In 1999, Malaysia transferred its seat of government from its capital city, Kuala Lumpur, to Putrajaya—a planned territory designed to hold the federal administrative infrastructure of the nation. Putrajaya was built entirely from scratch and transformed into the mammoth territory observed today. It has since become one of the three Federal Territories of Malaysia, operating alongside Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.
From Kuala Lumpur, we went to Genting Highlands, a place on top of a mountain that was developed starting in the 1970s by one of the richest men in Malaysia. Fast forward to today, it is the site of the First World Hotel, renowned for being the second-largest hotel in the world, a casino, a theme park, a mall, and a nearby residential village.
That trip was my very first trip out of the Philippines. Sending my gratitude to budget airlines such as AirAsia, blokes like me could finally afford to travel within the Southeast Asian region, and Kuala Lumpur presented the perfect opportunity for me to experience out-of-the-country travel.
Walking the cobblestone heart of Ilocos Sur, where the 16th century still lingers in the air.
