Journal
Malaysia with my childhood friends
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · · 7 min read
How it all started
It all started around late February, when my childhood friends from near my hometown in India wanted to go on a trip, either local or international. It’s never been easy. We go around our hometown and within the state lots of times, but we’ve never crossed the state borders. Actually, we did once, back in 2016/17 I guess, but that was a school trip, so I don’t count it. And it took a lot of time to figure out who was coming and where we’d go.
At first, we thought of going somewhere budget-friendly and planned for the closest ones, like Sri Lanka or Nepal. Then we thought of Vietnam. Thailand was also on the list, but we skipped it because of the weather. In May, we finally figured out who was coming and decided on Malaysia. We thought it was the cheapest and most happening country.
So it was Bhuvan, Mithilesh, Naresh, Sathvik, Saikiran and me. Confirmed.
Starring
Honestly, at first we didn’t have any expectations about Malaysia at all. We were like, it’s okay even if it’s too plain and not much fun. At least it’ll be okay if we cover all the locations from the Billa movie XD
Even deciding on the trip wasn’t easy, because one of us is in Dubai, one is in Kerala, I’m in Finland, another one is studying for a bachelor’s in medicine, and the others are working full time. Because of all this, the flight tickets got hiked big time.
We booked the tickets on a Sunday in May, all one-way to Kuala Lumpur. Mithilesh didn’t even have a passport but booked the ticket anyway. After applying, he went to the passport office and it didn’t get approved on the first go. Some documents had to be reviewed, then another appointment, and somehow he received his passport.
Getting there
With everything about the trip sorted, I went to India on 2nd June. My flight was supposed to be Delhi to Hyderabad, but because I missed it, I got a rerouted connection to reach the same day: Delhi to Lucknow, and Lucknow to Hyderabad. But that’s not important.
We booked the return tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Hyderabad for 15th June. So now we knew the timeline: 9th to 15th June.
Naresh and I left for Hyderabad a day earlier to spend some time with other friends, and the next day we went to a mall to shop. We spent big time there till evening. The actual plan was to shop, go pick up our friends and then head to the airport. Bhuvan and Mithilesh were working, so we needed to pick them up. But when we were about to leave, we realised Hyderabad traffic had screwed us and it was already late. So we couldn’t go to our two friends who were working, and asked them to come on their own. Both cars reached at almost the same time, we parked with valet and started rushing inside.
The problem with Indian airports is the many checks. They’re there for a good reason, but sometimes it’s very annoying when you’re in a hurry. DigiYatra isn’t available for international flights, so it’s still a manual ticket and passport check just to enter the check-in and bag drop area.
Then bag drop and check-in, followed by border control. They have e-gates as well, but just so we didn’t miss the flight, I decided to go for the physical check. And yeah, it was done.
And we landed in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur
Direct flights from Hyderabad to Kuala Lumpur are only with AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines. Malaysia Airlines was overpriced because we booked close to the date, and AirAsia’s service is terrible, almost like IndiGo and Ryanair. But happy that they didn’t cancel, because AirAsia often gets cancelled.
At arrivals, before hopping into a taxi, we stopped to buy SIM cards for data, and I forgot my charger on the desk. I only realised after reaching the Airbnb. Since we were six and couldn’t fit in one, it was always the bigger car. My first impression on the way from the airport was that it felt like travelling on the Hyderabad expressway, because it was built by the same people.
In Kuala Lumpur, we booked a 3-bedroom apartment on the 50th floor of the Vortex KLCC building, with a direct view of the Petronas Towers and KL Tower. We actually got a very good deal because of Albertine, which I got with my Revolut Ultra membership, and they found the apartment with a good discount. I was pretty impressed and satisfied with the room and the area.
Day 1Petronas Twin Towers
Half the day had passed by the time we got ready, so we decided to go easy and check out the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. We walked around the surroundings, and the whole place is so beautiful with good greenery. We spent the evening there and also visited Aquaria KLCC. That was good, but overpriced for me for the value we got out of it. Still a fun place to be around.
We did some fun stuff, went to the walking street, and went back to the stay to have fun there, as we were pretty exhausted. Rested well for the whole night to be active for the next day.
Genting Highlands
Next day we went to Genting Highlands, and that place is the best. If you visit Malaysia, you must go there for sure. It’s that kind of place. There are temples and lots of Chinese things, as the place was developed by Chinese people and they represented their culture very well.
For some distance there’s a cable car. At the ground level, it’s all premium outlet stores with good discounts. A little step up, a few floors, there’s the cable car to some level of the hills, and after that it’s all escalators till the top. There are many beautiful resorts, and the scenery offers good views. If we’d had this in mind, we would have booked a night in Genting for sure.
It was like a mall with an indoor amusement park, and everything is so pretty.
By the time we left, everything was getting closed and the streets were empty, and it’s almost 1h20 minutes from Genting to our place. Since we stayed in KLCC, it’s pretty central, with lots of people around, and everything looks like the best nightlife. We tried the sky pool and then rested.
Batu Caves and Port Dickson
Next day we went to Batu Caves and went all in exploring the place. It’s good, and it actually felt like I was in India. But there are lots of steps. I felt it’s good just near the statue, and it isn’t worth going up.
From there we went to a beach place, but it was still under maintenance, so we couldn’t get in. Then we went to the popular beach in Port Dickson, and that’s the best, most fun beach among all the beaches I’ve been to. We tried two rides and spent a good time there, but the best part, and why it was so much fun, is that three of them don’t know how to swim.
We stayed there till night, and no taxis were coming there. We were almost stranded, with our phone batteries nearly dead. We tried multiple ways and multiple apps, and after about an hour of struggle, one guy luckily decided to confirm the ride, and we went back to Bukit Bintang, to the same place. But the worst thing: we ate at the same Indian restaurant every day.
Day 4Putrajaya and a night out
Next day we went to Putrajaya, explored around, a mall and some places nearby, and tried a different Indian restaurant. We were back in the room by evening.
At night we went to TREC near KLCC, a premium night place and the most happening place in Malaysia. We stayed till 4 AM, then went to McDonald’s to eat something, and then back to sleep.
Day 5Taking it easy
Next day we took it easy and spent more time at the stay, as we’d been rushing around a lot. We booked a high tea at KLCC Orbit, dining in the tower, and that restaurant actually revolves, so we could see the whole city view from our table. Then we went to do our final shopping.
Going home
We went to the lounge and boarded the flight. The flight back wasn’t much fun, but we’d enjoyed so much in return.
One of our friends is going to Germany for his master’s, so right after arriving, we went from arrivals to departures to send him off, and finished the trip with a final dinner in Hyderabad.
Been to many countries, but this one remains forever as the best one. Loved and enjoyed every moment.
Bhuvan · Mithilesh · Naresh · Sathvik · Saikiran · Vignesh
Kuala Lumpur · 9–15 June 2026
Thanks for reading.
← Back to the blog