A few of the Influenzas team and I went on a little tour on the Hop On and Hop Off Bus and we headed to three notable spots along the route a couple of weeks ago…

We agreed to catch up at the KL Bird Park early in the morning as parking was a breeze there.. and started our tour…

Did you know most of us are soooo taking things for granted.. and when I mention travel, or even a change of sceneries it does not quite neccessary have to be taking a flight for 3-10 hours or more but it could also just begin at your own country, or just where you are…

Most of my friends have not been to all these places… tut tut… and they were staying around the Klang Valley…

Me? I am the more adventurous kind and love to explore wherever I am.. but that does not mean I have been every where either…

So I was out much earlier then the agreed upon meeting time and decided to jump aboard the KL Hop On and Hop Off bus at KL Sentral which was there when I got there at the nick of time.. phew…

From KL Sentral, we took the ride around to the National Museum and then to the National Palace..

..and I got to see the changing of guards on horseback (not quite the whole thing but part of it..)

It was enough to warm my simple heart and make me feel proud…lol… The KL HOHO bus will stop here for about 5 minutes for you to disembark and take photos

From the National Palace, it was just 2 stops to the KL Bird Park…

The KL Bird Park is a 21 acre park that is located at the east of the Botanical Gardens and claims to be the largest free flight walk in aviary in the world…

And yes, it is hard to dispute that fact since there is no denying the enclosure is enormous. Split across four different zones, this huge park will at least take 2 hours or more to complete…

The bird park is beautifully landscaped with waterfalls and several feeding points for the birds.

Any nature lover or photographer will find this a mini paradise…

The KL Bird Park management and staff have done their best to provide a natural habitat for the birds as best as they could, allowing most of the birds to fly about freely while keeping them safe from harm and within the park environs. Staff has been trained to keep at eye out for the bird’s welfare as well..

You can find useful information boards at strategic places describing the various zones and feeding times of different birds or if you can, be sure to catch the twice daily bird show at the amphitheatre at 12.30pm and 3.30pm…

There is not many places in the world where you can find peacocks, cranes, scarlet ibis, egrets, pelicans, victoria crowned pigeons and peafowl walking by your side and accompanying you or just flying over the look you in the eye before flying away….

Once your visit to the KL Bird Park is over, you will exit at the Peacock and Hornbill Gift Shop / Hornbill Restaurant and Cafe… give yourself a treat and stop here for a meal and refreshments as it could just very well be one of the best treats you can gice yourself.. Sit outside at the verandah and, you get a few feathered visitors popping by to check out what you are doing or just to say Hi.. and if you are lucky, the majestic Rhinoceros Hornbill himself might just drop by as well since the verandah is opened and looks out over the Hornbill Park…

The food here is of course, also super delicious and lip- smackingly good..

Address- KL Bird Park, 920 Jalan Cenderawasih.
Opening Hours: 09:00–18:00
T: (03) 2272 1010
http://klbirdpark.com/

From the KL Bird Park, we caught the KL HOHO bus continued our trip to KL Tower, our 2nd destination…

The trip took us past the National Mosque, Dataran Merdeka, PWTC, Istana Budaya, KLCC and MaTiC before we finally arrive at KL Tower..

KL Tower is a 421m high telecommunications and broadcasting tower which seems to appear taller than the Petronas Towers, because it was built on a hill.

Also known as the Menara Kuala Lumpur to the locals, the tower is 515m above sea level.

The KL Tower comes with an observation deck, where you can get a wonderful and breathtaking bird’s eye view of Kuala Lumpur.

The KL Tower ranks fourth amongst the tallest telecommunications towers in the world and was constructed over a period of four years as well as designed to withstand wind pressures of up to 90mph… The tower was completed in May 1996.

The KL Tower’s architecture reflects Malaysia’s Islamic heritage with the construction detailing Arabic Scripts, Islamic tiles, classic Islamic floral and abstract motifs and soothing colour combinations.

The main public area and entrance is at the upper ground level where you can also find some restaurants and shops..

Head over to the ticketing counter to get your tickets to the “Observation Deck”, or the Sky Deck which is the highest point of the Tower.

I have been to the Sky Deck numerous times but I can never tired of the magnificent view or well the wind on your face.

It is just sheer euphoria getting to walk around the Sky Deck outside and admire Kuala Lumpur without any obstruction at an altitude of 300 meters…

The whole parameter is surrounded by a large glass wall, which serves as a large fence… and you might also want to challe ge your fears of heights by heading for one of the two Sky Boxes and have the feeling of Kuala Lumpur being at your feet… It is a surrealistic sensation and experience… and kinda scary and yet thrilling…

My Influenzas team mates were kinda terrified and stoked as they grabbed the railings and gingerly stepped on the glass floors… but they were so thrilled being up there as well…

Address- Menara Kuala Lumpur, No. 2 Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan P.Ramlee
Tel- 03 2020 5444
www.menarakl.com.my

From the KL Tower, we made pur way to our last destination which was the Aquaria KLCC, just 2 stops away from KL Tower via KL HOHO bus…

Aquaria KLCC is located at the basement of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre… and it is a 60,000 square foot area showcasing over 250 different species of both underwater and land creatures…

It may not be the largest or the most grandest aquarium ever, speaking from my point of view, as I have been fortunate to have visited the SEA Aquarium as well as the Beijing Aquarium which were a lot more grander, but there is something about Aquaria KLCC that keeps drawing me back…

Aquaria KLCC brings you on a little journey based on the journey of water from the land to the sea.

The journey starts at the Evolution Zone where piranhas welcome you, before you head over to the gene pool where you can get really up close and personal with the exhibits there which includes the horseshoe crab, starfishes, sea cucumber, bamboo sharks and so on.. Yes, you can touch them gently with the supervision of the staff there…

From there, we made our way to the Stream with the otters and electifying fishes… hahahaha

Then wander around the Shipwreck….

Then we made our way downstairs to the deep forest where arapaimas and giant catfishes rule the area… and to the coast…

…. before plunging into the living ocean.. where we came face to face with sharks, stingrays, giant groupers, and turtles …

And of course… the weird and wonderful creatures of the sea.. such as the jelly fishes, the sea horses and other strange creatures you cannot even “brain”…

Along the way, you can find interactive information kiosks on fish and turtle conservation.

The Aquaria KLCC opens daily from 10 am to 8 pm and the last admission is about 7pm.

Address- Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tel- 03 2333 1888
http://aquariaklcc.com

Just so you know….

The KL HOP-ON HOP-OFF is a “free and easy” city tour that has 23 stops which cover over than 70 attractions.

It is one of the best and fun ways to see as much of the city as possible at your own leisure, and personally, whenever I travel to a place where there is a Hop On Hop Off bus, I will definitely take it as it saves me a lot of hassle from wondering which bus or subway to take, and saves me the worry of getting scamned by taxi drivers and so on…

The KL HO HO buses run at an interval around 20 to 30 minutes, 365 days per year including school holidays and public holidays.

You can get your tickets aboard the bus, online via the official website or via authorized agents /hotels and KL Hop-On Hop-Off counters located at Jalan Bukit Bintang (main counter at stop number 6), Malaysian Tourism Centre at Jalan Ampang, at KL Sentral (arrival hall) and at KLCC.

For more info on KL Hop On Hop Off, check out https://www.myhoponhopoff.com/kl/visitor.php