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Truly Malaysia
November 19, 2009 by Fractional & Shared Ownership Property News & Reviews · Leave a Comment
By Michael Hawley
“Selamat Detang” says our tour guide as he welcomed us at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We arrived in Malaysia on a Wednesday afternoon so the warm weather and the clear blue sky create a serene and perfect welcome.
I was invited to discover new attractions in Malaysia, a country known for its hospitality, diverse culture, warm and friendly people, alluring wonders and world-class facilities.
The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsula Malaysia made up of 13 states, three federal territories and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. Its capital is Kuala Lumpur. The country is formed in 1963 after Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and the Federation of Malaya federated to form Malaysia.
The population of Malaysia is more than 27 million, majority are Malays, followed by Chinese and the Indian communities. Though diverse, the citizens work together with the Malays being the most active in politics, the Chinese in the economy and the Indians are the people who bridge or connect both so there is always a balance in the society.
As soon as we hit the road, I immediately sensed a clean and peaceful country. There was no graffiti, no uncollected trash, no beggars and no shanties.
One of the most vibrant cities in Asia, Kuala Lumpur’s main attraction is the stunning Petronas Twin Towers, a world-renowned icon of the country which looks like a huge cake with white icing at night. The world’s tallest twin towers, completed in 1998 towering at a height of 452 meters above ground, represents the country’s dominant culture.
A visit to the 41st floor of the tower will give you a magnificent view of the city of Kuala Lumpur, or KL to the locals. The tower is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 7 pm and one has to queue in the morning to get a ticket for a guided tour of the building. An average of 1,700 guests visits the tower on a daily basis.
The city itself though filled with stunning skyscrapers boasts of it lush greenery and well-manicured parks which add to the refreshing appeal of the city.
Merdeka (Independence) Square is a good starting point to explore KL. Here the national flag lies atop a 100m flagpole, the tallest in the world. Within the square is a field fronting the Royal Selangor Club where Malaysians converge every year to celebrate their independence. Opposite is the ornate Sultan Abdul Samad Building, built in 1897 with Moorish features, clock tower and copper domes. Beautifully illuminated at night, this landmark now houses the Malaysian Supreme and High Courts.
In the city centre, Menara Kuala Lumpur or KL Tower at 421m is another location for a 360 degrees aerial view of the city. The tower doubles as KL’s best known ambassador. It is the fourth tallest telecommunication tower in the world and built to improve the quality of telecommunication and broadcasting transmission in the city.
Dine amidst the clouds at the Seri Angkasa Revolving Restaurant while taking in the sights of the city. If you opt not to dine, the tower has an observation deck with a multi language audio video guide of KL’s city skyline. Surrounding the tower is the Bukit Nanas Reserve, an area of 9.37 hectares, which poses as the oldest forest reserve in the county.
In close proximity to the Petronas Twin Towers is the Aquaria, located at the basement of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. Lovers of aquatic life will enjoy a visit to this gigantic aquarium that takes you to an exciting journey from misty mountains, through the mysterious rainforest, the ever changing coast, reachingcbeyond reefs and into the mysterious deep blue sea. Spanning over 60,000 square feet, the aquarium offers 33,000 captivating and colourful aquatic and land-bound animals around the world representing 283 different species.
Experience close encounters with the Sand Tiger Sharks, the gigantic Grouper, the over two metre long Arapaima Giga, the world’s largest freshwater fish, prehistoric fishes, stingray, lion fish, seahorses and an open pond full of turtles and typical fishes found in Malaysia. Open daily from 11 am to 8 pm, you and your family can witness fish feeding and shark feedings at the Aquatheater, a 90-metre long tunnel for visitors to walk through.
Not to forget is the Eye on Malaysia, located on Titiwangsa Lake Gardens. A replica of the Eye on London, this 12-minute ferris wheel ride reaches a height of 60 meters and offers a breathtaking view of the city. Eye on Malaysia is the largest portable wheel in the world and the first to be situated over a lake.
After the sun goes down, the city comes alive with a wide variety of exciting nightspots. Karaoke lounges, clubs with live bands and discotheques are among the happening places that make their mark on the city’s vibrant night scene. Unwind at the trendy sidewalk cafes and delicatessen until late night or sip your favourite drink while you listen to live bands at the clubs. The city’s al fresco outlets are the places to be for a stunning view of KL by night.
If you want to explore the city at night, you can take a stroll along Bintang Walk where you can witness street performances from dancers, stage shows, musicians and a whole lot more. There are foot massage or reflexology centers, souvenir stalls, footwear, sports goods, night clubs, budget hotels and dining places. Close to Bintang Walk is Ain Arabia where you can buy locally sold fruits and dine at the sidewalk eateries.
For avid shoppers, Kuala Lumpur is a veritable shopping paradise in the region. There’s a wide range of shopping establishments catering to every taste and budget. These include onestop shopping malls, fashionable department stores, well-stocked duty free outlets, trendy boutiques and handicraft centres offering products of finest qualities. The city’s more than 30 malls provide endless shopping opportunities for locals and foreigners alike.
Most of the major malls are conveniently situated near hotels, conventions centres and public transportation facilities. For the adventurous, don’t miss the excitement of bargaining at the open-air markets and the casual street shops.
Enjoy a profusion of mouth-watering delicacies while dining out in KL. The culinary traditions of the Malays, Chinese and Indians as well as other communities make the city a paradise for food lovers. Restaurants offering Vietnamese, Lebanese, Iranian, Indonesian, Arabic, Italian, Vegetarian, Australian, and Taiwanese cuisine abound in the city. Halal food is widely available and eating out is convenient as many restaurants are open 24 hours.
If you want to witness cultural performance while having dinner, one should go to Seri Melayu Restaurant where traditional cultural show performances are held daily from 8:30pm to 9:15pm.
KL offers a wide range of accommodation to suit any preference and budget, from international-standard hotels and resorts to budget hotels. In addition, there are serviced apartments and youth hostels for long-staying guests. Most hotels are situated in the vicinity of shopping malls, theme parks or convention centres.
Getting around the city is also convenient and affordable. KL’s Sentral, the city’s modern transportation hub, provides a comprehensive network of train, buses and taxi services. For more information on Kuala Lumpur, contact the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council at 603-26176272 or log on to www.kualalumpur.gov.my
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