Kuala Lumpur

Interesting city, KL. Quite a mixture of gross western multi-national companies, tall buildings and knock-off brand name clothes with a third world country characterized by old cars, scruffy people, dirty alleys and poverty. Interesting culture diversity. Initially I was afraid to go because it has a very high muslim population. However, it was very intriguing to notice that Muslims (native Malaysian's are all Muslim), Chinese Buddhists and Indian Hindus live together in harmony. As a westerner, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Actually at dinner the one night, I couldn't get rid of this Chinese Malay telling me how great the western world is.

My stay was fun though. From the moment I arrived, I met traveller's. The first was at the bus terminal of the airport, an English couple at the beginning of a year long trip. Also at the bus terminal, a cute French guy travelling Australia and Asia for a couple of months. He was going to the same hostel as me. At the hostel, I met another English pair, also at the beginning of a year long trip. Had dinner with them and went sightseeing (Twin Towers and Hindus Caves) with them the next day. The PETRONAS Twin Towers are supposedly the tallest buildings in the world and are really quite stunning.

Went to dinner with a friend of my parent's son, Justin and his Malaysian wife. Also managed to go on a joll (slang for 'night out') with a bunch of hostellers. Went to a nice dance club with the French guy, a Brazilian, a Lebanese and a guy from Malta. We sure were the international crowd and I loved the fact that I was surrounded by hot men the entire evening!

So what did I think of Kuala Lumpur? It was OK. I was REALLY disappointed to see a Starbucks and fairly impressed to see a Nandos (South African fast food chain). The major attraction is shopping. Lots of malls and markets with Nike rip-offs. I must admit that the rest of the country is probably stunning. I guess the only way to do central asia is to get a backpack and a bus pass and just go. Rough it up in some of the world's most beautiful places. It seems that a ton of people are doing it!