Kuala Lumpur, Five Star Hotel, New Year!!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We arrived in Kuala Lumpur after missing our stop on the bus - the driver did not take the liberty to tell us this was our stop -and so decided to drop us off randomly on a public highway and told us to wait for a bus going back to Kuala Lumpur. Cheers mate.

Anyway, we made it to KL! Hooray! Got a taxi to our, infact, rather LUSH hotel, The Renaissance Hotel - the best hotel in KL, in Malaysia and maybe in the world!!!!! Oh, yes. And 5 star it was. It was so luxurious and perfect and we both decided that it was the best hotel we had ever stayed in, in our lives, and would be for the rest of them! It was so Christmasly decorated, with a beautiful grand piano in the lobby below the enormous crystal chandelier. A paradisical olympic size swiming pool, a silver service with the best food in world, restaurant and we were sorted. Sod the bus driver.

A monorail station was just across the road, so we were perfectly situated too. We were a monorail ride, which soared over the city, away from all the main places of the city. Besides, Kuala Lumpur was much smaller than expected so we could even walk to most places. Two stops on the monorail away was Bukit Bintang. Here, all the shopping malls (with shops from Marks & Spencers to Gucci), restaurants and bars were located - we made a visit there everyday I think, one of our favourite places! The main shopping mall was part of the Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur, which were a beautiful sight at night. They were completley illuminated and look like two, very tall, sparkling diamonds on the skyline. Another of our favourites was Chinatown, which had good markets like Bangkok so we managed to pick up a few t-shirts, tops and fake watches etc, the usual, the stuff we couldnt afford at the shopping malls!

We performed our New Year's Eve celebrations in Bukit Bintang, where a live outdoor concert was held on the streets, all roads closed, and thousands and thousands of people had flocked there to await the firework display at midnight and spray anyone and everyone, no matter who you were with silly string and snow spray! I was sad as I could not see where they had got them from and every single Malaysian seemed to have one! The mood was amazing and loud and well prepared for those midnight fireworks! They did not quite meet the Sydney show, but still, a brilliant night. We walked back to the hotel, decided to avoid the mental rush for the monorail (no chance) and blew our party blower things and popped our party poppers all the way home.

New Years day was pretty relaxing, enjoyed the hotel and for the first time, ate at the hotel (we had been avoiding eating there as it was slightly expensive!) We paid for a New Year's day buffet and it was SO worth it! The best food since we have been travelling, with missed foods on the menu - stilton, olives, artichokes, tiramusu, goats cheese, roast turkey, sprouts - and oh, the choice of the desserts!!!!!!! HEAVEN! Every single food you can think of and it was all DELICIOUS and PERFECT!!!

The day after was the sad day we had to leave our paradise. We checked out at 12pm and caught a nightmare bus to Mekala. Had a weirdo sitting in front of us who kept just turning around and staring at us and putting his hands behind his head on the head rest of his seat, but not just normally behind his head, but so his hands went right over his seat and ended up resting on the frickin' book I was reading. Chris sorted him and gave a few (with gritted teeth), very restrained, nudges (thankfully thats all they were), here and there to him.

Arrived in Melaka about 7pm. Checked into Guesthouse.

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Comments

[Tricia]

New Year
What a lovely time you have had in KL. Glad to hear that you have got to Melaka anyway - sorry about the bus ride - how long was it? Dad has posted off your stuff to Maureens - have you kept in contact with Maureen and Pierrette in Oz - so that they know when you will be arriving? Mum very pleased with your photos again and I have printed these off - it is great for her to be able to see where you are. Tons of love to you both - Mum G

[Mum F]

New year
Hello again, thanks for the latest blog. The pictures look amazing and it sounds like you have had a good Christmas and are continuing to cram lots of things in. The hotel in KL looks lovely and you certainly seem to be living the high life. No doubt you will soon be moving on to Singapore ready for your move to Sydney. What date do you actually leave and have you fixed up anywhere to stay yet? We had a good Christmas with the family despite missing you and are back at dreary school today. Thanks for keeping in touch, it was good to speak to you over the holiday. Love you loads, Mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dad F]

re New Years Eve
Hi Chris and Caroline Looks like you had a great time over Christmas and New Year. Wish we were out there with you. Finally beginning to realise that the celebrations are over for this year. We stayed away right until the day back to work. Rachael has gone down to London - Wed to meet people her own age!! Hope we can speak on the Internet again soon. Thanks for the great pictures and comments. Dad F

[Mum F]

OZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Hi you two. Glad to hear that you are doing ok and are settling into the Aussie way of life. Hope you have managed to find some nicer digs without having to break the bank. What are your first impressions of Sydney then, is it what you expected? I hope you manage to get a new camera to take some photos whilst you are there. Have you got any idea how long you will be there for and where you are going to be moving on to? Let us know your movements and try to update your blog. Missing you loads. Love Mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx