Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 4-7 July 2022

Getting to Singapore airport on Monday 4 July was nice and quick! My first holiday in over 2.5 years begins. I’m off to Malaysia for 4 weeks before starting a new job in September. First stop Kuala Lumpur (KL).

At the Jetstar check-in gates I need to show my passport, vacation proof and proof of the Malaysian Covid app. For whatever reason all the information I’ve completed at least twice before has disappeared….time to populate again!! I’m informed this is required on entering Malaysia and that others have had the same situation of disappearing information. Check-in is very smooth. There are lots of staff around to assist if need be. Passport is required again when I drop my bag. On exiting the Jetstar area I’m required to show my passport and boarding pass. Why is anyone’s guess.

On entering the passenger only area I hand my passport and boarding pass over.

As soon as I walk through passport control, I join a line to have my documents checked again! 7th time I’ve had to use my passport in the space of 15 minutes…….

The airport is just like I remember it. Unfortunately the Qantas lounge doesn’t open to 2.30pm. I waste time walking around the terminal before buying what I think is the world’s most expensive coffee!!! Hey ho.

I see zero point joining the ever-increasing line at the gate! I’m assuming Covid is the reason why only a handful of people are allowed through the security check at a time. This could take a while…….

Surprisingly we push back from the gate basically on time. KL here I come.

We thud into KL 10 minutes early and are advised it’s 29 degrees. A nice change from Singapore.

Walking to immigration I honestly think we landed back in Singapore! I’m certainly getting my steps up. Immigration is packed! Please please please let there be an APEC line.

Phew!!! The customs officer checks my APEC card to ensure I have approval from Malaysia. I’m straight through and have a few minutes wait for my bag.

Within minutes I’m sitting on the 2pm train to KL Sentral. The train leaves every 30 minutes so I’m very pleased I made this one.

The 35 minute journey to KL Sentral passes quickly. I had already researched how to get to the hotel by public transport - didn’t fancy sitting in traffic. I discover that the trains / buses / Monorails are all free at the moment….small bonus.

I arrive at the hotel two hours after landing in KL, impressive given the amount of walking from the plane to the terminal and how far out the airport is.

Check-in is painless. On entering the room I’m thinking I’ve been upgraded…..gee thanks.

I have a quiet rest of the afternoon. Wandering across the road to the mall for a bit. Nothing to write home about.

Deciding where to go for dinner is hard when you are hungry and tired. I was going to eat in the hotel but all the restaurants bar one are closed. The friendly doorman recommends one around the corner of the hotel so off I head in search of that. No luck, it’s either closed (tonight) or no longer opened. There are a number of options but the majority are closed (to be expected on a Monday night).

I wander around the block - a mix of local places and high end restaurants.

I decide on a place that has tables outside in a courtyard. Within milliseconds of getting my mask out I’m “attacked” by a bloody mozzie. I had searched for mozzie spray in the mall earlier but had no luck. Thankfully the man that takes me to my table brings out a mozzie coil so here’s hoping I don’t get any more bites!!!

With the light breeze and fans going it’s lovely to be outside without sweating. Beer is ordered. Far too hot to drink wine.

Tuesday 5 July I wake just after 7am. I had been woken earlier by the call to prayer but thankfully went back to sleep.

Breakfast is a relaxed slow affair. My only two things to do today is go swimming and go to a shopping mall. Yes yes we all know I hate shopping but I NEED to buy mozzie spray!

I take the LRT (tube / subway) to KLCC (KL City Center) shopping mall. Thankfully it’s not too hot yet so the 6 minute walk to the station is easy peasy.

According to google KLCC is a premier shopping mall which spans 6 floors. Far from my idea of fun!!! But needs must.

My trip is successful - money exchanged, mozzie spray and sea slickness pills purchased. I even pick up lunch, an added bonus.

I spend a couple of hours in the afternoon by the pool. Heavenly.

Feeling clean and cool I decide to venture out. As soon as I walk out of the hotel the heat hits me. It feels warmer than what it was in the middle of the day!

I try a couple of places for drinks before deciding to return to where I was last night. I return to the same table and order a beer. The friendly lady recognizes me after a few seconds (hair down today). Mozzie coil in place. I’m set!

This whole no working thing is really growing on me. A shame my bank balance isn’t growing at the same time!

The call to prayer begins at 7.29pm. I recall the first time I ever heard it was in Luxor (in Egypt). I had absolutely no idea what it was and was thankful my guide was around to inform me.

For dinner I decide to try to “fancy pants” Italian restaurant around the corner. They informed me last night I needed to make a reservation for dinner…..alas not tonight. I walk straight in. Eeks alive, my aqua con gas is more expensive than my beer. BUT I’m thinking it’s probably double the size.

I send back my arancini balls as they are made with potato not risotto rice. I know we aren’t in Kanas City anymore but! Thankfully the pizza is aok.

When the bill arrives I notice I’m not charged for the arancini balls, I had expected that but you never know. The waiter then explains he’s given me 50% off the whole food bill and prepared a desert for me (as an offer or goodwill). He apologized and said I had received the fish balls instead. There had been a mix up in the fridge. Hey ho these things happen.

Wednesday 6 July I wake just after 7am. The sun seems to be behind lots of clouds this morning. My weather app informs me we are due for thunderstorms this afternoon. It’s still hot though!

My friendly juice lady whips me up a celery, cucumber, green apple and ginger juice. Delicious!! I may need to think about purchasing a juicer.

The table next to me make a comment about pine nuts being on the buffet given the cost. I thought exactly the same yesterday!!! One of the guys definitely takes his and many others share.

I spend the morning doing some research for my trip in the room before going down to the pool. I’m the only one here, bliss! The heat has dropped a bit and after a while the rain drops begin. Nothing big so I remain in place.

In the afternoon I head back to KLCC because gee I love shopping so much, NOT! I’m in search of a sudoku book for my travels.

Coming to a shopping mall around lunchtime (1.45pm) is always going to be busy! This doesn’t disappoint. I head straight to the 4th floor where my bookstore is along with numerous restaurants. I decide on a Thai restaurant and am seated near the window.

Sudoku book purchased. Time to get out of here!

On the way to the train I notice an Isetan supermarket and am immediately walking towards it! I always love visiting supermarkets in places I visit.

 

 

Thankfully when I exit the train station the rain has stopped. I have a couple of hours in the room relaxing / arranging part of my trip / packing / researching where to go tonight. It all takes time.

I have a quick wait at the monorail station before the monorail arrives. Three stops later I get off and use google maps to take me to the bar / restaurant (Mexican). This is a new part of KL for me. SOOOO many food / drink options.

Beer ordered. People watching begins. This is the life!!

I start to get attacked my bloody mozzie’s. Honestly they are the worse. In the end I decide to leave after my beer, I’m not really hungry given I had a late lunch so decide to head home and pick up something light closer to the hotel.

The lobby cafe at the hotel has chicken satay’s, perfect!

Thursday 7 July I’m woken by the call to prayer at 5.17am (thank you google!!) and hear the whole call. Far too early for me to get out of bed! When I do wake again I’m in a complete daze. I had packed up most of my things last night so don’t have a huge amount to do this morning.

The coffee at breakfast just isn’t cutting it this morning (to be honest it hasn’t cut it the last two mornings either….) so I decide to go outside to get one. I’d wandered by a coffee shop on my first day which has good reviews. Time will tell.

Walking outside the heat hits me! It’s not even 10am and it’s H O T already. I’ll 100% be taking a taxi (Grab) instead of public transport to the bus terminal.

As soon as I walk into the coffee shop I see a sign that says no cards. Buggar. I didn’t bring any cash. The two guys working there were super friendly and helpful and let me get a coffee without paying right now. I’m super grateful!!!

Within 5 minutes of leaving the coffee shop I’m back there paying. So kind of them!

Check out is very straight forward. The friendly concierge provides me with a couple of names of bus companies to take. The reviews on the buses aren’t the best…..someone said yesterday just to close my eyes and have a sleep!

I depart the hotel at 10.43am, all going well I’ll be at the bus station in 25 minutes and can get on the 11.30am bus. For now it’s time to sit back and admire the views of KL.

On arrival at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) I immediately notice it’s like an airport. There are people everywhere! I join a long line and within a minute realize that none of the lines are moving. This will be interesting given I had hoped to be on a bus in 25 minutes. Looking around I notice a self-service counter - perfect! Within minutes I have a ticket and am all set. Malacca here I come!

KL you have been a perfect start to my Malaysian trip, I will return!