Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

My backpack is considerably smaller than the one I left UK with last time!!

After crossing my fingers through NZ customs, sitting through an 11 and a bit hour plane ride, finding the various trains I needed upon arrival, and traipsing through the city (backpack on back), I finally arrived at my 'hostel' in Kuala Lumpur, tired and ready for bed. I say 'hostel', because it felt more like a 4* hotel - so western and grand. I felt a bit cheated - here I was wanting to discover the backpackers' side of Asia, and I was staying in this place! Although the dorms had 14 beds in them, each had its own partition and curtain, like in a dressing room (if all that was in that dressing room was a bed). It was a great idea, but it meant that all of my fellow room-mates stayed in their private areas, limiting the amount of socialising that went on. But there were plenty of other places for that...

I heard that Kuala Lumpur was a smelly, noisy, dirty (blah blah blah) city, so didn't have very high expectations of it. As it turns out, I really like it! Yes, it is dirty. And smelly in parts. But it's not nearly as noisy as I thought it would be, and the smells are all part of its... well.... quirky charm as an Asian city. I didn't come here to live in the western comfort to which I'm accustomed - which was why I was so taken aback when I went inside the Petronas Towers and found a draw-droppingly massive and sterile mall, which wouldn't have been out of place in London or New York. Yes... I'm ashamed to say that I did do some window shopping.

Petronas Towers

Shopping mall

Outside, even the bus stop and clocks were fab! 36 degrees... phew!

The various sights are pretty nice - Already I've been to A-LOT of temples / mosques etc... and I've only been here for a few days.

Chinese Temple

 

Shops and stalls in Little India (Brickfields)

Old lady drawing outside the mosque

At the Muslim mosque I had to don a big robe and head-scarf (I can't remember what they're called) - trust me when I say... those things are swelteringly hot! I can't believe women here (Malaysia's a mainly Muslim country) actually wear those every single day!!

 

Sweaty Betty!!

Going to the squat toilet in that thing was an experience, I can tell you... :o/

 

This clock says 11.50am... apparently

I went to various other sight-seeing spots: the national Palace, the Batu Caves, City Gallery to name but a few.

I'm not sure how often I'll be uploading my photos and blog... I've already been on this computer for almost an hour, and only 55 of my photos have uploaded (out of 212)... kind of wishing I'd brought my laptop with me as you get free wi-fi, but that's extra weight and worry of theft. What I'm trying to say here is that I can't be bothered to waste any more of my day uploading photos and this blog... I'm heading south to Melaka! I'll be there til Sunday probably, as I've heard the night markets on Friday and Saturday night are really great, where they close the streets off to traffic. Maybe I'll stop off somewhere on the way for a night - I'm not sure yet. I'll see what I feel like later...

So I'm heading off with my long-sleeved top and trousers to below the knees (respecting the muslim culture) with my daybag and big backpack in 40 degree sweltering heat, without a clue of how to get to Melaka. I'm sure there'll be a train or bus... probably train. Not sure how long it will take either - maybe 2 - 3 hours? And with nowhere to stay when I get there. I love this travelling malarky!! Don't worry mum - I'm being very safe and won't just jump in a car with a stranger (unless it's a registered taxi...).

So I'll say adieu for now, and I'll be on my way!!