Julie and I at the National Mosque |
I have such great memories from my short birthday
break in Kuala Lumpur
and I’ve already posted about some of them – the bellisimo birds at the KL BirdPark, the striking architecture – but here are a few highlights from those
delicious five days.
Cousin
Julie comes too
It was so wonderful to see a familiar face and
share some of my explorations of KL with my cousin Julie, who flew up from Singapore
for the weekend. Gem that she is, she brought Moet, though we had to drink it lukewarm,
and treated me to a superb sushi birthday dinner.
She shares my entrancement with Islamic arts, so
was as captivated as I was with the National Mosque, the Moorish influences in
the heritage architecture, the Islamic Arts Museum. We walked miles, talked
more, and, considering neither of us is that keen on clothes shopping, we shopped
well. The sale prices and ‘Auntie’, one very persuasive saleswoman and shop owner,
also had a lot to do with our success in that quarter, though Julie may not be thanking
me when her next credit card bill comes in!
The turrets of the city railway station |
I would've gone hungry without the help of this lovely young woman |
Charming
people
From the delightful elderly Indian gentleman who
walked me from his hotel the ten minutes to my hotel after my taxi from the airport
dropped me off at the wrong place and I got a little lost to the young
Malaysian girl who helped me select some delicious delicacies at a local
foodstall where the menu was incomprehensible, I found the people of Kuala
Lumpur heart-warmingly helpful and friendly.
At the Petronas
Tower , the smartly
dressed guide inquired oh so politely as to my age and then delicately
suggested that I would qualify for a senior citizen’s discount if I wanted to
go up the tower (I didn’t, as it would’ve meant waiting for 3 hours). The
Hop-on Hop-off bus tout relinquished his chair and fetched a cold bottle of
water for this red-faced, sweaty tourist, then proceeded to tell me some local
history while I waited for the next bus. And, by my third visit, the staff at
the Secret Recipe were welcoming me like a long-lost friend and all came over
to wish me a very happy birthday when I mentioned the cake was my birthday
treat.
South Indian food for breakfast one morning |
Colourful
culture
I was so glad we chose the Golden Triangle area to
stay in. Our budget hotel, the Hotel de’Grand Orchard, though difficult to find
initially, was perfectly comfortable and had an inviting rainforest shower, but
it was the location I particularly loved.
The mostly Indian Muslim neighbourhood is really colourful, with great street
food (even if you're not exactly sure what you're eating!), a nearby market
selling everything from traditional Muslin headgear to knock-off brand watches,
local streets that transform into a bustling market on a Saturday night, and
plentiful shopping at cheap prices. It's an easy walk to the Merdeka Square area, to the Central
Market, Chinatown, the National Mosque and National Textile
Museum .
Check out the little slice of Kiwiana in a stall at the Central Market |
From Chinese temple to Petronas Towers |
Convenience
and contrast
In the
central commercial area, skyscrapers and tower blocks loom over the tiny
pedestrian, yet I still managed to find a fascinating Chinese Buddhist temple
just a city block from the Petronas
Towers . Heritage
shophouses huddle between concrete and glass office blocks, and a vibrantly
coloured Hindu temple sits cheek-by-jowl with Chinese shops and supermarkets.
As you can no doubt tell, I was enchanted with KL and highly
recommend a visit to anyone passing through Asia . And now I can't resist adding a few more architecture shots!
The Royal Palace |
The Sri Mahamariamman temple |
The Petronas Towers sparkle at night |
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