Kuala Lumpur

General impressions of Kuala Lumpur

Here I'll put photos that don't fit elsewhere.

My general impressions of Kuala Lumpur were that it's very modern and efficient, both transport and freeways. All very clean. Very tourist-friendly. People in shops and Banks couldn't be more helpful.

I lost my visa card in a Bank Of Islam ATM one night just before I was due to leave. I returned to the Bank next morning, and the staff was most helpful. They called over a security guard from their head office across the city and he opened up the machine while I was there (interesting to see the inside workings of an ATM). My card wasn't there, so he opened up the adjoining machines just in case I was mistaken as to which ATM I'd used.

I asked the Muslim enquiries lady if the Islam Bank was open to the Unfaithful, or Muslims only. She laughed and said "We're a commercial Bank---we probably have as many non-Muslim clients as Muslims".

There was no problem, as I had a spare Australian $50 banknote which I changed at the hotel. They were most apologetic as they explained they had to charge a $2 "service fee". Most reasonable I thought.

I cancelled and replaced the Visa card on my return home.

Always take some of your own currency in case of such emergencies.

On with the remaining photos.

THE BUTTERFLY ENCLOSURE.

Local butterflies weren't very large or colorful. Rather disappointing.

The exhibits were well done.

CHINATOWN.

Everything you can imagine here. Pirate DVD movies, computer software, belts, watches and cellphones by the million, "genuine" Omega gold watches for $10, clothes galore by Gucci, Dior, or whomever you want made to order. The side streets at night are packed with people, you can hardly get through.

Petaling Street---entrance to Chinatown.

More Chinese produce markets at Chow Kit on the other side of town. Traffic here brings a whole new meaning to chaos. Drivers just stop in the middle of the mall at a stall, buy their produce, then drive on. Meanwhile scooters and motorbikes are threading their way thru the pedestrians.

HOTEL.

This hotel at Chow Kit looks very nice if you want something more upmarket. It's about 15 minutes from Sentral by monorail. Deluxe rooms are $120 a night double. Suites up to $600 a night. There's a classy restaurant and they have room service. Chow Kit is a big shopping/hotel/commercial area.