travel bite: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
KUALA Lumpur was experienced in the midst of a sleep deprived haze. An overnight stay outside Bali airport followed by a 6am flight, trip on the KL monorail system, and a trek with my backpack in search of the hotel I was going to meant that the one hour of sleep that I did get on the airplane really wasn’t of much help. Thankfully I was staying with a family friend temporarily living in a 5 star hotel and so creature comforts were mine for the taking – if only for one night.
Day one (following cups of English tea and sandwiches as home-comfort sustenance) was spent up the Menara Tower taking in the 360 degree views of the city. This was followed by a feast of dumplings from a street stand on Jalan Alor, opposite what is apparently meant to be the best frog porridge hawker stall in KL. My choice of Ci Mai pasty-shaped vibrant yellow casing, that housed diced pork and black fungun, was only just pipped to the post as my favourite dumpling by a brilliant miniature Bao bun stuffed with pork coated in a rich sweet sauce and fresh coriander – hands down the best Bao I have ever had.
the view of Kuala Lumpur from the Menara Tower
tables and chairs line Jalan Alor as evening draws in
an array of dumplings to choose from at Hong Kong Dim Sum
best bao bun I have ever had
the frog porridge stand is to be found in a shophouse opposite Hong Kong Dim Sum
Day two (following some actual sleep and a four course buffet breakfast) was spent exploring the streets and cultural sights of Kuala Lumpur. From Merdeka Square, KL City Gallery and the Islamic Arts Museum, to Little India, the National Visual Arts Gallery and sushi at the food hall in the basement Central Plaza, it was a day of hardcore wandering.
my morning view from bed of the Menara Tower
The Islamic Arts Museum is an absolute must; highly informative, housing beautiful artefacts within a large airy building beneath ornate domes. The National Visual Arts Gallery is worth a visit if there is an exhibition of particular interest to you, but otherwise the obscure trek to find it and the lack of English signage makes you think that they are averse to visitors. But do head to the KL City Gallery for a concise visual explanation of the city’s history and to form a basic understanding of your surroundings. Plus it’s free.
image of traditional dress in the Islamic Arts Museum
image of traditional dress in the Islamic Arts Museum
I left Kuala Lumpur in much the same way as I arrived: a night of slumber about to become a figment of my imagination as I embarked on a 1am flight with a 6am transfer and a bumpy tricycle ride to get me to my next destination – Alona Beach, on the island of Panlglao in the Philippines.
a security guard taking a break at the Islamic Arts Museum
and all that's in between 