20th Feb.
Kuala Lumpur - for the 'Geographobics' KL is the capital of Malaysia - not, what someone suggested, a place where the 'umpur lumpurs' come from, if it were, it certainly would have been given a miss. KL is just a small 5 hour bus ride from Singapore. The two cities are quite similar really, except Singapore is solid gold and KL is gold plated, which is good really because when you go behind the main streets in KL you see some interesting stuff going on! And the smell levels increase too!
This first picture is us having a McDonald's, not a burger or anything - oh no, that would be far too extravagant on our budget. This is an ice cream cone which is renowned in the backpacker world for its rock bottom price. These little beauties only cost 1 Ringgit each (that about 15 pence). Ask for one next time you're in Macs.
Pictures from the 'big' streets, day and night. This is known as the 'Bintang Walk'
This picture is from the inside of the largest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers.
...and these are the mighty towers, the 2nd highest building in the world, they used to be the tallest until they were 'out trumped' by the Taipei 101 building in 2004. We went up the towers to the sky bridge section (you can see the bridge in the picture that connects the two towers). The tour was free, however, we were required (compulsory) to watch a 10 minute video before the tour, which we thought would be all about the towers; how they were built, how many floors, how much it cost etc. So there we sat with our 3D gegs on and then this ridiculous film started on how the 'Petronas' Company is the best petroleum company in the world - the towers were hardly mentioned. We left the video room feeling brainwashed! In fact I think the 3D gegs were really 'brain washing transmitters'. While we were in the queue, I (Keith) became quite the movie star - all the locals wanted to have their picture taken with me because basically, I was twice the size of them!
This is the view of KL from the the sky bridge joining the Petronas towers, which, by the way, were built by the makers of the finest petroleum known to man.
The people of Malaysia are mostly Muslim, so there's lots of these beautiful mosques amongst the sky scrapers and shopping malls.
Three interesting buildings here, in the foreground is the Sultan Abdul Samad, which looks over Merdeka square, where in 1957 the Union Jack was lowered and Malaysia became independent (then the trouble started!). The next building (the tallest) is the KL tower, which is a tourist/telecommunications tower and in the background is the Petronas Towers - synonymous with quality petroleum products.
If you need to buy a coffin, just be sure not to ask for the shop by mentioning the owners name first - the taxi driver may blacken your eyes.
Try crossing this street at rush hour! There's very little emphasis given to the pedestrian in Malaysia.
Although there's lots of big buildings in KL it's unusual as it's built in the middle of a forest area - so there's chances to get out the way of the noise if you look for them. This is us having a break on a nature walk (what do you mean - posers!!)
This is the Saturday night Indian market and that's us risking our kites eating Indian street food - no not really, there's loads of people eating and it was delicious and extremely cheap. You are supposed to eat with your hands, Elvis did, but I'm far too civilised for that.
This is the KL tower all lit up on a night.
This is the Indian market. This street was insane - there was food, clothes and singing and dancing acts all on a street about six feet wide. This picture is of the massive pans of sauces they have bubbling, we were going to have some but just as I was about to order I could have sworn I saw a pair of underpants come to the surface.
The last picture has to be the star of the show - the Petronas Towers, built by the best petroleum company the world has or will ever see!
This is the Saturday night Indian market and that's us risking our kites eating Indian street food - no not really, there's loads of people eating and it was delicious and extremely cheap. You are supposed to eat with your hands, Elvis did, but I'm far too civilised for that.
This is the KL tower all lit up on a night.
This is the Indian market. This street was insane - there was food, clothes and singing and dancing acts all on a street about six feet wide. This picture is of the massive pans of sauces they have bubbling, we were going to have some but just as I was about to order I could have sworn I saw a pair of underpants come to the surface.
The last picture has to be the star of the show - the Petronas Towers, built by the best petroleum company the world has or will ever see!
Thanks to Sister Ginny for keeping the comments updated with our whereabouts and thanks (I think) to Paul Beaney for ALL your comments, Mrs H will be wanting a word with you regarding the 'shaven apes' joke! I'll not say anything, I'll just kick your arse in this years cycling trip!!
For a quite tricky cup of tea question, I mentioned Merdeka Square was where the Union Jack was lowered in 1957 - tell me what 'Merdeka' translates to and a cup of the Cameron Highlands (next blog) finest tea leaves could be brewing in your mug before you know it.
5 comments:
If you hadn't shown a photo of the Fook Hing Coffin Shop, I would have thought you were having us on!! Absolutely put my heed back in a full belt uproarious laugh at that one! What a classic!
Not many readers will get the "underpants floating to the top" reference...but for me, again, another heed banger of a laugh!
KL looks like a great festive place and quite a nice change from your paradise isles. I'm guessing Bangkok will be pretty much the same. It'll really show you how the other half lives.
I'll sit back for a while and let others reply to the blog. We're off to California for a week and the oomputer communication will be to a minimum.
Happy Easter all!
Hello uncle false teeth and me aunty Suz!!! Long time no speak!! Hope u r both well, u look it anyway. I have been reading ur blogs regularly but been a bit short on time to write. In the middle of writing 30 reports at the mo! Been at it since half one this aft, me heeds done reet in!!! Well the places u have been have all looked amazing. To say i was jealous would be a massive understatment! I can't believe it has been 9 months since u set off on ur travels. How times flies. Before we know it u'll be visiting the sunny climates of Sunderland and then u will truely see how the other half live. Maybe you could even come into my school in Pennywell, that will be a right eye opener to you after all these exotic places you have been!!!
I must make a reference to all these dresses/skirts you have been willingly making an appearance in on these photo's Unc!!! Me and our Ry had a reet laught at you the first time off. We reckon you added that something extra to the sarong wearing that Beckman missed. The fact that you looked completly at ease with it!!! I can just see me turning up to a family BBQ in the summer and you standing roasting sausages with your sarong on!!! Oooo errrr!!! Well all i can say is there must be a bit of Tommy in me somewhere, ha ha!!!
Anyway, back to the report writing now me thinks. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Lots of love from the Bok!!!! xxx
Before Paul (hmmmm, Paul...now who is he again?) gets to googling, that Merdeka Square cuppa tea question is to honor Independence Day from Auld Blighty. Merdeka translates to independence. According to my outsourcing friend, the Union Jack was lowered on Aug 31, 1957. So whose date is correct? Paul will settle the score. Haway Rusty, where are ya, man???
Still here Jen, don't panic.
Been busy of late and haven't been checking as regularly - never knowing just when the next Blog might arrive. I've even been out on the bike in preparation for the cycle challenge this year. I'ts in Ireland, so Keith will be brought back down to earth with a bump when the weather hits him.
Anyhoo, I'd have to concur with your answer on the date, and brief research also confirms that Merdeka does indeed translate to Independence. However, If you translate Merdeka into Latin, then Greek and then back again, you actually get 'source of great petroleum'.
I've heard great reports about the Fook Hing Coffin Shop. Those are great Fook Hing coffins that they make in there. Really, you can't do better than one of those Fook Hing things. Seriously, you just can't go wrong with a great Fook Hing coffin. It's just not possible.
I feel like Austin Powers.
Where exactly is the picture of you in McDonalds? Please don't tell me it's wedged between a mosque and some other cultural icon. Don't get me started on American infiltration!!! And haven't I taught you anything, bro? When in Rome, do as the Romans do...not as the Yanks would do!! How can you patronize a bloomin McDonalds which has totally no right being there!!! You should be eating nowt but local stuff....like your pig organ soup and sticky buns made out of venus fly trap syrup washed down with a git bit mug of Camerooooooon tea!!
Right, tongue lashing over. You just go on and have yourself a nice day. :)
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