We took a double decker tour bus for the 5 hour trip north. We had hoped to have the front seats to be able to see everything however the bus was already booked and those seats were taken. Two very nice Indian girls were in those seats and we were fortunate that they reclined their seats and then it was as if we had the front seats as we could see directly out the front window.
I think what most amazed me on this trip was the beautiful and clean highway we were on. The road was exceptionally well maintained and quite clean. I think it was a toll road the entire way to KL and perhaps this was why it was so very nice. All along the road there were rest areas which were quite unlike the ones in the US. They had the expected restrooms (toilets as they are called here) but they also had small outdoor markets with locals selling their wares under tents and awnings. There were also standard shops and even a KFC! About every third rest stop also had gas stations. Everything was extremely well kept and clean.
Along the route were amazing forest and farms of palm trees. Any farmer (Cousin Mike) from Iowa would find the terraced hillsides and the irrigation system fascinating. I was unable to get a good picture of all of this from the moving bus.
3 trucks at different spots along the route had overturned and traffic was slowed for the cleanup. 1 of these trucks caused traffic to stop completely for about a half an hour or so. It was strange to see everyone get out of their cars and walk a ways to see what might be going on.
Once the bus arrived in KL the road narrowed as we entered the city, the traffic slowed almost to a crawl and the 2nd thing you noticed was the smog. It was as thick as the clouds are on a snowy day in Denver. You could taste it in the air. Once the bus had gone through what would be the final toll plaza we entered into the main downtown area. The streets were quite narrow and the bus seemed way too large to be able to maneuver around.
We arrived safely at our drop off point and Deb found someone to ask directions to our hotel. The nice gentleman pointed out how very close we were and if we were to simply go to the other side of the building in front of where we were it was only about two blocks away. I suggested a cab as we had a small amount of luggage. Deb wanted the fun of the experience of walking about the new city looking for the hotel and since the gentleman had said it was only two blocks away I gave in and agreed to "experience" the city.
Well, getting around to the other side of the building took about 7 blocks of walking at which time I was quickly coming to realize that unlike Singapore, where pedestrians are given all the rights and respected, in KL pedestrians seem to be seen as something to be conquered and destroyed. At one point we had been waiting at an intersection for a very long time and finally the walk light lit up with the sign to walk. We began our trek across the street and suddenly tons of horns began honking and Deb was shouting "Watch out, watch out!" It was amazing. We did get across safely after about 3 more trys.
The we walked.
We walked some more.................
................................We walked a little more.
We turned around...........................
.............................We turned around again.
We got more directions which, as sweet as the person was who gave them, we could not understand so..........
We walked some more........................
I was getting frustrated many times along the route. I commented it might be time to get a cab several times but my little sister, the world traveler, was so enjoying "the experience" she quickly vetoed any suggestion of wimping out for a cab. Have I mentioned that cabs are plentiful in KL? Have I mentioned they are CHEAP!?
The sidewalks in KL are much different than you see in the states. They are all tile. No concrete here just tile slaps which are very unusual, quite attractive and when hauling around a roll along piece of luggage, very bumpy.
After a long rest on a bus bench next to a very busy street (all streets in KL seem to be teaming with cars and truck all going along in mass chaos) we were up and walking about the city once again. (JOY, RAPTURE!).
Then, suddenly, there they were! My heart was beating so fast. My eyes were bugged out like a cartoon figure. I stopped in my bumpy steps. I looked up (did I have tears in my eyes?) and I pointed to the sky where stood looming as if by magic the site I had only dreamt of ever seeing before this day. Before me stood two of the most magnificent structures I have ever seen in my life. The Petronas Twin Towers!
Nothing could have prepared me for what my eyes beheld at this moment. I was awe struck and remain that way to this moment.
After Deb made contact with one of the nicest people in the world from work who happens to be a KL native, we were told we were within blocks of the hotel. To my amazement it was obvious we would be walking directly past the Petronas Twin Towers to arrive at our hotel. I was so excited I could have pee'd YOUR pants!
We checked into the hotel a mere 3 min walk from the Twin Towers and got settled in our room. The hotel was dated a bit but nice otherwise. We were quite hungry and thought it a good idea to get some food. Deb was insisting we eat only "foreign" food on this trip as she is give such a hard time regarding her "selective" eating habits. So off we went to an Asian restaurant which they warmly refer to as Pizza Hut. Well it is from the USA and that is foreign here!
On the way to eat we walked by these signs and being the true Dorks which we are.............
Deb is pointing our our hotel. I must be having flash backs of Vanna White?
To get to the restaurant we had to roam through the shopping center attached to the twin towers. This shopping center, like all shopping centers in this part of Asia are huge and massive as well as just plain big. On the tip floor of the shopping center there is an area where you can view the twin towers through the ceiling. It was amazing.
Saturday morning we were up early to get over to the towers to get in line for the free tickets to tour the sky bridge between the two buildings. The office giving the tickets out opens at 8:30 and we were there by 7:45 to be confronted with a very, very long and congested Que (line). We got in line and just stood in place for what seemed like hours on end. When the office opened the entire process went very quickly and we had our tickets valid for 11:45 or some such time. There was a viewing area next to the ticket window where you could learn about the towers and Deb and I were looking around there when one of the staff approached us and asked if we were available for an immediate viewing. Boy were we!
So up we were taken 41 storeys above the street level in a lift which took us at such a fast rate of speed it was only seconds before we were getting off and had our first glimpse of the sky bridge. Breathtaking.
They give you about 10 mins on the bridge and you have about 20 other people with you so it is very sparse and you have tons of room to walk around and take it all in.
About in the middle of the sky bridge is a juxtaposition which sticks out further than the rest of the bridge enclosing you on 3 sides with glass. You feel like you are floating in the air here and it is super!
We took tons of pictures and were in complete awe the entire time.
After coming down from the sky we toured the info area on the building and there was a section where you can figure how much taller the building is than you are.
We also walked around the huge park which surrounds the site.
Now it was once again time for "foreign" food and we choose another great one called "Chilli's." Super wait staff and good old American food.
On Saturday night we wanted to go to one of KL's famous night markets and we choose the one in China Town. However, before going over there we went to another area called the Central Market and here I fell in love with all of the hand made crafts and pottery from Malaysia. It was awesome walking from cart to cart or shop to shop and looking at everything and talking to all of the people. So many beautiful things to take in. I only wish I could take all of them home with me.
We were done at Central Market and asked directions to the night market which happened to only be about 3 blocks away. We walked and suddenly came upon what can only be described as mass chaos. People everywhere. Things being sold everywhere. Food stalls everywhere. Shoppers everywhere. Goods sold from the ground to as high up as the vendors could stack them, pile them or hang them. The sound of someone chanting "Mister, mister I give good bargain, I give good price, I do good for you, mister, mister!" People elbow to elbow and hip to hip going in all directions with no end in site to the very long and very narrow avenues of wares. It was overwhelming to both of us so we turned around and head to a taxi stop.
The taxi stop in itself was interesting. It seems on weekends and holidays and at the night market the taxi drivers do not use meters. You must agree on your fare before taking off. I think the first offer was for 25 ringgets and we settled on one for 15. Doing the conversion from Malaysian to US that is about $5.50!
We got back to the hotel with our purchases and headed back out for foreign food. Okay it was Chilli's again and we enjoyed every bite of that wonderful American food!
The next morning we toured the Bukit Butang shopping area which like all of this part of Asia has massive malls which from the outside simply look like office buildings you might see anywhere in a major metro area in the states. Then you walk in and POW, mall inside.
One of the malls was bigger than Mall of America in Minnesota and it too had a roller coaster and amusement park inside.
That evening we tried again to go to the night market in China Town and had a bit better time with the chaos. Deb bought a piece of luggage to take things back to Singapore and a purse and a little "something, something" for Zac.
We still had time before we wanted to go back to the hotel so we snuck back to Central Market and I purchased a slew of handmade items to bring back.
We were up before the crack of dawn the next morning to catch the coach back to Singapore.
The return trip promised to be uneventful until Deb, at a rest stop, slipped on the wet shinny concrete and feel down scraping her toe and leg. She was in a lot of pain and limping and her toe was bleeding quite a bit. The coach staff were very helpful getting her toe all wrapped up and off we went down the road.
Getting back to Singapore was nice. We got in fairly early in the afternoon. Exhausted and thrilled to have had the experience (including lugging luggage all over the city of KL) but it is always nice to get back to home base.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
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