Chasing Childhood Dreams: Sutapa's Solo Trip to Malaysia with Thrillophilia
"Bas bohot hua, today I'll clean and organize my flat," I said to myself, determined not to spend another weekend outdoors.
After 15 minutes of feeling confused about where to begin, I made tea and decided to enjoy it with cookies from a local bakery. While enjoying my tea break, I heard someone downstairs shouting "PREETI..." at the top of their voice. The voice suddenly sent me back to my childhood, when I used to play all day long with Preeti. She was my best friend who used to live in the house next to ours.
As kids, Preeti and I used to chit-chat about visiting Malaysia together once we grew up, but life had different plans. Though we're not in touch anymore, I've still got a trip to Malaysia on my wishlist. Not all plans that we make turn out the way we want, but my spirit for adventure remains
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—taken alone."
I read this quote somewhere on the internet, and I guess it was time for me to take that first step. So I started browsing packages for Malaysia online and that's how I found Thrillophilia. Rishabh, their destination expert for Greece connected with me. He helped me in finalizing a package that suited my preferences, as I was super concerned about my safety during the solo trip.
Where Modern Marvels and Historical Whispers Unite
I felt a bit hesitant and awkward during my time on the flight to Malaysia. However, the moment I landed in Kuala Lumpur, and put my first step on the grounds of the airport, all the feelings of hesitance vanished. I was here, finally, ready to make my childhood dream come true.
My dream trip began with a city tour of Kuala Lumpur right after checking into my hotel room. I must admit, the city is an unbelievable blend of experiences. My first stop during the city tour was the Petronas Twin Towers, which are considered to be among the tallest towers on the planet. Its architecture was so beautiful that everyone around me just kept looking at it for a couple of minutes.
The next stop was KL Tower, where I visited its sky deck to admire the city's skyline from a height of more than 950 feet. I particularly loved the historic design of the tower that flaunted abstract and floral motifs in impressive color combinations.
Whatever little awkwardness of traveling solo that was left in my heart, was swept away by the peaceful ambiance of religious sites.
Among those, my favorite was Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, which happens to be the oldest temple in the city. Another temple that I visited was the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, a Chinese temple located right next to Kuala Lumpur's Central Market.
Speaking of the Central Market, it was one of my best shopping experiences ever. From colorful shops, Malaysian street food stalls, to handmade crafts, and unique traditional souvenirs - the market had it all. Some of the local vendors would even share small stories about the region, making the tour more immersive. I particularly loved trying 'Popiah' which are Malaysian spring rolls filled with tofu and veggies.
I had heard stories of people going gaga over Swiss chocolates, but I didn't know that Kuala Lumpur had its own chocolate brand called 'Beryl's Chocolate'. I browsed through a variety of gourmet chocolates, made from the finest cocoa beans in the world. I spent a lot in that store, after all, it's not every day that I get to try Malaysian chocolates.
Where Clouds Embrace the Sky
It's said that 'In Malaysia, the journey is just as beautiful as the destination.'
It couldn't be more true, as every time I traveled from one location to another in Malaysia, the scenery would keep getting better. In Genting Highlands, I got the chance to try one of the fastest and longest gondola rides in Southeast Asia. As I glided in the Gondola, I could see a stunning rainforest below, that is known to be about 130 million years old.
Besides the Gondola ride, visiting the Batu Caves was another activity that I loved during the trip. I believe it must be every traveler's favorite, because of Lord Murugan's huge statue that's more than 100 feet tall. Moreover, visiting Genting Highlands was a stunning visual treat for me as I got to see the dramatic limestone formations downhill.
Where Emerald Waters Kiss the Sands
I'm a nature enthusiast, so I had specially asked Rishabh to include attractions that featured natural landscapes in my package. Thanks to him, I got an opportunity to explore Langkawi, a group of around 99 islands, popular for its lush green forests and clear waters.
I had already taken the Gondola ride in Genting Highlands, but I wanted more. I got another chance to do it at Mount Chin Chang in Langkawi, which is known among travelers for its cable car rides. The ride even stopped in the middle of the route for refreshment, where I tried a variety of authentic Malaysian snacks and beverages.
The Atma Alam Batik Art Village was my final stop, where I loved exploring traditional batik art. Signing up for a workshop was one of the best decisions I've ever made, as I came back with a masterpiece of my own. I even bought several unique batik products such as scarves, and home decor items for decorating my flat. The decor items were more than a souvenir for me, they were a piece of my journey that'd remind me of the adventures I had in Malaysia.
As my adventure came to an end, I thought about how far I'd come. It wasn't just about the distance, but also about my spirit of turning my childhood dreams into reality.
Read More: Thrillophilia Malaysia Reviews