powerful toxins from cobra snake. The end of the legend states that Bendesa Beraben ‘finally’ became a follower of Nirartha.

Seminyak Beach is a popular tourist destination located on the west coast of Bali, Indonesia. The beach is known for its golden sand, clear blue water, and stunning sunsets. It is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and other water activities.