Well, I managed to organise a short four day stay in Kuala Lumpur on my way to Oman. To be honest, the first two days were pretty heavy. Going from 15 degree highs in New Zealand to 25 degrees at night was a shock to the system. The high humidity and the lack of proper links between metro lines made it really difficult to get around comfortably. However, after a few days the body adjusted and, provided you take it easy and not try to rush around like mad, the weather is really pretty nice. The daily rainstorm also helped a lot. Anyone who has been to Belo Horizonte (Brazil) in the summertime – its just like that.
The highlights were the KL tower, with an awesome 360* view of the city (despite the low visibility), Batu caves (photos of both of which you can see below), and the frequent interesting exchanges with vendors and other assorted locals.
I was quite stunned with the English of locals and immigrant workers in Kuala Lumpur. The official language is Bahasa Malayo, but almost everyone speaks English to some degree. Only one person in the four days I was there could not handle basic conversation (and that was in a roadside restaurant miles from the tourist centre). Now communication English is nothing like what I have been teaching at university. Some of the conversations were so funny (to me as an English Language Teacher) that I have to write some out here.
Quote #1: About the availability of sandals in my size:
“Size 8 don't have, lah. Also size 7 is don't have.”
Quote #2: Giving directions to the KL tower:
“This way, you go is can. Also, this way is can.”
There were long conversations like this in perfectly understandable and completely scrambled English. I loved it. I wouldn't like to be the teacher responsible for ironing that out, but it was so fun to listen to.
Then for the last two days I spent a most of my time sitting in the lobby of the guesthouse (lobby is glamorising it really – it was a desk at the top of the staircase – see photo). No going out in the midday sun. I passed hours chatting to the staff and other guests without hardly moving from my position on the plastic chair under one of the fans. Back in New Zealand I could hardly sit still for five minutes, but its amazing how compelling 34 degrees and 80* humidity can be. And honestly, it was so much fun. I met some cool, and strange people, learnt a handful of phrases in as many languages, and laughed my ass off on an hourly basis. On the day I left some of them tried to convince me to change my tickets and it was really hard telling them I couldn't. Honestly, KL is not a tourist mecca, but if you can handle a bit of heat and like taking it easy, it's a nice place to go. I'll happily go back next time I'm in Asia. I hope you enjoy the photos.
The highlights were the KL tower, with an awesome 360* view of the city (despite the low visibility), Batu caves (photos of both of which you can see below), and the frequent interesting exchanges with vendors and other assorted locals.
I was quite stunned with the English of locals and immigrant workers in Kuala Lumpur. The official language is Bahasa Malayo, but almost everyone speaks English to some degree. Only one person in the four days I was there could not handle basic conversation (and that was in a roadside restaurant miles from the tourist centre). Now communication English is nothing like what I have been teaching at university. Some of the conversations were so funny (to me as an English Language Teacher) that I have to write some out here.
Quote #1: About the availability of sandals in my size:
“Size 8 don't have, lah. Also size 7 is don't have.”
Quote #2: Giving directions to the KL tower:
“This way, you go is can. Also, this way is can.”
There were long conversations like this in perfectly understandable and completely scrambled English. I loved it. I wouldn't like to be the teacher responsible for ironing that out, but it was so fun to listen to.
Then for the last two days I spent a most of my time sitting in the lobby of the guesthouse (lobby is glamorising it really – it was a desk at the top of the staircase – see photo). No going out in the midday sun. I passed hours chatting to the staff and other guests without hardly moving from my position on the plastic chair under one of the fans. Back in New Zealand I could hardly sit still for five minutes, but its amazing how compelling 34 degrees and 80* humidity can be. And honestly, it was so much fun. I met some cool, and strange people, learnt a handful of phrases in as many languages, and laughed my ass off on an hourly basis. On the day I left some of them tried to convince me to change my tickets and it was really hard telling them I couldn't. Honestly, KL is not a tourist mecca, but if you can handle a bit of heat and like taking it easy, it's a nice place to go. I'll happily go back next time I'm in Asia. I hope you enjoy the photos.
P.S. I write this blog about two weeks ago, but couldn't upload it until today. Sorry for the delay.
Yeah the caves are pretty cool. I got stuck in KL, almost broke, having to go to the airport everyday waiting on standby to get a flight back home. Luckily a Tamil guy who was staying in the same doss house as me took me under his wing. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteWow that looks incredible.
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