The Hills are alive….

… with the sound of money…

A misty morning up in Genting Highlands

LOL… Yep, isn’t it true though? All you hear in Genting Highlands is kaching! kaching! kaching! of the slot machines and of the restaurants and of the theme parks.

Who’d have thought that 6000 feet above sea level and they’d be minting money hand over fist!

But I was there, contributing to the crowds and the noise pollution over the weekend at the invitation of a good friend. I haven’t been up to Genting Highlands for ages, so it was a good time to visit. I was put up at the Highlands Hotel.

The rooms were reasonably large and beds were relatively comfortable. I was told it was just recently renovated. It still had the old school hotel look though, but at least the beds did not feel like 1 million people have slept in them! Up on the Premier Floor, there was a bathtub in the room which I did not feel like using - too cold and I wasn’t sure when was the last time it was cleaned :P. The shower stall was small, and the shower head did not work. There was a hand held shower provided but the water pressure was so weak it was like someone with a bladder problem. So, showering was a bit of a torture.

The toilet on the other hand, was one of the smallest toilets I’ve ever been in. Once you close the sliding doors, your knees are practically just about 1 inch away from the doors. Very claustrophobic. That, and the walls. I seriously believe the walls must be made of plywood or maybe cardboard. I could hear nearly everything that went on in the room next door (which fortunately or unfortunately was a young family) and in the corridors. So, whole night long, there were sounds of kids talking and laughing and early the next morning, kids screaming and running along the corridors. Awful! But I was told it was like that on weekends, when many families go up the hill for “fun” and the cold air.

I must say though that the air was nice. It was crisp and chill and I really enjoyed the cold winds because I am an autumn child and autumn is my favourite season of the year. However, right up on the peak of Genting Highlands, whilst the air is chill and cool and lovely, it does not smell fresh. You get the smell of traffic and cars and concrete and an overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. *cough cough*

I felt that much of the joy of going to Genting Highlands has been spoilt by the over development on the peak where there is no space left to walk and enjoy the breeze and air. There is no greenery and there are no trails where one can just walk around and enjoy nature. Up on the peak, it is just one huge car park… and lots of cigarette smoke. Everywhere I walk, I’d breathe in a lungful of cigarette smoke. Even when I was outside, I was not spared because the smokers would gather outside the hotels to smoke! There doesn’t seem to be much of a non-smoking environment enforced which is a real pity. But then I suppose gamblers are mostly smokers too and the management cannot be alienating their top spenders!

I took a walk inside the First World Hotel indoor theme park and shopping area - yes there’s a shopping area now!

I would have gone on the carousel but I did not think the kids would have liked that haha! The stores in Genting Highlands are mostly the local chain stores like the Padini Group, FOS and to my surprise, a MANGO outlet store! I popped in but popped out again in a jiffy - one does not go to Genting Highlands to shop! I can do that in KL thankyouverymuch!

Awana Golf Resort, further down the hill on the way back to KL was a much more relaxing environment. It was not as cold as it was up on the peak, but because it is a golf course, there is a lot of greenery around which was relaxing. It rained cats and dogs when we got there, but when it stopped, the skies had cleared to a most impressive blue with white cotton puff clouds.

It was a nice little break, ciggie smoke and noisy kids aside. I’d prefer to go up on a weekday when I’m told its less chaotic. I might then get me on some of the theme park rides without having to queue with high school kids in their anime outfits. I’m a thrill-seeker remember?

And what is a trip up Genting Highlands without paying a visit to the casino? I accompanied my friends who did most of the playing. I sat at a slot machine and lost RM10 to it before running away screaming that I was burnt LOL… gambler I am not!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

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