Kuala Lumpur

Andy Gilhooly on 20 March 2015
Started the journey in the amazing Emirates Lounge at Glasgow airport. Superb lounge with great hot food.

The next leg was a 7 hour flight to Dubai. Very relaxing on board with their superb service.

After a short connection in Dubai it was the second and final 7 hour leg from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur.

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur about 10pm and after a quick luggage pick up and immigration check we pre paid our Taxi into KL. Its well worth pre paying as it only cost 100 ringgits (£19). The motorway networks are pretty good and although its a fair distance from the airport to KL we got to the Hotel in about 50 minutes. We arrived at The Renaissance which is well located next to the Petronas Towers. See the photo. We got a great room on the 16th floor overlooking the Towers. Half the rooms overlook the pool and a quarter overlook the Towers.

Got a great sleep and up for breakfast. What a breakfast. They had everything from the omelette station to Curry to Dim Sum and everything else in between. The staff are so friendly and helpful.

Visited the Towers which cost 80 ringgits. That included a stop at the bridge between the 2 towers which you cross. Amazing views.

We then visited the Sky Bar on top of The Traders Hotel. Wednesday night is Ladies night and they get free cocktails. Alcohol is not the cheapest in KL but if you look out for happy hours especially on Changkat Bukit Bintang you will pay about £3 pint and £3 a glass of wine. This street is full of bars and restaurants and at the bottom end is full of street restaurants serving amazing food.

Went to the Batu Caves and the Elephant Sanctuary at Kuala Gandah. These are 2 must see places. The tours can be expensive to book but the concierge at the Hotel sorted both for 180 ringgits per person. It was a 8 hour tour and included lunch. Great value for money. Vans were air conditioned and modern.

We done the hop on hop off bus tour but found the buses unreliable time wise but it was a good way of seeing the City and a great way to go to the KL Tower which is another place to check out. If you buy your ticket from the hop on bus its only 43 ringgits.

Shopping is amazing in KL. They have everything from your high end malls to your markets selling fakes etc etc. The best market by far is the markets in Chinatown. They are on during the day and at night. Some amazing bargains.

Played golf when I was there but found it very expensive and the courses were OK.

Overall it's a must see place. Superb stop off for Asia or Australasia.