I coordinated with Michaela to depart the hostel at 8:30 am for the Batu Caves, and later in the evening, I planned to visit the Menara Tower. On that day, a German named Elio, employed at a software company handling diverse projects, joined us. Leaving the hostel, we headed to KL Sentral. Kuala Lumpur’s mass rapid transit system struck me as amusing, reminiscent of children’s toys. To pass through the gates, you use these small blue plastic toy coins. Additionally, changing lines requires a new card or coin, which I found a bit inefficient. An interesting cultural note: public displays of affection are discouraged in Islamic public transport.
The Batu Caves
The Batu Caves proved to be a worthwhile tourist destination. Someone in Singapore (I don’t recall who) mentioned an entrance fee of around one ringgit, but to our surprise, we gained free access. It took us 40 minutes to reach the caves from the hostel. I took some photos of the monkeys, the surroundings, and the cave itself.
Kuala Lumpur’s Botanic Gardens
After half an hour, we made our way back to KL Sentral and initially planned to visit the bird park. However, upon reaching there, we reconsidered due to the high entrance fees. Instead, we opted for a stroll through the botanic gardens adjacent to the bird park. It was delightful, although, in my view, not quite as impressive as the botanic gardens in Singapore.
The views were delightful, and as hunger set in, we hailed a cab to Chinatown. Shortly after, we placed an order for some Chinese cuisine. I enjoyed dumplings, rice, and chicken. Following lunch, we opted to walk back to the hostel. About ten minutes into our walk, a sudden downpour caught us off guard. Seeking refuge, we found shelter under the roof of a nearby restaurant and waited there for about an hour. This marked my first experience with a tropical shower, and it was truly impressive.
Lost in Kuala Lumpur
Upon our return to the hostel, we took some time to unwind. Soon, the desire to plan my transport for the following Sunday struck me. The hostel staff directed me to a nearby travel agency, a mere ten-minute walk away, and I decided to organize it right away. Before leaving, I informed Michaela and Elio that I would be back in time to bid them farewell as they were departing that evening. With the rain still persisting, I briskly walked with my map in hand (yes, no Google Maps or internet in Asia).
Despite my efforts, I ended up getting lost, and the Mandarin Pacific hotel, my intended destination, seemed unfamiliar to many Malaysians. Some couldn’t even pinpoint our location on the map at that moment! Fortunately, people were kind enough to assist me. Seeking guidance, I entered one of the more upscale hotels in the vicinity. After 40 minutes, I finally reached the hotel, situated at the opposite end of the street from where the hostel staff had indicated. I booked my tour and returned to the hostel, bidding farewell to Michaela and later to Elio. Michaela was heading to Sri Lanka for two weeks, and Elio was en route to Langkawi, a tropical Malaysian island. I would arrive on Langkawi myself in a few days time.
The Menara Tower
After Elio and Michaela bid their farewells, I decided to visit the Menara Tower. It was a 20-minute walk from the hostel. This time, navigation was a breeze, as the towering structure was hard to miss. Upon arrival, a welcoming girl guided me. She explained the two available levels: the open deck on top and the observation deck behind glass. Expressing my preference for the open deck, the girl surprisingly invited me to take a seat. I found myself having to sign a somewhat crude form, declaring that I wouldn’t jump or push anyone off the deck. It was a moment I had to suppress a laugh—given the countless amazing things I had planned for this journey, why on earth would I consider such a leap?
Once I signed the form, the girl led me to the elevator. Just before the doors closed, she jokingly remarked, ‘Enjoy the view, mister, and no jumping off the deck!’ Her delivery was amusing, and I sensed it might be their way of preventing such incidents. Upon reaching the top, another guard reiterated the caution about not jumping. In that moment, a thought crossed my mind: ‘Should I playfully, sarcastically respond with a joke like, ‘If one more person tells me not to jump, I’m actually going to’? However, they seemed quite serious about it, so I refrained from making the jest.
Having the deck to myself, one of the guards accompanied me, keeping a watchful eye – I presumed he received instructions through his walkie-talkie. Taking advantage of his presence, I asked him to capture some photos of me. The panoramic views of the city were breathtaking! From the Menara Tower’s summit, you get a 360-degree perspective of the city. I lingered there until closing time. Strangely, the lights of the Petronas Towers and the surrounding skyline brought to mind Coruscant, the city planet from Star Wars Episode I.
Street Scenes
Returning to the hostel, I observed numerous homeless individuals sleeping on the street. Despite the visible presence of homelessness, I still felt relatively safe in Kuala Lumpur. Approximately 30 people were scattered along that particular street. Upon reaching the hostel, I decided to call it a night around 11 pm, uncertain about my plans for the following day.
