Kuala Lumpur: Sights and first impressions whilst touring the ‘muddy confluence’

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Journey and arrival in KL: I arrived in Kuala Lumpur from the Cameron Highlands in the company of the lovely Christian. We returned to KL using the same bus provider, Untiti, and were equipped with the same space, air-conditioning, comfort and wide arm-rests as our first journey. Arriving at KL Sentral station, we took the KMT to Masjid Jamek station and walked the mere two blocks to our hostel.

To make planning and organisation that tad bit easier, I decided to follow suit with Christian’s plans this time and book a dorm bed in Reggae Mansions. Though I initially had mixed feelings about yet another mixed dorm after Daniel’s Lodge in Cameron Highlands… upon arrival, I realised – it was amazing! Each dorm bed lived in what looked like its own room… with walls and ceilings separating each bed; independent electric sockets; independent lamps; and your own little curtain to open and close for your privacy. It seemed almost akin to those Tokyo bed ‘capsules’ that Katie mentioned to me a few years back… it had a ‘party vibe’… staff were very friendly… showers, toilets and public facilities were superbly clean… and it was in a wonderful location… I was sad to leave. If only all hostels were of that standard.

Reggae Mansions, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Dorm bed in Reggae Mansions, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

First impressions: Busy… polluted… not-very-walker-friendly… the KL monorail forms part of the skyline of the city, as do the many elevated highways and plentiful sky-rise buildings. Admittedly, though I really enjoyed the ‘Bukit Bintang Walk’ from Chinatown into the Golden Triangle… I found it hard to breathe; there was a fair bit of rubbish; and drivers – particularly, motorcyclists – didn’t seem to obey the rules… often driving on the pavement.

Busy, traffic-jam at intersection near Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

The Petronas Towers are undoubtedly impressive… both the glowing, well-lit exterior after 6pm…

 

Petronas Towers with skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

…as well as the super posh interior – the KLCC – which is a very glamorous shopping mall with up-market brands like Prada, Gucci, Ripcurl, etc, and a series of cafés and restaurants.

 

KLCC Shopping Mall near Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Christmas Trees in Kuala Lumpur’s KLCC at the Petronas Towers, Malaysia

 

The KLCC park by the mall entrance is also pleasant… designed to be a ‘city within a city’, offering coffee, water fountains, a public swimming pool, shopping, etc.

KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Favourites: I must say, my favourite past-time thus far in Malaysia, and also in Kuala Lumpur, is food. I love to eat… and there’s so much food here… I don’t know half of what I’m eating most of the time, but this is fine. Sometimes my attempts are successful, and sometimes they’re wasted, but when I eat in the food stalls – I don’t really mind. The food is so unbelievably cheap anyway.

Food Court in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Dry, Hot Chilli Mee Ayam in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Christian’s Sweet and Sour Something in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Special Nonya Curry with mixed noodle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

- Ipoh Chicken Hor Fun in Old Town, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Jude and Pippa’s Nasi Lemak, Old Town, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Chinatown: Though some travellers tire of Chinatowns (as every large city seems to have one), I must admit – with each Chinatown that I visit… I grow more and more fond of them! Whether this is due to the haggling experience with stall-owners… the colours of the market and food displays…

 

Restaurant in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Another fruit stall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

…the occasional street murals opposite the parking lots…

 

Street Mural highlighting repercussion of drug trafficking in Malaysia

 

Street Mural of Heart Jalan Sultan near Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

…the ambience of the pure volumes of customers perusing and trying on clothes that essentially are sold everywhere else as well…the pockets of durian stench found near most of the fruit stalls…

Fruit stall with Durian in Chinatown

 

…Or, more simply, the natural tendency to compare and contrast your current ‘Chinatown experience’ with your last one… I don’t know… but – for me – Chinatown is always a fun place to be… especially as a traveller… with loads of opportunity to taste, savour, explore and experience in such a dense, busy and bustling little place. 😉