Weekend Genting Highlands Stay (Part 1): Haunted or Nah?
“I heard Genting Highlands has a lot of haunted stories,” Kylie stated. “Especially the First World Hotel.”
This was the hot topic before our weekend getaway to this tourist destination. The First World Hotel was our chosen accommodation because of its budget-friendly price.
“That’s a rumour,” I said. “I’ve been staying there since I was a kid.”
Kylie showed some paranormal accounts in Genting Highlands, and some horrifying accounts happened in the past. The suicide stories, wandering spirits, and howling of gambling addicts. As a non-believer in the supernatural, I was a little sceptical of her claims.
Staying in one of the most haunted hotels in Malaysia would prove whether the rumours are true.
Departure
My father used to drive the family to the top of the hill. It was my first time going to Genting Highlands via bus, and the organiser of the short trip.
At the ever-crowded KL Sentral, we had our lunch in Burger King an hour before departure time. I already purchased the bus tickets to Genting Highlands a week prior, so we had our seats secured.
“Did you know that when I was purchasing the tickets?” I sparked up a conversation to brighten the mood. “I overheard a taxi driver offering an ang moh couple an 80 Ringgit ride to Genting Highlands.”
“80 Ringgit?” Kylie gasped. “That’s way more expensive than our bus tickets.”
“Remember that time Xu Shuo told us about the taxi driver,” Tiffany added. “He offered her a 700 Ringgit back-and-forth trip if she wanted to visit Genting Highlands.”
“700 Ringgit?” Eemaau gasped. “That’s a one-way trip to Maldives.”
“And a one-way trip to Sabah,” Tiffany pointed out. “The average price.”
I facepalmed hard. How many naïve tourists and foreigners would lose their money over the greed of these ‘helpful’ drivers? In the meantime, taxi drivers had to make ends meet with their competition with the more regulated Grab drivers.
After the light lunch, we walked down the escalator where the bright red Genting bus would arrive. The early purchase gave us the best seats in the first row, which we can communicate easily during the 1-hour trip to Pahang.
The bus moved away from the concrete jungle and headed to the mountainous terrain of the Pahang-Selangor border. Once the bus drove past a high castle entrance arch with the red Genting logo, I knew we had almost reached our destination.
The Cable Car Ride
The bus stopped at Awana Bus Terminal, right below the newly established Genting Premium Outlets. However, we had set the shopping session for tomorrow, right before going back to the city. Our next step was to reach the top floor for the cable car ride.
The long line ahead comprised families eager to board the ascending aerial gondolas. Most opted for the normal red gondola with the opaque flooring, but a few went for the premium black gondolas with transparent bottom.
“We should’ve bought the tickets for the black one,” Kylie pointed at one of the descending black gondolas. “Looking at the grass underneath while it brought us up to the top”
My acrophobia quickly turned down the idea.
The slow, congested queue had dragged for 15 minutes before we could finally board a gondola. The cradle brought us upwards, distancing itself from the station. I was not sure if it was the cold weather or the shaky compartment, my fingers trembled.
“Jenny,” Kylie clutched her arms around mine, tight like an octopus. “I didn’t expect it to be so high up.”
Who was the one suggesting to ride the premium gondola just a while ago?
The other two girls were less anxious. Eemaau, as usual, remained her calm demeanour. Tiffany took Insta-story of the outside view, capturing the landscape below, which was veiled by a thin layer of fog.
It was a shame that the gondola did not pass by the notorious Amber Court, one of the horror hotspots in Genting Highlands. The foggy climate had caused red algae to grow, giving the apartment blocks a run-down, creepy facade. You can find many wild stories of paranormal encounters and thrilling experiences in online forums.
Check-In Hotel
Upon arrival, the neon colours and crowd ambushed us. The Indoor Theme Park had finished its construction, and I could hear children screaming in joy. More shops were open compared to my last visit two years ago.
As it was nearly 3pm, we headed to the First World Hotel’s lobby, a floor below the Genting casino. I had always been a fan of the rainforest replica right outside the lobby, where I could identify the animal models hidden among the shades. It had been there since I was a child.
After struggling with three faulty self check-in kiosks, I could get the hotel keys from the counter. Entering the elevator at Tower 1, I pressed the number to Floor 19. First World Hotel still maintained its old charm of the vintage hotel design with the carpeted floor and pure white walls.
“I hope it’s not right at the end of the corridor,” Kylie commented. “I heard you can find unpleasant encounters at night.”
Our room was almost at the end of the corridor. The golden 645 on the door gleamed as we arrived. I gently pushed the wooden door, proving that it was nothing like The Shining.
“I think it’s better to knock on the door,” Tiffany suggested. “You know how we Chinese people do before staying in a hotel.”
“I’m just gonna say some prayers,” Eemaau said.
Each of us knocked on the door three times, while Eemaau muttered the holy words. The door opened after it had recognised the key card, showing us the small bedroom with one queen-size bed in the middle. We quickly dumped our heavy baggage to one side of the room.
“I told you there’s nothing odd here,” I pulled the blinds to reveal the sight of faded paint on the opposite tower. “Except for this less scenic view with an abyssal bottom.”
First World Hotel is definitely not the accommodation for those who want a gorgeous sunset view. The point of staying in Genting Highlands is not about the hotel, but the entertainment facilities. Hence, we instantly left the room to have fun.
Fun fact: Do you know that the elevators in First World Hotel do not have the button to Floor 21?
Date of Visitation: 28-29 Sep 2019
Go Genting Bus Ticket
Location: KL Sentral, Level 2 & Basement
Awana SkyWay
Opening Hours: 7am to 10pm
(ticket can be bought along with bus ticket)
First World Hotel
Opening Hours:
Check-in time: 3pm (surcharge included for early check-in)
Check-out time: 11am
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