Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Before we make it to Kuala Lumpur, I must admit the city is still a relative unknown to me, an also-ran in a lineup of Asian power hubs such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, or name any Japanese city. I might have known at times that it was the capital of Malaysia; I later realize this is where the Petronas twin towers are at home, once the world’s highest building. Other than that, there is nothing about Kuala Lumpur that I thought merited any serious recognition. After our visit there, it is quite possibly my favorite Asian city I have visited so far.
We have already become familiar with the airport on our way in, an afterthought compared to our beach vacation in Langkawi, or so it seems. This time, we will get to know the real KL.
For beginners, the cleanest, most modern, and relatively empty roads lead us into town, the landscape as of yet consisting of orchards and wide palm forests. This gives way to highrises that remind me of Cairo on my way to Giza and the Pyramids. It doesn’t seem they have a code in Malaysia for skyscrapers. Most of these highrises will remain nameless to us, although they would very well dwarf any building of an American city. We recognize the Petronas Towers and realize we are almost there, in downtown KL.
A view from the Traders Hotel reveals the incredible Petronas Towers right in front of us, in front of the twin towers a park decked out that I have yet to see in an inner city. The size of the park itself is modest and wouldn’t hold a candle to, say Balboa Park of San Diego or New York’s Central. Yet inch by inch, Malaysians have exploited this small area of land to the max, in ways we could only imagine in the west. There is an elegant series of water fountains rigged into a water park for the children to play in. The water is no more than knee deep, but this will suffice to cool off the city dwellers here from the incredible heat. From my window, I see parents chasing their kids in the water and splashing water on to them. I turn to see a makeshift running route, a knee friendly red rubber track that conceivably surrounds the perimeter, no more than a mile. I would later make good use of this. There are what seems to be a dozen playgrounds, each one feeding into the next. This place is simply amazing.
We break out the double stroller and go to work. We cut through the park to check out the playgrounds, and Axl immediately approves. Here he can jump and climb as he wishes, even though I still have to monitor him closely. When we eventually leave the playgrounds -it is too hot to do otherwise - Axl leaves kicking and screaming. He’ll cool down…literally. There’s AC within the Petronas Plaza, which feels especially good after hauling the boys up a few steps. The Towers up close are impressive. I always remember how boring I thought the WTC in New York looked, from the first moment I ever saw them. These big boys here have form and shape, although something about them still looks too technical, much like the pistons of an engine. Inside is a huge shopping mall, and it is filled to the brim. Of course there is no such place without AC. In the lobby of the towers the firm proudly displays their Formula One car.
The next day we head to the television tower. The Petronas are nice, but you can only go as far as the bridge connecting the twins, 44 floors. Pathetic. At least the WTC allowed you to go up all the way. I guess that’s only reserved for the penthouse owners here. The TV tower is nothing special in itself, but there are some nifty little sideshows here that make it worth it. There is a children’s zoo, although the term is debatable. Here are some of the most dangerous creatures on earth, primarily snakes and spiders, of which there is no dearth here in Asia. The kids of course can’t pat any of the critters. Later, Axl takes a ride on a pony.
We board the monorail to get to where we want to go. Efficient, clean, on time. That’s how we like it. Did I mention air-conditioned? The passengers politely make room for our huge double stroller and do their obligatory drooling over the boys. More is to follow.
We have already become familiar with the airport on our way in, an afterthought compared to our beach vacation in Langkawi, or so it seems. This time, we will get to know the real KL.
For beginners, the cleanest, most modern, and relatively empty roads lead us into town, the landscape as of yet consisting of orchards and wide palm forests. This gives way to highrises that remind me of Cairo on my way to Giza and the Pyramids. It doesn’t seem they have a code in Malaysia for skyscrapers. Most of these highrises will remain nameless to us, although they would very well dwarf any building of an American city. We recognize the Petronas Towers and realize we are almost there, in downtown KL.
A view from the Traders Hotel reveals the incredible Petronas Towers right in front of us, in front of the twin towers a park decked out that I have yet to see in an inner city. The size of the park itself is modest and wouldn’t hold a candle to, say Balboa Park of San Diego or New York’s Central. Yet inch by inch, Malaysians have exploited this small area of land to the max, in ways we could only imagine in the west. There is an elegant series of water fountains rigged into a water park for the children to play in. The water is no more than knee deep, but this will suffice to cool off the city dwellers here from the incredible heat. From my window, I see parents chasing their kids in the water and splashing water on to them. I turn to see a makeshift running route, a knee friendly red rubber track that conceivably surrounds the perimeter, no more than a mile. I would later make good use of this. There are what seems to be a dozen playgrounds, each one feeding into the next. This place is simply amazing.
We break out the double stroller and go to work. We cut through the park to check out the playgrounds, and Axl immediately approves. Here he can jump and climb as he wishes, even though I still have to monitor him closely. When we eventually leave the playgrounds -it is too hot to do otherwise - Axl leaves kicking and screaming. He’ll cool down…literally. There’s AC within the Petronas Plaza, which feels especially good after hauling the boys up a few steps. The Towers up close are impressive. I always remember how boring I thought the WTC in New York looked, from the first moment I ever saw them. These big boys here have form and shape, although something about them still looks too technical, much like the pistons of an engine. Inside is a huge shopping mall, and it is filled to the brim. Of course there is no such place without AC. In the lobby of the towers the firm proudly displays their Formula One car.
The next day we head to the television tower. The Petronas are nice, but you can only go as far as the bridge connecting the twins, 44 floors. Pathetic. At least the WTC allowed you to go up all the way. I guess that’s only reserved for the penthouse owners here. The TV tower is nothing special in itself, but there are some nifty little sideshows here that make it worth it. There is a children’s zoo, although the term is debatable. Here are some of the most dangerous creatures on earth, primarily snakes and spiders, of which there is no dearth here in Asia. The kids of course can’t pat any of the critters. Later, Axl takes a ride on a pony.
We board the monorail to get to where we want to go. Efficient, clean, on time. That’s how we like it. Did I mention air-conditioned? The passengers politely make room for our huge double stroller and do their obligatory drooling over the boys. More is to follow.
0 comments