'Selamat Datang!' That's the first sign greeting you when you
step into Kuala Lumpur. Welcome! Kuala Lumpur, known as the federal
capital of Malaysia, is a bustling metropolis. A city that blends
the old and the new; it is the principal centre of commerce, politics
and entertainment. A conspicuous mix of culture, religion and
architectural styles, all fused together in this extremely well-laid
out city. The Twin Towers and the KL Tower are both two of the
most notable and well-known landmarks of the city. The shopping
complex of the city abbreviated into KLCC, consists of a variety
of branded stores where you can buy almost everything. Kuala Lumpur’s
commercial nature gets further reiterated in the form of interesting
markets as Chinatown and the Central market. Consisting of a large
number of little shops that sell mostly indigenous handicrafts
made by Malaysian artists, their sheer diversity simply surprises
you.
A nice way to soak into the old city is by driving along historic
buildings such as the Independence Square, House of Parliament,
National Monument, old Railway Station and the National Mosque.
A drive slightly out of the main city takes you to the Batu caves.
Here, you will find yourself in an ancient South - Indian temple
with a towering statue of the Idol at the entrance. Climbing 272
stairs, one reaches a fascinating temple built completely inside
the caves.
One of the prettiest visits in Kuala Lumpur is the beautiful Bird
Park and the Butterfly Park. Here, you will experience some of
the rarest species of domesticated birds and butterflies. The
creatures seem completely unafraid of outsiders; some have even
been trained to sit still on a single spot the entire day!
Photo by Jacqueline
Over to Genting…
About an hour drive from KL lie the picturesque Genting Highlands.
These hills reach 600 feet above sea level where the weather becomes
significantly cooler. The crisp mountain air envelopes you into
an enchanting little village which also hosts the largest hotel
in the world - The First World Hotel with six thousand rooms.
If amusement parks and joy rides are what you love most, then
a trip to Genting is a must. 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' and
the 'Haunted House' are two of the best rides that will intrigue
not just the children, but grown-ups alike!
I was lucky to watch a spectacular show called 'Fly' on my visit
to Genting, which was a complete dance-drama, similar to a circus.
The two hour production was the result of the combined efforts
of French, Malay and Chinese talents; its enchanting display of
music, magic and stunts left the audience gasping for more!
Photo by Neha Kirpal
Two nights in Langkawi…
Now heading off to our next Malaysian adventure - Langkawi. Nicknamed
as the 'Caribbean of the East', Langkawi literally translates
into ‘reddish-brown eagle’. A cluster of isles, filled
with myths and marvels, basking languidly in glistening waters,
Langkawi comprises of a group of ninety nine tropical islands
lying off the north-western coast of Malaysia. The region boasts
of exotic beauty as seen through its enchantingly white stretch
of palm-fringed beaches. It is the perfect retreat for anyone
- a romantic escapade for the honeymooning couple, a haven for
the water sport enthusiast or the reclusive getaway for the weary
executive. The island is home to warm and friendly inhabitants
who smile gently at each other and at the passer-by.
Here, I had the chance to stay at an impressive property known
as the Sheraton Langkawi. A huge complex, having rooms resembling
mini cottages in themselves, the hotel offers multiple facilities
including a giant chess set.
If you are short on time, head straight to Kuah on your first
day. Located on the south-eastern tip of Langkawi, Kuah is the
island's main town. From here, the best option is to hop onto
a speedboat or catamaran and ride towards Pulau Payar Marine Park.
The park is situated nineteen nautical miles south of Langkawi,
and teems with a fascinating diversity of marine life and vegetation.
Langkawi resorts are a delight to walk around and explore on a
rainy day. Idling by the beach, after a leisurely game of giant
chess, I thought nostalgically that it was time to bid farewell
to Malaysia.
Neha Kirpal
has been a journalist in India for the last two years. Currently
she is working as a Correspondent for The Times of India in
Jaipur. Aside from writing, her interests include reading,
traveling, movies and music.
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
Photo by Jacqueline
Photo by Neha Kirpal