Kuala Lumpur
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2005
1
9
Trip End
Sep 17, 2005
Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia
Thursday, August 4, 2005
The first destination was Kuala Lumpur. I was so excited to visit Kuala Lumpur, because that was the first Asian city I visited. The city was more westernized than I had expected, but very dirty. I was surprised at a rat running around the garden of my guesthouse in Bukit Bintang. The food stalls near the guesthouse were cheap and interesting, although I was afraid of diarhhea. Times square was easy to access by train and I visited it to watch the movies for 3 USD. Malaysian Tourism Center was impressive for its beautiful appearance, although we didn't get much information and got an LP guide later. We visited Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest towers at that time, but it was too crowded to get a ticket. On the back of the towers, there was KLCC park where we bathed and met a Malay weirdo. Petaling Street in China town was fun to stroll around and the Hindu Temple was a bit scary with gross statues.
The most unforgettable experience there was a terrible scam and it happened before Jon came. In the middle of the city, I met a lady speaking good Japanese and her brother who friendly invited me to their home. Then I met their father who said he had worked for a casino. He taught me how to cheat in a card game, but eventually, I was decieved by a gang in the card game. The price was not high, but I was really daunted. In a meaning, it was an important experience in my life, but I still hate the city from the experience. However, if I dare to pick out a good attraction, it would be Batu Caves and it was Jon's idea. It is a Hindu temple with long stairs and a lot of monkeys. The cave itself was not long, but spacious. Unfortunately, the Lord Murugan statue at the gate was under renovation. There was also a nature park near the cave. We enjoyed bathing in a natural swimming pool of the forest there. Moreover, National mosque near the old railway station was the most beautiful mosque I have ever visited. Central Market near Chinatown was a good place for window-shopping and we bought Lonely Planet guide there.
