Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia has a population of 1.5 million but despite this there is a relaxed and layed back pace of life. The locals are really friendly and will always be happy to help you (especially if you look lost). Several times locals had pointed us in the right direction and helped us get to grip with the transport links in the city. We travelled mainly by train and monorail which was really cheap and simple when you got the hang of it. You pay for each journey individually and are given a token which acts as your ticket. All the transport is clean and well looked after.
Our first night we stayed at BackHome which is near Masid Jamek, a main transport hub. Very nice and open plan. We then moved to PODs Backpackers home which was conveniently located near KL Sentral and had a much more chilled out vibe and seemed less like a party destination. Which suited us just fine! We shared a four bed female dorm and met some lovely ladies who shared their travel experiences with us.
The food here is super cheap and although Rachel is sometimes a bit of a fussy eater, we had no problem finding stuff to eat. China town's food is good quality and cheep and comes out super quick. A typical meal for us would cost about RM20-40 (which is way less than £10 for us both.)
We tired his yummy coconut ice cream too!!!
We saw the usual sights:
The Patronas Towers
KL Tower
China Town
The Royal Palace
Central Market
Most of this we saw on the KL Hop on Hop Off bus which took us around the city to the major landmarks. Is cost something like £5 with a student card.
We also went to Batu Caves which is a half hour train ride out of the city. It cost RM2 each way on KTM Kommuter train and entry was free.
It looks pretty spectacular from the outside and the gold statue has a real presence. However, once you have hauled yourself up the mountain of steps
it feels like a bit of a let down. The temple is inside some amazing caves which also seems to house a lot of junk. The temple is surrounded by discarded plastic bottles and old chairs and broken tables. I think they have tried to commercialize something that was meant to be holy and they could have left it in it's former beauty.
I would still recommend a vist though as it is a good half day out away form the city.
KL is home to the world largest in-flight Aviary which cost less than RM 50 to get in (that's less than £10). Again is a really cool half day our and you many colourful and interesting birds.
Norman even managed to find some of his friends....
However our favourite things has god to be the secret walk we found though Bukit Nanas (the original rainforest in KL city centre) up to KL tower. We stumbled upon it kind of by accident as it was a bit off the beaten path. We took some steps that seemed to be hidden behind what used to be a café, near the exit of Bukit Nanas monorail station and it took us up high above the city. After about 10/15 minute assent, and getting very sweaty, there was an opening with a stage and seating.
We continued on and found these bridges which were hung above the ground and took us up through the rain forest. We were the only people around the entire time and thought it was such a shame noone else was here to experience a hidden hem right in the middle of the city.
Once we got to the top we realise it brought us out at the base of KL Tower which we found was the most touristy spot of the city. Most of the city has retained it's culture yet KL tower
seemed a bit westernized and felt, to us, a little out of place. This is where we came out ....
.... it such a shame that this hidden hem is hidden away!!!
Although a large city, we both felt safe and in control in KL and would recommend t to anyone who wants to visit Asia.
Ciao for now.
xxx
