Shahrin Fuzi Official Website : Travelling

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Top 10 must visit places in Kuala Lumpur

I feel very happy as I have successfully reached my target in 2013, travelling to 5 countries in the world! I will put aside sharing my experience travelling around the world for a while. Now it is already 2014, and I have new resolution. In this year, I plan to talk more about the country where I was born in. The country is called Malaysia!

"Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said this was in line with the country's VMY 2014 target of 28 million tourist arrivals and tourism revenue of RM76 billion." -BERNAMA-

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the government is spending more money on tourism industry, and estimating revenue of RM76 billion or USD23 billion! There are so many cheap hotels and flight ticket, homestay packages, culture events and other programme organized by Tourism Malaysia that you should not miss out this year 2014.

What really inspired me into travelling and tourism since year 2012, I joined this non-profit organization website called "Couchsurfing". The website allows you to get to know travellers around the world via online, meet them, and you can also to request a free stay at their couch. So far, I have hosted about 40 travellers from around the world. Most of them asked my opinion about where should they visit during their stay in Kuala Lumpur city.

I feel so proud contributing something to my country by just writing a simple blog giving information to the tourists. Finally, I managed to write this simple guide. Trust me, travelling to Kuala Lumpur could be an awesome experience to you soon. Wishing you good luck!

Below are the top 10 places you must visit in Kuala Lumpur :

1) KLCC Petronas Twin Tower
The Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers (Malay: Menara Petronas, or Menara Berkembar Petronas) are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)'s official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 until surpassed by Taipei 101, but they remain the tallest twin buildings in the world.[2] The buildings are the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower.

2) Pasar Seni / Central Market
Central Market Kuala Lumpur is located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Foch Avenue) and the pedestrian-only section of Jalan Hang Kasturi (Rodger Street), a few minutes away from Petaling Street. It was founded in 1888 and originally used as a wet market, while the current building was completed in 1937. It has since been classified as a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society and it is now a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage.

3) Batu Caves

Batu Caves (Tamil: பத்து மலை) is a limestone hill that has a series of caves and cave temples in the Gombak district, 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.

The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

4) Jalan Bukit Bintang

Jalan Bukit Bintang is a major road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a popular shopping strip providing access to the eponymous neighbourhood Bukit Bintang. Stylized as Bintang Walk or Starhill, the latter being a translation of the Malay name) is the name of the shopping and entertainment district of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It encompasses Jalan Bukit Bintang and its immediate surrounding areas. The area has long been Kuala Lumpur's most prominent retail belt that is home to many landmark shopping centres, al-fresco cafés, swanky bars, night markets, as well as hawker-type eateries. This area is popular among tourists and locals, especially among the youths. A part of Bintang Walk is designated as an "Arab Street".

5) KL tower
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (Malay: Menara Kuala Lumpur; Chinese: 吉隆坡塔;abbreviated as KL Tower) is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its construction was completed on 1 March 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 metres (1,381 feet). The roof of the pod is at 335 metres (1,099 feet). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a Muslim month of Ramadhan, Syawal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The tower is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur that is open to the public. The building is the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with arch-rival Petronas Towers.

6) Little India, Brickfields

Brickfields is a small to medium-sized town and residential neighbourhood located just outside central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known as Kuala Lumpur's Little India due to the high percentage of Indian residents and businesses.This area, located south of the city centre, is Kuala Lumpur’s Little India filled with saree shops and banana leaf rice restaurants. Kuala Lumpur’s main railway station, KL Sentral, is located here.

7) China Town / Petaling Street

The Petaling Street (Chinatown) in Kuala Lumpur is like the Bukit Bintang of the older part of Kuala Lumpur. It is a place where the hustling and bustling never comes to an end. Day or night, visitors keep coming to Petaling Street to either dine on the famous street foods here or to get some good bargains on things sold here. Petaling Street is the shoppers' paradise if you want to bargain your way to some cheap things. There is almost everything here from clothes, souvenirs to electronic items to fabrics. Other than cheap stuff, Petaling Street is renowned for selling imitation goods like handbags, wallets, watches and shoes from brands like Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Nike and so on. Food here is also aplenty.

8) Berjaya Times Square
Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur is a 48-storey, 203 m (666 ft) twin tower, hotel, condominium, indoor amusement park and shopping centre complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was opened in October 2003 by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad.
The development is currently the eighth largest building in the world and has also been tagged as the "world's largest building ever built in a single phase", with 700,000 m2 (7,500,000 sq ft) of built up floor area. This building consists of shopping mall, business office and leisure centre with 1000 retail shops, 1200 luxury service suites, 65 food outlets and entertainment attractions such as Berjaya Times Square Theme Park and GSC MAXX (formerly IMAX) 2D & 3D theatre.
In April 2005, Borders Group opened its first franchise store here which was the largest Borders store in the world at the time. However due to the 2010 economic downturn it has since been downsized into a smaller operation called Borders Express.The Kuala Lumpur Monorail's Imbi station is linked to the building by a footbridge.

9) Plaza Low Yat

Plaza Low Yat (often abbreviated PLY), is a shopping centre specializing in electronics and IT products in Malaysia. In 2009, Plaza Low Yat was named “Malaysia’s Largest IT Lifestyle Mall” by the Malaysia Book of Records. Low Yat is the place go to buy electronic and high-tech stuff like computers, laptops , computer parts and accessories, cameras, mobile phones, blanks discs etc. There a few big stores in Low Yat but mostly it's small open shops and booths so it feels almost like a market.The basement has ATMs, a few restaurants and a decent food court (Lemon Court).The first 2 floor are mainly camera and mobile phones whereas at the upper 3 floors you find everything and anything concerning computers, notebooks etc.Most shops have A4-sheets with the price list so it’s best to collect some of them and compare prices.

10) Jalan Alor
Jalan Alor is a unique food destination in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The whole character of the city changes when you step onto the street. Gone are the modern shopping malls that align the city, which are replaced with something of the past age. During the day, there is not much activity but when the sun goes down, the street will be hustling and bustling with activity.

Why You Should Travel Alone At Least Once In Your Life

The first destination that I travelled alone was Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I still remember the first time my flight landed on Indonesia. The airport is called Adi Sumarmo International Airport. By the time my foot stepped on the airport, everything seemed to be so different to me. The people, the Malay accent, currency and bank notes, public transportation, letter on the signboard and almost everything were totally different. I was damn scared especially when the locals found out that I am a foreigner. Some of them might take advantage of you and cheat on you about the price, but some of them might help you and treat you like a best friend. Hehehe

I have learnt a lot from my solo backpacking experience to few countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and China. I felt like I'm the only one survivor in the jungle. I did everything by own. Renew visa, booking flight ticket, make a room reservation, rent a bicycle, ride a motorbike, finding halal food, read the map, learn local language and communicate with the locals and so on......

Frankly speaking, travelling alone could be troublesome if you do not take precaution steps. It's been my third time I travelled alone, so far I found myself easily adapt with different environment. So, I think travelling alone is not bad as I ever thought before. I could be so fun , challenging and exciting. It really makes me want to travel more and more. My journey of thousand miles was actually began with single steps.....

Finally, I already reached my goals in 2013 which is........ travel to 5 countries in a year! Thank you God for giving me such an amazing energy to travel to 5 countries non-stop.

What really inspired me to travel is actually the people. And I hope one day I could inspire other people to travel more. Indeed, it was such a wonderful experience by travelling alone. Therefore, I would like to share with you guys this article (from thoughtcatalog.com), why you should travel alone at least once in your life :

1. You will meet amazing people.

While traveling with friends or a significant other can be a lot of fun, traveling solo for a certain amount of time can prove to be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do because of the great people you’ll meet.

When we travel with friends or a partner, we tend to stick to that little group of familiar faces and even though you’ll meet new people, the dynamics and interactions won’t be as deep and fulfilling. While you’re on your own on the road, you’re much more eager to meet travel buddies, team up with other travelers and generally reach out more in order to socialize.

2. The overwhelming sense of absolute freedom.

When you travel on your own and you start meeting people and making awesome friends, you’ll probably team up with travel buddies and end up expanding your travel plans. You’ll probably change your plans once you hear about that amazing waterfall, that incredible desert beach, the opportunity to bungee jump from a high bridge, or taste a special delicacy you’ll only find off the beaten track.

When you’re traveling, you’re open to change and you’ll welcome it with open arms. The great thing is that you don’t have to fit into a group’s agenda, give explanations or disappoint anyone, you can follow your rhythm, desires and move like the wind.

3. Traveling alone challenges your fears and insecurities

This is a big one, especially if it’s your first solo experience. I remember the first time I traveled when I was 18 and moved to London on my own for 3 months to be an au pair and live with a local family. I was terrified of the unknown, but if I would have surrendered to that fear, I would have never get to know the strong, courageous and adventurous side of me. I was scared, but I did it anyways and by the 3rd day, I was really proud of myself. From then on I never let fear stop me. 16 years and many adventures later, I still have a little voice inside my head, asking: “What if something goes wrong?” “What if you get into trouble?” This is normal and perfectly human; fear exists for our own protection and boosts our awareness. But we shouldn’t let it control our lives.

Safety can be a great comfort, but common sense is the key. Read and research a lot before you travel, check out hostel reviews, and research feedback from other travelers in forums and blogs. Respect the local culture and I guarantee you’ll be fine.

4. Fall in love.

Everyone wants to find their better half and much is said about failed relationships while on the road. It doesn’t have to be like that! We find love when we meet someone who shares our interests, dreams, and goals. While traveling solo you’ll meet so many people from all walks of life that falling in love might just happen. Whether it will be a great summer love or end up at the altar, no one knows, but there are many people out there with amazing stories.

If you already have a partner, this time away can boost your passion and once you’re back, you’ll appreciate each other’s company more.

5. You can take the time to nurture yourself.

If you have a stressful life back home, either studying hard or working too much, traveling on your own can be the time to take some time off and nurture yourself.

Whether you’re a backpacker traveling cheap or if the sky is the limit as far as your budget goes, you can use this time to pamper yourself. Indulge in rich and delicious local meals which will boost your energy and health, take long walks on the beach by sunrise, or get a massage. Do some yoga and relax a lot. Enjoy all the wonderful things you deserve, and understand that happiness is a birth right, not a privilege.

6. You’ll have a chance to recreate yourself and be who you want to be.

While traveling solo, you can leave your grumpy, tired old self behind and start to be a new you. Explore parts of your personality you are not very comfortable or familiar with. When on the road, you might be challenged by unexpected factors and be positively surprised how well you respond to them. Empower yourself by unleashing the wonderful, irresistible and intelligent person you are, but whom you’ve neglected in your everyday routine.

7. You can finally take time to leave everything else behind.

Just disconnect from the world for a while. Turn off your mobile, “forget” to check you emails for a few days… don’t think about the bills, the responsibilities, the duties and problems. Leave them behind.

Some of the most intense creative times or the ones where we find the solutions for all our problems are actually the moments when we disconnect and stop worrying. Have you ever tried to remember a name or a date and you just can’t spit it out, but after you quit trying it pops out? It’s the same for the rest of life. Sometimes our brains need to get rid of old thoughts in order to be able to create space for new ones, better ones. So just disconnect yourself from everything and you might be amazed by how fresh you’ll feel once you get back home

Mengembara secara solo ke Yunnan, China

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Asal Usul Bangsa Melayu

"Tak akan Melayu Hilang di Dunia?"

Anda semua mungkin familiar dengar perkataan "Tak Akan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia". Bila aku nak pergi solo backpacking trip ke Kunming bulan disember 2013 tak lama lagi ni, aku terdengar respon daripada budak office aku cakap bahawa ada bangsa melayu yang tinggal di Yunnan, China! Mengikut katanya , ada masyarakat di kawasan sana yang pakai baju melayu sama macam Melayu kat Malaysia. Terdetik hati aku nak kaji serba sedikit pasal asal usul melayu. Yang paling aku excited baca ialah keturunan bangsa melayu juga berasal dari Nabi Ibrahim. Search google, aku terjumpa artikel ni. Artikel ini pernah post kat facebook group Saya Sayang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad .:-

Asal Usul Bangsa Melayu

oleh HELMI AFFENDI

Kebanyakan para pengkaji sejarah pasti bersetuju dengan saya bahawa asal usul yang paling pangkal bangsa Melayu ialah daripada keturunan Nabi Ibrahim. Rekod sejarah mencatatkan bahawa Nabi Ibrahim pernah berkahwin untuk kali ketiga dengan seorang gadis misteri yang bernama Keturah.

Daripada keturunan Keturah ini, lahirnya bangsa Melayu. Ibu Attir dalam kitabnya Al-Kamil fi Al-Tarikh berkata umat Nusantara termasuk Melayu bersalasilah secara terus dengan Ibrahim melalui zuriatnya dengan Keturah ini. Ada juga sejarawan seperti Ibnu Yusof yang mengatakan bahawa nama Melayu itu datangnya dari Malai-Ur, nama sebuah Kerajaan Chaldea, kerajaan tempat asal usul Nabi Ibrahim.

Bagaimana orang Melayu boleh sampai di Nusantara? Terdapat teori yang menarik yang saya mahu kongsikan. Berdasarkan rekod Bani Israrel, dikatakan bahawa Nabi Ibrahim mengarahkan keturunan Keturah, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak dan Shuah ke sebuah tanah yang dijanjikan tuhan di timur jauh, iaitu "Promising Land" yang dicari oleh yahudi pada hari ini.

Keturah masih didebatkan oleh sejarawan pada hari ini. Ada yang mengatakan bahawa terdapat kekeliruan para sejarawan menafsirkan tentang seorang isteri yang hidup bersama Nabi Ibrahim selepas kematian Siti Sarah. Mereka mengatakan bahawa Keturah itu sebenarnya Siti Hajar dan anak-anak Keturah itu bilangannya sama dengan anak Siti Hajar.

Daripada arahan Nabi Ibrahim, maka berangkatlah keturunan Keturah ini mengembara mencari tanah yang dikatakan. Pengembaraan yang panjang dialami oleh keturunan Keturah. Dalam perjalanan, mereka berasimilasi dengan bangsa-bangsa yang mereka temui dalam perjalanan.

Kerana itu, kita dapat menemui banyak jejak bangsa Melayu di merata dunia. Sejarawan yang menemui peninggalan bangsa Melayu di Yunnan, terus melabelkan bahawa orang Melayu berasal dari Yunnan padahal bahasa penduduk Yunnan bukannya dalam kategori Austronesia seperti mana bahasa Melayu itu sendiri.

Ada sejarawan yang menemui keris di dasar laut Jepun terus menidakkan teori dari Yunnan. Mereka mengatakan bahawa orang Melayu berasal dari suku asli penduduk kepulauan Jepun seperti suku Ainu. Namun, ada juga sejarawan yang menemui keris tanpa hulu ditemui di Russia pada tahun 1999 oleh para arkelogi.

Sesungguhnya, asal usul bangsa Melayu ini sangatlah rumit untuk dijejaki berbanding asal usul bangsa lain di dunia. Orang Melayu berpindah randah dari satu tempat ke tempat yang lain, meninggalkan jejak bangsa mereka di situ sehingga sukar dikenal pasti asal usul mereka. Selepas ditemui 'promising land' ini, mereka tidak lagi berpindah randah. Mereka kekal di situ buat selama-lamanya.

Hari ini, promising land itu dikenali dunia dengan pelbagai nama. Pernah dilabel sebagai "Semenanjung Emas" oleh orang Yunani. Srivijaya dan Melaka sekadar nama kerajaan hebat yang ditubuhkan oleh bangsa yang lahir dari keturunan Keturah ini.

Malayo-Polinesian Dan Austronesian (Rumpun Melayu)

Orang Melayu pada hari ini dikelaskan oleh para pengkaji dalam kumpulan Polinesian dan Austronesian. Dalam erti kata lain, istilah saintifik itu lebih kurang sama maksudnya dengan Rumpun Melayu. Serumpun maknanya berkongsi budaya dan bahasa. Orang Batak misalnya berbeza dengan orang Melayu tetapi masih serumpun.

Melayu terdiri daripada ratusan etnik seperti Sunda, Jawa, Bugis, Melayu Kedah, Melayu Kelantan, dan banyak lagi. Mereka berbeza etnik tetapi masih dalam rumpun yang sama. Sebab itu saya pening kepala dengan orang Indonesia. Acap kali dikatakan kita mencuri budaya mereka.

Saya mahu bertanya kepada rakan Indonesia kita, apakah kami orang Melayu di Semenanjung ini ialah bangsa asing yang tiba-tiba mencuri budaya kalian? Tidak! Kami berasal dari nenek moyang yang sama dengan kalian juga. Kita pernah sama-sama dahulu, sebelum dipisahkan oleh penjajah membina kerajaan-kerajaan hebat bangsa kita seperti Srivijaya, Melaka dan Majapahit.

Tetapi, kenapa kamu seakan-akan dirasuk menuduh adik beradik kalian sebagai MALING? Apa kamu ini dibutakan oleh media kalian sheingga tidak nampak perkaitan serumpun antara kita? Fahamkan bahawa budaya itu milik BANGSA bukannya NEGARA. Sebab itu orang India dan China dari negara mereka tidak pernah marah orang India dan Cina di Malaysia mengamalkan budaya mereka di Malaysia. Mereka faham sesuatu yang orang Indonesia tidak pernah MAHU FAHAM!

Dulu tiada BANGSA INDONESIA atau BANGSA MALAYSIA tetapi NUSANTARA atau RUMPUN MELAYU!

Sifat Bangsa Melayu

Orang Melayu ini mempunyai satu sifat yang masih diwarisi sehingga hari ini. Iaitu mereka mampu survive dalam lautan sejarah walaupun bangsa yang seusia dengan mereka sudah lama pupus seperti Bangsa Qibti yang membina Tamadun Mesir. Seperti bangsa Mayan, Aztec dan Olmec di Amerika Tengah.

Walaupun orang Melayu telah dijajah oleh banyak kuasa dunia, namun bangsa ini masih liat berdiri hari ini. Kenapa? Kerana orang Melayu suka berkerajaan. Kerana melalui kerajaan, orang Melayu akan survive dalam lipatan sejarah. Sebagai contoh, ketika Srivijaya jatuh, maka orang Melayu pantas mendirikan kerajaan Melaka.

Acap kali ada kerajaan Melayu yang tumbang, maka orang Melayu akan cepat-cepat menubuhkan kerajaan yang lain kerana sifat mereka yang suka berkerajaan. Sebab itu hari ini, kita dapat melihat bahawa orang Melayu mempunyai banyak raja sedangkan bangsa lain di dunia hanya mempunyai satu raja.

Hebat bukan?

Orang Melayu juga merupakan seorang pelaut yang hebat. Mereka suka mengembara dari satu tempat ke satu tempat yang lain membawa barangan dagangan. Kerana itu Asia Tenggara sehingga ke Kepulauan Pasifik kembali ke Madagascar digelar sebagai Benua Melayu oleh pengkaji.

Jejak bangsa Melayu boleh ditemui di sekitar kawasan itu. Di Madagascar, rumpun Melayu iaitu Malagasy walaupun bukan penduduk majoriti di situ namun merupakan pemerintah dan raja. Kerajaan-kerajaan yang didirikan oleh orang Melayu bersifat maritim.

Pernah dengar nama Awang Hitam aka Enrique? Dia ialah orang Melayu dan merupakan manusia pertama yang mengelilingi dunia, bukannya Magellan. Lautan bagi orang Melayu merupakan mainan sahaja.

Meet up with travellers from Indonesia, Spain, Afghanistan

After I came back from Yangon (Myanmar), I had a chance to meet up with foreigners from around the world again!

I managed to meet with an indonesian guy, Pram. He is from West Java, Yogyakarta. He was the one who hosted me during my stay for 5 days solo trip to Indonesia in early 2013. I was lucky to meet him again in Malaysia.

On the same day, I hosted a girl from Spain. Her name is Alicia. Working as a yoga teacher in Koh Samui, Thailand and she came to Malaysia to renew her visa. So, I hosted her for 2 days and brought her to few places in Kuala Lumpur such as Batu Caves, I-City Shah Alam, and KLCC Petronas Twin Tower.

When Alicia and I were walking at KLCC park, there was an afghanistan girl came to me asking to take her photo with background KLCC Petronas building. Then, we had a very long short conversation. Her name reminded me about this planet called, Zuhal. She is a freelance technical writer working in Canada. She was born in Afghanistan and was brought up in Germany. She then moved to Canada living with her family.

Alicia and Zuhal joined me to go Masjid Jamek, China Town, and Pasar Seni. They had opportunity to try local foods such as Nasi Campur, Tosai (Indian Muslim food), and seafood.

So far, I have hosted and meet up 35 travellers and couchsurfers from all over the world including The United States of America, Spain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius, India and more.

For more information about couchsurfing, kindly visit this website www.couchsurfing.org

Travelog - Challenging solo backpacking to Myanmar

Myanmar map

Myanmar is the second country that I went to for solo travelling and backpacking! Travelling to Burma is not as easy as it seems. The country is ruled by military, and in my mind I already expect there are so many barriers to enter. But, it doesn't matter for me, so i proceed with booking the flight ticket last 3 months back.

One of the reason why I chose Yangon is because of the cheap flight ticket. I bought the return flight ticket for RM122 only!

The challenge started even when I was in Malaysia. My flight was on Saturday, but during Friday (one day earlier), while I was in the office checking Myanmar information on the web I just realized that to enter Myanmar, foreigners need to apply for visa!

It was 11:30 a.m , and I called my friend Jojo to reconfirm whether do foreigners need to apply for visa to enter Myanmar or not. She said she applied for visa last year during her trip to Yangon.

I straight away went back to my house in Equine Park (8km away from the office) to take my photos and passport. Then, rushed to Myanmar Embassy at Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. As I arrived at the gate of the embassy office, the guard told me to look for agent details posted on the notice board.

I called the agent, but sadly they said the visa already closed, and I can only apply on the next monday. Next Monday? Oh no... So, I felt like the chance to go Myanmar was little. :-(

I went back to the office and looked for Visa On Arrival (VOA) on the web. Luckily, there was a website which allow you to apply for visa. It costs me RM320 for urgent application. I paid by Paypal.

I managed to get the visa at night. Fuhh........ Thanks to myanmarvisa.com . What a miracle! Sometimes, I feel like God always give opportunity to people who would never give up.

Visa On Arrival from Myanmar

The next day has arrived, where I was supposed to be at the airport. I checked in my flight at LCCT. When I passed the ticket check, i faced another difficulties. The baggage was too big and I didn't realize the weigh was 16 KG! When I arrive at the baggage counter, the officer told me that luggage gate already closed. She even told me that I need to postpone my flight to Saturday.

I did not even give up.

So, I decided to take my small backpack only. I left the huge bag at the nearest restaurant, then I continue passed through to the boarding gate! The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon Airport took me about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

View from the airplane to housing area at Yangon International Airport

I arrived at Yangon airport around 8:30 a.m. As soon as I arrived immigration check point , I was welcomed by the Myanmar travel agent, Mrs. Khin who managed my Visa On Arrival (VOA). I waited for 20 minutes for the visa upon arrival process to complete.

Mrs. Khin is also working for Tourism Myanmar Co-op Limited. I queued on the foreigner lane, waited for 15 minutes and finally I passed the visa check. Then, I was guided by Mrs. Khin to change the money at the nearest money changer.

Ringgit Malaysia is not saleable in Myanmar. Therefore, I exchanged RM300 and I got USD100 when I was in LCCT airport.

The currency exchange rate was 1 USD = 1000 Kyats. (October 2013)

I took a taxi to go to the hotel named "Triple H Hotel" which costed me 8000 Kyats , or USD 8 . It took about 20 minute-drive from Yangon airport to the hotel. I used agoda.com to book the hotel for 3 days and 2 nights. The price was USD30 per night. I was slightly disappointed because the pictures shown on agoda website are different with the real hotel. The pictures look like 5 star hotel, but the real one is actually like 2 star hotel.

But, everything was fine with me as long as I can access the internet. The hotel staffs were very helpful and friendly. I could even had coffee with them at night and they treated me like a friend instead of foreigners.

Finding halal food is one of the challenges that commonly encountered by a muslim traveller like me. Based on the blogs and reference written by traveller who came to Yangon before, there are only 2 halal restaurants in Yangon downtown area. The place where I stayed was quiet far from the downtown. So, I plan to find any halal food near to the hotel. I finally managed to find a halal restaurant near Triple H hotel, in Pazundaung. The restaurant is called Seven One Seven, located at No 92, Anaw Ra Tha Road, Pazundaung. In myanmar, they put sign "786" in Arabic numbers which means "In the name of God."

Based on history, this pagoda was built 2600 years ago making it the oldest pagoda in Burma and the world! According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in BC 588. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined. According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.

The next night days I spent my time at Yangon city. I stayed at a budget hotel named "Agga Guest House". The price was cheap as low as USD10 (about RM35) and suitable for backpackers and low cost travellers who want to save money.

I was busy taking photos and I asked for help from a local guy to take my photo. He helped me to take my photos and we had a very long conversation. He invited me to come over to his house in Tharkayta. We also went National Races Village.

I shared the room with 5 other travellers. I managed to have a short conversation with Taiwanese , German, and swiss guy in the room.