Malaysia, Truly Asia !?

Oct 12 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We decided to flee the high prices in Singapore and make our way to Malaysia. There are comfortable buses leaving all the time. Since we cannot find out whether any buses are leaving somewhere near us we take the easiest option and take a cab to the Golden Mile Komplex. From there numerous buses leave every hour for Singapore. We missed the big swarm of buses leaving at 9am but are lucky to find one leaving at 10am. The advantage of not going with all other buses at the same time is clear when we reach the border. First drop off to leave Singapore. No lines. I even get picked to tell people about my stay there and receive a little Merlion as gift for answering their question.

Second stop: Malaysian border. Take all your luggage bring it to security screening. Enter Malaysia. No Visa. No fees, just a stamp and you're allowed to stay for 90 days. Luggage back on the bus and off we are to Kuala Lumpur. The ride is nice enough in the spacious Massage chair.

Drop off is at the Times Square Mall and we first stop for some food and to get some Malaysian Ringgit. Although a nice Taxi driver would have even taken our Singapore Dollars to bring us to the Hotel. Needless to say he would have massively overcharged but if there were no other option for money changing it's good to know that they are flexible.

Our Hotel is nice enough but the big blow is... no free Internet. And the charges are simply outrageous. We are going to be out of touch with the world for two days. Settling in and on to explore the surroundings. Little India, Chinatown and the Main Square of Kuala Lumpur with many old colonial buildings. Whether Malaysia is Truly Asia is hard to say but I feel instantly more comfortable here than in Singapore. It's got a certain charme to it. While it's much cleaner and more organized than Bangkok it is not as clean and organized as Singapore. A nice city in the middle. Geographically and everything else it seems.

Merdeka Square is surrounded by stylish old buildings, museums and the likes. It's evening already and barely another soul to be seen. Same in the Central Market where we go for some shopping and Malaysian food. Not too many people here either. Very quiet day. My bounty for the day are a few postcards and the lovely Chinese saleswoman gives all of us a little bracelet to protect us and for good luck. Such a nice welcome to KL.

Wondering through the Central Market we notice an Information Booth selling tickets for the Hop On / Hop Off KL bus. Since we don't have any plans for tomorrow and get 50% student discounts we go for the tickets. Hop on / Hop offs are usually really informative so it's gonna be nice.

I am planning to buy some gifts and souvenirs and where better to do it than in Chinatown. Pedaling Street is where all the tiny shops are and so many of them too. Most of them sell the same things than in Thailand at similar prices. So like so many times... 'Same, Same... But Different'

Pictures to follow.....