Zip Trip to Malaysia - Photo Trip Report

[Big Boy]

Great report BB but a shame to learn such a beautiful bird as the cassowary has to be caged, rather than having a suitably designed enclosure of their own. I've seen them in a zoo and in the wild and they are majestic.

Sorry, my bad - cage sounds cramped. Yes, they were in a very large enclosure - still a shame, when they could be roaming around in the bush. As for that centre claw, if you haven't seen how lethal it looks, google it. In the photos, he sat down before I could capture the claw.

[Big Boy]

I guess we're just used to trudging around Asian cities. I think we'd walked to the square from our hotel so the butterfly park was a 'relatively short walk' extra for us!

Glad you made it there anyway and enjoyed it. Walking around KL is so much nicer than Bangkok.

It wasn't a problem. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, but being in a strange environment, and had already experienced the, "In 400 mtrs.........." the longer than expected walk was worrying us somewhat, Once we'd found signposts, we were fine .

I hate Bangkok with a vengeance, but loved KL.

[caller]

Walking around KL is so much nicer than Bangkok.

Years ago it was the 'life lived on the streets' of HK and Bkk that appealed to me more than the relative sterility of places like KL and Singapore. But it's harder to find that in Bkk now without the risk of being flattened by a bike or car, although the new trains in Bkk are opening up new areas to explore and I haven't been to HK in 14 years.

But I have to say that KL is appealing more and more and I would happily replicate BB's travel and trip, but with a bit longer in KL. The idea of going all the way to Singapore appeals as well - haven't been there in years either. Caught the train bug inter railing years ago.

BB - why is it called a 'zip' trip? I just don't know that term

[Big Boy]

BB - why is it called a 'zip' trip? I just don't know that term

I think it must be a Plymouthian term . Brittany Ferries used to offer Zip (fast) Trips across the channel from Plymouth to France at a cost that made it almost free. Santander as well, but I never did that one.

[buksida]

Could be an age thing also. In your twenties you can rough it a bit more, so for me at least, Thailand was wonderful then.

But once you get on a bit, things like safety, efficiency, cleanliness and noise levels make a bigger difference so other countries start to appeal more and you see Thailand for what it really is.

This is why I love travelling - you get a big balance of it all!

[PeteC]

Hmmmm, I wonder if we could use "zip time" as a new description for a few interrelated things?

[huahinjim]

Great photos and comments BB

[pharvey]

Cracking reports BB, have thoroughly enjoyed them. Must admit, the reports on KL have brought back pleasant memories as the LHG and I visited several years back. The one thing I do miss about living in China was the fact that we could visit places like KL fairly cheaply and easily rather than is the case now living in the UK.

As for the train journey itself, I have to admit - not one I really fancy! A decent train journey has always appealed, but have to say that if the day ever arrives when I can afford it, it would have to be the "Blue Train" in South Africa (coinciding with a British Lions Tour ).

[Dannie Boy]

Friends of mine did the Orient Express from Bangkok to Kl just over a year ago and they said it was a fantastic experience, albeit expensive at over £2000 per person one way.

Great report BB, makes me want to do the same.

[Big Boy]

China Town

We showered and relaxed at the hotel for a couple of hours before setting out for the evening. We were on our way to China Town with the intention of doing a bit of shopping and having a bite to eat. My research told me we needed to catch the LRT to Pasar Seni. China Town was 200 mtrs from the station.

We arrived at the station and made our way down to street level. First thing we noticed was what looked like a seriously polluted river, and it was really throwing off quite a pungent smell. This surprised us a lot because the big theme of this trip was how clean Malaysia was.

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Anyway, we could see a market in the distance, and headed towards it. This was not China Town, but Central Market. No difference to a Thai Market. I hate shopping, so just wandered with my friend.

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On our way to Central Market, we’d spotted another market down a side street. We tried that next. Yes, this time the lanterns in the roof told me we’d found China Town. We also saw our first sign for a bar in a couple of days down this road. The Reggae Bar – we saw the sign, but never saw the bar.

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My biggest surprise about China Town is there were no Chinese traders. Just locals at another Asian market selling the same tat as every other market in Asia. Every other stall seemed to sell watches. I’ve never seen so many watches in one place. There must have been 10 watches for every arm in Kuala Lumpur. My friend stopped at a few, and they were all selling the same watches at the same prices. There were a couple of Chinese Restaurants, but they all looked to be closed.

Food was a problem. My friend is celiac and was afraid to eat, and I have to avoid coconut, which my body rejects immediately. I have been lied to so many times by Thais not wanting to lose a sale, I’ve lost confidence in buying food.

Had we decided to eat here, there was the usual street food at the markets, although there did not seem to be the same variety that you’d find in a Thai market. There were a selection of restaurants scattered around, but many were in darkness. We declined to eat here.

Shopping done, we decided to return to our hotel, passing the pungent smell of the river again. It was time to take advantage of our Free Drink Vouchers, and have a bit of supper. It was time for another, “In 400 mtrs make a u-turn” moment.

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Certainly sir, what would you like, water melon, fruit punch or coffee? That was not my interpretation of a drink. I am not a big drinker anymore, but I wanted alcohol. It had been a long day, and water melon was not going to hit the mark! A small bottle of beer cost the equivalent of 250฿.

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2 bottles of beer later, it was time for bed, I’d have needed a mortgage for a third – it had been a long day.

……./to be continued.

[Big Boy]

Petronas Towers

We fly home today, but should just about have time to make the visit.

I will deliver the Petronas Towers photos in 3 parts today. Great views through the smog encouraged that index finger to keep taking photos. Of course, the smog meant not so good photos resulted.

Part 1 - Outside Petronas Towers

We left the hotel at 7:30, stopping at Starbucks on the way for a bit of breakfast. After running the gauntlet of touts selling little clip on lenses for phone cameras, we took the mandatory outside photos (a few photos were taken the night before). I don’t use a phone for photos very often, but the touts were very persistent in trying to convince me I needed one for my point and shoot.

I think I said earlier, the Petronas Towers in my mind was an old, concrete clad building. My personal perception couldn't have been further from the truth - this baby was beautiful.

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We made our way to the Tower Tour Meeting Point, where we were checked in.

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I was in the Red Team, and in the leading pack. I was given a little red badge that I had to wear at all times.

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We were escorted at all times, by very professional guides, who left us alone to explore most of the time, but you always knew they were there. This was always a trip where a lot of photos would be taken. Unfortunately, they would be through glass and looking into very thick smog.

……./to be continued

[Big Boy]

Part 2 - Up to Petronas Towers Level 41 – the connecting bridge

Dead on 9am we were led to the first lift, and the tour began. First stop was floor 41 – the lifts were so smooth. I’d been up the World Trade Centre and the Empire State years ago, and my feet seemed to join the rest of me on the way up, a few seconds later. Likewise. I think my breakfast almost arrived at ground level after me on the way down. Nothing remotely like that in these lifts.

We were given 10 minutes on the lower level of the connecting bridge. It was quite eerie as we stepped out of the lift and walked towards the bridge. A Muslim lady, dressed all in black was our little helper at this stage, but approaching us from the light of the bridge, she was no more than a silhouette for the greeting phase.

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An incredible bridge, not actually attached to either tower. Supported by a couple of legs, it basically slots into an expansion gap, which moves with the wind. It worked a bit like a ships gangplank and the tide. Of course I walked to the other tower and back again, taking pictures all the way. Please note the beautiful green gardens either side of the towers – fantastic in the centre of a big city.

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Expansion gap where bridge meeds tower

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Expansion gap where bridge meeds tower

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……./to be continued

[Big Boy]

Part 3 – Petronas Towers Levels 83 & 86 – the upper levels

The Red team were then ushered back into the lift and taken to floor 83, where we transferred immediately into smaller lifts, and it was up to floor 86 (2 from the top).

Inside the big lift

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Floor 83

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Walk to the lift to Floor 86

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We're there

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I think we were given 20 minutes at this level to take photos. Unfortunately, the air quality was extremely poor, and it was like taking photos in a thick fog. Such a shame, but it was what it was. Viewing our hotel, which seemed quite large at ground level, it looked very small in the concrete jungle below us. It was the small hexagonal building that you see in a few photos.

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We were then ushered back into the lift, and back to Floor 83. This was basically a shopping trip, trying to sell us photos they’d taken and little souvenirs – sorry, I don’t do shopping. The corridor to the 83rd Floor observation deck had diagrams of the world's largest buildings so we could compare.

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Of course, the view from the 83rd floor was the same as the 86th floor.

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Shopping (or none in my case) done, it was back to the Meeting Point, and time for the mad dash to the airport. Even that was not without incident. Got to my room, scanned my pass card – zilch. I found the room maid (boy), and explained we were rushing to get to the airport. He tried his card – zilch. Sorry sir, take a seat in your friend’s room, I have to call maintenance. 15 minutes later, all fixed, bags packed and checked out.

Got outside the hotel, and called Grab. Just as efficient as Hua Hin – 65RM to the airport.

We arrived at the airport, did the self check-in thing, dumped the suitcase from hell, and headed for the departure lounge. I went through security, and hear my friend calling me. His boarding pass (identical to mine – different seat number) was no good. I asked why mine was good and his wasn’t – she just said it was no good, and he wasn’t coming through. A proper Malaysian Jobsworth (the 2nd person I referred to in the Merdeka Square element). Anyway, my friend went back to the Air Asia counter, and they gave him another boarding pass, so we were coming home. A very hectic, but very enjoyable couple of days. We’d achieved everything we set out to do.

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……./to be continued – comparison/conclusion tomorrow

[HHTel]

Your pics remind me of 1962 at the top (102nd floor) of the Empire State Building. I took 3 rolls of film (3 x 36) in case some didn't come out and I'd never get the chance again.
They all developed perfectly and I've been to NY at least a dozen times since!! lol.

[pitsch]

Nice pictures. I never was at Petronas Towers, it seemed to expensive for me, but with the half price ticket I might try next time. Last time I visited Batu Caves (there is a train station there). Very impressive, but you have to climb 272 steps.