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Published: October 30th 2008
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As I landed at KL airport, I felt excited and a little weary from no sleep the night before. As I passed through immigration, I was taken about at the size of the airport, I followed the signs to collect my baggage, they went on and on and on, eventually I asked and was told that I needed to get on a tube to get to baggage collection!! Never on all my travels had I had to that, I guess that says a bit about the sheer magnitude of the airport? I bought a ticket before leaving the airport to get a taxi to my guesthouse, which cost 67.40 ringgits, approximately ten pounds - considering the ride took nigh on an hour, that was remarkably cheap! Sitting in the back of that cab I watched the countryside whizz by and I felt......at home! Although its been over 35 years since I was here, I just felt at ease and happy. As we drew up at my guesthouse, I thought, umm this looks a bit dodgy, it was on a back street behind the main drag, but once inside I felt at home. The guy on reception, Vinny from India, was extremely
polite and helpful, he showed me to my room which I must say was lovely, very clean, air conditioned, nicely laid out and really comfortable, I knew from that minute that I was going to enjoy every minute of my time here.
I had to take all my belongings out of my rucksack because somehow on the flight from Colombo, there must have been a fish consignment, because the top of my bag was soaked and reeked of fish!!! yuk the smell was hideous. I had no sprays with me, so I sprayed it with mosquito repellent, better than fish I thought!!! After putting all my things away I took a leisurely walk in to the city, it was buzzing, my first sight was Starbucks!!! I thought how lovely I can finally stop and have a decent cup of coffee, which I did. I wondered around taking in the sights and sounds - it was incredible. I found a little street which had restaurants from all over the world in it, I chose to eat in a lovely Italian, I had my first glass of real wine for 8 weeks, which as you can imagine, tasted like nectar! I
enjoyed my carbonara but unfortunately after not eating properly for 8 weeks it played havoc with my digestive system, hence I was unwell most of the night and following morning. From now on I take it easy with what I eat!
Since then I have basically just wondered around, taken a walk to China Town, which is fab for all your fake stuff. I have been doing a lot of research into the attractions and history of Malaya, I guess its to do with the fact that I did actually live here at one time, so it holds a lot interest for me. On the advice of my parents, I visited the old railway station, which dates back to 1886, this Moorish-style railway terminal was designed by the same architect, AB Hubbock, who designed Masjid Jamek, (Friday Mosque) which was built in 1907. Apparently Mr Hubbock, sought his inspiration from Moghul mosques in India, where he had previously served the British administration in India before being transferred to Kuala Lumpur. His passion for Morish/Northern Indian designs are clearly reflected in the designs of the Railway station and Mosque, hence the similarities between them. I haven't actually visited the mosque
Kuala Lumper
Part of the old original train station yet but it is on my list to do! The station was extended in 1967 which included the Heritage Station Hotel, which looks lovely, but all the renovations have not altered its original designed which has been preserved here. KL Sentral (and yes this is spelled correct, its with an S and not a C!) station was opened in 2001, a few trains still depart from the old one but plans are underway to turn the railway station into a tourist attraction.
I went and saw the Petronas Twin Towers, which are 88-story's high and are the world’s tallest twin structures, which are located in the heart of the capital city. Inspired by the geometric shape found in Islamic architecture, this gleaming mega-structure was designed by Argentinian-American architect Cesar Pelli. There are totally amazing, the sheer vastness of the stainless steel and glass, and its kept clean!!! how? Who cleans them?
The guesthouse is a very old fashioned quaint place and I feel totally safe and happy here. Until Sharon joins me next week I will just chill out and take lots of walks around the city, which is truly amazing. It's really weird, wherever I go I
always make friends, but since being here I haven't actually felt the need to be with anyone or make friends, obviously I talk to people but not made a friend? Is that sad, or am I not alone? Read on and maybe you can answer that question for me? I couldn't sleep last night, I was tossing and turning, I truly believe that Brian was in the room with me, I sat on the end of the bed and I felt the mattress depress next to me, I just sat there like a statue for a second, then turned, obviously noone was there, but I didn't feel frightened. I got dressed and went for a stroll around the town, it was gone midnight - which probably isn't the best time to walk out on your own, but somehow I felt protected, it was very lively, but calm. I came back to my room about 1ish and just lay there thinking about my life, the past, the present, good times, bad times. I feel as though I'm embracing a fist full of sand, but I don't seem to have the strength to hold on to it, its slipping away, its like
Twin Towers
Looking at the Towers through the gardens my life is just trickling away from me, and there's nothing I can do about it. I guess I have to learn to hold on to those grains of sand.
Til my next blog, Selamat tinggal (goodbye)
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