KL, First Time Around

 The KL Tower, World's Sixth Largest

Exotic and cosmopolitan, Old World and New Asia, colonial charm and skyscrapers –this is Kuala Lumpur.  

Islam is the state religion in Malaysia and all ethnic Malays are considered Muslim at birth by the constitution, but Kuala Lumpur’s pluralistic society is one of the main draws for nearly nine million tourists each year.  The city prides itself on religious tolerance.

 The National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur

 

The Methodist Boy’s School, founded in 1897 by missionary Dr. William T. Kensett, is one of the oldest schools in Malaysia.  Its library is said to be the oldest in Malaysia.

Indians have lived in the area at least since the eleventh century.  Malays are native to Malaysia and Malay chiefs hired Chinese workers for tin mines here in the early days of settlement, the 1850’s.

We see all of these, and more, on the train into KL.  Women in the Muslim head scarf are everywhere, but they are just half of the women we see.  We see Indian women, wearing not saris, but the Salwar Kameez, a dress and pants combination.  For the most part we see western clothing (women often wear long skinny pants and a long-sleeved top with a head scarf).  Jeans are less common than at home.

The blond in short shorts and a tank top with the young man in shorts seems to be Australian; possibly they’re on their honeymoon – KL seems to be a favorite vacations spot for Australians.

Hop On, Hop Off Tour

To get a feel for the city, we’ve opted for the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus, which we pick up just outside the train station at KL Sentral.  

But we want to stop first at the Bird Park, in a beautiful green park that also houses an Orchid Park and a Butterfly Park.  The Bird Park is said to be the largest free-flight, walk-in aviary in the world.  

 A  Soft Gray Parrot

Inside, the birds get very close to visitors.   They seem to have little fear of humans and we get very close to take photos.  There’s a price to pay, however, if you happen to be carrying food.  While one family was taking a photo of the birds, one of the peacocks walked up to their stroller, seized a plastic bag filled with snacks in its beak, and refused to give it back. 

 

Peacocks seem to be everywhere:  on the pathway, in the bushes, on a wall, hiding off to my right. 

 They're Everywhere!

 He Likes It!

We stop at the snack bar, where we decide to try a coconut.  Fresh coconuts are cut open at the top, and you’re provided with a spoon and a straw.  There’s plenty of liquid to drink off before scooping out the coconut meat.  Bernie drinks a fair amount of it; me, just one sip.  It’s not a taste I care for.  I’ll stick with the pineapple juice I ordered.  

Are You Sure You Want All That Coconut?

All the while we’re sitting at the table, we have company.  White birds perch on the table, eager for a treat.  A family sits near us with food and they are dive-bombed by the birds.  They give up and leave.

 Lake and Waterfall

Storks, pelicans, flamingoes, and other water birds crowd the water’s edge in the lake below us.  

We depart this delightful oasis and board the bus again, this time stopping in Chinatown.  

  Name a Designer, We've Got a Bag For You

Chinatowns are very similar the world over.  Here, it’s hot and crowded, with hawkers coming at you from all sides.  Even if I wanted one of the thousands of fake Coach, Prada, Gucci, or Dolce and Gabanna bags (and I don’t), I wouldn’t dare stop to look at one.  These men, and they are mostly men, have Ph. D’s in fast-talking tourists.  I look straight ahead; if they talk directly to me, I smile and shake my head, again and again, and keep moving.

We’re hungry.  Easy – we’re in Chinatown, right?  Not quite.  We’ve been weaving in and out of stalls for about an hour.  The temperature is about 96.  Food has been sitting out in the food stalls for quite some time.  And I can’t identify it.  

Sooo, we find a regular restaurant and go inside, where it’s cool.  Regular Chinese fare, then.  Ha! Not on this menu! Margareta pizza and fish and chips.  They’re both frozen, it turns out (at least we know it was cooked while we waited).  And actually, the food is not bad. 

Still, my friend with the Middletown Health Department wouldn’t have been overly pleased.  When I asked if they had a place where I could wash my hands, they let me wash them in the same sink where they wash dishes.

a)       I saw their dish sponges

b)      I have a cold

I am five.  How old are you?

Back on the bus, we are joined by a family from Beijing, who’ve been to Phuket, Thailand. The mom and their little girl are sitting in the seat in front of us.  The little girl looks at her mom and says, “I am five.  How old are you?”  This is delivered in perfect, non-accented American English.  She also sings “I’m a Little Tea Pot.”  

It’s getting close to rush hour and we stay on the bus until we’re back at KL Sentral.  We’re thrilled with the ride through the city.  We pass through little India, through the crowded older business district and then past the gleaming Petronas Towers and the KL Tower.  

Near the old train station, with its minarets and Moorish architecture, is Merdeka (Independence) Square, formerly the cricket green for the exclusive Royal Selangor Club (founded in 1884).  Here, on August 31, 1957, Britain formally relinquished its claim to Malaysia and the Malaysian flag was raised for the first time.

The Royal Selangor Club not only still stands; it remains an exclusive, members-only club housing “sporting facilities” with food and beverage outlets.

We’re glad to see KL Central Station (or KL Sentral Stesion, in Malay).  Back to Subang Jaya on the crowded train.