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Published: December 5th 2006
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Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century At Last
Madonna murders Tina Turner as Harry Karry rests at the bar! Friday 1st December - Thursday 7th December.
I spent a big part of the day of my flight to Kuala Lumpur in Clive James's sports bar watching the start of the 2nd test. It kicked off at 7.30am over here and I watched the first session over scrambled eggs engrossed in the hope that the series would still be alive when it got around to Melbourne. The morning was going okay until the Aussie's got two quick wickets so I left at lunchtime for a kip, a run and a pack in that order and then killed the last hour and a half before a 2.15pm moto departure to the airport watching a greatly encouraging final session.
Phnom Penn airport was unusual to say the least. In the two hours I spent there there were only two flights to depart and I was on one of them. I did mention last time of writing that Air Asia is the equivalent of our Easyjet but the leather seats gave no hint of economy so when the hostess with the mostest gestured to her food trolley and asked me what I would like to eat I thought I'd be a little
Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century at Last
And then poses for a photograph with an adoring fan ! bit daring and choose something I'd never heard of before, a traditional Malaysian rice dish acccompanied by a nice old cup of char. I was so hungry that as she was still making the tea I'd already removed the foil top from the box, enquired what the bits on top were (dried anchovies) and succinctly placed one in my mouth. She then handed me the cuppa and asked for 12 Malaysian Rigghits. Oh my God ! At the airport I'd spent nine of the last ten dollars cash I had on a guide book to Kuala Lumpur. I thought it was about time I did some proper research into my next destination rather than just chance my luck by following my nose and didn't even consider that I'd need cash on the flight so I had to do my best grovelling act to be excused for taking her offer of food for granted. I explained that I only had one dollar on me and that I couldn't pay for the meal and she was niceness personified as she wrestled the TV dinner back from my tray and despatched it, one handed, straight into the bin as the other hand took
Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century at Last
The twin towers as seen from Menara Tower, one of the tallest communications Towers in the world ! the dollar for the cuppa that she couldn't possible dispose of. I exited the plane with my head hung low !!
Kuala Lumpur airport has to be the biggest contradiction in terms I've ever come across and having dashed to the ATM (as fast as humanly possible with an 18kg pack on your back) to get the cash to buy a bus ticket I settled down for the one hour ride into town. If this was the UK Manchester Airport would be renamed Birmingham, Glasgow Edinburgh etc etc. To make matters a little worse I was sat in shorts and a t shirt right under the a/c duct and when we finally arrived at KL Sentral I was sure I was entertaining the first signs of frostbite. However, a quick taxi ride and I was checked in to the Star Town Inn, a travellodge style place with sheets I didn't dare get into and a portable TV with no English channels. Lovely. It was 10pm.
As on previous places of arrival I dossed my bags and headed straight out. My digs were at the bottom of Jalan Bintang, an incredibly lively street full of street markets, bars and
Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century at Last
I'd recognise them jugs anywhere ! lots of Indian and Chinese people. Kuala Lumpur is very much a multi racial city where, it appears, everyone get's on just fine. Crime, other than petty theft, is apparantely very low due to the strict penalties for erring. I asked a young lad trying to persuade me to have a foot massage (my toe is still a little tender) where was good to eat and, at the recommendation of the owner of the place he sent me, dined on Penang Fried Koay Teow (Penang style fried flat noodles with sea food, chicken, bean sprouts and chilli paste). Mmmm, lovely.
Afterwards I walked a little further and then was just about to retire when I saw a neon sign above a door saying 'Karaoke'. Knowing how Asian's love the thing most self respecting (sober) westerner's despise I thought that it would be good for a laugh before bed. As I entered the place it reminded me of The Witch's Kitchen in Chester. Basically a shit hole. There were about fifteen people in there and one middle aged Indian guy was making an almighty mess of The Beatles 'Love Me Do'. The barmaid gestured to me to take a stool
Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century at Last
The Tower as seen through the protected 95 year old that stands alongside ! at the end of the bar where I thought I'd swiftly drink my beer and leave. Sitting on the stools next to me were two Malaysian ladies and, surprise surprise, the one sitting next to me was next up. Ever heard the expression 'cat on a hot tin roof'? Well, lets just say the expression was designed specifically for the next three minutes and when she'd finished I leant across and, tongue firmly embedded in cheek, congratulated her on a wonderful performance. Most of you will know that I don't do Karaoke, at least not unless I'm very drunk or very bored and I was neither so it was as much of a surprise to me when five minutes later and after several attempts to say 'thanks but no thanks' that I was dueting 'Me And You And A Dog Name Boo' with a four foot six Malaysian Madonna. !!!!
Four days later and I'm still here having covered probably every inch of every street in the City on foot. I fly to Australia on Thursday night out of Singapore so will make my way down there tommorow. Apparantely, Singapore is extremely expensive so it's probably for the best.
Kuala Lumpur; 21st Century at Last
It's them ears again ! The Twin Towers, the world's tallest building, yes or no ? I've heard both opinions. I've a few more pics to show you but they're still on my camera so will post when they've been transferred to disc.
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anonymous
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It looks very good there Matt