Kuala Lumpur 2
Trip Start
Sep 03, 2007
1
171
220
Trip End
Jun 17, 2009
Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia
Saturday, September 6, 2008
After the riots and declaration of a state of emergency last week, we had monitored tv, newspapers and the foreign office website. The scenario was that the unrest had settled but there was still some disruption to the railways in the south. Aardvarks!! Our rail trip was in two sections over two days. The first was to 'Butterworth' in the north of Malaysia, which was no problem and the second was through south Thailand to Bangkok.
PLAN A - We could complete the first section and then get a ferry to the island of 'Penang', where we could get a flight to Bangkok
Local Rapid Transport
. However the news reports said there were floods in Penang!PLAN B - We could stay in KL for an extra two nights, at the nice, comfy hotel and then take a flight direct to Bangkok. So PLAN B it was then!
Arriving in KL it was nearly an hour's drive into the city and our hotel.
Checking in at the hotel we were able to extend our stay by two nights and get an upgrade including breakfasts and complimentary drinks and snacks in the special lounge, all at less than we had paid at hotels in Australia (and far less than you would pay in the UK).
A good shower and then supper, after which we relaxed in our room, a little higher up the building and still overlooking the fabulous 'Petronas Towers'. We were also able to internet book flight tickets for Bangkok.
Sunday 7th September
Slightly cloudy start and we enjoyed a good, full breakfast, including oatmeal porridge - there are times when I do appreciate the 'British Influence!'
We wanted to try to get a refund on my treasured train tickets (I'm still miffed at missing out on a train ride but, c'est la vie), so we caught a Light Rapid Transport subway out to 'KL Sentral', the main transport hub in the city
Hindu Temple
. Part of the track ran overground and we passed the old railway station with great views of its Arabian architecture. At the KTM (Malaysian railways) travel desk there was no problem in getting a refund.
To explore the city we then caught a monorail and rode the full length for nearly half an hour, which costs us around 25 pence (Metrolink take note!) The city is an amazing mix of high rise hotels and office blocks, high rise tenement buildings (some of which looked a bit dowdy) and an assorted conglomeration of shopping areas. We even passed a police prison, looking very run down and absolutely grim.
Transferring back to the LRT, which are driverless, I managed to get some photos of the old railway station before we alighted at 'Dang Wangi'. This was the nearest stop to the 'KL Tower', a 421 metres tall telecommunications tower and the fourth tallest tower in the world. The walk from the station to the tower was up many steps and through a small nature reserve, hot work in the mid afternoon heat. The observation level at 276 metres gave great views over the city and the impressive KL buildings.
Back at the hotel, after a satisfyingly busy day, we enjoyed a leisurely early supper in the lounge
Kuala Lumpur Tower
. We were finding that after a reasonable breakfast and a snack lunch, we did not want a big meal at night and the tasty selection, tapas style, enjoyed with a glass of wine (or two!) was enough. Another relaxing evening.Monday 8th September
Alarm clock went off at 7.30 - no, not a dive day but a day trip out. The minibus picked us up at 9.00 and took us through the busy streets and around small, industrial sites to a pewter works, where the products were all cast from the tin, copper, antimony mix.
Then it was off to a hand printed, silk factory, each length of silk or cotton being hand drawn in wax and then painted in dye, the more intricate the pattern, the more layers of colour are applied. Very interesting and there were some fabulous designs available.
We now left the city with our companions, Mary and Lindsey from Holland and headed east. Malaysia is made up of thirteen states (counties) and we passed from 'Negeri Sembalan', through Selangor' into 'Pahang', some 100 miles away. The roads were all good, dual carriageways which twisted and turned round and over the very heavily forested hills. There was some jungle but most of the hills were covered in Palm plantations and we started seeing rubber plantations, the two 'crops' being the mainstay of the Malaysian economy.
We stopped at 'Karak' for lunch and as many of the cafes and restaurants were closed, because it was Ramadhan, we found a KFC
Old Railway Station
. Yep, we're near to a Malaysian jungle and we're eating Kentucky Fried!!!After lunch it was a short trip to the 'Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre', the base for the National Parks and Wildlife, Elephant Rehabilitation Centre. Here elephants that are displaced by the encroachment of the palm and rubber plantations are transferred to a huge, restricted wildlife jungle area in the north. Some of the orphaned elephants are not able to transfer to the wild and stay at the centre for life. It has been found that the 'tame' elephants help to reassure the wild elephants during their time at the centre and during transfer.
There was a video showing the work of the centre and then........
"You're going to do WHAT !!!!! "........................Part 11
...................Swim with Elephants.
Come on, I know I'm not as fast as I used to be but I've still got the competitive spirit
City view
. We watched the elephants being washed and were then able to feed them. It was a bit daunting, as the huge trunk was raised and this enormous mouth opened but they were amazingly gentle. Next we were then to take a short ride on one, before climbing onto another and being taken into the river, where we were ceremoniously dumped into the muddy water as the elephant rolled us off. Now it was time to help wash the babies in the river, as they rolled over and splashed around us. A fabulous experience.
It was a steady two and a half hour drive back to the city and another easy night, except for packing ready for our flight out tomorrow.
Reflection: The extra couple of days stay had enabled us to see a little more of the intriguing city of Kuala Lumpur and even venture (slightly) outside. As in all countries, there is so much to see.
It was appreciated that we tried to speak some of the language, even if we only got as far as 'Selamat Pagi' - Good morning or 'Terima Kasih' - Thankyou.
The Malaysians are a delightfully friendly people, maybe not quite as forward as the Singaporeans but we were helped whenever we asked for it. They have a national pride and a determined desire to progress, their construction rate and the impressive designs of their buildings showing this modern approach.
We liked Malaysia, enjoyed it thoroughly and would go back.
