It took less than an hour to fly from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (KL) but the difference was very noticable. Whereas Singapore is very clean, efficient, built up and (you get the feeling) very oriented towards Westerners, KL is a 'real' taste of Asia and came as a bit of a shock. But a good one. Although it's very busy and there's a lot of 'Looky Looky' people desperate for your cash, it's got a really nice vibe and feels very safe. We didn't even annoy anyone when we took up most of the rush hour monorail with our huge rucksacks.
Our hostel is basic but wonderful. You have to take your shoes off before entering, and all the beer and soft drinks are on a honesty scheme so you pop the amount you owe in a box. Our room doesn't have a bathroom, but has a window, so is a massive step up from Singapore!! The hostel is in a great location and the owners are really keen to help out with all our questions. All this for about seven pounds each a night. And they laundered two whole rucksacks of dirty clothes for less than four pounds. We are loving this country!!!!
First day we looked around the newer part of the city and visited the Petronas Twin towers and the KL tower. You can only go halfway up the twin towers so we opted instead to go to the top of the KL tower. It had incredible views over KL which doesn't actually look that big a city when you look from up high. They had a stall at the top where you could get dressed up in traditional Malayan get up, and have your photo taken. As Leanne was missing TWODS (especially as it's show-week this week) we had a go. The pictures really speak for themselves. Despite being on the face of it quite unwilling, i really enjoyed it too. It was really embarrassing but a classic memory.
Next day we walked around Chinatown, Little India, and saw the older colonial part of the city. We saw Merdeka Square and it's famous flagpole where the Union Jack was taken down for the last time back in 19 something or other when Malaysia recieved independence, and the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time. Sorry for being short on details, but it was so hot and humid we could barely talk, let alone take anything in. We tried then to visit the National Mosque (Malaysia being predominantly a Muslin country) but we told in no uncertain terms we were not allowed in. They have strict visting hours posted on the world's smallest sign that we hadn't spotted. We walked home and sat in our air conditioned room and drank gallons of water and reflecting on the day.
To walk around this city you honestly couldn't tell where you are. It's brilliantly multi-cultural and just as you are convinced you're in Mumbai, you turn the corner and you're sure it's Beijing, or Bangkok, or Tokyo. It's fascinating, confusing, and a very easy way of seeing all of South East Asia in one city.
Oh, and the food. The food is spicy, made right infront of you and very cheap. Dinner in a basic place is about a pound each (maybe a bit more if you have a beer too), and tastes amazing. Only when they say "not spicy" beware. Their idea of not spicy and ours are somewhat different!!!!
Off to Langkawi now for 5 nights of lying in the sun and relaxing. Every job needs a holiday and our job of backpacking is tiring and we are in need of a relax. Or so we tell ourselves!!!