After almost 8 hours’ flight from Gold Coast, Australia, we landed in Kuala Lumpur feeling rather more anxious and apprehensive the closer we got to the immigration queue. Charles and I hadn’t really come up with a concrete alternative plan if they denied me entry into Malaysia except for a trip back to the Philippines (as a Filipino citizen I don’t need 6 months passport validity for entry).
The flight was quite uneventful. We were served pre-packed plane-food Nasi Lemak for lunch, and as I ate it I hoped that this would not be the only Malaysian delicacy I would have the opportunity to sample on this trip. We walked sluggishly across the tarmac savoring the familiar warm and humid air that stripped the last traces of Sydney’s winter from our bodies. The heat made me long to find the nearest Cendol stall, a popular Malaysian dessert made of shaved ice, sweetened beans, and soft green starchy noodle.
Credit: The Petronas Tower
That is if I could even manage to get past the immigration desk. I had played out different scenarios in my head, covering all possible arguments with the immigration officer that I could imagine. Finding one who at least looked lenient and unintimidating was a must. It was another long suspenseful wait in the line punctuated by daydreams of jungle treks and lazing on the beach on a secluded offshore island in Sabah.
All I really wanted was to stand at the tip of Borneo and look across at Mindanao from another country, to eat Ipoh’s curry noodles, Penang’s Laksa, KL’s Banana leaf, Melaka’s satay celup and many more of Malaysian’s gastronomic delights. Charles was looking forward to checking out the surf at Cherating and to having a day or two doing absolutely nothing at the beach, which was his only request while I was making the itinerary. My mind continuously wandered thinking of all the things we were going to do in Malaysia and Cambodia, after all it was our last chance to experience irresponsible and wild adventurous backpacking before having a small tot in tow.
Then, I was jolted back to reality when it was our turn to hand over our passports. We gave our best smile and most enthusiastic hello hoping he wouldn’t notice the expiry date. He had one glance at it, typed something on the computer and then asked me to put my index fingers at the scanner. I was expecting to get notified about the travel advice issued in Australia before we checked in our things, but he just stamped it with a 30-day entry just like that.
After 3 days of stressful anticipation, we finally heaved a sigh of relief and for the first time felt that we were actually having a holiday. We cancelled our trip to Cambodia altogether to avoid going through the whole process again. We went straight to the Sky Bus Station en route to KL Central and boarded the train to China Town where we planned to stay for the first night.
Hello Kuala Lumpur! Now, where can I find the most delicious cendol?
Hey I’m new to the FB group. Cool post I like your writing style. Ta
great! Malaysia!! We’re going there this December. Planning to go to the beach but Perhentian is bad during December.
I’ll keep a close eye on your blog so we can get some pointers on where to go and what to do. definitely i would want to see some proboscis monkeys! Enjoy your trip!
Congrats, was awaiting update on your trip. Good thing they let you in. Hope you can continue your trip as originally pplanned, until then enjoy KL….
Also, if I were the immigration officer, one look at your flashing smile, I’d stamp your passport too right away. No questions asked
good job! i thought you’ll be Pinas bound…good thing the I.O. didn’t notice hehe…enjoy all the nasi goreng and satay!
The Universe smiled. Iced kachang!!! love it !Now enjoy yourself.
Congrats! My motto in life is always, “I’ll laugh about this in the morning.”
I’m sure you two are laughing your heads off right now.
Enjoy Malaysia!
Cendol seems to be Malaysia’s local version of Halo-halo?
Yey! You made it! Enjoy your trip
What an immigration officer – malay nya Malaysia! Haha! Now that suspenseful entry made you deserve that vacation en grande!
wow! good job! good thing mabait ung natapatan nyong officer. enjoy your trip!
i love cendol too! i imagine you guys having roti for breakfast?
buti di nakita yung expiry date. haha
nice plans
that cendol will definitely be sweeter than your other cendols before…
*the wait is always the hardest part i guess
Wow, already looking 4ward to see the Petronas Towers in the end of this year
hay salamat. nakaka tense talaga when these things happen because you have no control over these scenes. pero glad na natuloy din kayo claire!
first time to hear of cendol. havent been to KL. changing plans while on travel gives in flexibility. something each traveler should value.
Hindi ko na-try yang Cendol sa trip ko ah
Buti nakalusot ka teh
Have fun 
.. enjoy your trip in malaysia! you can try cendol in madam kwan’s restaurant in midvalley megamall, they have good malaysian dishes too!
glad you made it to KL. that would have been a total hassle if you had to fly back home! Please update us with all the delicious delicacies that I am sure you and hubby will be trying!
wheewww. i can feel the tension. been to malaysia last april and their immigration officers were nice. enjoy ur trip claire!
I enjoyed reading this article and felt so excited to see the word TOT! love it clarita!!! =) regards to charles! =) have fun!
i’d love to capture the night scene on the Petronas Towers too.. seems like you will have another great adventure coming ahead.. enjoy and i’ll wait for your updates..
and hey, i gave you a click.. for the nice read..