Firefly Airlines got us into the Malaysian beach resort island of Langkawi early and safely! We trekked through rainforests and past monkeys, into the winding driveway of The Datai Hotel where we would be relaxing for the next five days. Set within the depths of ancient rainforests and macaque monkeys, the Datai provided stunning beaches and pools to lounge and lose myself in several books. With productive morning school sessions, the afternoons were left to play Monopoly, take a nap and frequent the water. As if the scenery were not enough, we ate like kings and queens at both their Thai and Malaysian restaurants. Although legends tell of Langkawi's pirate haven days, the island has truly turned into a beach paradise.
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| Independence Square |
Despite several days in paradise, our taxi driver had to literally drag us away from the idyllic setting and into the cab to make our flight to Kuala Lumpur, the capitol and largest city of Malaysia. My city girl heart started beating as we entered the city limits of this shoppers haven and symbol of Malaysia's growing economic power. Thankfully we stayed at a generous hotel, for there was not time to drop the bags in the room, with only a day and a half in KL, there was shopping to be done. We didn't have to venture far, as we reached the Pavilion, one of KL's six shopping malls connected with one another. I mixed amongst the locals at the Time Square Mall, with local markets on each of the twelve levels. My night's entertainment could be found within a 3 block radius--TV commercials with cars on the side of buildings were being filmed, festivals with people break dancing to Glee and more Chinese New Years parties! The Petronas Tower's lights guided me back to the hotel in the wee hours, exhausted and already loving KL.
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| Chinatown Market |
No doubt our full day in Kuala Lumpur would have to be jam packed to fit all of the beauty of the city. After a first stop at the Malaysian's King Palace and National War Memorial, we visited the National Mosque of Malaysia. With our styling purple robes, we toured the stunning complex and met many volunteers anxious to teach us more about their religion. We finished our morning in the footsteps of the Malaysians that announced independence from Britain in 1957. Now appropriately named Independence Square, this open park area surrounds itself with stunning buildings and crowds of people. We spent our afternoon at the famous Petronas Towers, the tallest buildings in the world until the last two years. The Sky Bridge on the 41st floor and the observation deck on the 86th provided never ending views of the growing metropolis. Amongst every Asian cuisine option available for lunch, we devoured a Japanese meal incredibly happy to be back with tuna sashimi and shabu shabu. I spent the rest of my Sunday afternoon walking through the local markets of Kuala Lumpur where handbags, sunglasses, watches, Batik dresses and more crowded the streets. Being the only European in the thousands of locals I got everything from Britney Spears to Kim Kardashian to a headband fashion choice like Gaga. Although no purchases, the entertainment was enough to last me hours. Tomorrow I head to Vietnam, a country I have been looking forward to this entire trip!
No doubt our full day in Kuala Lumpur would have to be jam packed to fit all of the beauty of the city. After a first stop at the Malaysian's King Palace and National War Memorial, we visited the National Mosque of Malaysia. With our styling purple robes, we toured the stunning complex and met many volunteers anxious to teach us more about their religion. We finished our morning in the footsteps of the Malaysians that announced independence from Britain in 1957. Now appropriately named Independence Square, this open park area surrounds itself with stunning buildings and crowds of people. We spent our afternoon at the famous Petronas Towers, the tallest buildings in the world until the last two years. The Sky Bridge on the 41st floor and the observation deck on the 86th provided never ending views of the growing metropolis. Amongst every Asian cuisine option available for lunch, we devoured a Japanese meal incredibly happy to be back with tuna sashimi and shabu shabu. I spent the rest of my Sunday afternoon walking through the local markets of Kuala Lumpur where handbags, sunglasses, watches, Batik dresses and more crowded the streets. Being the only European in the thousands of locals I got everything from Britney Spears to Kim Kardashian to a headband fashion choice like Gaga. Although no purchases, the entertainment was enough to last me hours. Tomorrow I head to Vietnam, a country I have been looking forward to this entire trip!
I can taste the street food and hear the noise. I can smell the forest and feel the humidity. Thank you for bringing me to Malaysia!
ReplyDeleteSuper neat! I'm reading on. (Lafever)
ReplyDelete