Transit in Kuala Lumpur

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First Stop: Malaysia

It's time for another "visa-run" to extend my stay in Thailand.
Air Asia flew direct from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
then from there I'll go to the Philippines.

This time my visa renewal requirement coincides with Songkran, the Thai New Year, which involves copious amounts of water and can be fun if you like to be soaken-wet all week. ISee last years blog when I stayed in Chiang Mai for Songkran.I Per Chance, Easter is also in the next few weeks. My friend Bill is passing time in the Philippines. Put them all together and it's an invitation to the Philippines. From Chiang Mai I got a direct flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I had booked a hotel near the Sentral transit hub so that getting to and from the airport would be easier. From here I would go to the Philippines.

Malaysia is a mixture of the Malays, Indians, Muslims and Chinese.
They intermingle but each also has its own area.

The first night I went to the Central Market then ChinaTown.
On Jalan Petaling at night the roadway is over crowded with
stalls selling tourist souvenirs.
The whole street has a very high covering, to protect from the rain,
reminding me of Las Vegas' Fremont Street.

The next day I visited KL Bird Park, promoted as "The World's Largest
Free-Flight Walk-In Aviary". Twenty acres are covered by a very high net.
So high you don't really notice it. It encloses giant trees and natural landscape
for the free flying birds.
You walk among the birds in most areas.
The birds are able to breed naturally in this beautiful natural environment.

The airport is an hour away from Sentral Station and I had to catch
the 4:15 am bus to get there in time for my Philippine flight.

Now the immigration at the LCCT Air Asia terminal has
finger print scanners for all arriving passengers.

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Photos

Peacock
This bird was casually blocking the sidewalk and not about to move. It did turn to the side to let me pass.

Tourist Photo
Birds of prey posing with potential food. Toucans, owls, macaws and hawks will pose.

Beautiful birds
Put a few seeds in your hand and they'll be all over you.

Jalan petaling
At night the stalls overtake the roadway. The whole street is covered and the rain has little effect except for the puddles.

Jalan Petaling
Centre of China Town

Street Public Toilet
Modern self cleaning toilet cubicle. Use for 15 minutes at a cost of about 5¢ One side offers sit-down toilet, the other squat toilets. Your choice.

Impressive Structures
Definite Arabic influence