That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur

Tripoto
21st Jun 2014
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 1/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
The journey that began at this funny, funny airport
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 2/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
The view from the apartment, a steal, all thanks to Airbnb
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 3/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 4/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
What a fantastic view!
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 5/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 6/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Enroute Genting
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 7/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Let your inner child out
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 8/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Chinatown Lanterns - The more things change, the more they remain the same
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 9/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 10/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 11/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
say hi to these cuties on your way up
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 12/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 13/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
So pretty!
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 14/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Quick run to see this fella showing off his swimming skills :)
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 15/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
To langkawi
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 16/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Yup, you walk to the terminal
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 17/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 18/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
This serene resort, these stunning cottages
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 19/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 20/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
On a boat, this view
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 21/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
All those tours
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 22/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 23/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 24/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 25/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 26/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Fishy pedicures
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 27/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 28/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
All that fruit
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 29/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Saved the biggest icon for the last day
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 30/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 31/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 32/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 33/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Some Iced tea to go!
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 34/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of That Impromptu Getaway to Kuala Lumpur 35/35 by Anusha Ranganathan
Shop a little to mark the end of this gorgeous holiday

A trip that was planned because I would see the Air Asia poster everyday. When a friend told me about domestic airfare shooting up, I had joked saying it is cheaper to go to KL. The next day I realised I had no reason to not go. I could take a few days off work, the airfare was cheap and I really needed a holiday. We booked our tickets the next day(from Bangalore to Trichy, and Trichy to KL- for the sake of cheap tickets!). The trip however, was split between KL and Langkawi - Three days in KL, three in Langkawi and one last day in KL.

AirBnB came to our rescue with great accommodation at throwaway prices(USD20 a day,a ten minute walk from KLCC!). The apartment was convenient and offered views of the Twin Towers and the KL tower from the balcony.

One of the most interesting things about Kuala Lumpur is the fact that you can experience several cultures in a day. KLCC,KL Sentral and all the other malls and Chinatown and Little India exist in perfect harmony and set each other off beautifully. Haggling at Chinatown is a must for anybody wanting to hear the dramatic,"You kill me, you kill my family".

I particularly enjoyed views of the city from Petronas. Marini's on the 57th is a bar located on the 57th floor of the KLCC, offering great views of the city and an introduction to the way the affluent live. It makes sense to go to Marini's at around 530pm and spend a couple of hours there to catch views of the city in daylight, dark and as the sun sets.

Batu caves are quite stunning.The Temple may appeal to the religious, but the sheer beauty of the light streaming in from atop the caves is a visual one would take back home as a cherished memory. The Thean Hou Temple is a beautiful representation of Chinese culture and architecture. Kuala Lumpur does not offer too many "touristy" places-to-see, that said,  Just walking around, past the independence square, the Old Railway station, even around the streets of Masjid Jamek is an interesting experience.

Genting Highlands is probably the closest thing Malaysia has to Disneyland, only it also houses Malaysia's only casino. The cable car ride to Genting is picturesque. The entire setup feels like a huge market, casino, amusement park and mall all rolled into one, and while it is interesting, it lacks finesse and organization. It also houses a Ripley's Museum.

The second part of this trip was Langkawi. Located an hour away(by air) from Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi starts enticing you with the first bird's eye view of the islands that you catch from the aircraft. The island is known for duty free shopping(Ritter Sport and Hershey's enthusiasts can celebrate, great deals on perfume, branded shoes and alcohol too). Pantai Cenang,Kuah and the surroundings offer white sand beaches, black sand beaches, mangrove tours,water sports,flea markets, spas and everything else! The iconic bridge and ropeway appeal to all Shah Rukh Khan fans(Me!), the Eagle square is majestic and the waters beyond make for a beautiful visual.

Eating at the Thursday flea market was a happy accident. You can get all sorts of food at these make-shift stores be it Pizzas, Lebanese, local cuisine or just some fresh fruit and juice! Langkawi has a lot of fancy spas and several cheap fish spa parlours, they are both worth trying out. The Seaworld/Aquarium in Langkawi is cheaper than the one in KL and has the added appeal of penguins!

Thoroughly relaxed and satiated with the shopping and attractions, we left for KL, where we spent our final day in self indulgence - A fancy hotel, fancy food, a little more shopping. We also chanced upon witnessing local artists and bands getting together in the wee hours of the night around the bylanes of Bukit Bintang, playing music, face painting etc.

The first slice of Malaysia has been a fun, wholesome experience. Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for anyone looking for a slice of hedonism and just to simply walk around city, amidst the malls, streets, flea markets and skyscrapers. KL makes for a great base to go to Indonesia, Sabah, Sarawak and the Phillipines. Melaka, Ipoh and Penang sound enticing enough to revisit peninsular Malaysia before treading into the Eastern parts of the country, This wonderfully interesting city feels like the travelers' equivalent of comfort food, it is not outstanding, but just nice and sometimes, just right.

Sharks, sting rays, fish, turtles and some other sea creatures that are cute as a button! Definitely worth a visit.

Quick run to see this fella showing off his swimming skills :)

Photo of Aquaria KLCC Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
High gloss fashion, name brands, great restaurants and cityscape - a really nice place to spend a day of indulgence.
Photo of Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

Shop a little to mark the end of this gorgeous holiday

Photo of Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
The eagle is majestic and the blue waters beyond look divine. Couple the square with looking around at the ferry terminal and a little shopping and you could easily spend 2-3 hours here.
Photo of Eagle Square, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Eagle Square, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
A shopaholics paradise! All luxury and high street fashion stores and many,many cafes and restaurants. Do find time to locate stores selling blue pottery.
Photo of Golden Triangle, 1808 - 1809 D, Jalan Perushaan Autocity, North - South Highway Juru Interchange, 13600 Prai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Beautiful cottages, removed from the city this place is calm and quiet and beautiful.
Photo of Kampung Tok Senik Resort, Kampung Tok Senik Resort, Kawasan Mata Air Mukim Ulu Melaka, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
What a fantastic space! It is a hub for all forms of local transport, the MRT station leads into a mall if you want High street fashion, houses Little India just beyond the mall for the conservative soul, or anybody missing a piece if Chennai! The monorail to the airport truly makes Sentral an extremely cool place. And this is where you come when you want to take buses to get out of the city!

Some Iced tea to go!

Photo of KL Sentral, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
A tiny airport! You get off the plane and walk to the terminal! Great place to book your tours and for some last minute duty free shopping! The airport houses only a couple of stores and a couple of places to eat -not a great place to spend hours at.

Yup, you walk to the terminal

Photo of Langkawi International Airport Langkawi, Kedah Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
White sand beaches, black sand beaches, the iconic ropeway(especially attractive to a Shahrukh Khan fan),eagle square, the ferry terminal, the resorts and the general atmosphere are great for rest, relaxation and a whole lot of fun.

On a boat, this view

Photo of Langkawi, Langkawi, 07000, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

All those tours

Photo of Langkawi, Langkawi, 07000, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
A great place to just de-stress and relax. The duty free shopping is an absolute must if you are interested in buying chocolates, perfume and/or alcohol. walk around to find some kitschy stores, factory outlets and spas. The beaches are quiet and the sands are almost white. A lot of tours start around this area.

Fishy pedicures

Photo of Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

All that fruit

Photo of Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000, Kedah, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
The temple is small, clean, simple and pretty ,set against a beautiful backdrop. Be sure to dress modestly.
Photo of Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

say hi to these cuties on your way up

Photo of Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

So pretty!

Photo of Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Great place to buy knock offs, amazing contrast to the malls and the Golden Triangle. If you are looking at buying little baubles, souvenirs, imitation Michael Kors handbags(they have others as well but MK knock offs are closest to the genuine ones), some quirky clothes. You could also just observe the Chinatown area.

Chinatown Lanterns - The more things change, the more they remain the same

Photo of Flea Market Petaling Street, Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
The closest KL has to a Disneyland, only it also houses a casino!

Enroute Genting

Photo of Genting Highlands Pahang Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
A great melting pot of various cultures, part modern-part traditional, KL is an interesting city. The public transport system is widespread and effective, making it easy for tourists to get around.

The view from the apartment, a steal, all thanks to Airbnb

Photo of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Offers great views of the city, coupled with great food and cocktails.

What a fantastic view!

Photo of Marini's on 57, Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, Kuala Lumpur, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Photo of Marini's on 57, Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, Kuala Lumpur, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
An ode to Cesar Pelli's brilliance, the towers are the face of the cosmopolitian, high paced and modern side of KL
Photo of Petronas Twin Tower, Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan

Saved the biggest icon for the last day

Photo of Petronas Twin Tower, Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
A fun museum,albeit a little smaller than the ones in the states it completes your hedonistic experience at Genting Highlands.

Let your inner child out

Photo of Ripley's Believe It or Not, B66, Genting Highlands, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia by Anusha Ranganathan
Looks like a bus stop, feels like one too, but it does a great job connecting this city with South East Asia

The journey that began at this funny, funny airport

Photo of Tiruchirapalli International Airport, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India by Anusha Ranganathan
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