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Malaysian story with InterLux Travel

10 January 2026 • Travel time: with 15 November 2025 on 28 November 2025
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Day One

Early morning marked the beginning of my journey. My flight was scheduled for just before dawn. My first flight was on a small SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) aircraft.

I purchased my tickets through Qatar Airways, which caused difficulties with online check-in because my first flight was on an SAS partner. As a result, I was issued only one boarding pass for three flights. As it turned out later, this wasn't enough.

Boarding for my flight to Copenhagen from Tallinn was through Gate 5, located on the lower level of the terminal. The waiting area was quite minimalist: there was only an R Kiosk (a small shop), restrooms, and seating. There were no other amenities, so arriving much earlier was pointless. Accordingly, boarding took place without the use of a boarding ramp (sleeve)—we were taken to the plane by bus, which, naturally, entailed a short wait outside.


At Copenhagen Airport, the same situation with disembarking repeated itself: a bus was provided again. It also turned out that the single boarding pass issued at the beginning was insufficient for further travel. Directly before the entrance to passport control, there was a counter marked "TRANSFER, " where Qatar Airways representatives handed out separate, individual boarding passes for each subsequent flight.

The next flight, Copenhagen to Doha, was operated on an aircraft that was not particularly new. It should be noted that there was no internet connection on this flight. Passengers were provided with blankets, amenity kits, and headphones for a comfortable flight. Meals consisted of a full meal and a small snack.

At Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, I had only three hours of "gross" time for the transfer. During this short time, I had time to appreciate the airport's impressive architecture and amenities.

I rode the monorail that connects the various parts of the terminal.

I visited The Orchard, the airport's green heart.

I bought local Qatari chocolate-covered dates—a delicious souvenir that I highly recommend.

The airport left a very pleasant impression: it's modern, spacious, and geared toward transit passengers.

The flight from Doha to Singapore was on a larger, newer aircraft. While internet was available on this aircraft, I used it minimally, mostly for messaging. All necessary supplies and meals were provided.

Day Two

Immigration at Changi Airport (Singapore) was fully automated and quick:

Step One: Insert your passport—the system reads your information and opens the gate.

Step Two: Focus your face for recognition and leave your fingerprint. After a successful scan, the exit door opens.

Customs control proceeded through the "green corridor" without any delays or questions.

I deliberately chose a flight with plenty of time to spare before meeting my group so I could wander around the legendary airport. It paid off – I got to see a lot, including traveling between terminals on the driverless shuttle. Changi Airport feels more than just a transportation hub, but rather like a huge, upscale shopping and entertainment center.

Meeting my group on the first try wasn't possible. It turned out there were two different exits in the baggage claim area, which caused some confusion.


Finally, we got ready, boarded the bus, and headed to the hotel. We were accompanied by both a guide from the tour operator "InterLux" (Darius) and a local Singaporean guide, Victoria.

Immediately, I was faced with an unpleasant discovery: the evening excursion had been moved from the last day of our tour to the second-to-last. This presented a problem for me, as I had already planned that evening myself. The tour operator would likely make the standard excuse about the possibility of rescheduling the program, but in this case, logic dictated that the excursion would be more appropriate on the only free evening, rather than the evening before departure.

By the way, the question of organizing the day of departure remained open: where would we be sent after check-out, given that the flight would be late?

The D'resort@Downtown East hotel, chosen for our transit accommodation, turned out to be quite acceptable, although its buildings were a bit architecturally intricate.

In the evening, I went to see the famous light shows. A round-trip taxi ride (via Grab) cost 15 SGD + 30 SGD, which I think is quite reasonable. The wait for a cab was only 5-7 minutes.

The show itself, frankly, wasn't very impressive (maybe I'm just a spoiled tourist).

My final adventure of the day was getting lost in a huge shopping mall. By Singaporean standards, they're probably ordinary, but by our standards, their scale is truly astounding. And secondly, my bank (Swedbank) blocked my credit card, citing suspicious charges! A simple excuse and over-caution! The charges were small (like those for using a taxi). The situation would have been dire: after all, all my payments in apps are withdrawn to my credit card! I had to enter my other card details, fortunately I had been on the safe side and had a backup plan.

Day Three

The move from Singapore to Malaysia began with disappointment.

Breakfast at the hotel was extremely meager. The selection was minimal: the only fruit was oranges, and the eggs were always boiled. Corn and some kind of fish in tomato sauce (apparently reheated canned goods). No cheese or ham products were seen. Coffee was served from a communal pot.


After breakfast, we went on a sightseeing tour of Singapore. We spent most of our time exploring the Marina Bay area, and then we were taken to Chinatown, where, unfortunately, we didn't see much due to our limited time. However, we did manage to buy some durian at a street stall and, to my great satisfaction, paid by card (I didn't buy Singaporean currency).

By 1:00 PM, we were returned to the hotel, where we had the opportunity to grab a quick bite before our scheduled transfer.

Departure was scheduled for 2:00 PM. However, the bus scheduled to take us to Malaysia didn't arrive until 3:30 PM. The entire group of 20 people was forced to wait an hour and a half for the driver! The delay was explained as "customs issues, " as the bus was arriving from Malaysia. A logical question arises: why couldn't a vehicle be arranged to depart in advance to avoid the group having to wait?

Crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border consisted of several stages:

Singapore Customs (outbound): I went through without luggage. Entry is like at an airport, through two automated turnstiles (passport and face scanning).

Crossing the bridge.

Malaysian Customs (inbound): Here we exited the bus with all our belongings and suitcases. The Malaysian guide initially mistakenly directed us to enter manually, but this turned out to be incorrect. Everyone went through automated machines similar to those in Singapore, but with the fingerprint scanning feature disabled. After passport control, all luggage was subject to mandatory scanning.

We then headed to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Along the way, we made a rest stop and a snack. The establishment offered a wide selection of food, and in some places, it was already possible to pay by card.

Due to all the delays and late arrivals, we arrived at the hotel after 11:00 PM. This, unfortunately, completely ruined all our evening plans.

We checked into the Metro Hotel Bukit Bintang. Our room was well-equipped—it had everything we needed, including a safe and a kettle. It's also worth noting that the shower heater has a separate switch.


Despite the late hour, we went out to explore the surroundings. There's a busy street near the hotel. We managed to exchange currency at a local exchange office almost overnight (the rate was 4.75 ringgit per euro). A passport was required for the transaction. The street offered a selection of fresh fruit and a variety of street food. Fortunately, there were places that accepted card payments.

Day Four

Breakfast at the hotel was again disappointing and meager. The coffee was very poor quality ("swill"), and the only fruit available was apples and oranges. In the end, I opted to have a light snack and coffee at the nearest 7-Eleven.

Due to heavy traffic, the trip to the tower took over an hour. The price included a visit to the restaurant and access to the observation deck. The tower has an observation deck, and on the floor above is a revolving buffet restaurant. Water, tea, and coffee are included in the price; other drinks are extra. This place is considered popular and expensive, as evidenced by the clientele—many respectable and wealthy people. I really enjoyed the unusual sweet dish, similar to a soup, made with durian (Savage durian)!

From the tower, I headed to the famous Petronas Twin Towers to watch the fountain show. I would describe the ten-minute performance as rather static, but against the backdrop of the magnificently illuminated towers, it looked very impressive.

After the show, I decided to walk along the pedestrian bridge (KLCC - Bukit Bintang Walkway). My plan was to walk along it to Independence Square and from there to the Blue Pool light show. However, this walk turned out to be a failure, and after assessing the remaining time and distance to the desired point, I decided I wouldn't make it to the show and walked back to the hotel.

Day Five

It was the day of our change of location and flight to the resort island of Langkawi.

The morning began with the usual disgusting breakfast.

Departure was scheduled for 8:30. At that moment, a serious hitch occurred: one of our group members' suitcases was mistakenly picked up by another tour group and taken with them. Luckily, we were able to contact those people, and the problem was resolved en route—the suitcase was delivered.


We were heading to the airport for a domestic flight to Langkawi. Since we had checked in in advance, we only had to line up to drop off our luggage. We were given a paper boarding pass upon presentation of our passports. After that, I hurried to the arrivals hall to get a local SIM card. The connection was successful and quick. However, the group had already passed through security. I had to chase them down. At the gate, the size and weight of our carry-on baggage were carefully checked—the limit was no more than 7 kg!

The flight itself went exactly as scheduled. A guide and a bus were already waiting for us at Langkawi Airport, so boarding and departure went quickly.

We checked into the Nadias Hotel. It's not new and isn't a beach hotel, though it's located near the sea. The view from the window was, frankly, poor: all you could see was a narrow street, with the building next to it blocking everything else. Next to the hotel, but not directly in front of the window, was a busy street with numerous shops and restaurants.

I immediately appreciated the local beach. The sea was calm. The beach is compact, with fine sand interrupted by a strip of shells, the entry into the water is very shallow, and the water is opaque.

Day Six

The morning started off on a positive note: breakfast was excellent! Finally, there was a wide selection of food, including fresh pastries, an omelet made right in front of us, and good coffee from a machine. It was a pleasant contrast to the previous days.

The start of the sightseeing tour (scheduled to last 7 hours) went awry right away. We headed to the SkyCar, but our itinerary didn't include a visit, so I booked tickets myself for 85 ringgit in advance—and, as it turned out, it was a mistake.

Upon arrival, we discovered that the Cable Car didn't open until 12:30 PM, which meant we had to quickly reschedule the tours. This delay affected our entire schedule.

To pass the time, we went to the Langkawi Crocodile Farm. An additional 55 ringgit was charged. We were given an educational tour about the crocodile species and their habitat, and we witnessed a thrilling feeding. At the end of the tour, as usual, there was a shop selling crocodile skin and teeth products. Importantly, the farm is government-funded, so souvenir sales aren't the primary commercial goal of the project, and there's no pushy desire to profit at the expense of tourists. We weren't in a rush at the farm, as we had to arrive at the Cable Car by 12:00 PM.


After this, the group visited the 3D attraction and only then joined the line for the lift.

As I mentioned earlier (there was a discrepancy in the program), I purchased tickets for this event for the next day, so the group went to the cable car and bridge, and I had to wait for them to return.

The guide informed me that the famous Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh) was closed to visitors. However, I had some time before meeting the group at 3:00 PM, so I decided to check it out. It turned out the waterfall was indeed accessible with an entrance ticket for 10 ringgit. I began my climb at the 580 steps mentioned. Before completing the entire climb, there was a branch—this was the most prime spot, offering a view of the waterfall itself with its cascading water.

After exploring, I continued climbing and reached the end of the civilized climb up the steps. From there, I had to follow the path. It was here that I encountered some monkeys. I made a rash move—I decided to give one a candy wrapper. The agile animal immediately tore the wrapper open, and others immediately jumped up. A fight for the treats began, which quickly escalated into aggression—the monkeys noticed the source of the candy and began advancing on me, demanding that the feast continue. I barely managed to save my backpack and hastily retreat.

The rest of the journey began on a completely off-road path, right through lush vegetation, where it was sometimes impossible to see where to go. I moved forward, seeing the signs. The first one said there were about 2.500 meters ahead (as it turned out, that's the distance) and the walk would take, give or take, 4 hours. Having reached the 1.770-meter mark and a place called "blue... ", I noticed a new sign saying, "give or take 3.5 hours, " and realized I wouldn't make it by the appointed time, so I was forced to turn back quickly. The descent, of course, took less time.


I returned with a little time to eat. I ordered fish, water, and mango juice (beer is not sold anywhere in the area). The portion of fish with rice and salad that arrived was huge. The fish was delicious, but I barely finished it. The whole thing cost 28 euros.

After meeting the group, we continued our sightseeing tour by heading to the Fruit Garden. An additional 40 ringgit (this fee was included in the program). After a short walking tour, we were seated in an open garden bus (16 people each) and driven around the garden, with explanations about the plants. Most of them were without fruit or flowers—it was out of season. It all boiled down to this: look left, look right. Then we were offered papaya, watermelon (red and yellow), guava, pineapple, breadfruit, and melon. A coconut was also available for 5 ringgit. The event ended with a short photo op with a huge breadfruit and a collage featuring a small pineapple.

We then headed towards the town of Kuah to see the island's symbol, the Eagle Square. But logistics intervened: the allotted and paid tour time had expired. Further progress required coordination and an additional fee. The bus stopped, awaiting a decision. Eventually, we managed to agree on a price of 200 ringgit, and the tour continued. We were quickly driven to the Eagle Square, given time for a photo shoot, and with that, our tour of the city concluded, and we headed back to the hotel.

In the evening, I went to a large supermarket chain, "Billion Kedawang" (taxi: 5 euros). The store was out of alcohol. I couldn't find loose leaf tea (that was my goal) and didn't buy coffee beans (Ecuador, Brazil, etc. ) at prices ranging from 21 to 47 ringgit for 250 grams, considering it unprofitable.

I bought a durian near the store. It started raining, so I couldn't eat it outside. I wrapped it in plastic wrap and a bag, put it in my backpack, and called a taxi. When I got in, the driver immediately asked if I was carrying durian! The smell permeated the backseat even through the double packaging. Pulling up to the hotel, I quickly ate it under the awning.


The day ended with disappointment in the tour organization, particularly the incorrect itinerary, which omitted the Sky Bridge, and the advertised visit to the MAHA Tower for 40 euros never took place. The itinerary didn't correspond with the opening hours of the attractions, resulting in additional expenses for the tour operator (200 MYR) and shortening the tour time. The visit to the fruit orchard was uninspiring and uninformative, and the fruits offered were available at any store. Including a visit to the waterfall in such an overly crowded and poorly planned itinerary was illogical. The overall concept boiled down to a quick "overview" with no depth.

I am certainly disappointed that, due to incorrect information, I lost my guide on the Sky Bridge and am now forced to explore and get to the site on my own.

In the evening, discussions began and signing up for additional excursions (a visit to the mangrove forests, the Kilim Nature Reserve, and a trip to the islands). Since the required number of volunteers wasn't reached, the group leader began negotiating with management to lower the quota. Initially, the quota was reduced to 10 people.

Day Seven

The day began with a delicious breakfast, which has now become a pleasant tradition. The high-quality food and a decent selection of dishes helped me finally forget the gastronomic difficulties of the first days of the journey.

I spent most of my time strolling. Walking through the city and along the beach allowed me to truly experience the atmosphere of Langkawi—without the rush, buses, or strict schedules. It was a time to simply enjoy the sea breeze and the views.

Late in the evening, I headed to the famous Thursday night market (in Malaysia, these markets are called Pasar Malam, and they change locations every Thursday). I got there using the familiar and convenient Grab service. My expectations for the market were somewhat high, and the reality brought mild disappointment. I was counting on an abundance of fresh grilled seafood, but there was practically none. The main emphasis was on meat and chicken dishes (satay, fried chicken), as well as specific local snacks and sweets. A few stalls were occupied by clothes and textiles ("rags"), which didn't interest me at all, so I didn't even approach them. Overall, the market was interesting in terms of color, but it didn't provide the gastronomic revelation I was hoping for.

Day Eight

Day Eight was a true test of endurance and nerve. While the group explored the mangroves, I decided to close my "gestalt" with the Sky Bridge.


Arriving by taxi, the first thing I did was check my suitcase into the automated locker. The process is intuitive: choose the locker size, enter your phone number, and pay.

However, the weather played its part. Due to strong winds and heavy rain, the SkyCab and the Sky Bridge itself were closed. To save time, I headed to the 3D pavilion. You must take your shoes off at the entrance. The exhibit is quite interesting and allows for some spectacular photos.

Suddenly, the funicular started working! I went up to the intermediate station where the exit to the observation deck is. We were asked to wait 15 minutes in hopes of improving the weather. I even managed to change into special slippers and go out onto the deck, but the wind was so strong and the rain so thick that continuing on to the bridge was simply dangerous.

After waiting for the "miracle" for over an hour, I decided to give in. At the ticket office, I managed to get a refund for the missed lift.

I had a trip to Thailand planned next. When it was time to head to the port, difficulties arose. The storage locker system flatly refused to recognize my phone number (probably due to problems sending SMS to foreign numbers). I had to call the staff for help to retrieve my things. It was pouring rain at the Langkawi port, and Grab simply "died" – there were no cars for 30 minutes. I knew I was desperately missing the boat to Thailand. But a small miracle occurred: I managed to persuade a driver, who was simply parking nearby, to take me to the port. I paid 20 ringgit for the ride (though we agreed on 10) – it was worth it for the rescue.

I was the last one in line to arrive at the port. The process of leaving Malaysia was thorough. Photo verification and scanning of all ten fingers (first four, then two thumbs). The boat crew will take your passport for the duration of the crossing.


The boat trip took a little over an hour. Off the coast of the Thai island of Koh Lipe, the boat didn't stop at the pier due to shallow water. As the reports say, we were transferred to traditional longtail boats, 16-20 people each—either they don't want to build a pier here, or they're protecting the ecosystem.

A hotel representative was already waiting for me on the shore to collect my luggage. The border crossing procedure on the beach is colorful. You sit on chairs right on the sand, and the border guard calls out names and countries, handing out passports (families with children go first). Then comes official passport control with fingerprint scanning. The entrance fee to the national park is 200 Thai baht.

I checked into the Bella Vista Beach Resort Koh Lipe. The hotel consists of cozy cottages.

Returning to the hotel after my walk around 7:00 PM, I found the hotel restaurant closed. I had to go to another one, where I enjoyed dinner at the Italian cafe.

Day Nine

My trip was marked by true island relaxation and immersion in the Thai atmosphere.

Breakfast at this hotel was noticeably different in style from previous places. Instead of the usual European selection, the emphasis was on more substantial main courses. They served chicken in sauce and pasta. Fruit was limited, and pastries were nonexistent. The coffee was classic, from a machine.

The morning began with a swim. The sea on Koh Lipe at this hour was surprisingly calm and gentle. After swimming, I strolled along the local shopping street (Walking Street), which looks completely different during the day than in the neon light of the evening.

Soon, the bright sun peeked out from behind the clouds, and I happily spent time sunbathing, alternating with refreshing swims.

Walking along the shore, I observed with interest a unique process: how registration and passport control for those heading back to Langkawi were organized right on the beach. This is a different border crossing, located 200 meters from the one I arrived at, and the boats depart in a different direction.

I decided to have lunch at the hotel restaurant. I chose the classics: the famous Tom Yum soup and a seafood salad with papaya. The entire meal cost 15 euros.

After lunch, I took another short walk, which gradually led me to a massage parlor.


Back in my room, I took care of the necessary formalities—filling out the immigration paperwork (MDAC) for my return to Malaysia, so that tomorrow's journey would proceed smoothly.

Day Ten

The day began with the sound of rain, which had been falling all night.

After breakfast, nature showed mercy: the rain stopped, and I was able to take a final dip in the gentle sea. At 11:30, I officially checked out of the room. However, the weather turned bad again, and I had to spend the entire time before the boat departed in the hotel lobby.

The departure procedure from Koh Lipe, where border control meets beach relaxation. I arrived an hour before departure and was the last one there, so there was no longer a line. At the ticket office, you exchange your voucher for a physical ticket and receive a personal queue number. At passport control, they take your passport. You sit on regular chairs under a canopy right on the sand. First, you are loaded onto small longtail boats strictly in the order of your number, then the boats take you to the speedboat.

This time, there were very few passengers—only 28 on a vessel designed for 150.

From the shore, the sea seemed calm, but as soon as we hit open water, it became clear the elements were not so friendly. To ensure a comfortable ride, the captain decided to reduce speed. He warned that the journey time would increase by approximately 30 minutes.

The crossing went quite smoothly. As I later learned from other travelers, we were lucky: the day before, the boat had been very rough, the waves literally swamped the boat, and many passengers had a hard time.

Upon arrival in Langkawi, everything went smoothly: they checked my pre-issued Digital Entry Card (MDAC), then quickly went through passport control.

I was one of the first to exit the terminal. There were plenty of taxis, but I decided to use my usual Grab. The system promised a car in five minutes and debited the fare. I saw the driver approaching in the app, and when the car stopped right in front of me, I was sure it was my order. However, an unfortunate misunderstanding occurred: the driver picked up someone else for a different order.


While I was trying to resubmit my order, the situation changed dramatically: the wait time in the app skyrocketed, and the price jumped. The taxi drivers waiting at the entrance had already left with their tourists. Ultimately, only one car remained. The driver, realizing he had an advantage, asked for 40 ringgit—twice the Grab fare. There was nothing else to do but agree to finally get to the hotel. I didn't have any ringgits, and he refused to take euros (I had to stop at a currency exchange).

Day Eleven

The day began with rain again. The locals shrugged: at this time of year, Langkawi is usually in the midst of its dry season, so such prolonged downpours are a true climatic anomaly.

We decided not to take the official Interlux excursion, which was offered for 69 euros per person. Instead, we organized our own itinerary. We were a group of five. We rented an entire boat for just 370 ringgit (approximately 74 ringgit or 15 euros per person). While our itinerary didn't include a barbecue lunch, we were left to our own devices. Five people on a boat are much more comfortable than a larger group, and we could schedule our own stops.

Our first stop was the famous Pulau Dayang Bunting Island (Pregnant Maiden Island). From a distance, its silhouette truly resembles a woman lying on her back. We were dropped off at the pier, and then we explored on our own (entry into the park costs 20 MYR). The trail leads to a picturesque freshwater lake hidden within the mountains. The water is warm, and the swimming area reaches a depth of 14 meters. The rules are strict: you must wear life jackets when entering the water. The hour allotted for the excursion flew by.

Then the captain steered the boat to the habitat of the famous sea eagles. We were lucky: there was another boat nearby, and when the feeding began, dozens of majestic birds soared into the sky. Watching them dive swiftly toward the water was a breathtaking sight.

Our third stop was another island with a beautiful sandy beach. Here we were given an hour to swim and relax. By this time, the sea and sun had finally come to an agreement, allowing us to enjoy the tropical warmth.

The tour ended not on the beach near our hotel (Pantay Cenang), but at a specially equipped pier on the other side of the island. From there, we were transported to the hotel by minibus.


In the end, the independent trip turned out to be not only four times cheaper but also much more relaxing. We returned to the hotel happy that we had braved the rain and taken matters into our own hands.

Day Twelve

The day began with a true gift of nature: surprisingly, there hadn't been a drop of rain since morning! Given the unusual weather of the past few days, this was a great excuse to finally dedicate some time to a classic resort vacation.

The whole day passed at a leisurely pace: sea, fine sand, and long-awaited sunbathing. After a busy schedule of excursions and travel, such a break was simply necessary to recuperate and finally get an even tan.

Despite my rest, I had to persist in resolving organizational issues. The main goal of the day was to obtain a reservation number for the upcoming flight to Singapore. I spent almost the entire evening negotiating with both our group leader and the Interlux office. My persistence paid off – the coveted code was obtained. With access to the reservation, I was able to independently pay for excess baggage through the airline's website and select a more comfortable seat on the plane.

Realizing I wasn't the only one facing a baggage issue, I compiled detailed instructions for the other group members. It turned out that many people wanted to follow my example, so my experience helped my fellow travelers avoid unnecessary stress at the airport.

Day Thirteen

The day became a bridge between the natural tranquility of Langkawi and the futuristic pace of Singapore.

The morning began with breakfast, after which, at 9:30, a shuttle bus picked us up for the airport transfer. Airport formalities went smoothly this time. A pleasant surprise was that the default baggage limit was 20 kg, not the 15 kg we expected. We checked in quickly, using our passports. The security check procedure was extremely lenient. No one weighed our carry-on baggage, and we weren't required to empty our bags during security. After security, only one modest convenience store awaited us in the departure area, but complimentary drinking water was available.

The flight itself was short. We were treated to chicken and rice in the air.


We landed at Changi Airport Terminal 4. Singapore's efficiency remained unchanged: standard fast-track through the automated passport control gates. After a random baggage check (which affected only one person in the group), we boarded the shuttle bus.

We were taken to the same hotel where we stayed at the beginning of our journey. Interestingly, six people from our group decided to split off: they booked a different hotel and transfer, preferring a higher level of comfort and a different location. They did not join the group on any further excursions.

At 6:20 PM, the main group departed for the "Singapore by Night" sightseeing tour, but I decided to go my own way. I took a taxi to the famous Sentosa Island to see the laser show. I caught the first show at 7:40 PM. On the advice of the staff member at the entrance, I watched the show first and then went to dinner—and it was absolutely the right decision. The show itself was captivating and very high-quality. The buffet, however, was disappointing. The level of execution was more reminiscent of a regular cafeteria than a restaurant. I didn't leave hungry, but I didn't enjoy the food aesthetically. Besides, the establishment closed at 9:00 PM. The drink selection was meager: tea, plain water, and some kind of sweetened water.

I chose Gardens by the Bay. I strolled around the area where the "Garden Rhapsody" show is held. I climbed the OCBC Skyway suspension bridge between the futuristic "supertrees" (7 euros). The ascent is by elevator. It's quite high up, and the bridge sways noticeably, which adds to the adrenaline rush. Capacity is limited to 80 people at a time. I think watching the evening light show from there would be simply amazing.

At 6:55 PM, we returned to the hotel to pick up our bags and headed to Changi Airport.

The group departed at 11:25 PM, and my flight was three hours late.

There were technical issues with the automated check-in counter, but an airport employee who spoke some Russian helped me out. Eventually, I was directed to the business class check-in counter. There they gave me three boarding passes for all segments of the route and accepted my luggage.


I decided to spend the remaining time exploring the best airport in the world. In Terminal 3, I visited the Butterfly Park. It was dark and damp, and I only saw a couple of sleeping beauties. I'm sure it's much more interesting during the day. In Terminal 2, where I took the Skytrain, I explored the Orchid Park with a pond and goldfish. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the sunflower garden. The monorail stopped working at 2:00 AM (it's not running until 5:00 AM), so I had to walk to Terminal 1. Due to time constraints, I didn't manage to find the Cactus Garden.

At the gate, I was met by the same Russian-speaking employee – she remembered my name and politely invited me on board. The overnight flight from Singapore to Doha was comfortable, and I was fed twice.

As I entered the transit area of ​ ​ Doha Airport, I was screened again, where my water was confiscated. My gate was at the very back of the lounge.

During the flight from Doha to Stockholm, we were served one meal, but drinks were offered the rest of the time.

In Stockholm, I went through passport control and another carry-on baggage check (here they asked me to leave my laptop separately).

I barely noticed the short final flight from Stockholm to Tallinn—I slept from takeoff to landing.

Final Analysis and Critique of the Tour Organization

This final analysis sheds light on the underbelly of group travel. This trip is a classic confrontation between an independent, knowledgeable traveler and the sluggish tour operator.

Overall, I was satisfied with the trip, despite the unusually rainy weather for this season. The main success of the trip was the combination of the exoticism of Malaysia, the comfort of Koh Lipe, and the futurism of Singapore. However, this success was largely due to personal initiative, not the efforts of the organizer (Interlux).

Criticism of the Accommodation

Location: The choice of hotel in Singapore was extremely unfortunate. The distance of 26 km from the city center and the lack of surrounding infrastructure created a logistical impasse on the final day.

Langkawi Infrastructure: The hotel didn't live up to the definition of "beachy. " The indoor pool is a questionable choice for a tropical island. The only positive was the decent food, the best of the entire group stage.

Major "blunders" and complaints about the organizer

Interlux's handling of the process deserves serious criticism. Instead of "facing the client, " the company demonstrated formalism and a lack of professionalism.

1. Information vacuum and misinformation


  • The group leader didn't have all the information, doling it out sparingly under the pretext of "everything can change. "

  • Errors in the program: The company mixed up the dates of the evening excursion in Singapore. Despite my prior warnings about the error, Interlux ignored the request. As a result, the tourists' plans were affected.

    • 2. Financial opacity and baggage "casuistry"

  • Weight absurdity: With a paid baggage allowance of 30 kg on the main flight (Turkish Airlines), the company only offered an extra charge of up to 20 kg on domestic flights.

  • Pricing: The domestic flight was listed at €150 + excess baggage surcharge. The market price of the ticket is approximately €89. The price difference is not justified by the service.

  • Lost services: Passengers who paid extra for baggage up to 20 kg (meal included) were not provided with meals.

    • 3. Logistical failures

  • Waiting for a bus: 1.5 hours of waiting for transport in Kuala Lumpur due to poor coordination. Information about the delay was not communicated in time, turning an evening stroll into a nighttime one.

  • Sky Bridge: The site was not even indicated on the itinerary, leading to a lack of time and additional expenses.

  • Ticket reservations: The booking number was hidden until the last day, preventing tourists from paying for excess baggage in advance and affordably. The company's advice to "pay at the airport" is unprofessional and leads to unnecessary expenses for customers.

    • 4. Last-Day Planning Failure

  • After checking out at 11:00 AM, the group found themselves "dumped" in a hotel on the outskirts of the city with no plans until the evening.

  • Solution: The problem was only resolved after I raised the issue in advance, which led to an additional excursion being arranged.

    • 5. Ignoring Changi Airport

  • A complete lack of attention to one of the world's best airports. A simple transfer adjustment (an hour earlier) could have given people the opportunity to explore Changi, but the organizers didn't want to delve into the details.

    • Summary for the organizer


    Interlux needs to stop citing rules and regulations and start studying each project in detail. Learning from previous tours, providing timely information, and direct communication with guides on the ground—that's what clients pay for. On this tour, many issues were resolved "in spite" of the organization, not thanks to it.

    Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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