KL Malaysia hot and sticky

15/5/11

Happy Campers leaving on a jet plane

Hi here we are in KL. There is a definite something about arriving by air in an Asian port. There is a feeling and a smell as soon as you step out of the plane.

The air is like, heavy. The smell is a mix of rotten vegetation, wet socks and exotic spices. I always feel like it is Far North Queensland without the cooking smells. I am at home.

The ride into KL is all palm trees, on a super highway past the Sepang Raceway.

The highway meets the gridlock around Sentral bus station.

Bukit Bintang Square with Petronas Towers in the background

KL is changing rapidly.The signs of wealth are everywhere - cars, dress, shops and apartments. The people are reserved and polite. Moslems have majority. The Chinese have the money, the Indians do the work and the Malays run the government. Forgive me if I am wrong but that is how I see it. Seems to be OK so far.

We took a walk, KL was hosting the youth festival in Bukit Bintang square. The crowds were excited and all the stars were out. Our dinner in the square, Malay Chicken Rice washed down with hot tea. We listened to the music and watched the generation that would run this vibrant country in a few years. They looked like any other kids full of life and expectations.

Tiger Beers in the local pub whiile taking a look at the super modern mall, some video snaps of buskers, train back to hotel and time to retire ready for the bus to Cameron HIghlands tomorrow.

Thanks for coming along.

Auspicious Beginning. The Planets are aligned



The Planets are aligned for a safe and pleasant journey.

The Planets aligned

Our journey started in Southport and this is what it looked like at 5.15am on Sunday 15th before our uneventful flight and overnight stay in KL.

Bus tomorrow Monday for a 5.5 hour bus to Cameron Highlands.

On the road again.

Hi
You are invited to join us. This is a short journey KL Malaysia to Phuket Thailand Via the Historic Cameron Highlands. 

City Scape KL

KL is not my favorite city. It is vibrant and modern. But I feel it lacks soul. 

Bus and train travel in Malaysia is easy and cheap air-conditioned luxury coaches on super highways make travel a breeze. Rail travel is limited given the rail track from Singapore splits south of KL. One track goes North to Penang and onto Thailand Bangkok. 
The spur line goes to the Khota Baru on the West Coast. Known as the Jungle line. It does not link to Thailand.

Petronis towers KL

Comparing Malaysian roads to Australian roads these super highways link the whole nation. It is us who are a third world country. North Queensland was isolated for 2 months this year. Not good enough.

Cameon Highlands 

Sourced davesworldtravel.com/.../

I hark back to a conversation I had with brother in law Robert McIness. Comparing Australia with thousand of kilometers of roads, International airports, Ports and a coast line that goes on forever. A population of 22 million. But in the end the super highways the fast trains in Asia and China. What are we doing with all our resources money?


Our planned route is North to Ipoh and then local bus to Cameron Highlands stopping for a few days at Tanah Rata at a fab resort. The Cameron Highlands are famous. In colonial times the British used the Highlands as a retreat from the oppressive heat of the plains. Set 1000 metres above sea level the Highlands offer cool retreat. Tea is the production plus the orchids you see in your favorite florist probably were sourced there. Your scribe loves tea and orchids are my favorite flower. 

file:///Users/malcolmwilliams/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/25:04:2011/DSC_0069.JPG

Cameron Highlands tea plantations
Sourced maatictours.com/ main/?p=735

You are invited to travel with Pam and I. Together we will discover the Highlands, experience life on the long distance buses and then the  treasures of Kho Phi Phi [James Bond Islands] and the jewel called Krabi then Phuket meeting with Kellie, Richie and Lucie for a family holiday. Excited? I am! On the road again. Lets do it  your scribe Malcolm.