Kuala Lumpur Monday

Hey Folks,
Tour-of-Asian-Megacities #1...In between budget flights back to Hanoi from Cambodia I happened upon an afternoon exploring the city of Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. And what a fantastic afternoon it was. Scarceley have I spent a happier few hours than playing about on the KL metro system (which is a breeze by the way) and zipping between the sights of this megacity.
First off I wandered along Petaling Street, home of cheap T-shirts of the 'Adihash' and 'Nikked' persuasion. Although it was nice for a wander, I wasnt tempted to part with any Riel to prop up the sweatshop trade, so instead I ducked into a cafe for a drink when the afternoon monsoon rains hit.

Next up was the biggie and Kuala Lumpur's star centrepiece - the Petronas Twin Towers, formerly the world's highest buildings, and still I believe the world's highest pair of buildings. They are simply so huge that its almost impossible to get them all in one photograph, and I saw many tourists lying on the ground of the plaza outside the towers trying to acheive this feat. There is a skydeck halfway up, from which it is possible to view the whole city. Did you also know that it is closed on a Monday? No, me neither. Not usually one for being impressed by architecture, it was still just fantastic to see something so iconic in flesh and steel! Another one of those 'How did I get here?' moments.
At the base of the towers sits the Suria KL shopping centre, and stepping inside, I could have been in Meadowhall or the Metrocentre, anywhere, in any city. A completely non-country-specific collection of familiar brands and shops, including this....
...a Harrods outlet in the middle of Kuala Lumpur. How perfectly incongruous.

Not normally a fan of these places at home ("Its not just shopping, its a shopping experience!"), I must admit it was not an unpleasant diversion to wander around for an hour or so and not be out of place, to imagine that I 'could' be in the UK; although I was very pleased when I stepped out into the courtyard with my cheap pizza slice and found that I was in Asia after all.

The only disappointment of the day was finding that I couldnt go up to the observation deck of the Menara KL tower, which a promised a cracking cityscape better even than that from the Petronas towers. I raced around there during the late afternoon so I would catch sunset over the city, but found that they would only let me in if I paid 38RM (about £8) for a tower 'experience', including a pony ride, zoo and F1 simulator. Not having the funds or patience for a such a circus, I declined and went back to the airport to wait for my Hanoi flight the next morning.

Must take a moment to thank the lovely and forever anonmyous Indian lady who woke me up after I fell asleep in the departure gate and very very nearly missed my flight!
All in all a lovely city and a lovely day.

Until Next Time

SarahHeadsEast xx


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