KL 3D2N: ICAEW Regional Business Challenge (Aloft KL Sentral)

This is a trip which happened quite a while back in May, where me and my team managed to head over to KL to participate in a business challenge organised by ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales). We had emerged as champions in the Singapore round unexpectedly!!! Me and Kelvin had even forgone bringing our laptops along because we thought we would not make it into the finals and would not require our heavy laptops but then we got in and had to desperately borrow laptops from other friends which didn't make it.

The trip to KL would bring us to compete with other teams from Southeast Asia and also along with a team from NUS. We were able to choose our flight times from a list of timings and departed on a Thursday and ultimately missing 2 days of school.

Went to check in through the self check in counter and there were so many other counters available but we ended up queueing quite a while for the ones in front not knowing the other machines can be utilised.

Did our self drop for our check in baggage where we had gotten 20kg purchased for us but turns out we didn't have sufficient and had an excess of 11kg where we had to purchase 15kg for SGD60 on the spot omg

Thank god, WL the staff from ICAEW was still checking in and helped us settle the baggage weight issue. And it was a pity that he had exceeded his weight by 3kg and had to pay SGD69 for his??? Outrageous. When he could have checked in that extra weight with us instead.

Decided to go check out Charles and Keith for this pair of heels which Ive been eyeing on as I had tried it and it was pretty comfortable and formal enough for internship and any formal event. Decided to wait till I am in the airport for my 7% off for tax. Kelvin kept making me hesitate because GSS was coming soon but I was determined the price won't change much since its a new item. And the other day, I went again to check and wew thank god I made the purchase because it is still on original price at the normal outlets. This pair was at $49.90 originally so saved around $3? XY said its like minnie mouse shoes though! Because of the block heels. But I feel like the thin ones make my thighs look extra fat.

Managed to get a window seat and its 100% Perfect lighting although it was majorly hot.

We flew pretty low and over Singapore and I managed to spot my house since its near the Yishun Dam and that bridge across is that!

Really short flight of less than an hour and not sure why my time was automatically adjusted to Indonesia and I was confused when the pilot had said we will arrive at 3:15pm when I was still at 2:15pm 

Could tell the air stewardess on this flight wasn't really on her best mood but I can't blame her because Im sure this flight to work on is so not worth her money.

First time in KLIA2 and it is pretty empty. Immediately logged onto Free WiFi but there were a whole bunch of information to be filled up.

Would recommend the purchase of SIM cards for data inside the transit area!!! They are all located side by side and it would be best to compare! They offer quite good deals for data especially. I think we saw one which was RM40 for 25GB say whaaaat.

But we ended up not purchasing and heading out but regretted because the shops outside were having their systems refreshed and couldn't process the SIM cards for us.

We had taken the same flight with the NUS team but they had troubles searching for their baggage so we decided to go have a bite at KFC!

Forgot to take a photo but I got the 1 piece chicken at RM5 and it was so good!!! Cannot compare to SG one. The rest got other sides and they said the salted caramel ice cream is really good.

Met up with the NUS team and went to get tickets for our train ride into the city! First time taking this train because honestly think a cab is still relatively cheaper. But our hotel is situated right at KL Sentral so it is perfect to just take the KLIA Ekspres.

Dragged our stuff over and wew the hotel is really closeby. There is a mall situated right next to it so super convenient to shop! We stayed at ALOFT and it seems relatively new and has very youthful vibes.

Snakes and ladder on the floor where they actually do have a giant dice.

Got our room keys and its me XY and Trista sharing a room while the guys share one!

The toilets are separated into the shower area and toilet bowl area. Funny thing is the door is a sliding one and can only cover either side at the same time. But we still shared it nevertheless.

Toiletries are your usual not including XY's toothbrush and toothpaste HAHAHA.

Pretty standard drinks set up. 

Think our room was a double queen bed room meant for 4 and the beds were pretty comfy! Although I felt the pillows were abit too soft. Maybe I am too used to my memory foam pillow.

Our view which isnt very magnificent since we are only at the 7th floor.

Grabbed our dinner at the mall beside (Nusentral) and settled on the Korean restaurant after we saw the two girls in front of us search it on the directory. 

The place smelled funky like a wet market smell though. Not pleasant at all. Got a seafood pancake because the rest didn't look really appetizing. The pancake was alright! Not the best but pretty value for money.

Of course we had to go supermarket shopping. To stock up on some instant ramyeon and random snacks.

EXO on pepero. (At that point in time EXO wasn't on pepero packaging in SG so dont mind me)

Kelvin being Kelvin and going to spend his bucks at Starbucks. Ended up getting a free cake as he did up a survey for him and look at the note they left for him at his drink.

Day 2. Competition Day! Totally didn't prepare because we are too chill. Oops!!! Think the other team was prepping real hard while we had fun shopping.

Room came with complimentary breakfast buffet. Under XY's name heh. Wore our formal attire down but went in hotel slippers until we realised the guys wore full formal with blazer and shoes so we went back up. Looked ridiculous and definitely being judged but oh wells.

Super creative set up for the donuts and cakes??? Quite aesthetic in my opinion but tastewise, dont think they fared really well.

Favourite part of any buffet!!! the egg station oooooo. got scrambled eggs and they were pretty good!

Got a few more items at the buffet and the crepe station had salted caramel sauce! Didn't get to try the laksa because I was afraid of staining my top

Off to the competition venue at the hotel and collected our name tags

Brief intro of the competition would be that we would have to work on a business case study within the time limit, answering all the questions and present them to a panel of judges. It can get pretty stressful because there isn't a lot of time to actually prepare and memorise your script! Hoped we weren't the first group because that would mean 0 prep time for presentation.

Thankfully we weren't and were lucky to be in the middle

After briefing was our lunch and off we had our competition and it was so tough trying to discuss and cover everything in that short timing. Our group as usual preferred to discuss on the floor bc we would be able to talk to each other at a closer proximity than the giant banquet table lmao

Dinner and yesss strawberry shortcake! Had a bowl of soup too and it was pretty good! Dinner was surprisingly filled w good food huehue

Three awards for the night and although we didn't get the Champion Prize to head to UK, we managed to get the Most collaborative Team Award! We had to share a table w a Malaysia Team to get to network with them and they got the Most Agile Team Award.

Photo with the NUS Team!

Headed to the rooftop to have some juice while the others had alcohol. School trip so no alcohol although I wouldn't have drank either way

Breakfast once again and tried more exotic food this time round but didn't exactly like it as much. 

Left the hotel early so we could have more time to shop since our flight was on the same day. This was when Pablo wasn't available in SG yet so we had to visit Pablo in KL to get our cheese tart fix.

Grabbed over to 1Utama and have never been here!!! Never knew it was like one of the biggest malls in the world

One of their first few customers I would suppose! Managed to redeem a free latte because of the event they were doing. Had a piping hot cheese tart on the spot and it was so molten and hot that I dropped it and it got onto my hair

Tragic

After our Pablo haul, we headed to Times Sq to meet Clemz and XY. And of course whenever there is Nature Republic there is EXO.

Asked Kelv to help take a photo and this is what he takes

Walked over to Pavilion and SPAO!!!! But obviously didn't get anything because it was pretty pricey. 

Went to Padini to try out these two dresses because intern was approaching but didn't get it in the end. Kind of regret not getting the one on top bc think it is actually really pretty! and it was at a steal of RM50. oh wells ;; tried spotting it in JB outlets but never ever spotted this again sigh

Stuck at Pavilion bc there was a major jam and our grab would take forever to reach us so we had no choice but head with those taxi uncles situated outside Pavilion who will definitely overcharge.

And yep he definitely did and purposely went a longer route. Think he would have gone an even longer route if we didn't mention we needed to rush for a plane ride. And kept trying to push us to take his cab to the airport

YIKES

Got our luggages and packed our buys and rushed to the train station.

All checked in for our short ride back and of course we had to have KFC again here

National Gallery (Children's Biennale & Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow) + Paik's Coffee Review

Started off the trip at City Hall MRT where me and SR decide to visit Paik's coffee for their current 1 for 1 promo since it was 1:55pm that we reached and by the time we make it to their outlet at Citylink mall, the promo would have started since I walk really slow. 

The 1 for 1 is to celebrate their 1st anni in Singapore and it is available at all the coffee outlets (Citylink, Tiong Bahru and Mapletree) from 2pm-6pm daily for the month of June!!! But you do have to show them you have either liked or followed their Facebook and Instagram.

Since the free item would be of the same or lower value, we made sure both the drinks ordered had the same price to make the most out of the promotion. I contemplated between their strawberry banana smoothie and their chocolate banana. But decided on the chocolate banana because I was craving for the same chocolate banana Coffee Bean used to have on their menu. So SR decided on the Iced Caramel Macchiato since its $5 too. So we paid $5 for both drinks, which in my opinion is really worth it.

Like come on, 2 huge drink sizes for $2.50 each ??? Even if it was regular priced it would still be reasonable considering other coffee chains.

Got our drinks and they do have a sugar syrup pump right at the collection area for you to add as much sugar you like. I did witness them adding a full banana to be blended up so they sure are using fresh fruits !!!

Kind of regretted my decision on the chocolate banana because the chocolate taste overpowered any banana taste and was super rich !!! Kind of tasted like milo. Shall try out the strawberry banana the next time! SR added a pump of sugar syrup to his and I think it is just nice!! His was something I could drink frequently. Super love how they use crushed ice as well because I love to chew into the chunks that get into my straw hehe

Got our drinks and walked over to the National Gallery. We didnt manage to finish our drinks before we entered so we had to sit outside and finish them before we headed back in.

Super excited when I saw these balls suspended in the air!!! Was super hyped for the Yayoi Kusama exhibit because I saw the advert the other day for it at the MRT and went to research and tickets were $15 oh my. So I immediately dismissed the idea of going until I saw someone saying it was free for students so yep here we are! It is free admission to all exhibits if you are a local student/above 60 or below 12.

We initially were browsing this area with maps of the place and brochures and this staff came to approach us with tickets but she didn't have the one for the Kusama exhibits and told us we had to head down to the ticketing counter and oh my goodness I was in for a big shock, The other time I visited the National Gallery was when it had opened for a few months and it was way too empty but the queues were really snaking!!! Maybe it was because it is the school holidays as well.

SR persuaded me against queueing so we went back to find the staff who was offering us the tickets at the entrance area and she was like "I told you so" (oops) we headed back down to the ticketing area and SR met his classmate who told us we could get tickets from another staff at the ticketing area who is located at a corner with all access passes! We went over to her showed our student passes and wew managed to get the all access tickets.

Headed on straight to the Kusama exhibits at level 3 and there were also queues to enter but no choice so we decided to just queue. Saw quite a few of her dot artworks but main point of her exhibit would be the infinity and self obliterating concepts!!

Queued for another small room which SR calls the cheese room.

Steps to view this sight of yellow polka dotted pumpkins. There isnt any sort of time limit for this but they definitely dont let you stay in the room to take mirror shots although I think it would be really nice!!

Love the concept of this!!! Although it might be slightly terrifying!! When I was a kid I always loved those lifts with this type of mirror concept where I could see like infinite me

Headed on to another room with these mirrored half balls stuck onto the walls. Kind of reminds me of those carpark or convenience store reflectors. It is plastered all over the area and even on the ceiling!

Queued again for the very much anticipated light room!! Saw insta posts on this and it really looks like the light exhibit at art science!! But this one is in a mini room with mirrors to make it seem like there are lights all over.

We were made to go in with 2 girls and we are given 20 sec in that room. Way too quick for you to admire and slowly take photos. We could barely even enjoy the sight before the guy came to open the door.

Explored the other artworks and entered into this M18 zone which really involved quite a bit of nudity and they also displayed a film on how Kusama painted on nude bodies and really showing those body parts uhmmmm... But she did receive alot of attention for the usage of nude models so.

Came into this other part of the exhibit and those red things do represent the male body part as it represented her fear towards it.

Another mirror light box where you can view it from different corners ! Pretty interesting.

Entered into another polka dot room and this time, colourful ones!!! Really liked this one because it is super child like.

Finally moving into more colourful artworks and super abstract I cant understand but oh wells. Doing the retarded face as SR calls it but I think I look cute so who cares.

Had a view of the room from outside as we queued for another exhibit!! Basically the exhibit is sort of a recreation of how she sold these metal spheres for $2 while it was on display which is totally not allowed.

Finished all of Kusama's exhibits and off we go to the fourth floor because SR is interested in viewing the architecture gallery but it was closed for the day (or maybe not opened yet) so we headed onto the bridge instead.

SR insisted on a shot of me by the bridge so I just went along with it. Many people were having their photoshoots at this bridge with DSLRs but I didnt really like this bridge because its slanted but before we left, we read up about it and apparently it is because the height is different between the both sides and to preserve it they had to design the bridge this way. Think we might come back another time because I think SR wants to read more about the building design.

Since we were at level 4 we went to take a look at the chinese gallery and the staff there was pretty excited that we came because I dont think they have much people visiting their side of the gallery and he was really happy to talk about the art pieces to a family.

Honestly think these artworks should have more people visiting because of how intricate it is and several artworks are from the Qing and Ming dynasty so it was pretty cool.

Exited the gallery and saw that Cherie had snapchatted me saying she is here too so I went to where she would be and said hi from a level above.

Headed on down because I wanted to have my photo taken at the stairs and SR was really accommodating about it :)))) Think I am still pretty awkward having my photo taken but wew think these turn out fine.

Went over to the marble stairs and SR says its the only time i will climb up a staircase hehe. Lighting isnt the best here so it didnt turn out as expected.

Down the marble stairs to level 1 and we ended up at the kids section! Didnt have the chance to check out the kids exhibit but they had this really cute cages with different animal toys spray painted in gold in them. There are loads of activities for kids in this area but not sure if I can join too heh would totally join in the art activities they have for fun.

While heading for the lift there were these box spaces for resting and we landed ourselves in one but could only sit there for a while because we were running out of time and we havent visited the Basement exhibits.

Went for a walk on the glass panels where they display an infinite loop and pure darkness below your feet. Pretty scary I would say. I did see people not daring to walk halfway. The last 2 in my opinion made me a little dizzy so I hurried myself to get off.

The much hyped sticker room. This exhibit is also by Kusama. You can purchase a sticker sheet for a $2 donation and they were available at the entrance. They do let a certain amount of people in and time you while you are inside and let the next batch of people in. We didnt get the stickers because there is barely any more space or space within my reach to have the stickers pasted.

Asked SR to take a photo of me but instead he went to take the merlion.

Spent the time hurriedly inside and waiting for people to leave an empty wall so I could take my photo.

Decided to just head for the Team Lab exhibit who are also the people behind the future world exhibit at art science!!

Had a mini briefing before we headed in and while waiting for the people to finish up their time. Tried my best to take shots without people in them and you definitely have to go find a more secluded corner!!! the room is fairly big but people tend to stay at the area where you first enter.

Decided to go for another round at the sticker room as I call it since there was barely anyone. Think this is the prime time to visit because most of the exhibits which previously had snaking long queues when we arrived have barely anyone left. But it was already 6pm and the place closes at 7pm so most probably many that have been here earlier would have left.

As we were queueing, this couple approached the family in front of us and offered them their leftover stickers and the baby in front of us took two stickers off the sheet and he was looking at us and waddled over and stuck one of the sticker on SR's pants. So cute!

Spot that Mcdonalds special order sticker amidst all the other stickers. Not sure who would actually specially bring a sticker down for it. But we took our time to slowly look around as compared to the first time round.

Had to rush off for a dinner meeting but the team lab exhibit also had no queue!!! We originally joined to go in as the next batch but SR told me I couldn't make it on time for the dinner if we stayed so we left. But while we were in the queue, there was this couple arguing behind us and SR said its relatable because the guy was complaining about how the girl was unhappy about the photo he took. (oops)