Kuala Lumpur 08-13 Sep

(Post for Singapore is now complete including Sentosa Island)

Early morning flight with Air Asia in an A320-200 from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately the aircraft had a puncture and apparently there was no spare tyre in all of Changi Airport. So we had to wait 4 hours for a tyre to be brought in from KL. We got a free lunch for compensation but that doesn’t really improve your mood.

Having arrived at the LCCT (low cost carrier terminal) in KL I took a bus to bustling chinatown. The streets are cramped with people, cars and scooters and so it took us ages to get there. In chinatown is a myriad of hawker stalls offing all kind of food for 1-2 Euros and the food is really delicious. Eating rice all day I really become a fan of it.

Being on a tight budget I took a room with no air-condition and just a fan which proved to be a big mistake. No a/c on the beach is fine but in a city the heat really gets to you. It was probably the smallest room I had so far with nothing else than a bunk bed, some shelves and a single chair. Being modest it was enough for me.

You see Malaysian flags on every building. In this case even all over the building

There was a nice roof garden with a TV to meet fellow travellers and to have a drink or two. I have watched my first Formula 1 qualifying for ages and it even was broadcasted in English. Also I watched the movie “Clash of the Titans” which was really weird since there was no titan in the entire movie and hero ends up with the wrong girl, at least according to the real Greek myth.

Menera Kuala Lumpur (tower of KL) arguably offers the best view over the city and is 100 meters higher than the Twin Tower’s Skybridge. An elevator lifts you up to 278m in just 58 seconds. Unfortunately the light of the illuminated shops behind you reflects on the glass making it impossible for taking picture. I should have come during the day but usually a city at night is much nicer. A free audio tour was offered providing you with all kinds of information on the buildings you are looking down to. Situated in the heart of the city you really get a nice impression of the city as you can walk around 360 degrees with free magnifying glasses at most spots. At Marina Bay Sands you could only look at 180 degrees of buildings since there was nothing but water behind you.

A free pony ride, as well as a lap on a F1 simulator was also included in the entrance fee but as you just go around in a circle of 10 meters I couldn’t be bothered to put on the protection gear.

Only being able to complete one lap in a Toyota, the F1 simulator was disappointing. I queued for 20 minutes, though.

Menara KL at 278 meters

Menara Petronas (Petronas Tower) used to be the tallest building in the world before Taipeh 101 took first place in 2004. The head office for Malaysia’s biggest oil company remains the tallest twin towers, though and the pride of the Malaysian people. Unfortunately the Skybridge was closed due to a public holiday and so I had to marvel at the structure from the street. Anyhow, ticket sale starts at 8:30h and it usually doesn’t take longer than 2 hours before all 1600 tickets for the day are sold. Especially the illumination of the tower is breathtaking since it is not lit in normal bright light but in that xenon light you know from your car’s headlights.

Menara Petronas

Malaysia’s independence was proclaimed at Merdeka Square in 1957 where a giant Malaysian flag waves at at least 80 meters height. The square is pretty popular with tourists and locals and kids play football on the lawn.

Merdeka Square

Sultan Abdul Samad Building, next to Merdeka Square

The metro system in KL is efficient and the best way to get around. There elevated and underground stations are all clean but interchanging lines can sometimes be time consuming because of the great walking distances. At least you don’t have to wait for long as trains depart every 5 minutes. Fares range from 1-2.6 RM and so it is a bargain to go to the other end of town.

Quite a nice city but it was raining most days.