(no subject)

[i_kender]

I'm going on holiday to Singapore and Malaysia very soon. Very exciting, as it's been a long time since my last holiday, and I've never been anywhere in Southeast Asia before. I almost don't care that I'll be going with my parents and crazy neurotic sister. Best of all? Free flights and accommodation.

So, I wondered if any of you exciting people have been to these places before and have any suggestions for things to see and do? (I believe we're only going to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, doubtful my parents will want to leave the city- on the plus side, we're getting the train from Singapore to KL so that'll be cool)

I want to eat weird critters and come back with lots of pirate material. Err... I mean DVDs and computer games, not eye patches and velcro parrots.

Comments

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

If you do not come back with a pirate ship for us to have glorious adventures on, I will be bitterly disappointed.

[mingmerciless.livejournal.com]

I'm Malaysian so, yeah, I've been to KL and S'pore a few times ;-) Will gather thoughts on suggestions. Any steer on the sort of stuff you want to see i.e. museums, natural beauty spots, shopping etc?

[zazuomgwtf.livejournal.com]

ooooooooh pirate material!
I think while you are at it you should get the other pirate stuff too.
Have fun!

[zazuomgwtf.livejournal.com]

here here!

[warlordkittens.livejournal.com]

eeeeeee how exciting! do come back with velcro parrots, though..

[i_kender]

Ha, I wondered if you'd see this! Any comments appreciated. My mother and sister are going to be shopping the entire time, whereas I actually want to see some of the sights. Caves, temples, the world's largest ball of string... that kind of thing.

[mingmerciless.livejournal.com]

OK, as I said, will go off and reflect but first things that spring to mind:

First of all, to get into KL proper, the KLIA Express is highly recommended. Much faster than a taxi.

Shopping
For actual buying of stuff, the Mid-Valley Mega-Mall is highly recommended. Absolutely massive. As well as department stores and usual mall fodder, it has an IT section where software and DVDs can be obtained at er... highly attractive prices. The software will be openly displayed, the DVDs you might need to ask for specifically at which point catalogues will be produced. An odd anomaly, which I assume is down to the MPAA stumping up more money for anti-piracy enforcement efforts than the likes of Microsoft.

For spectacle, try the KLCC Suria, at the foot of the twin towers. Mainly high-end prestige shops but this can be combined with a trip up to the connecting bridge of the twin towers (wonderful comment I heard about the Petronas Towers when first built: only the Malaysians would build the world's tallest towers and make no provision for visitors!) but tickets are limited each day so get there early.

For crafts etc, try the Central Market. Former wet market turned into arts and crafts market, conveniently located near a MRT station and good for wandering round some of the older areas too.

General sights. First that spring to mind are:
Muzium Negara. The museum itself is a fascinating exhibit in its own right. It was built in the 60s and I have not noted any significant update to its contents my entire life. Even smells like something left over from the 60s!

Police Museum. Fascinating if you're at all interested in the Emergency. Worth it just because, last time I was there, there was an airsoft CAR-15, complete with bag of pellets, in the section of weapons supposedly captured from Communist insurgents.

For an exceptionally badly thought out museum, try the Army one. It's in the middle of a still-active Army camp. You have to surrender your Identity Card or passport if your a foreigner at the guardhouse, follow poor directions to the museum and will probably find yourselves outnumbered by squaddies on curator duty. Still, just about worth it if you're a military history geek, as I am...

The National Monument. Built to commemerate the Emergency. Designed by same guy who did the Iwo Jima memorial and it shows. Good views of the Parliament buildings too.

Selangor Club Padang (field). Not much to actually walk into (there is one historical museum with superbly bad English labels) but more to see all the old-style colonial buildings.

Batu Caves. Just outside KL but I imagine finding operators running excursions there will be no problem. Limestone caves also in use as Hindu temples. Beware of thieving monkeys though.

Putrajaya. The future capital. Last I checked, the government was offering all sorts of free or very cheap trips round to show it off (vaguely recall a free excursion might be on offer to arrivals at KLIA). Big on spectacular government buildings, massive Mosque and artificial lake.

Bloody hard work but FRIM (Forestry Resarch Institute of Malaysia) is wonderful. Long walk up steep paths but it has walkways through the tree canopies. Not recommended for people with vertigo though. Paths are based on step ladders lashed together and wobble lots.

If you don't mind (air-conditioned) coach journeys or hiring a car (Malaysian drivers are a deadly menace though and the traffic sucks), trips to Genting Highlands (casino and theme park, Malaysian spin on Vegas) or Cameron Highlands (old colonial hill resort) might be worth a look too.

A trip to Malacca is highly recommended if you're into history. Old town, heart of the most powerful Sultanate on the Peninsular (till the Portugese can and knocked it over).

[mingmerciless.livejournal.com]

Part 2, 'cos I exceed max reply length!

Big attraction for me whenever I go back though is the food. However, I have no idea how to begin to describe where my faves are or even necessarily what their names are (we just refer to them by the likes of "the Ipoh chicken place", "the beef ball noodle place" etc!).

One I can describe is the Colliseum. It used to be a colonial period planters' hang out, noted for still largely colonial feel, its speciality, sizzling steaks and ancient waiters. The haze in the restaurant area from all the sizzling steaks is incredible!

[i_kender]

Hey, thanks a lot for taking the time to comment. It's very much appreciated. I feel well-armed now. I've always thought that's the best way to find out about a new country, ie. asking someone who lives/lived there! And another friend has given me exhaustive details of Singapore, so I'm all set. Leaving on Wednesday, will write up a full report.