Saturday, 18 Dec 2010. Around 3PM at the First World Hotel Tourist Package Counter,
docgelo : Hello Miss.
(hands in the reservation voucher and the number he secured from the lobby)
hotel staff : Sir, you have to wait for your number to be called.
docgelo : Can you please check me in now; my son needs to rest.
*sumistema kasi 100 tourists pa ang nauna sa kanila (God, forgive me! hehe)*
hotel staff : (talks to her manager; after few seconds, she hands in the key).
docgelo : Thank you!
docgelo to Tina : Tara na, bilisan mo ang lakad. I have the key already! 
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We felt relieved after we finally saw our deluxe room at First World Hotel, Genting Highlands Resort. Despite the fact that we took an executive tourist bus from Georgetown, Penang with minimal capacity and so much leg-room per seat that provided enough comfort, the 7 hour trip (with an hour lunch break at the bus stop) was quite tiring.
I initially booked an overnight stay at Resort Hotel, but I was told by the travel agent only last Saturday morning at their office and bus pick up point that the said hotel did not confirm and they had to book us to another (First World Hotel). Good thing, they gave me refund of RM 56 (USD 17.8 or PhP 790) from the tour package I got from them last November.
I set no expectations but for me and my family to have fun. I tried my best not to compare Genting Highlands Resort to some similar theme parks I’ve been to (Disneyland in Anaheim, Hong Kong and Tokyo and themed hotels in Las Vegas).
The view from one of the hotels was breathtaking…
“Founded in 1965, Genting Highlands Resort or popularly known as “Genting-City of Entertainment” is situated at 6,000 feet above sea level, set amidst cool misty mountains of Pahang, Malaysia. The Chinese acronym for Genting, pronounced as Yun Ding carries the literal meaning of on top of the clouds.” (–sourced from genting rewards gallery).
The package I got included 2D-1N hotel accomodation, roundtrip bus transfers, and unlimited all-day pass to both indoor and outdoor theme parks for one day. It was nice that we’re checked in at First World Hotel where the indoor them park was located at its 2nd level.
After we left our luggage in our room, we immediately explored Genting.
Tina (and I) wanted to try the dinner buffet in one of the hotels so we asked for directions and headed few levels up to Coffee Terrace located at the Genting Hotel (hotels are interconnected via escalators and monorails).
Meals were not included in the package but there are many food options available; from fast foods (KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, MarryBrown etc), food kiosks (skewered fish balls, sushi, pastries, sandwiches, local favorites and more) to high-end restaurants and hotel cafe.
I like the spontaneity of use of recycled plastic bottles made into Christmas decors…
Dinner buffet at Coffee Terrace is offered at 5-9PM and is charged at RM 60+/adult (USD 19. 13 or PhP 850) and RM 39+/child (USD 12.44 or PhP 552). Pikit-mata na lang sa gastos, na-miss ko magbuffet kasama ng pamilya ko! Ito lang bisyo namin, remember?
FOOD PORN !
Some plates we shared…
DESSERT OVERLOAD!
For Tina’s and my own palate, hotel buffets in Pinas are way so much better but nonetheless, our Coffee Terrace experience wasn’t that bad at all. We’ve savored again what we love to do best.
What about Gabby? Did he enjoy the buffet particularly the Durian-flavored ice cream he had? His smile said so.
Other than he liked the sweets, he’s too excited for the indoor and outdoor theme parks of course.
To be continued…
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OPINION COUNTS…