Genting Highland

It's my first time going to Genting Highland, and a rather long distance to KL in a coach bus. We had packed our bags the night before. I decided to bring my gay, purple luggage trolley bag though it was less than half full, cos in case anyone in the family needed extra space cos they bought stuff, would come in useful. Looking at their bags, I realized mostly they overpacked and no extra space in their bags. I subscribe to the way of just a hand and a luggage, with 4 wheels and packed minimal with extra space. This is after traveling abroad a few times and coming to realize the importance of having free hands instead of using too small a travel bag and ending up with 2-3 bags in hand. Unfortunately my parents still travel like that.

Got up at 5.30am, got ready by 6.10am and took a cab down. We ate breakfast and I headed to take the bus no. But as the time neared, don't see the bus. So I went to the office again to enquire very specifically where the boarding point was. We loaded up and headed off punctually at 7.30am. I was just seated then the stomachache began... Mom blamed it on me eating half-boiled eggs, I blamed it on having breakfast but no time for the digestion and subsequent clock-work bowel. Basically I contemplated hanging until we reached all the way to Genting but thankfully, the SG customs had a big and clean toilet. Decided to settle it instead cos the journey ahead was several hours, in not-so-clean Msian toilets. I ran back to the bus and my sis told me, I held up the bus... Bo bian but felt so much better.

Later in the journey, the meal stop in Yong Peng, I didn't dare eat anything heavy. Ate something light, very thin waffle biscuit. The coffee flavor is better than the chocolate. Also drank minimal water though they were at least 6 toilet stops along the way. We arrived at this very steep hill that had 20km of winding roads. You could feel the ears popping as he bus ascended up the steep roads with crazy angles. There were like 90 degree turns left and right, 270-360 degree turns, winding turns. Looks like a route out of the Daytona game. We arrived safely by about 2.10pm.

We had to take our luggage and find the hotel. Cos previously my mom and sis stayed at First World which is just beside the bus terminal but this time is Resort Hotel, so we had to follow the signs. The covered walkway has a bit of an incline and shortly after we walked, my dad lagged behind. Cos he brought this big bag hat is carried type and his legs are weak. So I end up with putting his heavy bag on my trolley and dragging the suddenly-turned very heavy luggage up the inclined pathway. We walked and found the hotel. By about 2.45pm, we could check-in but as the room not yet house-kept, we couldn't sleep on the bed etc.

We headed out to look for a meal, an late lunch or early dinner of sort. We weren't familiar but were not keen to walk back to First World cos the shopping plaza is there too. So we explore another path. Immediately up the escalator we saw a buffet offering. KIV, walked on a bit, but the food court was closed, saw the first of 3 Casino entrances, and a two-way branch, went left and saw the gondola skyway to head downhill to the temple and small town before the hill. We saw a small eatery, a small hot dog shop, 龟林糕 shop and nothing much. My dad suggested to go back to that buffet place we saw initially. We suspected his legs tired so just do as he says. Later we can explore after a full stomach and settle dad in his room.

Hi-tea was available and we were in time, and could eat until 5.30pm. It was near 4pm then. Basically I piled my plate with food like nasi lemak, curry and was so full after that. We all were hungry from the journey. We ate and later sat up til 5.30pm, then head back to the cleaned rooms. Rested and bathed first. Later about 8pm plus, I headed out with my sis. My parents stayed in their room.

I told my sis, we should check out that right turn at the cross-road. Saw Macs and KFC, a large arcade. Headed up the escalator and saw several restaurants. The Coffee Terrace that my mom wanted to eat at, and many more restaurants. We ended up at the Highland Hotel, the posh 5 stars one. Resort is 4 stars and First World is 3 stars. Retraced our steps to the Arcade and found a path via escalators that leads to the First World shopping area. Basically food is very very over-priced in Genting. A chicken rice cost you RM$15. Easily a meal costs you RM$30++ for very simple food. Fast food meals cost about RM$20 for something that usually costs RM$13-14 in other parts of Msia. A buffet dinner costs about RM$55-65++ onwards. So every food place we walked past, I looked through the prices, remembering the more economical and value ones. Though there were shops, the clothes are casual, nothing like the attas shopping belt in RWS. So we were still too full, didn't eat anything else.

There was nothing much to do except go into the Casino. I had made 1 card earlier after our hi-tea dinner. We went into Monte Carlo casino and I had to queue for 30mins to make a card to store my money for slots or table winnings. In the First World area, in StarWorld casino, I had to make another card. Took about 20mins. But later cannot transfer $$ into the card, so I queued again and cashed out. Decided not to play there. My sis lost RM$20 playing in StarWorld. We headed back to Monte Carlo casino near our hotel and I tried some jackpot slots. Went to the 2-cents per line slots. If you bet 1 line, cost 2 cents, next there's 3 lines 6 cents, 5 lines 25 cents, 9 lines etc. Depending on diff machines, diffent starting bet per line and some machines have up to 60 lines? So I lost RM$10 a 5-cents slots. Tried another 2-cents one and an uncle sitting beside actually taught me how to use the gamble function to up my winnings but I didn't win much and lost another RM$10. Finally I went to the same type my sis was playing. I put in RM$10 and almost immediately won RM$10. If I had stopped there, my nett loss would have been RM$10 but I continued and lost that and put in another RM$10, which I also lost for a grand total of RM$40. My sis won RM$20 back for a zero nett loss. We headed back. My first attempt at slots failed miserably and I remembered the experience of losing SGD$80 in Macau at the tables. Decided I won't play anymore. Already made my 'contributions' to RWG, dont want to lose anymore. Not worth throwing more money after this lost money.

The next morning, we woke up about 9.30am and parents went out to explore. They ate biscuits already and wanted to eat lunch together. We had to settle for eating my 旺旺仙贝 and half a focaccia bread. I more keen to eat breakfast out but bo bian. We showed my parents the right-turn from yesterday. My dad wanted to eat KFC, so just entertain him and eat there. My 2 piece meal cost almost RM$19 but filling. My dad ate a 3 piece meal. Mom ate a small burger, sis ate a zinger meal. We walked a bit to show them the restaurant belt with the 5-star hotel. Man outside the enclosed space was freezing cold. It was 18.6 degrees! I was shivering when the blast of cold air blasted me when the hotel lobby doors in Highland opened. It's very misty outside at times, depending on the humidity. We headed separate ways, Mom n sis went to casino. I left with dad and told him I will show him the escalator way we discovered yesterday. Walked with my dad to First World Plaza, he looked at the food prices as I did when we passed by the fast food and restaurants. Later we went into the casino and observed some games at the tables. Saw a guy win at this wheel of fortune thingy. Observe this '3 picture' game. Tried to figure out the rules by observing a few rounds. Asked my dad if he wanted to gamble, he declined, he said he better not start, later get addicted. True enough. After that we walked back to the hotel rooms by 2pm.

I rested a bit and headed out with sister again.We planned to go to Coffee Terrace for buffet dinner cos my mom went before and she very keen. I wanted to go to the souvenir shop but it was closed for stock taking. We headed back to First World. Both of us didn't want to play the theme park - indoors or outdoors. You have to pay for the all-day passes for either or both. The outdoor park looked dated and old. Plus I have turned chicken officially for such rides after myast in Kl subway lagoon that many years ago. The same for the indoor rides. Maybe 1-2 looked interesting, like a slow ride around the top of the mall but to have to pay a full-day pass for that alone is not worth it. On the agenda was bowling or possibly karaoke. Settled for bowling first. Just RM$10 for 2 games, shoes RM$3, socks RM$2. So we played 2 sets for Rm15 each. Man I suck at bowling and gutter alot. My score was only 62 pins. Each won a game. Continued on, went souvenir shop, surprisingly very little stuff unlike the RWS with so many casino theme stuff. Bought a RW keychain for RM$9.90 and a magnet with the view of Genting Highland RM$4.90 Really nothing else to buy. We were tiring. I suggested Baskin Robbins cos the price is relatively cheap by Genting prices and even converting back to SGD also cheaper than SG prices. The one in First World Plaza had little left, so we headed to the one near the Skyway. I ate a single scoop with cone for RM$9.50, my sis had a double junior scoop with cone for RM$10.90. Happily eating it and then I dabao some 凉茶 for myself RM$6 for 2 cups. Headed back to the hotel room to rest. By 5pm, we went to Coffee Terrace for buffet dinner. Pricey RM$65++ adult but my parents got senior citizen discount of 30%. We ate and ate but don't think got the value cos no sea food. Later prawns appeared but by then super full. I ate a plate of 3 sushi with roe, a carimari ring, several slices of salmon sashimi, 2 tempura veg, a second plate of roasted beef with black pepper and BBQ sauce, a third plate of a portion of steamed chicken and a portion of sesame roasted chicken, a plate of dessert: a raspberry mousse tapas, a caramel cream with coffee cake tapas, a small cheese cake, a larger slice of rich n dense chocolate cake, a quarter of a walnut cupcake and a half of a slice of mousse cake slice. Last plate is a plate of papaya, red and yellow watermelon and a quarter dragon fruit. Definitely exceeded calories, almost 100% overshoot the daily calories! Sian.
After that we walked around a bit, then I wanted to head back. Didn't want to go casino or stuff. Much prefer a warm bath and relax in the room watching tv. My dad followed my mom n sis to go to the Monte Carlo and the third casino Circus in Highland Genting. By 9.30pm, they came back, lost RM$20 and RM$30. I was still the greatest loser at RM$40. Watched tv until very late n fell asleep.

Woke up next day 9.30am and I started packing. Parents ate biscuits again n not heading out for breakfast. I asked my sis if she wanted anything cos I intend to walk nearby to dabao something like a hotdog cos I want to make sure I ate something, then have time to go to the toilet and not wait until lunch then gotta check out and have to go to the toilet then. I walked quickly over and dabao 2 hotdogs, RM$7.90 each and I bought a bottle of oolong RM$4 and a can of root-beer RM$3.50. Hers was a NY hotdog, relish, dog, mustard n tomato sauce.
Mine is a german style - Dangley doodle, hotdog with mash potato and chilli flakes. Gobbled it down and washed down with the rootbeer. Then bathed and packed up. About 11.15am, slowly went to check-out which was surprisingly fast, just return the card keys. Huh? Okay deposit the luggage at the counter and headed for lunch. Again KFC cos dad wanted to eat and kept saying how other restaurants costs alot n don't taste the same etc etc. Went there but I was still too full from the late breakfast to eat. Mom ate a small burger. They wanted to walk around and go casino, agree to meet 45mins later. I got a drink so that my dad won't feel so uncomfortable being the only one eating. RM$5.30 for a regular ice-lemon tea. Then my dad no teeth to eat the coleslaw and the breast, passed it to me. Okay ate it so he won't keep asking me to eat though I mentioned I wasnt hungry cos of the late breakfast a few times. He mentioned he found a few small shops at the basement of the Resort hotel and he wanted to buy some souvenirs there. We walked over, I bought 3 pic post cards, 2 of KLCC and the twin towers cos the shots were nicely taken and a reminder I've been there before. A third card of Melaka, a reminder I've been there too. Too bad no Genting one. Cost RM8 plus a chewing gum RM$2. We met up and my mom n sis went to the provision shop too. After that we collected our luggage and walked over to the First World Plaza. I was thanking my stars I brought a 4-wheel trolley cos I lugged with my dad's heavy carry bag and it was heavy to pull along but using 4 wheels, can push effortlessly unless there's an incline. Reached and sat down at the lobby to wait,
1.5hrs. With toilet breaks between, walking a bit, I walked to the bus counter to check about 1.30pm but was told to come back at 2.30pm. Bought a Starbucks Green Tea Latte Grande n sipped it over time. My mom n sis ate some bread they bought nearby. By 2.30pk, we walked over to the bus terminal, got the bus no, waited for the doors to open n board.

The road down is very steep and super sharp 270-360 degree turns at least ten times. Rapid descending meant my ears kept popping and the sharp left n right turns in quick successions meant got dizzy. Lucky nothing solid in stomach. After we got down the hill, I was fine. We had fewer toilet stops and the meal stop at Yong Peng about 7pm, I ate sizzling plate rice, dabao some waffle biscuits. Reached sg by 8.30pm, home about 9 plus. Glad to be home. Dieting to get back all the over-calories a daunting task. Will try to restart gym too. This trip I spent really little, about RM$300 almost all on food. All-in about SGD$282, only more expensive than Melaka cos of the transport and accommodations, all in SGD. In the e d, my sis lost RM$30, mom lost RM$50.

I've realized I have no luck at gambling in casino. 'Gambling' in stock markets, I am okay. Today I took out the casino chip keychain I bought in Macau and the RW keychain and put on my personal bag, a reminder I shouldn't gamble in casino. Tables I lost SGD$80, slots I lost RM$40 (SGD$16.60) A fifth of the Macau losses but I am not willing to lose more just to get it back. A small price to pay for a slot experience and a lesson about gambling in casino.