Day 2
I try to avoid any organised tours and trips with a guide as I'd rather do it my way and actually see more for myself. Especially by making my own way there and breaking any barriers myself. I feel free to wander off and check out areas that seem interesting. I avoid doing this at night though, you should too.
I had spent my morning in KL Sentral taking the Monorail for 2.10RMB from Bukit Bintang. The weather was extremely heated and still but manageable. I walked to Pasa Seni which is on the Kelana Jaya Line for the Central Market for their colourful and arty markets, Pentaling Street also known as Chinatown for its original Chinese quarter of Kuala Lumpur and Jalan Masjid 'little' India where you will find Indian businesses and a major Indian population. I browsed carefully in hope to return the next day.
Through the shopping mall at KL Sentral was the station and I was surprised to see Dorothy Perkins, dominos(er you whuh?), bodyshop and Auntie Anne's. Malaysia is obviously far more developed than I had imagined. I still couldn't believe how settled I had felt here, it felt like I was one of them.
While Kuala Lumpur is not graded along with the likes of Hong Kong's shopping quality, they still have the famous international brands for millionaire(!) bank accounts but again, you ain't here for that. Yeah you have money, we get it.
In the afternoon, I took the KTM Komuter to Batu Caves for 2RMB one way - they don't actually do returns here (NUS Card not accepted). The overground train comes every 30minutes and takes about 30 minutes to get there so it's a pain if you miss one. Batu Caves is a cave temple halfway up a limestone massif. 80m by 100m which is 260ft by 330ft so very high up. The Hindus used this cave temple to pray in the 1800s and Murugan who was the only deity worshipped was represented by his vel (trident). Today this vel sits in the Temple Cave I visited. Unexpectedly, there were monkeys hanging around, literally, staring at people to attack. Do fear the monkeys because I have never been so scared of one!? Anything open in your hands they will grab but phones and cameras they may not. I have seen so many crisps and water bottles grabbed from a sneaky monkey with people begging for them back!! I quickly walked up the long steps and entered the cave with my hands tight around my bag. Rude! If you do go, remember to wear something that covers your knees and shoulders or pay 5RMB for a scarf. I went up to see the Shrine and the inside of the caves in a peaceful look-around. On my way out I was shocked to see so many pigeons as there aren't any in the city; there were also chickens just lying around looking for trouble. I also hated how warm my water bottle gets soon after buying it from a fridge or ice box, although they are cheap, they are useless after 10minutes.
For dinner at Bukit Bintang, I went extremely local walking down the back of the Main Street where I had chicken rice for £1 (5RMB). It came with boiled rice, vegetable soup, pepper sauce and drowned cut cucumber under sliced chicken breast. For the first time I saw three lady boys in Malaysia dining where I was. The constant flicking of the hair and giggly talk, I tried not to look too much but it was just like Thailand all over again. I wonder how the country takes it, I needed to know. Since then, I had seen a few when I really paid attention. Seriously great work.
Day 3
28 degrees today with no sign of the sun?!. I was so excited to head to the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) that I got up first thing and made way. After a typical breakfast of toast and tea, I took the convenience KL Monorail toward KL Sentral which took 16minutes to change for the KTM to Kepong Station for 1.30RMB. Not all trains come on time, to be honest, it feels like they come when they want. Sitting in the lady carriage, it was quiet and calm and everyone was on their phones!
I arrived Kepong after only 15minutes and waited an hour for a taxi but there was none to be seen! I gave up and headed to Kepong Sentral which is further away but I was more likely to find a taxi! It rained lightly very briefly which was a relief. Rather than an umbrella, I had prepared a sporty waterproof bucket hat and a raincoat. Umbrellas are just effort, especially to carry around. I had finally found a taxi from the main station and it costed me 9.25RMB to get to the place as its a highway route so it's impossible to walk (well not really but about an hour uphill, no not today). I also had to pay 5RMB plus .30RMB for tax at the security entrance. I should have walked in but I walked back and I don't regret it anymore. It was 2 miles back out the entrance!!!! I had dragged along my insect repellent and spray for the walk around!
FRIM is one of the world's oldest research centres hidden away in the hills of NorthWest Kuala Lumpur. It has a tropical lowland of vegetation across 1,480 acres. They also have some of the world's oldest and rarest trees. Within the forest, they have nature trails and one led to the Canopy Walkway which is a rope and ladder walkway at 100ft high above the forest floor - scientifically used to study canopy-level flora. Sadly I didn't get to go on the famous walkway as I was too late to register and pay. I had wasted valuable time waiting for a taxi that was never going to arrive in Kepong! Gutted. Anyway, i didn't mind. I trekked the other trails using the man-made steps all the way up to the top. In one route, there was a sign saying that the management and organisation were not liable for any deaths or injuries so when I began my walk, I was 100000000% careful. During my walk, there were a number of waterfalls but ones you can't swim in or swim at your own risk as well as people having a picnic. Some were exercising and some were sitting. I love being among the trees and walking through the natural habitat. It was a fab day trip out of the city despite the rain and frightening thunder.
Again, monkeys were present and I kept my distance very clearly.
I walked out of FRIM and waited for a taxi in the rain, I was soaked and slightly cold but I couldn't complain. After waiting 30minutes, I walked on. Waited again, still no taxis stopped when i flagged! Walked for another 30minutes up the hill and across the bridge through people's homes and small restaurants. I soon gave up and approached a stall to help me get a taxi since they were Malay. Maybe it would help?
Seemed like it did, finally in the taxi in the crappy traffic (it was a meter taxi so you can understand my pain). I paid 8.50RMB when the driver said 9. On the meter it said 8.25, he said 9, I said no. I didn't want to get in an argument so I gave him 9 and waited for my change. I let him off .25. I was wet, tired and impatient, in a good way.
I caught the next train back to KL Sentral (one comes every 30minutes which actually became annoying having to wait especially when you've just missed one) and headed to Pentaling Street in a lazy route via the KTM air-tram and bagged some souvenirs for home. There was a man on the lady coach and all the ladies were giving him such evils. He sat in fear on the edge of his seat and seemed like he was in a hurry to leave. My clothes were still soaked and I was relying on the heated air to dry them up. The air conditioning on the train really didn't help. I had ice cream anyway from 7/11 and strolled around (I know! I was craving). A Malay Indian approached me asking for my number which was weird because why would I give you my number? 'Oh hey, yeah let's hook up, I'd love to date you and marry you even though I live all the way in London and am only here for 5 days(!)' I can never understand why men bother especially when they are old (around 40-50) with children who go to school and still make their daddies 'I love you card'. Darling, go back to your stall and call your wife. Tell her you love her dearly and can't wait to be home. Hmph.
In the matter of mapping, I failed to find Botanical Gardens (a place of interest) which apparently was an hour walk from where I was and taxis costed 30RMB. Oh I think not, I planned to head there the next day. Instead, I jumped on the GO KL Free Bus to KL Tower which actually took a million years. Well it felt like it anyway.
I arrived Manera Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) after 15 minutes at 7.05pm. I went on the free shuttle bus up to the entrance and went up a short escalator for the free view at the immediate observation deck. It was opened in July 1996 and is currently the tallest building in South East Asia. 6th tallest telecommunication tower in the world. Located west of the Petronas Twin Towers, bang on the middle of Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve so it's actually quite far apart. It offered me a scenic 360degree view of the city but beware as it is 52RMB to go all the way up the actual observation deck (1st level of the tower head). Level 1 is free and they have a balcony you can walk around to have a look at 'a not so' high level but it's okay if you wanted to save the 52RMB (just google the view). Sometimes the tower is used for extreme sports events such as Base Jumping and Towerthon (a race up the tower). It is also available for weddings with a view - hmm an idea? They have a revolving restaurant at 160RMB per person and a theatre for events.
I was soon hungry so I headed back to Bukit Bintang and opted for dinner at Jalan Alor street (identical to Khaosan Road in Thailand) for a 6.50RMB meal at Cu Cha Restoran before heading back the hostel to plan my next day. I had chicken noodle soup and bought a cheaper drink (shandy) from the nearest shop! By then I was knackered and my feet were nasty!
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