Kuala Lumpur
My experience in Kuala Lumpur, over the 2015 - 16 New Year’s holiday, was not necessarily a typical one. I had a few short days break from my teaching job in Thailand, and I decided to take the opportunity to visit a new country. I didn’t know much about the city, but it was a short flight from Bangkok so I decided to give it a try.
Even being a weekend getaway, it was a big deal for me to visit the Malaysian capital. I was very generously able to book a room at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, a stunning high-rise overlooking the Lake Gardens area of the city. Like many of my pre-travel blogging trips, my logistical memories are a bit hazy. For example, I have no memory of how I got from one corner of the city to another - only the photos that show me I did. However, I still wanted to share these memories with you, because while maybe not as comprehensive or as in-depth as they would be if I traveled there today, they still offer a glimpse of the variety of history and culture that can be found in Malaysia.
The view from the hotel perfectly caputures the duality of high-rises and greenery that characterizes Kuala Lumpur
Probably my most spectacular memory from my time in Kuala Lumpur was the day I landed. It was already evening by the time I made it up to my room, the one with the beautiful view over the Lake Gardens. It was also New Year’s Eve. I called my dad to thank him - for everything and especially at that moment for the beautiful hotel room and opportunity to visit Kuala Lumpur. And as we were on the phone, at midnight there but probably noon in the United States, the fireworks went off across the skyline. It was an incredible display, as you can imagine. And I will tell you that in that moment, anything felt possible.
The next day, according to my photographic recollections, I ventured over to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area. This neighborhood is home to a variety of shopping and entertainment venues, a large park, and the famous Petronas Towers, the largest twin towers in the world. I took in the sights of the park and towers, then headed to the aquarium, Aquaria KLCC. I love seeing what beautiful creatures live in the sea, and this aquarium has a spectacular array of sealife.
Feeling like you are underwater at Aquaria KLCC
The next day, I continued my journey by heading to the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, home to thousands of birds of different species, from flamingos to peacocks. I loved seeing the birds of all different colors, just like the variety of fish I saw at the aquariam. I also stopped by the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, and spent some time admiring the delicate butterflies as well as the stunning array of tropical flowers.
Walking through the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park
My last stop on my trip to Kuala Lumpur was to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Malaysia has a majority Muslim population, and this museum is the largest Islamic art museum in Southeast Asia. This museum hosts an incredible array of Islamic art and artifacts not just from Malaysia, but from around the Islamic world. I loved admiring the geometric patterns on furniture, tiles, exquisite ceramics and clothing, and so much more.
An incredible dome atop the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
As you can tell, I was captivated by Malaysia. From the flora to the fauna, the historic art and a stay at a modern high-rise hotel, my trip to Kuala Lumpur showed me a side of the world I had not yet seen before. And I know that this was only a highlight reel of what Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia have to offer.
If you will be a planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur I would definitely do more research so you can find the things that will be most interesting to you. There are so many activities, museums, cultural highlights, and neighborhoods to check out in the city. I do hope I get the chance to return to Kuala Lumpur one day to explore these other areas and discover other cities in Malaysia.
Note: The header image shows the Petronas Towers hiding behind local flora.
