Day 10:
This morning we were up a bit earlier as we had another flight to catch to Kuala Lumpur this time. We were able to have a more substantial meal with eggs and fruits, teas, coffees, and of course pastries whenever possible =).
We took a metered taxi to the airport and battled the morning commuter traffic that is filled with smoke and congestion. Our pleasant taxi driver got us there on time even though our bag barely fit in the back of his trunk. Our spirits were high as we thought about reconnecting with our dear friend Jeffrey in Malaysia who had stayed with me for 4 months about 2 years ago.
There were no problems with the flight and Malaysia Airways got us to Kuala Lumpur with no problems. They still served meals (unlike US airlines) and were hospitable in every way.
After collecting our bags we saw an excited Jeffrey waving to us outside baggage claim. He hurried over to us and after some hugs sped away to the car lot with us tailing after like chicks following a hen. Jeffrey immediately asked how our families and friends are and looks great even though he says he has gained weight that we cannot see.
Our immediate destination was to check our bags in the hotel he had secured for us. We arrived at the Replica Inn in KL's Times Square (a busy neighborhood of small shops and malls). The lobby was fine enough, but when we got to the room, Sue and I knew that would not do. It reeked of cigarettes and was quite tiny and dirty.
Nevertheless, we were appreciative of Jeffrey and knew he wanted to get us going, so we left our bags and headed to the mall for some shopping and food.
He treated us to a delicious lunch at a spot called Little Penang (Penang is an island off the north west coast of Malaysia, where I first met Jeffrey and our friend Winnie, more on her later). Following our meal, it was time for a quick lesson on Malaysian capitalist culture. Sue and I were lead through and endless array of shops in the Mid Valley mall where we saw numerous American shops and countless new stores and boutiques. Jeffrey darted through the throngs of shoppers of all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many visitors from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East mixed with Indians, Malays, and a spotting of European and Australian tourists. We did our best to keep up, as Jeffrey often stopped to look back for us, but we managed to dive and were swept up with the shopping frenzy. Sue purchased a lovely dress and I broke down and bought my first $100 pair of jeans from a fantastic UK store called Tough, that Jeffrey has given many gifts to Sue and me from.
On our way back to town, Jeffrey took us to the oldest Buddhist Temple in Southeast Asia, Theon Huo Temple. It was appropriate to visit as we learned it was a Chinese holiday called Hungry Ghost day, where people burned paper outside there homes and on street corners for wandering souls. We climbed the steps and saw a group practicing martial arts, some with swords, and some Tai Chi. The temple had a dazzling series of levels with views overlooking the city of Kuala Lumpur and its soaring Petronas Towers. On our decent from the temple, we walked down the rear and discovered a couple turtle ponds with hundreds of turtles in them, up on the banks for their evening rests.
Our night was not through though as Jeffrey had more in store. We were brought to Petaling Street, which is an outdoor market similar to Kao San road, but more cramped and aggressive. There was basically any kind of knock off you could want there and numerous tourists eager to gobble them up. We powered through as Sue fought off a swelling OCD moment, but were treated to some delicious winter melon juice and some dried chicken (similar to bacon). I purchased a couple belts that Jeffrey bargained for much to the dissatisfaction of the shop keeper. We stopped near the end for some royal jelly and headed back to the repulsive Replica Inn.
We informed Jeffrey that we would have to switch the room and he understood our dilemma. However, we discovered there were no non-smoking rooms in the Inn....ugh. So we hunkered down and watched Kimora the Fabulous Life (how random) on Malaysian television and tried to get some rest. Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur complete.
Malaysian phrase of the day:
beli belah - shopping
This morning we were up a bit earlier as we had another flight to catch to Kuala Lumpur this time. We were able to have a more substantial meal with eggs and fruits, teas, coffees, and of course pastries whenever possible =).
We took a metered taxi to the airport and battled the morning commuter traffic that is filled with smoke and congestion. Our pleasant taxi driver got us there on time even though our bag barely fit in the back of his trunk. Our spirits were high as we thought about reconnecting with our dear friend Jeffrey in Malaysia who had stayed with me for 4 months about 2 years ago.
There were no problems with the flight and Malaysia Airways got us to Kuala Lumpur with no problems. They still served meals (unlike US airlines) and were hospitable in every way.
After collecting our bags we saw an excited Jeffrey waving to us outside baggage claim. He hurried over to us and after some hugs sped away to the car lot with us tailing after like chicks following a hen. Jeffrey immediately asked how our families and friends are and looks great even though he says he has gained weight that we cannot see.
Our immediate destination was to check our bags in the hotel he had secured for us. We arrived at the Replica Inn in KL's Times Square (a busy neighborhood of small shops and malls). The lobby was fine enough, but when we got to the room, Sue and I knew that would not do. It reeked of cigarettes and was quite tiny and dirty.
Nevertheless, we were appreciative of Jeffrey and knew he wanted to get us going, so we left our bags and headed to the mall for some shopping and food.
He treated us to a delicious lunch at a spot called Little Penang (Penang is an island off the north west coast of Malaysia, where I first met Jeffrey and our friend Winnie, more on her later). Following our meal, it was time for a quick lesson on Malaysian capitalist culture. Sue and I were lead through and endless array of shops in the Mid Valley mall where we saw numerous American shops and countless new stores and boutiques. Jeffrey darted through the throngs of shoppers of all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many visitors from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East mixed with Indians, Malays, and a spotting of European and Australian tourists. We did our best to keep up, as Jeffrey often stopped to look back for us, but we managed to dive and were swept up with the shopping frenzy. Sue purchased a lovely dress and I broke down and bought my first $100 pair of jeans from a fantastic UK store called Tough, that Jeffrey has given many gifts to Sue and me from.
On our way back to town, Jeffrey took us to the oldest Buddhist Temple in Southeast Asia, Theon Huo Temple. It was appropriate to visit as we learned it was a Chinese holiday called Hungry Ghost day, where people burned paper outside there homes and on street corners for wandering souls. We climbed the steps and saw a group practicing martial arts, some with swords, and some Tai Chi. The temple had a dazzling series of levels with views overlooking the city of Kuala Lumpur and its soaring Petronas Towers. On our decent from the temple, we walked down the rear and discovered a couple turtle ponds with hundreds of turtles in them, up on the banks for their evening rests.
Our night was not through though as Jeffrey had more in store. We were brought to Petaling Street, which is an outdoor market similar to Kao San road, but more cramped and aggressive. There was basically any kind of knock off you could want there and numerous tourists eager to gobble them up. We powered through as Sue fought off a swelling OCD moment, but were treated to some delicious winter melon juice and some dried chicken (similar to bacon). I purchased a couple belts that Jeffrey bargained for much to the dissatisfaction of the shop keeper. We stopped near the end for some royal jelly and headed back to the repulsive Replica Inn.
We informed Jeffrey that we would have to switch the room and he understood our dilemma. However, we discovered there were no non-smoking rooms in the Inn....ugh. So we hunkered down and watched Kimora the Fabulous Life (how random) on Malaysian television and tried to get some rest. Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur complete.
Malaysian phrase of the day:
beli belah - shopping
1 comment:
KL sounds like the shopping mecca of the world!! And Jeffrey a great guide to all of it! Have fun! We are enjoying your journal. Much love.
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