GENTING HIGHLAND, Malaysia
We decided to spend one weekend in early March 2007 in Genting Highland. We were attracted by the numerous advertisements in the local newspapers of the cheap hotel rates available. Being budget conscious traveler, room that costs less than RM100 a night seems like a good bargain. We tried online booking and to our frustration, we discovered that the promotional rates only apply on low seasons and weekdays only. Nonetheless, we decided to proceed to book a deluxe room in First World Hotel (FWH) at RM169 a night inclusive of breakfast.
Upon arrival we were impressed by the huge size of the hotel lobby. After all, FWH is the biggest hotel in the world. We were more impressed by the even bigger weekend crowds. We had to get queue number just to check in.
We got our room, a deluxe room. The room was a lot smaller than what we were used to. There was no view as it faced another building real close. It looked directly into someone else’s room. For privacy, we had to close the curtain all the time. There was no refrigerator, no coffee making facility, no complimentary bottle of mineral water and no closets for our clothes. The bathroom was small, and there was no shower curtain. One shower was enough to make the whole bathroom real wet and I hate wet bathroom.
We decided that it was time for us to check out the outside facilities. Genting boasts of outdoor as well as indoor theme parks for entertainment. There were a lot of people. Some were foreigners. I could tell from their lingo that they were Indonesians, Filipinos and Thais, all eager to lose money at the casino. There were a few Mat Sallehs. Somehow, being Malay Muslims, we were forbidden to enter Genting Casino by a decree laid in June 1983 by the Sultan of Pahang. That could have saved us a lot of money indeed. Most rich Malays go overseas anyway to gamble away their easily earned millions.
It was time for lunch and our 10 year old son decided that pizza should be the choice of the day. Since his word is final when it came to meals, we the parents had to oblige. Actually my wife and I wanted to try Torcello, an Italian restaurant. It opens for business only in the evening. Pizza Hut was the closest thing to an Italian restaurant. For a set menu of pizza for two and an extra order of garden salad and iced milo, the bill came to less than RM50. Not bad for a place like Genting.
After lunch it was time to check the outdoor theme park. After getting the entrance tickets, we walked into the park past the latest attraction called the Flying Coaster. Genting has a few signature attractions and of course you have to pay separate charges for some of these attractions. We tried Pirate Train since it was the first one that we came across. It looked very adventurous from the outside. While inside, we waited and waited for things to happen, they never came until we exited the place. The pirates must have gone away on their looting trips. Next we tried the Spinner. It was just a spinning swing and it was quite a ride. With our heads still spinning we decided to get out of the place for a drink. The tickets enabled us to enter and exit anytime until 10pm for that day.
You can’t go hungry in Genting. Eating places are everywhere. The only thing is they cost you many times more. The trip uphill must have contributed to the increase in cost significantly.
Next, it was time to check the indoor theme park. SnowWorld looked like a worthy venture especially for our son. Tickets cost RM17 for adults and RM14 for children. That was the price we paid to get the taste of freezing winter.
We decided to spend one weekend in early March 2007 in Genting Highland. We were attracted by the numerous advertisements in the local newspapers of the cheap hotel rates available. Being budget conscious traveler, room that costs less than RM100 a night seems like a good bargain. We tried online booking and to our frustration, we discovered that the promotional rates only apply on low seasons and weekdays only. Nonetheless, we decided to proceed to book a deluxe room in First World Hotel (FWH) at RM169 a night inclusive of breakfast.
Upon arrival we were impressed by the huge size of the hotel lobby. After all, FWH is the biggest hotel in the world. We were more impressed by the even bigger weekend crowds. We had to get queue number just to check in.
We got our room, a deluxe room. The room was a lot smaller than what we were used to. There was no view as it faced another building real close. It looked directly into someone else’s room. For privacy, we had to close the curtain all the time. There was no refrigerator, no coffee making facility, no complimentary bottle of mineral water and no closets for our clothes. The bathroom was small, and there was no shower curtain. One shower was enough to make the whole bathroom real wet and I hate wet bathroom.
We decided that it was time for us to check out the outside facilities. Genting boasts of outdoor as well as indoor theme parks for entertainment. There were a lot of people. Some were foreigners. I could tell from their lingo that they were Indonesians, Filipinos and Thais, all eager to lose money at the casino. There were a few Mat Sallehs. Somehow, being Malay Muslims, we were forbidden to enter Genting Casino by a decree laid in June 1983 by the Sultan of Pahang. That could have saved us a lot of money indeed. Most rich Malays go overseas anyway to gamble away their easily earned millions.
It was time for lunch and our 10 year old son decided that pizza should be the choice of the day. Since his word is final when it came to meals, we the parents had to oblige. Actually my wife and I wanted to try Torcello, an Italian restaurant. It opens for business only in the evening. Pizza Hut was the closest thing to an Italian restaurant. For a set menu of pizza for two and an extra order of garden salad and iced milo, the bill came to less than RM50. Not bad for a place like Genting.
After lunch it was time to check the outdoor theme park. After getting the entrance tickets, we walked into the park past the latest attraction called the Flying Coaster. Genting has a few signature attractions and of course you have to pay separate charges for some of these attractions. We tried Pirate Train since it was the first one that we came across. It looked very adventurous from the outside. While inside, we waited and waited for things to happen, they never came until we exited the place. The pirates must have gone away on their looting trips. Next we tried the Spinner. It was just a spinning swing and it was quite a ride. With our heads still spinning we decided to get out of the place for a drink. The tickets enabled us to enter and exit anytime until 10pm for that day.
You can’t go hungry in Genting. Eating places are everywhere. The only thing is they cost you many times more. The trip uphill must have contributed to the increase in cost significantly.
Next, it was time to check the indoor theme park. SnowWorld looked like a worthy venture especially for our son. Tickets cost RM17 for adults and RM14 for children. That was the price we paid to get the taste of freezing winter.
We stopped by a shop selling toys promoting up to fifty percent discount. My son picked a miniature car toy that carried a price tag of RM22. Since it came from the 50% discount lot, it would logically be RM11. Was I wrong! The discount was applicable to certain merchandise only.
Then it was dinner time. We decided Kopitiam looked like it’s worth a try. We ordered very light dinner indeed. After dinner, we went back to the outdoor theme park again. After a few rides, we were ready to call it a night.
Genting as I discovered, is a perfect place for weekend escapade. It may be a bit expensive, but you can experience the vibrant atmosphere by just going around the place. You have the choice of whether to go on the rides at the park, the casino or even be selective in places to have your meals to suit your budget.
Then it was dinner time. We decided Kopitiam looked like it’s worth a try. We ordered very light dinner indeed. After dinner, we went back to the outdoor theme park again. After a few rides, we were ready to call it a night.
Genting as I discovered, is a perfect place for weekend escapade. It may be a bit expensive, but you can experience the vibrant atmosphere by just going around the place. You have the choice of whether to go on the rides at the park, the casino or even be selective in places to have your meals to suit your budget.
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