The taxi driver asked, “Is this your
first time to travel to Kuala Lumpur?” I replied, “Yes.” Realizing my immediate
honest response, my answer was susceptible to inevitable effects, I thought. He
won’t plug down his meter because it’s the wee hours of the morning; he’ll jack
up his price since I don’t have any idea how much a taxi ride is,
then, haggle with him; he plugs down his meter but takes the longer route
since I do not know the nearest route to town anyway or if I am very lucky, he’ll be
kinder since he’d want me to have a good impression of his country."
Nagtanong ang taxi drayber, "Unang beses lang po ba kayong
nakapunta sa Kuala Lumpur?" "Opo.", sagot ko. Napaisip ako
sa agad-agad kong tapat na kasagutan dahil malamang merong tiyak na epekto
nito. Hindi niya ibababa ang metro dahil diyes oras nang umaga naman;
itataas niya ang kaniyang singil dahil hindi ko naman alam
kung magkano talaga ang singilan sa taxi at magtatawaran pagkatapos;
magmemetro nga siya pero, iibahin niya ang ruta/daan dahil hindi
ko naman alam ang pinakamaikling ruta/daan, o kung susuwertehin ako, magiging mas
mabait siya sa akin para magkaroon ako ng
mabuting impresyon sa kanilang bansa.
 |
| The taxi driver asked, “Is this your first time to travel to Kuala Lumpur?” Nagtanong ang taxi drayber, "Unang beses lang po ba kayong nakapunta sa Kuala Lumpur?" |
The
transportation to KL Sentral from LCCT is really very easy. Coming out from the
immigration section, just go out from the airport and proceed in front of the
Coffee Bean Shop. There are busses awaiting there for KL Sentral for only
MYR9.00. It only took us about one hour ride because there was no traffic
during the wee hours of the morning. Just when everybody was getting off, we
knew it was also time to get down.
 The transportation to KL Sentral from LCCT is really very easy. Just proceed to the bus station in front of the Coffee Bean Shop.
Madali lang ang transportasyon mula sa LCCT papuntang KL Sentral. Pumunta lang sa istasyon ng bus na nasa harap ng Coffee Bean Shop.
|
May mga
taxing nakapila na roon pagbaba mo sa istasyon ng bus na parang pipilitin kang
sumakay sa kanila. Naglakad kami nang kaunti palayo dahil gusto sana naming
kumain. May nakita kaming turo-turo pero mukhang hindi masarap. Kaya nagtaxi na
lang kami mula roon. Hindi na kami nagsabi sa drayber na
magmetro siya, basta sinabi lang namin, "Renaissance Hotel"
tsaka niya ibinaba ang metro. Nagulat kami sa binayad naming MYR15.00 lang
samantalang sinisingil kami ng MYR30.00 ng ibang taxi kanina.
The
Renaissance Hotel staff was very kind enough to assist us on an early check-in.
(We're fortunate in our travels because we've always been accommodated for
early check-ins. Lucky us, indeed!)
We were
on the 20th level overlooking the KL watchtower. Looking from the
top view, we already had a good impression on the flow of traffic, the
transportation system and the cleanliness of the streets.
 |
Looking from the top view on the 20th level, we already had a good impression on the flow of the traffic, the transportation system and the cleanliness of the streets! Please notice the rain forest in the middle of a busy main road!
Natatanaw mula sa ika-20 na palapag ang mabuting impresyon tungkol sa trapik, transportasyon, at kalinisan ng mga kalsada! Pakipansin nga lang ang maliit na kagubatan sa gitna ng siyudad! |
My
impression did not mislead me. KL’s transportation system is very convenient
and accessible. We took a taxi to Low Yat Plaza then rode the monorail in Bukit
Bintang to Bukit Nenas station back to our hotel. I noticed that when you get
out of the station, you walk on a sheltered area without being rained on if it
was raining or be under the sun on a very hot day! Unlike here in my country
that there are seldom sheds. You still need to walk far away, get wet
to reach the connecting bus/jeepney/taxi ride. The pedestrian
path walks are not even wide enough for one person to pass through especially
if you’re carrying something with you. So if there are pedestrians from the opposite
direction, you need to let them pass first before you can squeeze yourself in.
(Observe the pedestrian path walks on Ortigas, Guadalupe, Buendia. One has to
walk very far to catch a bus from the train stations.)
Hindi ako
binigo ng aking impresyon. Ang systema ng transportasyon ay kombinyente at
madali. Nagtaxi kami papuntang Low Yat Plaza at nagmonorail pabalik mula sa
istasyon ng Bukit Bintang hanggang sa istasyon ng Bukit Nenas na nasa
harap lang ng aming hotel. Napansin ko na paglabas mo pa lang sa istasyon,
maglalakad ka sa pedestrian path walk na may bubungan. Hindi ka mababasa sa
ulan o maaarawan kapag matindi ang sikat ng araw! Hindi tulad dito sa aking
bansa na walang silungan at kailangan mo pang maglakad nang malayo upang
makasakay sa bus / dyip o taxi. Siguradong mababasa ka muna bago mo
marating ang susunod mong sasakyan. Ang pedestrian path walk ay
napakakitid na halos hindi magkasya ang isang tao lalo pa kapag meron
kang bitbit. Kaya kung may taong naglalakad pasalubong, kailangan mo
munang paunahin siya bago ka makasiksik sa daanan ng mga tao. (Pakipansin ang
sitwasyon ng mga daanan ng tao sa Ortigas, Guadalupe, Buendia. Malayo ang iyong
lalakarin para makasakay ng bus/dyip mula sa istasyon ng tren.)
 |
| Inside the train is also clean! Malinis din sa loob ng tren! |
 |
| You would think that the train stations were just built yesterday or so because they are very clean including the walls. Nagmumukha tuloy parang bagong-gawa lamang ang mga istasyon ng tren dahil napakalinis pati na ang mga pader nito. |
KL is
clean. People are very disciplined and conscious as to where they throw their
trash. You see garbage bins spotted all over the place even on train stations.
You would think that the train stations were just built yesterday or so because
they are very clean including the walls. I do not see the same condition in my
country, and that’s a pity! I’m in consummate
frustration! The walls at the train stations and buildings especially on EDSA
are very dirty! (I wished to note the specific train stations but I noticed
that I mentioned them all!) The funds that could have been used to improve our
country have benefitted those who have already much money, wealth and power!
Where is the PDAF????
Malinis
ang KL. Napakadisiplinado ng mga tao at alam nila ang tamang tapunan
ng basura! Marami kang makikitang basurahan sa lahat ng dako ng lugar at
kahit na sa istasyon ng tren. Nagmumukha tuloy
parang bagong-gawa lamang ang mga istasyon ng tren dahil napakalinis
pati na ang mga pader. Hindi ko makikita ang parehong kalagayan sa
aking bansa. Nakakaawa naman! Lubos ang aking pagkadismaya! Napakarumi ang
mga pader sa istasyon ng tren at mga gusali lalo na sa Edsa! Ang
mga pondo na dapat magamit para mapaunlad ang aming bansa
ay para sa pakinabang ng may mga pera, mayayaman, at makapangyarihan
lamang! Nasaan ang PDAF????
Here, you feel safe and secure. They mind their own thing.
Nobody at the stores pressures you to buy their wares. I enjoyed
window-shopping and buying polo shirts at Petaling Jaya shopping centers. I
like the set up, wares and more so of the prices in comparison to KLCC. I would
like to reemphasize that even though the place is quite far from the main city,
it is accessible to public transportation. From Renaissance Hotel, ride LRT at
Dang Wangi underground station up to Kelana Jaya. Buying train chips is easy
and without apprehensions because the vending machines have options on
selecting the English language. Just when you get down from the train station,
ride the free shuttle bus to Ikea. It’s very easy and convenient. I figured
that even elderly, pregnant women, and handicap could enjoy malling here
because of its accessibility.
Panatag
ang loob mo dahil ligtas ang pakiramdam mo dito. Walang namimilit sa
iyong bumili ng mga paninda nila. Nag-enjoy akong tumitingin-tingin at
nakabili rin ako ng ilang mga polo shirt sa Petaling Jaya
shopping center. Nagustuhan ko ang set up, mga paninda at mas mura dito kumpara
sa KLCC. Gusto ko lang bigyang diin na kahit medyo malayo ang lugar na ito mula
sa lungsod, ito'y naaabot pa rin ng pampublikong transportasyon. Mula sa Renaissance
Hotel, nagLRT kami sa Dang Wangi underground station hanggang Kelana Jaya.
Madali lang bumili ng train chips. Hindi ka kakabahang bumili nito dahil may
wikang Ingles ang vending machine. Pagbaba mo mula sa istasyon ng tren, sumakay
sa libreng shuttle bus papunta sa Ikea. Napakadali! Naisip ko na kahit
matatanda, buntis, at may kapansanan ay puwedeng magmalling dito dahil madaling
maabot ang lugar.
They say,
one has not been to KL without experiencing to climb up Petronas Twin Towers.
It’s a walking distance from our hotel. On a late afternoon, we thought we
could just purchase a ticket for the following day, but tickets bought on that
day will still be used on the 3rd day. We were advised to go early
the next day to purchase the ticket and use it on the same day. As early as
6:50 we were already in line taking the 23 slot. People ahead of us must have
been there very early. My enthusiasm to climb the 41 level double-decker
pedestrian skybridge elevated when the opening time at 9:00 a.m was drawing nearer. We went by batch, with a limited stay of 15 minutes. After being at
the 41st level we were brought to the 86 level. Here, you can view
the entire KL.
 |
| A view from the 86th level of Petronas Twin Towers. Tanawing makikita mo sa ika-86 na palapag ng Petronas Twin Towers. |
Honestly,
the level of excitement was different when I reached the 41st and the 86th
floor as compared to my feelings when I was in line with the rest of the
tourists. It died out when I was already in actuality at the skybridge! I don’t
know why? Is it because I have already experienced to climb as high as 52 level?
(My kind Tagalog student brought me one day to the top level of One
Roxas in Makati.) I think what amazes me most about the Petronas twin towers is
the assembly of the structure itself! The structure of Petronas Twin Towers are magnificently done! The lights at night are amazing too!
Sa totoo
lang, iba ang aking kagalakan noong nasa linya pa lang ako
kasama ng mga turista. Biglang nawala ito noong totoong nasa ika-41 na
palapag. nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko noong nasa skybridge na
talaga ako! Hindi ko alam kung bakit? Ito ba ay dahil nakaranas
na akong umakyat sa ika-52 na palapag? (Dinala ako minsan ng aking
mabait na Tagalog na estudyante sa ika-52 na palapag sa One Roxas sa Makati.)
Sa tingin ko, mas namangha ako sa pagkakagawa ng Petronas Twin Towers! Ang istraktura ng Petronas Twin Towers ay kamangha-mangha!
Kamangha-mangha rin ang kaniyang liwanag sa gabi!
 |
| The level of excitement died out when I was already in actuality at the skybridge! Parang napukaw ang aking pagkasabik noong talagang naabot ko na ang skybridge! |
 |
|
It wasn't as exciting as I thought! Hindi rin pala kagilas-gilas tulad ng nasa isip ko! |
 |
| A view from the inside on the 86th level. |
 |
| A view on the 86th level. |
 |
| A view of KL's infrastructures! |
 |
| A view of KL's Watch Tower from our room. |
 |
| The lights of the Petronas Twin Towers at night are amazing! Kamangha-mangha ang liwanag ng istratura sa gabi! |
 |
| The lights of the KL watch tower at night are also amazing! Kamangha-mangha rin ang liwanag ng istratura ng KL watch tower sa gabi! |
I read
from blogs that Batu Cave is dirty and smelly. With that image in my mind, my
enthusiasm to visit the place almost faded away. But we wanted to try just the
same since we were already at KL. The place is accessible by train. We took an
LRT to KL Sentral, transferred to KTM commuter to go to Batu Cave. The site is
just next to the train station. Pigeons roam the grounds to peck the crumbs of
the tourists.
Nabasa ko
mula sa mga blog na marumi at mabaho ang Batu Cave. Dahil dito,
nawalan na ako ng ganang bisitahin ang lugar. Pero gusto ko pa ring
subukan kasi nandun na rin lang kami. Madaling maabot ito sa
pampublikong transportasyon. MagLRT sa KL Sentral, lumipat sa KTM commuter
papunta sa Batu Cave. Ang lugar ay nasa tabi lang ng istasyon ng
tren. Maraming mga kalapating lumalapit upang kainin ang mumo ng mga turista sa
lupa.
At the foot of the stairs, before you go up, you see the giant statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War. The statue is the largest in the world dedicated to the deity and stands guard to the 272 leg-burning steps that lead up to the cave entrances.
  |
| At the foot of the 272 stairs, you see the giant statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of war. Makikita mo ang higanteng estatwa ng Lord Murugan, ang Hindu God of War sa paanan ng 272 na hagdanan. |
 |
| Pigeons roam the grounds to peck the crumbs of the tourists. Maraming mga kalapating lumalapit upang tukain ang mumo ng mga turista. |
 |
The monkeys seem to have already been domesticated/acculturated due to their long association with people.
Mukhang maamo na ang mga unggoy sa mga tao dahil nasanay silang nakakahalubilo ang mga tao. |
 |
| We climbed the 272 stairs where monkeys roam around. Umakyat kami sa 272 hagdan habang mapayapang gumagala-gala naman ang mga unggoy. |
We climbed the 272 stairs where monkeys roam
around. The monkeys seem to have already been domesticated/acculturated due to
their long association with people. Don’t bring any food with you (unless your
intention is to give it away for the monkeys) because the monkeys will grab it
from you.
Umakyat kami
sa 272 hagdan habang mapayapang gumagala-gala naman ang mga unggoy sa hagdanan.
Mukhang maamo na ang mga unggoy sa mga tao dahil nasanay silang
nakakahalubilo ang mga tao. Huwag kayong magdala ng anumang pagkain
(maliban na lang kung ang iyong layunin ay ibigay ito sa mga unggoy.)
dahil aagawin lang ito ng mga unggoy.
 |
| Hindu shrines and ornate depictions bringing legends to life. Mga Hindu shrines at mga palamuti na naglalarawan ng buhay mula sa mga alamat. |
 |
| Inside the cave, you find various Hindu shrines bringing legends to life. Sa loob ng kuweba, makikita mo ang iba't-ibang mga Hindu shrines na naglalarawan ng buhay mula sa mga alamat. |
 |
 |
Inside
the cave, you find various Hindu shrines and ornate depictions bringing legends
to life. We didn’t enter the Dark Caves because we have already
experienced going inside Sagada Caves in Mountain Province and we figured out
that it could be the same kind of adventure. Overall, the cave is worth
visiting!
Sa loob
ng kuweba, makikita ang iba't-ibang mga Hindu shrines at mga palamuti na
naglalarawan ng buhay mula sa mga alamat.
Hindi na namin pinasok ang Madilim na Kuweba dahil nakaranas na
kaming pumasok sa loob kuweba sa Sagada sa Mountain Province at sa
isip namin ito'y pareho lang doon. Sa pangkalahatan, natuwa kami
sa aming pagpunta sa Batung Cave at sa buong biyahe namin sa Kuala Lumpur!
Our visit to Kuala Lumpur left a lasting impression on us!
Nag-iwan
ng pangmatagalang impresyon ang pagbisita namin sa Kuala
Lumpur!
Our trip was more joyful because of our pleasure to meet our "adopted son" and
his family. On occasions when education and hardship come as topic of
conversation whether in Sunday School class or in small talks, I often
mention Mel Bryant Dulam in my examples.
 |
| Friends and family are proud of you! Ipinagmamalaki ka ng mga kaibigan at pamilya! |
 |
| I often mention Mel Bryant Dulam in my examples. Madalas kong nababanggit si Bryan sa aking mga halimbawa. |
I
remember him relating to me his diligence in attending seminary class as part of his normal duty
and in so doing, he said, …"everything falls into proper perspective!" You make your family,
extended family and people around you proud of you! We are happy of what you
have become! You have remained grounded! That's why, you are blessed with the
most beautiful and kind wife, Leah, cute and smart kids - Bryce (5), Nina (3)
and Bruce (7wks)! People around you are also blessed because of you!
Naaalala
ko ang kanyang kasipagan sa pagdalo sa seminary/institute class bilang bahagi
ng kanyang karaniwang tungkulin at sa pamamagitan nito, nagiging nasa
ayos ang lahat! Ipagmamalaki ka ng iyong pamilya, kaanak at mga taong nasa
paligid mo! Natutuwa kami sa iyong kinahinatnan! Nananatili kang nakaapak sa
lupa! Kaya naman, nabiyayaan ka ng pinakamaganda at pinakamabait na
asawang si Leah, mga kyut at bibung-bibong mga anak na sina Bryce, Nina at
Bruce! Nabibiyayaan rin ang mga taong nasa paligid mo dahil sa
iyo!
 |
 |
| You are blessed with the most beautiful and kind wife, Leah, cute and smart kids - Bryce, Nina and Bruce! |
I am encountering these thoughts at the moment:
Sa kasalukuyan, nahaharap ako sa
mga kaisipan:
1. Whether I should truthfully answer
the question, “First time here?” to a taxi driver or not.
Dapat bang katotohanan ang isasagot ko sa
taxi drayber kapag tinatanong ako, "Unang beses po lang ba kayong
nakapunta rito?"
2. Why can’t our beautiful country be at par or even surpass
our Asian neighbors?
Bakit nga ba hindi napapantayan o kahit nahihigitan pa ng ating bansa ang
mga Asianong kapitbansa?
Please share your thoughts.
Mangyari lang po na
ibahagi ninyo ang inyong pananaw.
You can find more reading articles, day-to-day expressions, and learn Tagalog grammar from my Salitang Pinoy Tagalog Book series. You can buy them at the bookstores or place your orders at:
Salitang Pinoy Publishing
#38 El Jardin Del Presidente 2
Unit 1-E Sgt. Esguerra St.
Brgy. South Triangle,
Quezon City
If you're interested to learn Tagalog from me contact me at 09177527142; 02-9254142; salitangpinoybooks@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment