Kuala Lumpur

19th March 2014. After our newly arrived, jet lagged Captain boarded at Singapore, we departed late and negotiated through the forty or so ships in the bay in the dark. I have never seen so many ships in one place.Then it was hard right and a quick overnight passage up the coast so as to arrive in the early morning at Port Kelang and Kuala Lumpur. By this time our captain must have been dead on his feet, so we left him asleep on the boat as we explored the city.

Not knowing what to expect, the road out from the port was as usual not very good, but then on leaving the area we turned onto an excellent motorway for the journey to the city and stopped only for tolls and accidents.

Malaysia is a Muslim country and we had been all warned to cover up, so everyone on the bus was dressed in a burka. However, although some of the locals were very modestly dressed, most were in western clothes and I even saw some short dresses through the day.

Kuala Lumpur is called Malaysia’s “Garden City” and it lives up to its billing with much greenery throughout and we were pleasantly surprised with the whole place. We were also not accosted at any shop and it was for us, the best place to buy presents yet.

The Central Market was the best market on the tour so far with goods from, India, China, Malaysia and Thailand all in roomy air-conditioned surroundings. I think we could have spent all day there and in the excellent China town next door.

I didn’t get to go up the Petronas Towers (you have to queue a long time as they shot a Bollywood picture from the bridge and now every Indian who comes has to go onto the bridge to have their picture taken) but did the next best thing and went up the Space Needle beside it.

For a great view of the city and the jungle behind.  In fact 80% of Malaysia is still covered by virgin rainforest. Kuala Lumpur itself was only settled in 1857 when a group of tin miners landed at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak. Then the British arrived and made it the capital in 1896.

This is supposed to be where it all started….now surrounded by buildings with the banks built up.  The buildings on the right are two of the oldest in the city and now protected.

Nowadays, Malaysia is a “constitutional monarchy” where one of nine sultans is elected for five years by his fellow rulers…now what would that be like at home!!!

Kuala Lumpur was an unexpected pleasure…