Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 30 July-3 August 2022

We thud into KL International Airport at 6.34pm on Saturday 30 July. The sun is still shining.

It’s a good 10 minute walk to get the bags. On arrival there are people for Africa! Fingers crossed my bag doesn’t take forever to come out.

My grab driver and I finally meet up. I had arranged to meet up with the Pakistani / Syrian family I met at Perhentian Islands.  Driving to their house while the sun is setting Is beautiful.

 

It’s so great to see the family again! We drive into KL and have dinner at an Arabic restaurant. The food is amazing! Of course lots of chat.

 

 

 

Driving through KL it’s obvious Malaysian’s are late night people! There are SOOOO many people out and about.

Ooh my goodness me, it’s 11.30pm and there is a line to check in. Please go quickly!

I finally climb into bed just after midnight. I’m tired but wide awake.

Sunday 31 July I finally wake just after 8.15am. I’ve been hearing the MRT / LTR noise for a while. Thank goodness all I need to do is move hotels today. First coffee is needed.

When I arrive at breakfast I have a short wait before being taken to a table. I am informed I need to take gloves to use at the buffet. The table has been in use so is still covered in plates. Ummm ok.

Once seated it’s a slow lazy breakfast, perfect for a Sunday and after limited sleep.

I have a good hour at the pool before I need to check out.

In the end I decide to head straight to my next hotel, rather than stay at pool for longer.

I’m in no rush and given I know where I’m going (my hotel is behind the one that I stayed at when I first arrived in KL) I take the train. It’s a quick ride then walk.

On arrival I’m surprised they allow me to check-in. I had totally expected to be told I can’t. The front desk associate informs me that she’s upgraded me to a studio room as the room I booked isn’t available yet. Very nice!!

I have to call reception to ask where the safe and fridge are…..I thought I had looked everywhere.

Time for the pool and lunch.

Hmmm seems like there is no option for food up here. What a pain! I get chatting to a couple who have come up to take a look. They tell me about a place they went too across the road from the hotel. Perfect, will go there.

Outside the entrance there is a sign saying they are full house but to leave your name with a staff member. What a pain. Being one person I’m advised they have a spot on the high table top area if I’m ok with that. Perfect!

Apparently this cafe is in the Top 10 Instagramable places in KL.

Back at the hotel I ask what time the bar opens on the roof deck…..Friday. Well well well I’ll be back in New Zealand then. How annoying. They then inform me the only place for lunch and dinner while I’m here is room service or going out of the hotel. Not what I had wanted for my last few days.

I head back to the pool - thankfully the sun isn’t out as there are no umbrellas and no cushions for the sun loungers. Seems strange for a 5 star hotel.

Awhile later I decide to walk around the pool area and what do you know I find the cushions. ZERO idea why these aren’t out…..

I have a chilled evening in the room. After my late lunch I’m not hungry.

Monday 1 August I wake just before 8.30am, heavenly!

When I head to breakfast there are only a few tables, within minutes it fills up. Glad I’m not the only one on holiday time.

I head out for a walk, it’s so lovely and quiet plus not hot. Bliss.

 

 

As I walk into Lulu Hypermarket there is a security staff checking bags; he says something to me which I don’t understand and waves me through. Ok then.

Wow this place is huge!!!! I decide to wander down each lane. At the fruit and vege area I spy a couple of NZ products. And of course there is NZ butter, cream cheese and sour cream.

When I walk out the heat has definitely increased. I walk in the shade where possible.

I drop the couple of things I purchased in my room then head to coffee.

Mid-afternoon and I decide to head back to Lulu Hypermarket area. It has been good to have a couple of hours in the room and out of the heat / humidity.

On returning to the hotel a swim is needed. It’s got hotter as the day as gone on.

All the sun loungers are taken, must reminder to come earlier tomorrow. The pool is refreshing.

Someone leaves so I pounce on the sun lounger. Immediately I feel a few rain drops. Buggar! Thankfully it doesn’t equate to much.

Before I know it it’s 7.50pm. I’ve been hanging out in my room for a couple of hours. Time to head out for dinner.

I decide to head back to Mojo for dinner (where I ate during my first stay in KL). The lady out on the street recognizes me, I’m greeted like an old friend. So nice!

As a creature of habit I sit at the same table I’ve sat at before. Mosquito coil is requested (just in case).

 

I walk around the block before heading back to the hotel.

 

As I walk through reception I ask if the pool area is open. I’m informed the pool is closed and opens at 7am. Thanks. My question is whether or not the pool area is open so I can go up and take a photo. I’m assured it is.

I’m not the only one who has the same idea.

Tuesday 2 August I wake just after 7am. There is water falling from the sky. Noooooooooo.

My last full day in Malaysia. Hard to believe I’ve been here for over one month. Breakfast is nice and chilled, even though there are a lots of people around.

Given I’m not going to the pool I decide to head out for coffee. It’s a short walk from the hotel and one that I can do mainly undercover.

As soon as the rain stops I head up to the pool. At one stage I was the only person up here.

When the rain drops increase, I move to sit undercover. Such a shame there is no sun umbrellas here. The rain drops don’t last long thank goodness.

Just before 1pm the clouds around the sun clear and the heat increases. Time to escape for a while. Very frustrating there are no sun umbrellas.

I walk around the corner from the hotel for lunch. I had researched this place earlier for coffee but it doesn’t open to 12noon so had to go else where.

The falafel wrap is amazing!

Given it’s SO hot I have a good hour in the room before heading to the pool.

It is so peaceful up here! Thankfully the sun disappears behind the clouds a few times - otherwise it would be far too hot.

Nikki and I have arranged to meet for drinks and dinner. There is a pizza restaurant a stones throw from my hotel that was closed when I stayed at the Sheraton that we are going to try.

After showering I do some packing. I hadn’t really unpacked so it doesn’t take too long.

While waiting for Nikki to arrive I decide to go and make a reservation for dinner. Aaah it’s closed for the rest of the week for maintenance on the pizza oven. Ooh no!!

We head to the Italian restaurant instead. Vino and Aperol Spritz ordered. Followed by two small plates. One of the waiters remembers me from last time and brings us the arancini balls as well.

 

The mozzies are out in full swing. Thank goodness for mobidick but it’s time to leave.

I take Nikki to Moji (the restaurant I was at last night). The lady is soooo pleased to see me again, so sweet. Once drinks are ordered she sits and chats to us. Very sad family situation.

As we are waiting for Nikki’s Grab to arrive (9.30pm) there is a group that comes out of the hotel and goes across the road for dinner. We laugh, not for us!

Wednesday 3 August I wake just after 7am. I had heard the call to prayer earlier but managed to go back to sleep. I feel like I’m going to be sitting a lot today so decide after breakfast I’ll go for a quick walk.

Breakfast seems quite full this morning. Mind you I haven’t been down here this early before.

Aah it looks like it’s going to absolutely pour!! I’ll just need to walk quicker.

I get to Common Grind with no rain. Coffee is ordered. Hopefully I can get back to the hotel and to the train without getting wet.

It’s getting darker and darker. I quickly drink my coffee. As soon as I step outside I feel rain drops. Eeks alive. I pick up the pace. The rain then follows suit and is crazy heavy! I’ll be taking cover for a while.

 

In the end I decide to make a run for it. The hotel is less than 100 meters away.

I’m wet!! Thank goodness I have a hair dryer in my room. It will be used!!

Check-out is easy. Definitely not walking to the train as it’s still bucketing down. Grab ordered.

When my Grab arrives he immediately backs the car as far as he can. Means bag and me don’t get wet. Thank you!

Traffic isn’t anywhere as bad as I thought it would be with the heavy rain. We arrive at the KL Sentral just before 10.30am. There are no parks undercover so my driver goes around the block.

No line to buy tickets. I have 6 minutes to the next train departure. Perfect!

The line at check-in is long. For whatever reason only two counters are open. This is going to be fun!

There is a long line, that isn’t moving, to go through immigration. Who knows why! After a while someone comes over and starts pushing people through. Very strange.

KLIA 2 is huge! But there is next to nothing open. I end up buying two minute noodles for lunch…..it’s either that or a whole lot of chocolate.

Boarding begins 45 minutes before the flight. Surprisingly, or perhaps not as well, people jump up to board. I’m happy to wait!

Malaysia (Truly Asia) you have been amazing. Thank you!  I will return.

Langkawi, Malaysia – 28-30 July 2022

We pull back from the gate at Penang International Airport 6 minutes early at 11.59am on Thursday 28 July. Langkawi here we come!!

Not entirely sure why we left the gate early as we end up sitting in the runway way for a good 10 minutes. 

What feels like 5 minutes after taking off an announcement is made advising we are starting our descent into Langkawi.  

 

We land into Langkawi at 12.33pm, can’t believe how quick the flight was!  It’s a short wait for my bag to come out. 

We wander around the duty-free store. I only learnt this morning that Langkawi Island duty-free. 

We have a short wait for the Grab to arrive. Nice and friendly driver who stops at a 7 Eleven on the way to the hotel so we can buy some soft drink. No soda water though.

On arrival at the hotel we are given a welcome drink, a lovely touch. Thankfully no Issue checking in and the room is ready for us. 

Bags dropped off.  We head to the small village / shops for a bite to eat and to hunt for soda water.  Success!

As soon as we get back to our room we change into our togs and head straight to the pool. 

This is the life!! 

 

All of a sudden it’s after 6pm, time for happy hour on balcony. It’s so lovely not rushing! My mozzie coil is in full operation. 

 

We decide to have dinner at the lobby lounge bar / cafe. Chicken satay for me. The view (while it lasts) is amazing. 

Friday 29 July I wake just before 7am. It’s so lovely and quiet! 

As we walk to breakfast I notice patches of water on the ground. Let’s hope the rain only comes at night time. 

Breakfast is a chilled time. So lovely not having to rush off.

 

We spend the majority of the day at the pool. Amazing!! This really is the life. 

 

 

At 3.30pm we head to the lobby.  Moon had booked us into the spa for 4pm and we needed to go by buggy. Finally one arrives. 

I decide to have an hour massage instead of an hour and a half one. As soon as the masseuse starred on my first leg I realized I’ll need to go through this again as I have two legs. Ooh my! 

Thankfully I survived. 

 

 

Sitting here drinking my tea while watching the waves is heavenly! 

 

 

We wander back to the hotel along the beach - next to no one is around.

 

Happy hour is enjoyed on our patio.  We have a late-ish dinner in one of the hotel’s restaurants. 

Saturday 30 July I wake just before 7.30am, more sleep is needed!! The sun is shining and it’s blue sky.

We decide today is about maximizing the pool time so we pack up - easy given I didn’t unpack much at all. 

At breakfast the rain starts.  Ooh no, this is not what we wanted.

The rain just keeps on coming 😞  Finally the rain stops. We head to the pool. 

Moon's Grab arrives very quickly.  I get a ride to the jetty village / shops for a quick duty-free shop.

As soon as I get back to the hotel I jump in the pool. I don’t want to leave…..

 

 

The dark clouds are starting to appear again, time to head to the gym for a shower. It’s basically at the same time I was planning on going anyway. 

I hear the loudest thunder when I switch the hair dryer off. I’ll definitely be ordering a buggy back to the lobby. 

My Grab comes within 5 minutes of ordering. While waiting I quickly move things from my suitcase to my backpack. Saves me having to do it at the airport.

The half hour drive to the airport passes by quickly. Always something to look at. 

There is one person in front of me at Check-in. I think nice and easy….then when it’s her turn she calls her 8 (yes that’s right 8) family members / friends to come join her. Ooh my! 

One of the two times I was at reception this morning, calling Malaysia Airlines about moving my flight forward (due to the rain), the staff gave me a voucher for the Westin Lounge at the airport.  Once through security off I go. 

It’s bigger than I expected and has some food and soft drinks. Ooh and comfortable chairs. I have about an hour before boarding starts. 

Finally the boarding call happens at 5.17pm, let’s see if we manage to take off on time at 5.35pm. 

Wow! The doors are closed at 5.32pm. And two minutes later will push back from our gate. 

It’s been a wonderful 2 days in Langkawi, made even better by being with such a great friend. The last leg of my Malaysia trip is about to begin, KL here I come.