Kuala Lumpur Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 9: A night out in Kuala Lumpur, Omygod!

January 4, 2014

I woke up at 9 am and struck up a conversation with a fellow dorm mate named Gopal. Today, we planned to explore Kuala Lumpur together. Gopal, a 38-year-old who could easily pass for 23, exudes youthful energy in both appearance and demeanor. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, he’s a professional drummer who sought refuge in Malaysia to escape the harsh Canadian winter. Having recently visited Manila, the Philippines, he shared some chilling stories about the poverty he encountered. His travels are driven by the quest to find a suitable place to reside, one that offers respite from the Canadian winters…

by Maarten

Day 8: Kuala Lumpur: The Batu Caves and the Menara tower

January 3, 2014

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…

by Maarten

Day 7: Moving north?!

January 2, 2014

Today, I embarked on a journey from the Little Red Dot to Kuala Lumpur by bus. In the morning, I made my way to Keypoint bus station, where I had to wait for 30 minutes for my Kuala Lumpur-bound bus. During the wait, I purchased and enjoyed some pastries from a local shop. I had booked the bus months ago through an online website. The bus ride turned out to be quite straightforward, and to my surprise, there weren’t many travelers on board. Consequently, I had two seats to myself, making for a comfortable journey. Anticipating smooth roads, my expectations…

by Maarten