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Published: February 7th 2010
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KL Tower and Gardens
Phoebe looking hot and bothered admiring the monkeys Have arrived in KL and it is stinky and HOT. Actually humid would be more accurate. Give me a 45 degree day in Adelaide anytime over a 30 degree day in KL at 80% humidity. The humidity in KL is like a clammy, unwelcome hug and had taken some major adjusting to for all of us (it's a competition between Phoebe and I as to who is coping the least). That doesn't stop the locals wearing jumpers and jeans, and closed toe shoes and woolen stockings though.......I think they're bonkers.
After a very pleasurable Air Asia flight (highly recommended!) we decided to go a little more upmarket for our first night and stayed in a place in KL Sentral (yes, that would be the Malay version of 'Central'....I've noticed that type of thing a bit, for e.g. teksi = taxi, polis = police). But reality came crashing down the next morning as we knew we'd have to go and find some less than perfect accommodation. We got about 10 meters down the track and Phoebe was already complaining about being sweaty and about having to carry her bag. Thankfully the monorail station was not too far away and we headed
KL Monorail
We love the monorail! off to Bukit Bintang in search of a cheaper room (since learned that Chinatown would have been a better idea). The place that was recommend had sold out so Phoebe and I camped out in McDonalds (free wifi!) while Nick searched around for a place. On first inspection, the place that was organised wasn't toooo bad. No windows and a little dingy but acceptable, however after settling in we found that the sheets were dirty (it was obvious), the shower only had cold water which was run off the toilet (charming), and every travelers fear.....RATS! Thankfully not running around the room but definitely in the ceiling, scampering around making a nest or something. It was pretty hideous, but a useful lesson for us all. The first obvious one....ask if the shower has hot water.
Getting in and around KL has been great, mostly due to the monorail which we all love. It's cheap, convenient, clean, and most importantly....air conditioned! We've been asking Phoebe to hold on to all our 'sen' (= cents), and getting her to get the right change for us. By the second day we'd all acclimatised a bit to the humidity (either that or it was
Off to the night train
Looking like drowned rats just less humid), and began to enjoy ourselves a tad more. We thought it was high time for some relaxing beach time and booked our tickets on the night train to Langkawi for later that night. Afterwards we went to Lake Gardens (sounds like an Australian housing estate) which has lot's of attractions such as overpriced animal parks. We went to the free ones, and just as we decided it was home time we got stuck in a down pour! As it was impossible to get a taxi (all the smart people nabbed them when they knew a storm was imminent) we had a big walk back to the closest monorail station which was not close at all. Thankfully it wasn't as stormy as we'd expected and getting on the monorail was heavenly bliss! Checking out of our dingy, rat infested place was also a happy moment.
The food situation has already provided some interesting experiences. The first being noodles/rice for breakfast which has taken some getting used to. Being used to lighter meals for breakfast, I've often walked away after a morning meal feeling like there is a brick in my stomach. But in hindsight, not a bad
Orchid Gardens
Gorgeous place....and FREE! way to start the day, as lunch is a mere snack. Milo is hugely popular here, as are Maggi (i.e. 2 minute) noodles. Once for dinner I tried to order a meal Nasi Lemak “vegetarian”, as it was all over the menu with different varieties and I figured one would be vegetables. I also ordered noodles for Phoebe “not spicy”. What we got was boiled rice and anchovies for me, and noodles for Phoebe that were too spicy even for me! Made me think I really need to get better at my Bahasa Malay phrases, and have since found the phrase for “I don't eat meat, or chicken or fish”. I've also discovered that Nasi Lemak is something of a national meal here and getting it in vegetarian variety is unheard of.
Next blog....adventures on the night train and lazing around on Langkawi Island!
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dad
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eating
At least when it rains it is not cold. For vegetarian food, try saying: 'saya mau sayur saja' (I just want vegetables), or 'saya tidak mau/makan daging, ayam atau ikan' (I don't want/eat meat, chicken or fish). Or you can say: 'Saya tidak makan daging, ayam atau ikan' (I don't eat ...). Plain rice is 'nasi putih'. Bet you'll be pleased when you are no longer in Malaysia and I can no longer offer translation advice! (Just wait until you get to France and Spain ....) happy travels!