Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fri 29th
Arrival in KL was a fraction early, at 17:45. By the way, KL is 7 hours ahead of the UK. A train/shuttle from the arrival terminal to the Immigration/baggage terminal was a bit confusing. Not many ‘Arrivals’ signs to indicate the directions to the gates. I think because I had completed my MDAC on line, the passport recognition was instant.
Finding the train to KL wasn’t immediately obvious, and ‘tap/swipe’ card took a few attempts. All things I will get used to, no doubt… Only about 30 minutes to the Central/Sentral Station. I guess I went out of the wrong exit, because the 10 minute walk to the hotel, according to Mark, took me 45 minutes. Having arrived at central station at 19:30, I reached Hotel Sentral at 20:15. There were many kind people who helped me to find my way.
Still, it was only about 2.5 hours after we landed…good going. I paid my 147RM…26quid by debit card and was given room 206. My Monzo card didn’t work; I later found out that Monzo put a block on it until I confirmed it was a genuine transaction.
I showered and went walkabout. I gave up looking for the main station and looked for a bar instead. Lots of restaurants, but eventually I found a bar only 5 minutes walk from my hotel. I had 2 Connors stout porters at under £6 each then went back to my room. It was quite late at this point and I was looking forward to a good sleep.
Sat 30th Aug
Well, I definitely didn’t get a good sleep. There is some high rise construction going on nearby and the banging/crashing went on until about 3am; my ear plugs hardly helped. I dozed off eventually, but then I’d set my alarm for 08:30.
I went up to the 5th floor restaurant for the breakfast that was on offer from 30R to 20RM. For a buffet with lots of choice it was good value.
As the price for Sentral was going up to 180RM over the weekend I decided to look around for something cheaper. Almost directly across the road was Cozy hotel at 130RM…so, a big saving. But what really clinched it was the roof garden; I said I would be back right away.
I quickly checked out of Sentral and paid my 130RM cash at Cozy. The room didn’t have a window but the roof garden easily made up for that. In fact I immediately went up to the roof garden and sat in the hot sun for an hour.
After a shower and a change into shorts and flip flops, I went to familiarise myself with the Sentral train station. Lots and lots of food outlets in a huge shopping centre. I studied the train routes in preparation of venturing to other areas of KL. I don’t know if I fully understand it yet, but I’ve got plenty of time and I’m taking my time.
I then followed a main road, just looking at the shops and tall buildings and getting to know the area. I took a circuitous route back to the hotel. I left a note at reception for Canadian Paul, who checked in at the same time as me, to say I would be at the Supper club if he wanted to join me.
I got there at about 16:30 and he arrived an hour later. We had a good chat and I got a bit carried away with 4 stouts once I was told there was a happy hour until 9pm. It’s a good saving…from 29RM to 24RM…so, just under a pound. I bought a couple of little kachoris to eat in my room, and a small bottle of vodka to wash them down.
A very good first day in Kuala Lumpur.
Sun 31st Aug
At least I managed to catch up on some sleep. Very comfortable room; am very happy with Cozy. I paid for another night with cash. I met Paul in reception at 08:00 and we went to a restaurant nearby for breakfast. There was some confusion with my order but eventually my egg pancake and dips arrived. I enjoyed both that and my tea. We spent about an hour there, chatting about lots of things.
Back at the hotel I confirmed it wasn’t necessary to clean my room, and set off on a walkabout. I went to Little India again, but explored more of it and took pics of sculptures…..
On the way back I called into the shopping centre at the railway station…it’s absolutely massive. I went back to Cozy to take in the view from the rooftop terrace and to phone Gabriella. I got some advice on what Malaysian food to look out for.!!!
I relaxed in my room. I spoke to a Brit on the terrace who was about to fly to his home in Sri Lanka. I went on a short walkabout and found myself in the Supper club… After a while Paul joined me. He didn’t stay long; I finished my beer and we met up to have dinner.
It was a simple place, and my samosa, kachoris, bajia and chick peas with chilli only came to 5RM…under £1. Then we went back to Supper club and had beer and chatted. We sat by the pavement this time.
There was a debate as to whether to watch the fireworks on Malaysia Independence day. After we went back to the hotel, and although I was feeling tired, I managed to keep myself awake and went up to our terrace after 10pm. We waited until midnight, only for it to be confirmed that actually the fireworks had taken place the night before..!!
Never mind…but at least I got to see the KL skyline all lit up at night..very pretty. So, sleep took place around 1am after I had spoken with Alan and Mark.
I am getting to understand Malaysia a little bit more…I’m certainly enjoying myself.
Mon 1st Sept
I slept pretty well. I tried to pay for my room with the Monzo card, but the hotel systems aren’t accepting cards at the moment so it was cash again. Still haven’t christened my Monzo…
I met up with Paul at 09:00 and we walked over to Central station for the red line train to KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers. First we had to navigate the ticketing system. One machine wouldn’t take my notes (having put them in upside down and back to front) but another one did. Cost..2.40RM, or less than 50pence.
Putting my token in the slot at the other end, opened the gate. There are 2 or 3 shopping malls which are absolutely huge and dwarf the railway station which is in the middle of it all.
The Petronas Towers are so tall. Of course that’s why one goes to see them and take pics, but they really do take your breath away. And the whole area is made up of skyscrapers. We walked around a small garden and a much bigger one before going inside for a coffee.
After a while we had another wander before heading up/down through the mall (confusing) to the station. Back to Sentral; back to Cozy. I put together my washing (incl t-shirts and jeans) to take to the laundrette next door. This was my first experience of a washing machine on my travels; I have always hand washed my clothes. Still learning…I put it on a cold wash instead of a warm wash. I decided to hang everything in my room instead of putting it through the dryer.
I went to Supper club at 16:30. After an hour and a half I left for some food as I hadn’t eaten anything all day. I just missed Paul but he found me eating my kachori, samosa and chick peas which cost me 3RM or just over 50pence. We then met at Supper club and after a couple of hours we returned to the hotel.
I rearranged my clothes which were starting to dry. I did a FB post covering my first 2 days, then settled down for the night.
Tues 2nd Sept
The target was to get to Batu Caves. Everything but my jeans were dry. I washed and tidied my room and got going at 08:15. I was able to pay using my Monzo card…finally. I paid for 3 days…360RM (£64)…or £21 per day…was very happy with that.
I had trouble finding the Station within the mall; I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon. I couldn’t figure out which ticket machine to use. Then the ticket counter didn’t take cash; contactless worked on my debit card though.
I had a 15 minute wait for the train; only one an hour which surprised me. A boring journey to Batu Caves, but it only took half an hour. The Batu station is right next to the cave complex.
I only stayed there about an hour, focusing on climbing the steps to the main cave. I was pleased that I only stopped twice for a breather, but there was certainly no need for a puff on my inhaler.
There were many statues and shrines and temples, but once you’ve seen a few you get a bit blazee ????? It was interesting to see it once in the setting of a cave with stalagmites and stalactites, and a couple of little rituals going on.
The monkeys got a lot of attention from the masses of visitors; there were loads of visitors…definitely a major tourist attraction. An hour was enough before heading back to the station and KL city.
The train a/c was on full blast which made it bloody freezing. I realised later that I was in either the ladies carriage or ladies seating, but there were other men around I discovered so I stayed put.
I got off one stop too soon and it took ages finding my way out of the station. After a short walk I stopped for a much needed coffee and to ask directions. The latte was in a tiny cup which was disappointing, and to make things worse I discovered I had been walking in totally the wrong direction. I got back on track and was at KL centre in about 20 minutes. At least in daylight you can easily see where you are in relation to all the landmark buildings.
After a stop off at Cozy I went to Supper for a couple, then to my usual restaurant for chicken n rice n vegs, then back to Supper for a nightcap. I passed by the off licence to buy a small gin, and I included a packet of chevda to nibble on in the room.
So, a successful day…mission accomplished to visit Batu Caves.
Wed 3rd Sept
I got up late at nearly 09:00. I confirmed with the cleaner that he should clean my room. My mission was to visit the Perdana Botanical Garden which wasn’t too far away. I first passed along Jalan Scott where there were at least 4 temples in the same street.Then I proceeded to take the wrong route to Perdana; I wasn’t far from it but was on the wrong side of the railway tracks.
I doubled back and eventually found the entrance. Well, it’s a huge park in the middle of KL with a lake, fountains, other pathways, trees, flowers and views of the city skyscrapers. To get out I had to go down to some train platforms, under the highway, and up the other side. I then somehow found my way to the back of the KL Sentral and into the shopping centre. It can be very confusing navigating that huge building combining shops and railway station.
It was time for some forward planning i.e. to buy a train ticket to Ipoh. I popped into tourist information for some advice. The lady recommended I buy a ticket straight away as a Bank Holiday weekend was coming up.
I went to the ticket counter, only to be told that the Friday train was already full…so I bought a Saturday ticket for 12pm. Of course I wasn’t to know that it’s the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday that weekend..!!
I checked on my room then went looking for some food. I settled on a restaurant nearby and had a chicken biryani. It consisted of the chicken and rice with an egg and 2 popadoms and a couple of sauces. I asked for extra chilies. It was delicious but could have been a bit hotter..in temperature.
I went back to the room then took a short scenic route to the mall. I still couldn’t find the railway station…absolutely crazy. But I managed to buy a large water !! I went across to Supper to relax. I drank some porter whilst watching some cricket and chatted briefly to a couple of Brits.
At which point my room beckoned. A successful day.
Thurs 4th Sept
Slightly strange waking up in pitch darkness…no window so not even a glimmer of light. I went downstairs after 09:00 and asked where I could buy a tea. I crossed the road and had a masala chai. It only cost about 60pence so I shouldn’t complain about the glass being so small !!
The cashier didn’t accept my 5RM note because it had tape at one end and down the middle. It was no problem as I had another one, but after I left I exchanged it at a nearby Bank.
I went back to my room. I did a tiny bit of ironing; there’s a board and iron on each floor. I finished washing my zebra shirt. I took it up to the terrace to dry in the hot sun. And I sunbathed for over an hour in the hot sun !! Then it started to cloud over and I returned to my room and showered.
From there I went walkabout in what I thought was a different area, but after a while I realised I’d been there before but from the opposite direction. I walked slowly looking for a Malaysian cuisine restaurant. I reached the Mall and kept looking as I was feeling hungry by now.
And then I instigated my other mission…to get a local Sim card. The first was very complicated…put a deposit down which I could claim back after I returned to Malaysia…and I had visions of losing it altogether.
The second shop was very straightforward. The young lady set it all up and I paid my 30RM…just over £5, although it took nearly half an hour. I haven’t got a huge amount of data/internet, but it suits my purposes for now.
I found what I was looking for. I ordered an Ayam Rendang…chicken rendang. I had to pay upfront the 16.85…or £3. Good value. Rendang means it’s cooked in coconut milk. Other ingredients…peanuts, tiny dried fish, cucumber, rice, a couple of sauces.
By now it was 15:30 and I had half an hour to kill before happy hour at the Supper club. I couldn’t go far as it was raining heavily outside. I wandered around the Mall for a bit before venturing to Supper. Lots of shop doorways in which to take cover.
After a couple of pints I retreated to my room.
Fri 5th Sept
Downstairs I paid for my last night in my room. I went across the road for a masala chai. I asked about a lassi but they didn’t start making them until lunchtime. I went on quite a long circular walkabout; I found a bridge crossing then walked along the canal and back to Cozy.
I washed a pair of socks then put them out in the hazy sun on the terrace while I relaxed. It was hot enough, so time for a shower. About 13:00 I popped across the road for a mango lassi. Quite a treat at 8RM..or £1.50.
Off I went again. I bought a packet of chevda for £5RM..under a £1. I crossed over the main road and into the big Mall. I had thought to go to another restaurant for a rendang so as to compare with yesterday’s, but at the chai/lassi place I saw people having a ‘banana leaf’ meal, and I decided on that for dinner.
Back to my room, then across the road for my banana leaf meal. Very tasty and just under £2..(11RM)…because it was vegetarian. I lay on my terrace for half an hour before going to Supper club. I drank 3 porters slowly then back to do some packing before talking to Phil.
So that was it…a great introduction to Malaysia.