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Published: July 10th 2009
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Getting around
KL has a hi-tech train system and a monorail. We had a short ride on the monorail. That was fun! But there was an even easier way to get to several places in one day. It's called the "Hop-on, Hop-off Bus". We sat up on the top deck and had a good look around between stops. It even had headphones describing landmarks in several languages. The main downside was the traffic - busy at all times of the day.
KL Bird Park
So many colourful birds. Lots just wandering around. Some in huge aviaries. The whole bird park is shady and peaceful. We particularly like a "cave" behind a waterfall. It feels unusual to look out through falling water.
The keepers put on a show around lunchtime. It opens with a cockatoo spelling "welcome" and a parrot talking. These birds are so smart they can count and play games. They pick up rubbish and race bikes. Those birdbrains sure are well trained to look smart. Later, an eagle swoops right over our heads before flying through hoops. Some monkeys climb around the seating area. Hey, we've seen monkeys already and we haven't even left the
Traditional wedding scene
At the Gallery of Malaysia middle of the capital city yet!
Thrill rides
Berjaya Times Square is a huge shopping centre in town. So big that it fits in a full-sized roller-coaster ride complete with loop-the-loop twists. And there are other rides, too. The fun park is called
Cosmo's World. Young Rohan thinks the trip up seven floors in a glass elevator is a "thrill ride". At street level there is a breakdancing competition going on. They also have BMX bikes ready to do tricks. A soft drink company sponsors all of these activities. The least we can do is accept free drink samples. Sweet!
Shopping centres
There are seven shopping centres within easy walk of each other in Bukit Bintang. Yes, seven! Big ones. All full of people.
And many small hops in between. There are lots of electronics shops selling cameras, computers and mobile phones. We buy some new sunnies from a market stall. Dad haggles with the shopkeeper until we are offered a fair price.
Looking back in time
We visit the National Museum of Malaysia. It is a tall white building with some mosaic murals on the outside. Here are some of the sections
and exhibits at the museum.
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Geological history Malaysia was once part of a large land mass that included Indonesia, The Philippines and New Guinea.
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Prehistoric times Cave people hunted animals and later people farmed and built sailing boats.
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Early settlement Melanesian people migrated across the seas. They settled different areas than the Polynesian People
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Malayan kingdoms Kings and sultans ruled large regions.
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Colonial period The Portuguese were the first Europeans to launch a major takeover in the region. They invaded Malacca in 1511. The British came later and developed transport systems. They signed the Pangkor Treaty with the locals.
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The war years The Japanese marched south down the Malay Peninsula and forced out the British. Later, the British returned but the Malays wanted freedom.
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Nationhood Malays worked together towards political independence from Britain. They held a referendum in 1955 then finally achieved independence in 1959 and formed the country of Malaysia in 1961.
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Gallery of Malaysia This is a separate building exploring traditional life and culture. There are lots of models dressed in a whole range of styles from different places and times. There are fabric samples and descriptions of traditional
weaving. There are also some village scenes modelled such as a wedding.
Chinatown
Plenty of Chinese people live in KL. So, the Chinatown area is always buzzing. In the daytime lots of trading is happening. At night, the streets are crammed with people eating out. Restaurants are decorated with red lanterns and streamers.
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michelle Kampmann
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roller coaster
alsome roller coaster in side of the building