A Day in Kuala Lumpur

Flying into Kuala Lumpur

Picking up form where we left off in the last post. Today, I explore Kuala Lumpur! With an early arrival I hop on the KLIA Ekspres train which takes me directly into the central train station of Kuala Lumpur. (If you are planning to fly in and out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) then make sure to purchase a return ticket on the KLIA Ekspress as you’ll save a few dollars.) My hotel the KL Sentral Aloft Marriott is right above the train station and is directly connected. While the KL Sentral area isn’t the most popular spot in Kuala Lumpur, it does offer great connectivity to other areas. And its direct connection to the airport makes it a good base for me to explore the city in the day I have here.

Because its still early in the morning, my room isn’t ready yet (which is expected). So I stow my luggage with the concierge and head into the city.

Batu Caves

The benefits of being so close to the train station is how easy it is to get to different parts of the city. Jumping on the train that takes me to the Batu Caves is easy. Without any complicated transfers I arrive in about a half hour. I’ve only seen pictures of the caves themselves, but once you’re actually in front of it, you get a really good sense of how cool and unique it actually is! From the size of the huge golden statue to the colour steps leading into the mountain. Its a very cool sight to see and I for one am glad to see and experience it!

The Stairs Up

The temperatures in Kuala Lumpur isn’t all that different from Bangkok and in some cases more humid. After going up a few stairs, I already know this is going to be a sweaty affair! The stairs do look a bit daunting at first glance. And while I’m no athlete, its not super difficult to get up as long as you pace yourself. The combination of the stairs, heat and humidity can offer a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, I make a few stops to admire the colourful array of stairs, the playful monkeys darting around or take a few moments to look backwards at the view. If you are going to tackle these, I would suggest bringing water. On a hot day it can be taxing and I did notice a few having to move off the side in some rough shape.

The Cave

Once at the top, the stairs open up to this massive cave complex. I’m amazed to see that inside of the cave a pretty elaborate temple that is just as colourful as the stairs themselves.  I take a little time to wander through the cave and appreciate what it must have taken for the original builders of the temple to actually build it. At the far end of the cave is another set of stairs which leads to an open part of the cave. You can no longer go any further since the cave ends. But the top is open to the sky and its a neat inversion to the first cave.

Afternoon Nap

After spending an hour or so exploring the caves I make my way back to the train station and enjoy the half hour air conditioned ride back to the main station. By the time I get back to my hotel, my room is ready for me. I check in and take a much needed shower. Unfortunately, with the heat and exertion at the caves and the limited sleep from the overnight at the airport. My body is telling me I need to rest. So I settle in to nap for a few hours.

Pavilion

Feeling refreshed from the nap, it is now early evening and I head out in search of food. On the recommendation from a friend I take the train out to Pavilion Mall as the food court offers a good variety of Malaysian cuisine. After walking around the mall I make my way to the food court and eventually settle on this “soupy” noodle dish. I can’t really recall what it is now but what they do is take a “hard” clump of noodles and then pour the sauce over it. This then softens the noodle and they add a few of the extras like meat on afterwards. Its hard to describe (and I don’t remember what it’s called), but its very tasty.

Petronas Twin Towers

After eating, I head towards the Petronas twin towers via the Bukit Bintang walkway. This is an above ground pedestrian walkway that connects directly from the Pavilion Mall to the doorstep of the Petronas Towers. Its a pretty nice and convenient way to navigate the city, without having to worry about traffic or getting lost.

My earliest memory of the Petronas Twin Towers is from a 1999 movie called Entrapment. I recall that Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones end up pulling off a heist at the Twin Towers. Since then I’ve always wanted to see them for myself. The towers themselves are the largest twin towers in the world and in the evening they tower above the area and really do stand out. No matter how you slice it, they truly are an icon of Kuala Lumpur (and Malaysia!)

Lake Symphony

At the base of the towers is a large fountain (and park) and every evening they have the Lake Symphony which is a musical fountain and light show. Thankfully I arrive in time to catch the show and it is certainly fun to watch. It is reminiscent of the Bellagio water show in Vegas and the Dubai Fountain Show (Though I argue, not as grand).

Wings at Wong Ah Wah

After experiencing the Lake Symphony, I have one last stop on my list for tonight. I end up walking from the twin towers to Jalan Alor. Jalan Alor is a famous street in Kuala Lumpur known for its multitude of food stalls and night market vibe. Even though I’ve already eaten dinner, my friend did recommend that I try the wings from Wong Ah Wah. Apparently they are known for their roast chicken wings and is worth the experience. I don’t think you can really go wrong with wings in general. And these roast chicken wings are no exception. They are flavourful and very juicy. Super Tasty!

With the double dinner and a good amount of walking done, I make my way back to my hotel to crash for the night. Unfortunately, I will be checking out tomorrow and have a long travel “day” home. I still have a good portion of the day tomorrow to explore so I’m excited to see what’s in store! And even though I only have a short time in Kuala Lumpur, the little bit I have seen has impressed me!