KL Genting Trip with QM Friends

I have not blogged for a long time, but somehow I had this strong urge to jot down my thoughts while they are still lingering in my mind.

I recently went on a trip with a group of "online friends", many whom I am meeting in reality for the first time. Even then, I was really touched by how much warmth they showered us (me) with. (the word I am looking for is 热情 which I am not sure what English translate to) 

Not only did they bring us around everywhere, but they even offered us to stay at their home (with aircon, own room toilet, etc). They accompied us 100% for our entire stay, and our "driver" brought us anywhere we wanted. Arriving early in the morning to wait for us. Visit landmarks to take photos, to shopping malls, eat good local food, KTV and VSing experience... even driving a long way to the airport on the last day.

All without charging us a single cent.

Even though it was a very short trip, I was totally overwhelmed by their warmth and (for the lack of a better word) love. I lost count of how many road tolls we passed through and how much additional costs (and time) we have imposed on them. 

Seriously, it is hard to find friends who would show so much hospitality, much less friends you are meeting for the first time in real life. 

I felt really quite touched at the end of the trip.

The itinery is not what is important, but having good company to do things together.

---

Just a short summary:

Day 1: Arrival at KLIA (8+am), breakfast then 1 hour trip to Genting Skyworld Hotel, Genting Skyworld Theme Park (until 6pm). 

Review is you need to download the app or the virtual queue will keep cutting ahead of you (the signboard waiting time is not accurate). Some attractions (like obstacle course) require prior booking via app and quite a handful are still closed.

Dinner at DTF before I retire for the night (slight cold).

Day 2: Check out at 11am, breakfast at Madam Kwan (no good), visit the Sky Casino. I would say by estimate it's about 2 times bigger than RWS and gave a much grandeur feel. However, perhaps due to the public holiday the crowd is really insane. Most important of all, it doesn't have the game I like to play. 

So basically we just cafe hope around a bit, and went to the Indoor Theme Park before heading down Genting (5pm)

Met BJ YBB for Dinner, then KTV session (930pm to 1230am) before retiring to BJ house!

Day 3: Amazing Dim Sum breakfast (12pm), followed by shopping at Pavillion (basically the Orchard Road / Ion of Singapore) and Uniqlo, then taking pictures at Twin Tower and Saloma Bridge. The night event was an eye-opener. We visited a V Sing pub which is basically a concept replica of QM Party.

Basically, different tables take turn singing, and the audience can send in gifts. There are birthday segments, PK segments and beautiful animations depending on the gift value. :O 

Day 4: Delicious local-style breakfast at Wang Bu Liao (Nasi Lemak, Penang Char Kway Tiao, White curry Bee Hoon, etc). Oh and a kind of local drink 虎头狮 (basically milo + coffee). 

Went to an escape room after that (apparently the highest rated in KL). It is by far the best escape room I've played (compared to the thrashy ones I have done in SG), but it is far from perfect.

The Great:
- Amazing atmosphere, lighting and design. All the traps are digital and automated which I find really cool (i.e you press a button, or plug in a device, and trap doors would open). There would be music playing in the background, then pressing the right combination of lock would make the whole room go silent (which I feel is really good feedback to the user and add a huge sense of suspense, as everyone anticipate what would happen next)

- The "customer service" is really good. Staff are extremely polite and took time to explain the background and the story. There is even an after-event debrief to reveal the entire plot and the "signficance" behind each of the room we went through. In the end, what is suppose to be a 1 hour session took almost 2 hours.

The Meh:
- Some puzzles are really random, with zero indication as to how they were supposed to be solve. It would be much better if they lay clues within the room itself, instead of relying on the staff hints.
- The plot is mediocore.
- The price (according to the locals) is really expensive at $88RM. To Singaporeans I guess this is reasonable.