Visit To The World’s Coldest Capital: Part I

I suddenly had this wish of going to Mongolia and shared it with a colleague. I contemplated staying in yurts and flying to Olgii to watch the eagle hunters but quickly changed my mind when I saw the return flight from Ulaanbataar cost more than RM2k (it’s not cheap to fly to Ulaanbataar in the first place!) and there is only one flight each way a week. Then I searched heading out to the Gobi Desert and well, it’s not cheap either. It’s like going on a safari when you’re in Africa: something you would like to do but have to rethink when you think of the cost.

Then my colleague said she couldn’t concentrate on planning the trip with her work demands and for a brief while I had a debate with myself if I should proceed with the trip or not. After thinking it over, I decided, sod it. I don’t want to regret not having gone. So I waited until 07/07/2026 to buy my tickets on Trip. I bought return AirAsia ticket to Shanghai and return Spring Airlines ticket from Shanghai to Ulaanbataar. Trip subsequently informed that AirAsia had cancelled the flight back to Shanghai so I chose to fly the earlier flight home at no extra cost. Syukur Alhamdulillah. I didn’t buy any check-in baggage and was determined to fly with 7 kg cabin bag. A week before my flight, I bought a super light cabin bag online that weighs 1.8kg for the trip.

Thursday, 3 September 2026

I made my way to KLIA2 and made my way to the gate. My cabin bag was 6.6kg while my shoulder bag was over 2kg but I made it through, alhamdulillah. When I checked in, I was amused to find I was assigned to row 50, the penultimate row and close to the lavatory. I asked the cabin crew if the flight was full and she was kind and thoughtful enough to inform me after everyone had boarded that there were some empty seats in front so I moved up to row 17 and had the middle seats all to myself, syukur alhamdulilah! I was fasting so I performed night prayers and broke fast on board. I even managed to stretch out and catch some kip.

Friday, 4 September 2026

We landed at midnight and it took a while for the plane to taxi to the gate. I’d filled up the China arrival card beforehand and I quickly made my way to passport control. The officer took a while to process my arrival though and asked how long I would be staying. When I told him I was transiting, he asked if I had a ticket to Ulaanbataar (I remember thinking, duh, my flight was in a few hours, of course I should have a ticket for that) and I showed him my Trip confirmation.

I was finally through and went out of the arrival hall. I made my way up to departure level and walked around, looking for a place to rest. I finally found a seat and sat down to rest. Sleep was elusive of course.  I got up after 05:20 and went to perform ablutions and prayers. Then I went to queue at Spring Airlines but I was told to go to ticketing to sort out my ticket. Apparently the name on the ticket was different or something. I then return to the same counter and was not happy to be told that I had to check in my bag (having rearranged my bag contents, it was 7.1 kg by then) and he pointed out that my shoulder bag would definitely bring the bag limit above 7kg. Whoa, that was strict of Spring Airlines. I never thought I would ever say that AirAsia was more lenient than another airline but there you go. I had to pay ¥300+9 for checking in my bag at the airport. Damnation!

I went through passport control again to exit China.  We boarded fairly early and everyone was on board quickly. We were taxiing at 08:15 and took off shortly.

We landed at Chinggis Khaan International Airport at 12:00 and we were out by 12:10. I was hoping to catch the 12:40 airport bus to Sukhbataar Square but told myself I would accept my fate if my bag came out late and I couldn’t catch the bus. Alhamdulillah, my bag came out and I was able to buy the bus ticket using my credit card by 12:33. I repacked quickly and boarded the bus. The bus was full when we pulled away at 12:45. I noted that some passengers paid for their ticket on board with cash and credit card.

I didn’t manage to get a window seat but managed to see the view outside: flat fields with horses grazing (do horses graze?), flat expanse of space, clear blue skies. We finally arrived at Sukhbataar Square after 100 minutes.

After getting my bag, I walked around the square taking in the atmosphere. There was a Korean fair going on at the Square. There is the equestrian statue of Sukhbataar, the evolutionary hero. Somehow this statue reminds me of Skanderbeg Statue at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. There is a massive Chinggis Khaan statue looking down on the square from his throne at the north end of the square. To the east of the square are the Classical Art Academic Theatre and State Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre, while the Ulaanbataar City Government building sits at the west side.

I then walked to Peace Avenue and two blocks to my Airbnb apartment. It’s close to State Department Store and on the top floor (fourth floor or third floor to us). I managed to open the door after some time and found my room with its sofa bed.

I ventured out in the late afternoon and walked to find money changer. There is a street near my apartment where there are a few money changers and even women offering to exchange money on the street (black market). I had made a rough calculation and decided USD100 would be enough for my stay.

After changing money, I walked to find a vegan restaurant for early dinner. Thankfully, there’s a menu in English and the girl at the counter spoke great English. I had fried udon. The restaurant closed at 19:00 and the girl said they were unsure if they would open the next day but the restaurant is definitely closed on Sundays.

After dinner, I walked to Mongolian Grand Theatre of National Art before returning to Peace Avenue. I stopped at Ulaanbataar Department Store and the State Department Store and browsed the beautiful cashmere collections. I only just found out that day that Mongolia produces fine cashmere besides wool products. They’re not cheap at all.  I returned to my room, had a shower and then turned in. It had been a long day.

Saturday, 5 September 2026

I’d planned to go to the museums today so I set out after 09:00 and headed for Sukhbataar Square. I decided to take alternative route to get to the Square. The Korean fair was starting with food and beauty booths being set up and there was a singer on stage. I lingered at the Square before walking over to the National Museum of Mongolia. The ticket cost MNT20k. I spent 100 minutes in the museum.

I then walked to nearby Chinggis Khaan National Museum. This is a tall modern building with lifts. The ticket cost MNT30k although the ticket lady wanted to sell me the MNT45k ticket. The extra amount is for entrance to the Grand Hall of Honour at the 9th floor to view the golden statue of Chinggis Khaan. I said I didn’t need that and paid MNT30k. Visitors cannot take photos of most exhibits and many items do not have an English translation so even with more floors to cover, I spent about the same time as I did at the first museum.

I had lunch at a nearby vegan restaurant before heading over to Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Alas, when I got there, I saw notices informing that the museum was closed from 4 to 6 September. I dropped by at a supermarket before heading back to my room.

I ventured out again at 20:00 and had dinner at an Uyghur restaurant. It was drizzling when I left. After dinner, I walked to Sukhbataar Square to check it out at dark before returning to my room. It rained again later that evening.

To be continued

Another Border Town

I’d thought of a short trip to Singers - I used to do this before the pandemic - and decided that it should take place between their independence day and ours and define not during school hols. Two weeks after travelling up north seemed a good idea for a trip down south so I browsed the bus tickets and booked a night’s stay at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel.

Monday, 17 August 2026

I made my way to Times Square for the 23:30 bus. Only found out when I collected my ticket that we would be changing buses in Sungai Besi. The bus came at 23:35 and we got on.

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

After Sungai Besi, the driver pulled into a side road and we boarded another bus, a double decker this time. Traffic was pretty heavy at that hour. We stopped somewhere to use the facilities before continuing on.

We arrived at Sultan Abu Bakar Immigration Custom just before 05:00 and went down to clear passport control. Then we joined dozens of other vehicles and crossed over to Singapore. Again, we went down, this time with our bags. The process was quick compared to pre-pandemic days. I went to perform ablutions and performed morning prayers in the bus. And a good thing I did too because we only reached Golden Mile Tower after 07:00 and the sun was already out by then.

I walked all the way to Orchard Road, stopping at Duo Galleria to freshen up and have some light breakfast. At Orchard Road, I decided to enter Paragon after spotting people entering it. While the shops opened at 10:00, the supermarket and some eateries were already opened.

I spent the next couple of hours walking into Lucky Plaza and crossing over to Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City. I finally had lunch at the food court in Tangs. The briyani was good but the dishes were spicy

I then walked up Scotts Road to Novena and waited for the bus back to JB. I was informed that the bus fare was to be paid either by Manjalink card or credit card  Cash was not accepted. The bus arrived after about 15 minutes.

It took about thirty minutes to get to Woodlands and we went through the process of exiting the country.

Back in JB, I decided to walk to the hotel. I didn’t realise there was an elevated walkway to RF& Mall and I took the road-level route. I finally reached the hotel and not too soon either; it rained about an hour after I arrived.

The room was great but the bathroom gave such a stinky smell that I staggered back from the stench. I would only be there for a few hours so decided to put up with it.  I ventured out at 18:40 to find dinner and had a bowl of overpriced mee bandung at a stall nearby.

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

I checked out and left the hotel and made my way to the bus stop. If the bus didn’t show up, I’d walk. Well. It arrived a couple of minutes after I got to the bus stop and it’s complimentary to Malaysians - one just need to tap one’s MyKad. Alhamdulillah. The trip took about twelve minutes because it made a u-turn just before the palace and headed for JB Sentral.

I boarded the 07:00 bus to Larkin and had an hour to kill at Larkin. There were only six of us aboard the bus back to KL. We stopped at Ayer Keroh to use the facilities before continuing on. We reached TBS at 12:35 and I made my way home after dropping by the cobbler.

Border Town

As I've done these past few years, I decided that I would spend August in Malaysia as usual (Kuala Lipis in 2020, Batu Pahat in 2022, Kuala Kangsar in 2023, Kampar in 2024 and Pangkor in 2025) as I didn't want to deal with the summer crowd abroad. I wanted to squeeze in Georgetown so after thinking it over, I decided to take the night bus to Butterworth (or Penang Sentral), cross over by ferry and then back again and take the Komuter Utara to Padang Besar.

Monday, 3 August 2026

I made my way to Hentian Duta for the 23:00 bus to Butterworth. Thankfully the weather held. I remember being caught in a downpour once and having to wait the rain out before making my way to Hentian Duta. The bus arrived and left at 23:15.  Tuesday. 4 August 2026  We stopped at a pump station and I went down to use the facilities. We then continued on and reached Butterworth just after 3 in the morning. I retrieved my bag and walked in to Penang Sentral. I tried to nap but kept waking up form being disturbed by other travellers. And the wind was strong too.

At 05:00, I realised it was raining hard. I’d given up on sleep by then. The prayer room was still closed and would only open at 06:00.  I took the 07:00 ferry across and my, the sea was choppy all right. We swayed making our way onto the ferry. Thankfully, I didn’t throw up.

After disembarking, I walked to get my prawn noodles fix before walking to the market at Jalan Kuala Kangsar. I bought a bottle of soy bean drink then went to wander. Pretty hard to find benches to sit on even inside buildings. The guard at 1st Avenue told me to sit at the cafe area. I was reluctant at first as I wasn’t a customer but he said it was ok so finally I did.

After browsing the shops at 1st Avenue, I went to have char kuay teow for brunch before making my way back to the jetty. The staff manning the gate kindly let me and a Western couple to board. It was 11:30. The couple ran, I walked quickly wheeling my bag. Just don’t ask me to run. I made it onto the ferry huffing and puffing, literally the last person to board it, and the ferry promptly pulled out for the mainland.

Back at the mainland, I made my way to the train station. A girl from China asked me about the train and after looking at her ticket, I told her I was also heading for Padang Besar. We ended up sitting next to each other on the train and in fact, I dozed off a few times leaning into her. How embarrassing! She assured me it was ok but of course I felt embarrassed.

We reached Padang Besar station and made our way up from the platform. I asked a guard and then told her that the ticket office would open after 16:00 and the train to Hatyai would depart after 17:00. We then said goodbye and she thanked me for helping her. It’s rare to meet a Chinese National who speaks fluent English.

I left the station and walked to my roomstay. A few people stopped to ask where I was going and I was starting to feel annoyed. I didn’t exactly want to broadcast to strangers where I was going. I followed the map and turned right then was stopped by a man standing next to his SUV. He asked where I was going and then told me to turn back, claiming there was no through road. I was really starting to get pissed at this point. He continued being condescending and I sarcastically said I was just following the map. I do know how to read maps. But he insisted and because I wasn’t a local and he was, I turned back and took the much longer route to the roomstay. This was in the middle of the afternoon too!  I finally reached my room, retrieved the key from the lockbox and went in. The room was hot and I quickly turned on both the AC and wall fan. The area is very near the border, so much so my phone sometimes showed Thai time instead of Malaysian time.

I ventured out again after 18:00 and walked up to the 0 km mark just before the roundabout. I went up all the way to Arked Niaga but didn’t enter the arcade. I turned back and walked to find dinner and finally had dinner at an eatery near my roomstay. Then it was back to my room to rest.  

Wednesday, 5 August 2026

Subuh is later in these parts and after a light breakfast, I hurried out. I just about managed to catch bus R105 to Kaki Bukit. Turned out many local kids took the bus to go to school.

I got down at Kaki Bukit and went to check out the morning market. Then it was little town is predominantly Chinese and I discovered shortly after that the town origin is tin-mining. So that explains the population. I walked up to Gua Kelam only to find it closes on Wednesdays. Arghhh! I walked back to the bus stop, stopping briefly to check out the Kaki Bukit Tin Mining History Gallery.  The bus was coming in as I neared the bus stop so I hurried to catch it. I rode it to Uniciti Campus where I got down. I had some time to kill so I went to the nearby surau to perform dhuha prayers. Then I joined a bloke waiting for the bus.

Bus R11 came after five minutes and I paid my fare using QR code. I got down at Semadong stop and walked in but was then told I had gone to the JPS’ entrance instead so I turned back and walked to Terinai Lake View Resort. The resort itself looked like it had closed down which is a shame because it provides a view of the Timah Tasoh Dam. I stayed there until 10:50 before walking to the main road and it was a good thing I did because the bus R11 came shortly after and not as what Google Maps indicated it would. I would’ve missed the bus if I had solely relied and depended on the timing provided by Google Maps.

We reached the bus terminal at Padang Besar and I crossed the road and walked up to Arked Niaga. I didn’t stop but continued to Pusat Niaga Padang Besar. I even walked up to the first floor but apart from a few eateries and diners, the first floor was quite deserted. I went down and browsed some dried nuts. I looked up and saw a familiar face: it was an old colleague who retired in 2022 and moved back to Alor Setar! Unplanned meetings are always special. We stood and chatted then sat down and continued chatting. She and her husband who just underwent some stent procedure actually drove up that morning. We then bade each other goodbye and I crossed over to Padang Waremart.

The Waremart was even livelier and had more customers. It was a big warehouse-like covered market and because it’s huge, it didn’t look crowded. The sellers were friendlier and quick to offer free samples for customers to try. And the best thing is prices were also lower there. I then found out that most of the sellers are Thai nationals who cross over daily. I was told that while there are bazaars across the border, they’re much smaller and don’t provide much opportunity. Demand is also lower in Thailand. And most, if not all, things on sale are Thai produce and products. At first I wasn’t impressed. Doesn’t Perlis have its own produce and products to sell? Why are Thai products sold instead? Then I thought further that at least Malaysians without passports can still shop for Thai products without having to leave the country and change money.

After some purchases, I had lunch. A lot of stalls in Padang Besar sell some varieties of Thai cuisine. At one point I was wondering why no one was selling laksa. I’m not a fan of Thai food, I’m not a fan of spicy food, so I chose Thai chicken rice. I asked how different it was from our chicken rice. I was told the difference is the colour of the rice. So I was not impressed when my chicken rice came out looking bland. It was hardly yellowish! I had a big piece of chicken though and I saved some portions to give to the cats.

After lunch, I trudged back to my room. I spotted a small warung selling laksa and I crossed over to buy it for dinner.  I spent the rest of the afternoon indoors. I ventured out at 18:45 and walked to the lake or pond. And guess what, there is a path that joins the main road to the train station after all. Which meant I was right the day before and the man who told me to turn around was a moron.

My right shoulder had started aching by this time and the pain was such that it made me yell. I had a poor night as I kept waking up from the pain.

Thursday, 6 August 2026

Another early start. Oh well, it was not as if I could sleep anyway. 

I left at 07:00 and returned the room key to the lockbox. Then I walked down and took the path I had checked out the evening before. It took me about 17 minutes to reach the train station. My train was already waiting, alhamdulillah.  We reached Bukit Mertajam at 09:15 and we had to get down and up the stairs to cross over to another platform and down more stairs. The train from Butterworth arrived shortly after. It being a weekday, there were still seats in the train.

We reached Ipoh at 11:06 and the escalator wasn’t working. Thankfully, the lift was working. I hurried to the bathroom and only one cubicle out of three was working. I’d been holding my bladder for almost four hours by then. There was a long queue when I came out from the bog. Really, I know it’s an old station but couldn’t facilities be improved?

The boarding for the 12:05 started about 20 minutes before 12:00 (as the gate closed 5 minutes before the train departed). My seat neighbour said she was stuck in the train toilet as she couldn’t open it. Luckily one staff came to her rescue. I decided to perform prayers in the train because I wanted to rush home and not stop to perform prayers when I arrived.

I got down at Sungai Buloh and took the MRT to Chan Sow Lin and changed for LRT. I walked home, unpacked quickly and left after prayers to meet my physiotherapist. She suspected it was muscle inflammation and suggested that I go to a nearby clinic. So I did. And yes, my supraspinatus muscle was inflamed

So that was my trip to Perlis. 

50 Hours In The Islamic City

My old dorm-mate invited us to her son’s wedding reception which took place last Saturday in Kota Bharu. My two mates and I discussed about it but one later realised she had to work that weekend while another had another event closer to home. I was browsing the flight ticket back to KL and managed to get a ticket on Firefly to KLIA at RM100. Before I knew it, I had clicked ‘purchase’. I told myself that it’d be ‘only’ RM100 if I changed my mind later. Then I searched for a hotel near Siti Khadijah Market.

Thursday, 23 July 2026

I made my way to KLCC to Gombak station for my 23:00 bus to KB. I was dozing off while waiting for the Queen Express bus but was not able to sleep after boarding the bus. The bus was 15 minutes late which was still acceptable to me.

Friday, 24 July 2026

We arrived at Gua Musang rest area at 02:40 and stopped there for 40 minutes. It made a few stops before finally reaching KB bus terminal at 06:30. After getting my bag, I hurried to the prayer room to perform morning prayers.

I’d decided to walk to the hotel - it was only 2.6 km away and besides it was still early morning. I reached Andiana Hotel and Lodge before 08:00 and after freshening up and some light breakfast, I left my bags in the lobby and ventured out. I walked to Muhammadi Mosque (the State Mosque) then to the Royal Pier.

I met a woman who asked if I had any gold to sell. I said no then asked her if Soto Khadijah Market was open seeing it was Friday. She suggested for me to check out the farmers’ market so I walked down Jalan Temenggung and came upon the market. The road was not closed to vehicles though.

There were traders selling fruits including durians, vegetables, fish, ready-to-eat food and desserts, clothes, perfume oil and household products like detergent. I saw a few people sitting on mats and at first wondered if they were picnicking before I realised they were listening to a religious talk. I turned and walked the back alley as I didn’t want to walk through the listening crowd.  I bought a packed rice with chicken then went to have brunch at a restaurant. There were a few dishes on the menu but only curry noodles and briyani were served then so I ordered curry noodles. It was flavourful and good, alhamdulillah.

I then walked around before entering a ladies’ clothes shop. There were many pretty outfits but most were too long for me. Maybe I’m just not tall enough ;(

I walked back and met the woman who suggested checking out the farmers’ market and chatted with her before browsing a nearby gold shop. Many shops were closed, it being a Friday, and those few which did open must close their doors during Friday prayers.

I walked back to the hotel and checked in. My room was at the third (and top) floor but of course. The room was enough for me. I performed prayers then went to iron my outfit for the following day. The hotel provided a refrigerator, water dispenser, iron and board, hair dryer and tables and chairs for guests to use at every floor.

I ventured out at 20:30 to the night market but didn't buy anything. I was surprised to find some traders only starting to set up their stalls at 20:30. I wondered how long their stalls would remain open. Until midnight, I suppose.

Saturday, 25 July 2026

I woke up early and stayed in until 11:55. I checked out and arranged for a Grab car to bring me to Sam Sweet Gardens. Traffic was pretty heavy. I arrived at 12:25 and left my bag at a table near the entrance and handed the wedding present I’d brought all the way from KL then went to find my friends.

I stayed until 14:20 and managed to get a ride to Perdana Hotel from a friend. My friend, R, has kindly offered for me to stay with her and I gladly took up on her offer. She left to visit her mother while I stayed in. It rained shortly after and was quite heavy at one point.

I ventured out in the early evening but was still full from the reception so I didn’t buy any dinner. We spent the night in relative peace and quiet.

Sunday, 26 July 2026

An early start as we both had early flights today. We left the hotel at 06:55 for the airport. Another group of friends had arranged for a van throughout their stay and the van driver agreed to take us to the airport.  My flight took off on time at 08:30 and we landed at KLIA T1 at 09:25. It’s my third time flying Firefly to KLIA and just like the previous two occasions last September, the plane didn’t taxi to the gate so we had to descend the stairs and take a bus to the terminal building.

So that was my 50 hours in KB. 

#visitmalaysiayear2026