MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia with a population of one and a half million people. The Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of 1500 foot tall glass and steel clad skyscrapers dominate its modern landscape. The Islamic Art Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Islamic art in all of Southeast Asia. Given my interest in the arts, I will definitely be paying them a visit.
Kuala Lumpur is also home to the world’s largest walk-in aviary with more than 3,000 birds. Another one that is definitely high on my list. Kuala Lumpur also has numerous top-flight jazz clubs so that’s pretty much going to cover it for me during my three days here.
There is an extensive shopping street as well, but God knows I have done enough damage for this quarter. The good news is that all birthday and Christmas shopping for the year is taken care of. It is also hot as hell outside, and I would just a soon chill out in my air-conditioned room and catch up on the blog after four days of extensive diving in Mabul and Sipadan.
Thank goodness, I had an easy day of travel without cancellations or other such mishaps. Arriving at the BackHome Hostel started my time in Kuala Lumpur on the right foot. Staying in a comfortable, well located, modern, friendly place can make all the difference in your stay in any particular city. I had completey forgotten how nice the place looked on Hostelworld, and will definitely be staying here on future pit stops in KL.
BACKHOME HOSTEL LOBBY – Air-conditioned and a cozy place to chill out, check-in, gather info, or order a GRAB.
STANDARD DOUBLE BED PRIVATE – This spacious 12’x12′ well-appointed, air-conditioned, aesthetically pleasing room will set you back a mere $36.95 per night. They offer many other configurations that enable you to stay at dormitory prices in a more private setting. This is my go-to place in Kuala Lumpur. There is even an air-conditioned cafe/restaurant next door that offers wholesome Western breakfasts, good coffee, and other meals. Believe me, you will appreciate any aircon you can get while staying in KL because it gets very hot here.
A spacious desk is accompanied by two power outlets and a wash basin. Separate rainwater-style showers and toilets are spotless and shared which helps to keep the prices down. There is also a well stocked, stylish kitchen with stainless steel appliances. A separate movie room houses a 46″ flat screen TV that features Netflix.
MISSION CONTROL – All of my essentials for entertainment, blogging, and communication with the world at large are right at my fingertips. The iPad accompanied by my Bose Micro SoundLink speaker provide me with some needed amusement while I engage in uploading, photo processing, and mind-numbing busywork. My daughter Dina, son-in-law Steve, and carved wooden Komodo dragon keep me company during the hours behind the keyboard, turning this fabulous room into a home away from home.
PAVILLION MALL
BATMAN
WONDER WOMAN – After the Captain Marvel debacle that was capped off with Brie Larson’s, anti-white male antics, flat ass and affect, and poor performance, I thought I would honor Gal Gadot who showed what a real woman could do with a role in a superhero film.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
PAVILLION’S MULTI-FLOORED BRANDED AWESOMENESS – Although it’s a top-flight mall and there is some great retail therapy to be had on the same street, there are plenty of other things in Kuala Lumpur that deserve your attention more than the same products that you can find all over the planet. However, shopping junkies will love it here.
TOKYO STREET – Japan on the Horizon
TOKYO STREET – Tokyo Street is filled with some of your favorite Tokyo stores and Japanese treats. It adds a special flavor to what could have been just another high-end SE Asia Shopping Mall.
KUALA LUMPUR BIRD PARK
I can’t wait having worked at an Aquarium/Zoo in Bermuda with a large aviary when I was 10-12 years old.
BIRD PARK ENTRY
SUN CONURES
Birds loiter on the pathways as you tour the park.
Did you manage to identify any of these beatiful owls?
BLACK CROWNED CRANE – WEST AFRICA
MALE PEACOCK SHOWS OFF HIS PLUMAGE
OSTRICH
OSTRICH FEET
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
BLACK SWANS – AUSTRALIA
GREAT HORNBILL – MALAYSIA – National Bird of Malaysia
Just pop a balloon, and there will be a lot of soiled clothing.
RED LORY
ELECTUS PARROT – AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
WATERFALL AVIARY
E.M.U. – Extremely Mentally Useless – These are seriously dumb birds. Their brains are smaller than one of their eyes, but they are the second largest birds after the ostrich.
SOUTHERN CASSOWARY – AUSTRALIA & PAPUA NEW GUINEA
THE HORNBILL RESTAURANT – This is a pleasant air-conditioned place to grab a bite after trekking about the Bird Park. It gets mighty hot around noon so taking refuge here for a nice meal is just the ticket.
PLANETARIUM NEGARA – Opened in 1993, this planetarium and science museum is badly in need of maintenance, a coat of paint, and servicing on its waterscaping which leads up the stairs to its entrance. In its day it must have been a very nice facility.
YURI GAGARIN – My hero and the first man in space. He lit the candle that became the space race of the ’60s which culminated in Apollo 11 landing on the moon. He was a very brave man who died much too young in a jet accident on March 27, 1968, at the age of 34.
ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM OF MALAYSIA
INVERTED DOMED CEILING
QURAN
JEWELED DAGGER
CAST BRONZE INCENSE BURNERS – XUANDE PERIOD, CHINA
CAST BRONZE VASE – QING DYNASTY, CHINA
CLOISONNÉ ENAMELLED INCENSE BURNER – CHINA / Late 19th Century AD
KHATIB’S CHAIR – 1965 – This chair was presented by the Indian government to the YTM Tunku Abdul Rahmen Putra Al Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. It was used by the Imam at the National Mosque, Malaysia.
ROYAL QUR’AN – 1871 AD
BASIN ADAPTED AS A DRUM – 14th Century AD
OIL LAMP – CENTRAL ASIA – 12th Century AD
DERVISH BOWLS – IRAN – 19th Century AD
IMPERIAL EFFIGY NECKLACE – Circa 1910 AD
JEWEL ENCRUSTED DAGGER WITH JEWELED SCABBARD
24 CARAT GOLD NECKLACE
TILE PANEL – 14th Century AD – Underglaze Painted Fritware
MUSEUM TERRACE
“CORNEACHE”
The last five days my right eye has been watering and bothering me, but today it got a lot worse. It started the night before I left Mabul Island. I decided to go to the doctor today since the hospitals here in SE Asia are fast, cheap and efficient, and I hate going to the doctor back in the states since it costs a fortune there. Here in Kuala Lumpur, the doctor visit with an examination, analgesic, and prescription eye drops ran me $38. It’s no secret, we are getting seriously screwed medically in the USA. Turns out my cornea had some minor issues that the drops should sort out in a week or so. It probably happened while I was scuba diving.
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