Report for Skate Trip to Kuala Lumpur 2009
Report for Skate trip to Kuala Lumpur
By Jon Wong, Skateline Instructor/Tour Leader
It gave me great pleasure to bring along with me 14 members to Kuala Lumpur for the Skate Trip this year. This is the 2nd time that I have brought a group to KL since my visit there last year, during the June Holidays.
There were many new faces for this trip. For most of them, it was their first attempt going on a skating trip. Joining us was another instructor, Mr. Eric Lum, on his 2nd Skate Trip to KL with me.
We departed from Golden Mile Complex on the morning of 12th June, Friday, via a coach ride, from Grassland Express Tours.
Along the way, everyone got to know each other better. Although we were delayed quite a while due to a bad jam at the Tuas Immigration Checkpoint but most of the time we spent our time snoozing or mingling around.
Angela, Angeline, Annie & Edmund
After crossing the immigration, Yong Ping Eating Place was next, where we grabbed a bite and freshen up. It took us another 3 hours until we reach our destination – Swiss Garden Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Upon arrival we checked into our rooms and prepared ourselves for the first skating activity of the trip – skating session at Roller World Sports, and indoor skating rink disco.
Most of our members enjoyed the disco, credited to the nice music playing in the background and coupled by the cool air-conditioning. We were greeted by some of the local chaps at the disco, and we exchanged some pointers and skills, and they showed off some of their skills by jumping over cones.
Local guys perform
After the skate, we retreated to our hotel rooms to freshen but before we meet again for supper and chilled out at one of the local nightspots, and before we know it, the first day was over.
The next morning we woke up early to enjoy the lovely breakfast provided by the hotel. By 11am we were making our way to the next destination via chartered transport to where the 2nd skating activity of the trip will take place – Sunway Pyramid.
Group photo outside Sunway Pyramid
We decided to proceed with the Ice Skating first, before going for lunch. Sunway Pyramid Ice is one of the largest and most popular ice skating rinks in the region, with many ice skating competitions and tournaments were held. For some of our members, it was their first taste of Ice Skating.
Seng Family on Ice Skates
It was different from Inline Skating, as the surface is much more slippery and the braking is executed with the toe instead of the heel. But it wasn’t too tough after a while and everyone got the hang of it, with the help of their foundation in Inline Skating. I was really enjoying myself spinning on the ice, as the frictionless surface was perfect to execute the skill.
Girls on Ice
After 2 hours of ice-skating, it was time to fill our belly, and we proceeded for lunch. It was free and easy time as we separated as they can choose the cuisine they want and explore the mall. Some went for shopping, others opted for movie, Karaoke and simply sipping coffee at Coffee Bean Café.
In the evening, our buses pick us up and it took about an hour to reach the Night skate Location – PutraJaya. This is a vast area that housed many scenic buildings, including a Mosque and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by some of the local skaters. The starting point was a huge square next to the Mosque, and some of us were already zipping around the square without haste. As we waited, more skaters arrived, including the leaders of the Night skate from Skateline Malaysia, Steve and Nickson.
PutraJaya Square
SNS Leaders - Nickson & Steve
A quick brief by the leaders, and we were on our way. It was a very relaxing and easy skate as we were traveling on tiled surfaces that made up the majority of the landscape. As we skated along, we saw many scenic buildings and bridges.
The entire journey was about 5km and there were about 60 skaters including us. One of the skaters was a gentleman from Nigeria, who joined the Night skate for the first time. Quoted from Mr. Seng, one of our members who brought his wife, Mei Lin and daughters Natasha and Desiree for this trip, “I’ve driven here before with my family, but this is the 1st time I’m skating here on Malaysian ground! What an experience!”
Group Photo
The cool night breeze greeted us and as we skated the return leg of the journey back to the start point. Tired but satisfied, we boarded our buses and headed back to the hotel, talking about the Night skate along the way.
Once back at the hotel, we deposited our skates and gears in our rooms and met at the lobby again. I have promised to bring them to have some good food at one of the famous eating joints. This was along a street named Jalan Alor, which was about 10 minutes walk from our hotel, and the entire street was filled with food stores selling and assortment of delicacies.
Our weary bodies awaken at the wonderful aroma of food upon arrival at the street and we promptly got ourselves a table big enough to house all of us. Soon after, dishes came flowing, from Fried Cereal Prawns to BBQ Stingray, and Pat Tai – a famous Thai style fried Kway Teow. Chatting over supper after a great day of Ice and Inline Skating was such an enjoyment.
On the 3rd and final day, everyone was on free and easy mode. Some checked out of the hotel early and headed for their shopping spree, while some went to the Petronas Twin Towers with me to queue for free tickets to visit the Sky Bridge.
The Petronas Twin Towers
There was already a long queue when we arrived at the ticketing area. We joined the queue and fortunately, managed to obtain tickets for a suitable time for us to visit the Sky Bridge before our departure back to Singapore. The number of tickets were limited, and had different time schedules.
Long Queue for the tickets
As we still had some time, we made our way to the local Chinatown for some shopping. We were thrilled to have lunch at A&W restaurant, which was famous for serving Root Beer Floats. They used to have their branches in Singapore but not anymore.
Root Beer Float
After lunch, the ladies went looking for good bargains for clothes and bags, while I targeted the local delicacies to bring back to Singapore.
We came across this tiny mobile store selling Salted Roast Duck surrounded by a huge crowd. Though we had lunch, we simply cannot resist the temptation of the fragrance in the air and look of the succulent meat. Without hesitation, we bought half a duck and share it among ourselves. It surely was a great experience chewing on delicious duck meat as we shopped around.
Salted Roast Duck
As the time neared, we took taxis back to the towers. We were ushered into a mini theatre to watch a presentation on the history of the tower, before we boarded a high-speed lift which traveled at 1 storey per second up to the Sky Bridge, which was located at the 41st storey.
We were given 10 minutes to roam around the 60 meters bridge, which connected the 2 towers together, which gave us a great panoramic view of the surroundings of Kuala Lumpur. Vehicles and people on the streets looked absolutely tiny. We were wondering in our minds what it would feel like if we were standing at the tip of the tower instead.
The Sky Bridge
View from the Sky Bridge
After the tower visit, we had to proceed back to the hotel to wait for our return coach to Singapore. It was evident that everyone had a rewarding shopping experience, as there was more baggage around.
It was a great weekend getaway, and more so doing Inline Skating. I’m sure the memories of the trip will remain in our minds and from the numerous pictures that we took.
On behalf of Skateline, I wish to express my gratitude to the following skaters that joined me for this year’s trip:
Ms Annie Heng, a regular with our SNS
Mr Eric Lum, instructor
Mr Li Hang Bo, our student
Ms Suryati, our student
Mr Seng Kok Kwee with his wife Mei Lin and daughters, Desiree and Natasha, our students
Ms Angeline Liu, our student
Ms Angela Tan, our student
Ms Hilary Ng, my friend
Mr Edmund Vong, Director of Marketing & Instructor
Click here for the photo memories of the trip.