💎 Hidden gems remaining: 11
Due to its size, the capital city can be both scarry and majestic. But usually not at the same time. Sky-high skyscrapers are probably the distinct feature of Kuala Lumpur. However, you can also find pretty nature in the outskirts. You will find a huge diversity of cultural backgrounds and thus cuisine.
The simplicity of public transport here is just the opposite of Singapore – you need to buy (cute) tokens for each ride, either with cash or by talking to the information desk person. Google Maps has poor knowledge about transfer stations and station names are inconsistent. However, once you master the lines, you can navigate easily on your own! Throw away your phone :)
On the contrary, it is extermely simple to use Grab (like asian Uber) with affordable prices. So most of the time, this was my means of transport (especially during the weekend when the streets were jammed).
To reach the destination country of my travel, I took a night bus connecting the two capitals. Everything was silky smooth – so smooth we reached Kuala Lumpur almost one full hour earlier than scheduled! While this is generally desired, it is not if the time is 4.00 in the morning. My check-in was only in early afternoon, everything was still closed, public transport was not running, there were rats, and I was left wandering the dark streets with my luggage.
To my luck, I found a 24/7 grocery store to buy some salty food (I had only had sweet snacks left), then headed towards the hostel. I was allowed to wait at the reception until the city wakes up. Then, the previously unsettling city suddenly became warm and friendly.
But wait, where's Marko? Marko is currently in Turkey, and although an engineer, he still hasn't discovered bilocation.
This reminds me of last year's in India. Too bad. But if you come later, it will work!
With an opening time of 9.00, this is the earliest-opening attraction. Have a relaxed walk and pass the parks along the way. Enhoy the many orchids in the garden and the coolness of the shade.
One waterfall. Can you spot an animal?
The flower in the garden!
Another waterfall. They have many in Malaysia!
As Malaysia is a big cultural cooking pot, temples of different religions stand next to each other. Keep in mind, though, that they do not offer you a long piece of clothing to borrow, so have your knees covered!
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
The Petaling street is one of the famous shopping streets. It is like a flea market surrounded by shops and stores. To me, the most interesting was the one where I found various characters from cartoons and stories, such as Masha and the Bear and Žogica Nogica.
The corporate needs you to find a difference between this picture and this picture.
Beautiful architecture of the closed tower.
Merdeka 118 is still being built, but in two years, it should be completed and freely accessible to public. You can already enter the main lobby, the architecture is geometrically pleasing.
Every evening, the fountains in the KLCC park change colours while music is being played. The imposing Petronas Twin Towers are imposingly standing in the background. It's a beautiful sight not to be missed!
People of all cultures gather here to brush problems of the past today aside.
Colourful fountain beneath the Petronas Twin Towers
Batu caves represent one of the must-see destinations around Kuala Lumpur. A mighty golden statue is standing below the colourful stairs leading to the cave. Others had to stop to catch a breath, I had to stop to take a photo.
Please make sure you hide all your food and drinks into a well-closed backpack. Otherwise, the intelligent monkeys will seize the chance.
Check the weather forecast. I was lucky the thunderstorm started once I was inside the cave. Do not ascend while the bolts are striking, or else you'll become split in half like this man.
Monkeys, please don't steal my self-standing camera!
I'm missing a train like in the Postojna cave.
On the way up.
This was an unexpected thing to do. How can you hike in a metropolis? Maybe upstairs 51 floors? Or a modern version of hiking: enter an elevator and wait?
No, grab a Grab to take you a bit further away from the Batu Caves, and follow the trail. However, you might encounter a problem: although Google Maps knows where the misty forest is located, it does not show you the way. "Take your car to this destination (in the middle of a highway), then teleport to the forest." Thanks, Google, very useful.
So what I did? I teleported the teleport out of this, by the handy name of Mapy.cz. This wonderful Czech app displayed all the hiking trails in the area around the forest! This way, I was able to simply choose a drop-off location close to the trail start, and follow the precise paths drawn on the map 🙌🏻
Shout-out to Tomáš for showing me the usefulness of this app! It turned out there was one of the Seven Waterfalls nearby, so I hiked there as well. Then, I just missed the reddish red sunset.
Misty clouds
The sun was completely red, but I missed it
Waterfall 2
Although some recommend Mallaca a lot, I found it undersatisfying. There was not that much to see, it was raining and we got stuck in traffic on the way back. Oh, and it is the most pedestrian-unfriendly city in the world! There is not a single zebra crossing. The only sidewalk disappears midway. Yet, there is some satisfactory street art, a beautiful mosque by the sea and an all-red Dutch district.
The only good picture.
Contemporary art piece
Located in the beautiful area around the Kuala Lumpur hospital. Seriously, much more eye-catching and fresh, uncrowded. This gallery is free of charge and contains artworks by local artists – from paintings to sculptures and mobiles. After that, you can eat well at the nearby institute.
All food places close around noon here already, as locals have lunch just before that. What now? Fear no more, for there is a mouth-watering canteen close-by! The IJN Food Court is a part of the National Heart Institute and touches your heart with the food. I hadn't eaten such a tasty fried rice before. Price is extremely affordable. According to my experience, the cheaper the food, the tastier the good!
If I hadn't been verabredet with a German for dinner in just 3 hours, I would have stayed there eating to this day.
Nasi Goreng Daging 😋.
Remember when I was hiking to the cloud nine? I ate at Sup Rempah Giling. But it was not just food (their fried rice was savoury!), something more was to this story. The friendly owner Isaac. No, not the Newton, but he gave me the same Heureca! moment. What happened?
My next destination was the Kenyir Lake. For now, just know that it's beautiful and really worth visiting. But there was no up-to-date information on how to get there. So I was stuck. Yet, Isaac, being a local, quickly reassured me and used his local knowledge to find me an alternative option to get there. I am very thankful!
Durian (musang king)
This is my second time in SE-Asia, and I stil haven't tried the king of fruits! Meet durian, the king of fruits. I finally did. I think this was my most expensive meal so far 😂
Just like the red colour of the dragonfruit gets stuck to your skin, so does the smell of the durian. Therefore, locals eat it with plastic gloves. This here is the sort musang king, "international number 1". The taste reminded me of almonds + kiwifruit + texture of chocolate mousse. Good to try, but I prefer dragonfruit.