Kuala Lumpur, the city you weren't expecting. Trip to the famous capital of Malaysia

The visit to Malaysia was almost improvised at the last moment, almost by accident. But the memories of this trip are especially vivid and beautiful, having seen a city with many faces, full of charm and contrasts I like few places on earth. I will try to give in brief some tips for visiting the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Flight
We flew with Malaysian Airlines from Rome. Spectacular flight of 11 hours with great personal service, very modern aircraft with individual screens in economy class. Choice of films in Italian, two passes with cart, beverages including alcoholic ... so the trip is really long but the company is really worth the ticket price.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Not really close to the city. Is nearly 80 kilometers into town there are several options: a train that takes you 3 minutes to downtown or taxis. The cost of the train is the same as the taxi (7.5 € for a train ticket and 15 € for a taxi) and then the taxi is cheaper. If you do not want to make a shutdown was with the driver stop at the taxi stand on international flights leaving the airport and you can buy a voucher to be delivered to the driver. The voicher is a prepaid and therefore can not have any problem with negotiations. Keep in mind that going into town at a cost back to the airport while they will have another, higher. Who knows why ...

Taxi
Taxis are everywhere and despite being advertised everywhere the introduction of the famous "taxi meter" or the taximeter NOBODY uses them. You can be sure. Many are taxis with neon that advertises the presence of the light meter but no one there, even under blackmail! The Lonely Malaysian but some sites said they did not get on the taxi without the meter was switched on immediately and call another. Well, we'll call ten but always with the same answer "Where do you want to go" followed by a negotiation for the price. There is no way. Then for a ride to town the price varies depending on time of day. If there is heavy traffic, especially in the afternoon or when it rains, then the price rises and some taxi drivers may refuse travel if you decide to go to places particularly chaotic. Make a couple of blocks in the late afternoon could shift more than 50 minutes and then evaluated whether always good to take a taxi or the subway. Price: In the morning we spent inside the 7 Riggit (1 euro = 5 riggit) while during peak hours to get to 10-15 riggit. Always treat, do not be afraid to leave the taxi behind him because there will surely be another. Be careful because there are some taxis that have the word "limousine" and cost much more than others with the word "taxi meter". To return to the airport we paid 110 riggit, 35 riggit plus the first leg.

Public Transport
Skytrain and subway are very efficient and operate daily from 6 to 24. The skytrain was our favorite. This is a kind of walking on a monorail train and throughout the downtown. Convenient, efficient and economical. You pay the ticket and a ride costs more or less 2 riggit (I say more or less because the price varies depending on the way). Arriving at the ticket office where you say you want to go there and tell the ticket price. Do not throw it because you need to pass the turnstiles once you get off. The cars are very clean and a bit crowded during peak hours especially around 17.
Air conditioning
It 's the real sore point in the city. The air conditioning will kill you in the true sense of the word. In all the indoors there is air conditioning to 18 degrees while outside there are 35 with 80% humidity! The shock is terrible because every time you enter and exit always sweating like beasts cool as penguins. This also on the subway or on the skytrain is very difficult to withstand the thermal shock. Tip: bring a jacket even cotton. Always. You will see that not regret to take it.

 

Climate
Hot and humid. So hot and so humid. Rain in the evening but only about 4 days it rained a few times, not so strong. Even when the rain never falls and the temperature is cool only when the rain, which later becomes more humid because of the asphalt radiates heat.

Hotel
Do not get too down with the stars otherwise be trapped in a tavern. European standards by taking a 4 star then. We stayed at the Renaissance. Beautiful 5 star hotel with pool and all the services of a wonderful hotel. We paid about 105 euros a night but keep in mind that we wanted to give us a two-bedroom apartment on the 23rd floor! Otherwise the price for a double is about 80 € including breakfast. All related services are included as a hotel pool and fitness while paying the SPA. In the pool you will also have towels and there is a comfortable bar to eat or drink. The prices are acceptable, we eat with 7 euros. The hotel has very high standards and even the security is through a metal detector which is checked every time you enter the hotel for Westerners controls are very mild and never intrusive. There is also a meticulous inspection of cars entering the area of the hotel. A little intimidating but ultimately not forget that the country is Muslim, and although somewhat disputed, it is said that some "hothead" can make a mess. In any case this is far more security. In many malls we saw metal detectors and armed security guards but also the local population seems to enjoy these extreme measures.

Swine flu
There is a big psychosis and can not in any case to remain immune. In public places many people wear masks to protect the mouth and nose. At the airport is obliged to pass under a screening test that measures the body physique. Everywhere there are signs on how to prevent swine influenza with a number of indications that in the end are nothing but the most basic concepts of personal hygiene. But see hundreds of people with the mask I must say that even the most courageous door still some discomfort, at least psychologically. To tell the truth in the newspapers was reported that in September of this influence the sick in Malaysia were more than 200 thousand and then the numbers were quite high, considering that most of the population lives in rural areas where there really is a great attention toilet. However always wash their hands after taking public transportation or wash with Amuchina is a good thing. In any case bring the dispenser sanitizing the subway exit to the public and clean the handrails and the cars twice a day (I swear no joke). Stuff in Rome have washed them twice in the last 10 years ...

Petronas Tower and Suria shopping mall
Go to Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas not see is almost impossible. If for no other reason are high for more than 88 floors 450 meters high and are therefore visible from the city. Are undoubtedly fascinating, perhaps especially at sunset when the lights make this example of modern architecture and economic power (they are the headquarters of oil giant Petronas) fascinating and impressive, even more than the heat wave of the day. You can visit the towers and it's free but you can only go up to the sky-bridge or the bridge that connects the two towers, located 170 meters from the ground.
To get there, there are no tickets for sale but you need to get them free at the lobby of Petronas in the morning ... there are 1500 tickets per day and in times of celebration or holiday is almost impossible to take them at 8 am because they are all exhausted. In any case, I highly recommend going to the Menara Tower, KL another tall building with its 421 meters can see "almost the same height" Petronas. Very beautiful is the KLCC park with ponds and a beautiful walk. You can make beautiful pictures even at night but when it is forbidden to enter the park. The Islamic religious police, in fact presides over the park and close it to prevent it from "temptation" to young Malaysians ... unfortunately you can not get inside the park ... not unless we pretend nothing receipts, photos, and you do Take a shot by police. Saying he did not know and especially showing your photographic camera will not risk anything because they see that you are a tourist. I did this (not proud but I'm sure other fans have done the same picture) but in reality there are no signs or physical restrictions except in front of the park. Respect for all cultures and religions but after 11 hours of plane and spent a few thousand seemed right to take photos at a skyscraper. At the bottom of the towers is a superb shopping center, perhaps the most luxurious of KL, is called Suria and is open daily until 22.00. Excellent shops, although a bit more expensive than the stalls, but also the opportunity to purchase not counterfeit. Very nice composition with the internal architecture and scenery with plenty of restaurants to eat well on a budget. We remember with pleasure a Japanese restaurant where we ate the excellent sushi and tempura with grilled meat and fish in two spending € 22 (including drinks). The top floor. It 'amazing. Also interesting is that the tourist card is given free to visitors at the information center of the shopping center, which will have more discounts in the shops. Affordable: you will pay 7 euros for a polo shirt or 10 Euros for a pair of jeans.

Menara KL Tower
As mentioned is the second lowest of the KL Tower Petronas of almost 30 meters. You can climb up to the viewing platform that is high in more than 100 meters of the sky-bridge of Petronas. Menara Malaysian hosts the television and the top floor of the Seri Angkasa Restaurant, set on a revolving structure. To book you must eat (or to book your hotel) with a couple of days ahead and a smart dress is required at least a jacket for men. To enter the tower you pay about 7 euros per person and last access is at 22.00. Please note that the tower closes at 22.30 to 23.00 but you will start to bother me ... the show is impressive and the views of the Petronas from the same height makes them look almost small. Obviously it is advisable in the evening. To get there, if you want to make it walk, you climb the hill at home to the tower. Arrived at the information center is a free shuttle bus that takes you to the entry of the tower because the climb becomes truly prohibitive, especially for the length ... unfortunately the last shuttle is at 21.30 and then at night you take a taxi to down. Do not worry because next to the ticket there is also a taxi service for which budget
... You say where did you go there will be the price paid in advance and then wait until the taxi arrives. Eye because the row could be long because of the tourists who have lingered in the visit. To get down with a run of 5 minutes by taxi (or so) we paid € 2.5 (just in absolute but a huge amount for their standards).

Chinatown
Petaling Street is the Chinatown of Kuala Kumpur. It 'really a Chinatown is very impressive with a rather long road where chaotic mass thousands of stalls selling everything more. Obviously all of them false and even more than half the starting price. The final part of the road is nothing short of claustrophobic, narrow time you pass one and sellers will stun you, you will pull on the shirt, I almost attacked. Can not see anything alone can not take your time. Everything happens very quickly, everything happens at a supersonic speed. No time to see no time to observe. Everything happens quickly, almost frantically. Typical products are bags (Louis Vuitton is the top seller) and of course watches, Rolex all. Prices starting figures absurd but always ending around 15-20 €. There is also the possibility of eating, of course, numerous restaurants on the street where hygienic conditions are of some concern but eventually closing the eyes we can do! There are also excellent massage centers that are located in Petaling. We found a group in front of the outdoor restaurants called Riggit 30 (6 euros!) For a 30-minute foot massage really relaxing and invigorating, especially after a long day spent walking and sultry. Massage centers usually close late after 23.00. The service is really up to with clean towels, refreshing iced tea and essential oils at the end very good.

Indian Quarter
Very cute and charming from the Merdeka Square (the square where in 1957 was proclaimed independence from England), where New Year is celebrated in the city. Very nice visit to Masjid Jamek mosque also visited by women. The staff is very courteous and veins only asked you to wear a chador and not enter the area of prayer. You are free to photograph whatever you want.
There is also an inevitable market ... I would say a delirium Masjid India. Tons of stalls with disorderly people yelling in all respects and especially with a contrast of odors that will test your stomach ... also many shops selling batik and silk not only packaged in brightly colored clothes, but also a metro . The prices are very affordable and can also deal in luxury shops in which I suggest you purchase them outside because the scam is always around the corner, especially since we are tourists. I recommend the Globe Silk Store albeit more tourist I saw local people who bought silk and batik meter.

Malay Quarter
In Kampung Baru is a Malay area and we thought that we could not look. I would say that among the three macro areas is what has choccato more. There is a level of extreme poverty that I would say, the market is pretty bleak with rough tables selling food that smells rather unpleasant (and sometimes stomach efforts are duds). Think of stalls selling fish in the sun at 35 ° C knows how long (maybe days). ... Selling soups or rice and coconut milk which is then wrapped (so to speak) in plastic bags as the ones we use for our frozen and put on tables in the sun ... all beautiful ... swollen fruit is often sold along with general hardware ... obviously the same bench. So the already precarious conditions of hygiene in the district of Kampung Baru fall quickly and also see people having fun at least, there are many tourists (indeed we have not seen one) and tried not to picture because we looked at urgently. It must have been awe but we did not trust me, we gave the eye really well for just being dressed differently from them. The interesting part is near the skytrain where there is a colorful fruit market but not because we went chaos and smells of the first part we were really put to the test.

Masjid Negara Mosque
Huge modern mosque and a minaret 73 meters high. Removed their shoes and wear appropriate clothing (for men) you can visit. There are also some interesting tables in English that explain the fundamentals of Islam and the moves that you have to do to pray properly. There is also a kind of comparative table with the Christian religion to highlight the differences. Type: we have no one who imposes or prayer that is superior to us there is a God who is above your heads ... and so on. I guess if there was a thing contrary to St. Peter, as they would have taken ...

Lake Titiwangsa
There is a legend. From this lake, located on a hill above KL you can see the skyline of the city and do some great photos. I say legend because we asked a number of places (in hotels and the tourist information) but all told us that you do not see any skyline and even after sunset, for the same above, the religious police closed the park and therefore not You can enter except with a permit. I say this because it shows the Lonely "must" in the city and we had this response.

Conclusions
Chaotic city, truly the limits of exasperation. Smells, tastes, traffic ... there really is a problem of quite large. But it is a typical situation of the country where the East, but modern facilities, it is difficult to find situations similar to those in Europe. But the beauty is that or not? Otherwise go to London but I have to say goodnight and that at the shock was huge but after a few days with you in it ... the people, the trading day, sympathy and respect that everyone seems to have very deep.