Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
- Kategorie: travel
To our left and right: a minibar. In front of us: a wide-screen monitor. And the flight attendant is offering us a glass of champagne. Pure paradise. We could have spent the flight lying down all the way to Dubai—but we preferred to enjoy the full VIP feeling instead. Getting an upgrade really is something special… After six hours, however, the luxury came to an end, as the following seven-hour flight to the Malaysian capital continued in economy class.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, the heat feels almost overwhelming. Around 35°C—about 15 degrees more than we were recently used to in Munich—combined with intense humidity. Within seconds, beads of sweat form on our foreheads and noses. Welcome to the steam bath.
Right at the airport exit, we spot our name sign, and a friendly driver greets us. The ride to our hotel in Chinatown takes about an hour, with heavy traffic along the way. We make a quick stop to exchange money—the rate is quite good, but it’s definitely worth comparing. On that day, we get around 4.50 Malaysian Ringgit (RM) for one euro.
Since our room isn’t ready yet, we dive straight into the city despite the jet lag. Even though taxis are relatively inexpensive, we decide—just like we did in Bangkok—to take the monorail (called MRT here). Everything is clearly signposted, and we find our way around immediately. On average, a ride within the city center costs between one and three Ringgit per person.
We stroll through colorful Chinatown, admire the impressive Petronas Towers, and walk through the green KLCC Park. Apparently, a small run is taking place that day, as people keep jogging past us. It’s incredible considering the 36-degree heat—we’re already sweating without even moving.
Next, we head up to get a bird’s-eye view of the vibrant city and take the elevator to the 34th floor of the Traders Hotel. Inside, there’s a swimming pool, and it feels like a place where business people gather after work or simply enjoy dressing up in elegant outfits. Since we’re dressed rather casually (sweaty harem pants and T-shirts), we quickly move on to the next sky bar we had researched: the Helibar.
Here, the view isn’t obstructed by thick glass panels, nor do you look out onto construction sites like at the Traders Skybar. Many people enjoy their drinks directly on the helicopter landing pad, which is transformed into a bar from 5 pm onwards. Even though there’s no entrance fee to access the 34th floor, you’re somewhat firmly encouraged to order a rather pricey drink (around €10). In return, you’re rewarded with an unobstructed view of Kuala Lumpur’s stunning skyline. It’s the perfect spot to capture the sunset and end the day.
Tip of the day for dinner: Along Changkat Bukit Bintang Street, you’ll find several great restaurants offering delicious food and a lively atmosphere. We chose Ciccio and enjoyed an excellent Italian meal.
The next day, well-rested, we enjoy breakfast before setting off for more adventures in Kuala Lumpur. On today’s itinerary: Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka) and the Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana).
We can easily walk to Independence Square from our hotel, Swiss Inn Chinatown. Unfortunately, taking photos isn’t really possible, as preparations for Independence Day on August 31st are already in full swing. The entire square is filled with seating, a strong police presence, and many students rehearsing performances.
We cross the square and continue toward the Lake Gardens. Once again, the heat is intense, and we struggle a bit to find the park entrance. Eventually, we find ourselves surrounded by lush greenery—tall trees, palm trees, and beautiful, colorful birds. The chirping is a welcome contrast to the noisy city, and the peaceful atmosphere feels incredibly calming. A particularly beautiful photo spot is the overgrown lake, filled with blooming and fading plants and flowers.
Afterward, we head back to the hotel, as we’re being picked up at 3 pm for a firefly tour in Selangor. On the way there, we get a surprise stop to feed monkeys. Olivia bravely gives them sweet potatoes (I didn’t dare), and they go crazy for it. A small tip: don’t show them the whole bag, or you might suddenly have four monkeys jumping on you—and possibly hanging from your hair (good thing I didn’t try).
After about 1.5 hours, we arrive at a small fishing village in Selangor. Following a short exploration, we enjoy a relaxed dinner before setting off—four of us in a rowing boat—on the firefly tour through the mangroves.
To protect the fireflies and the environment, motorboats are strictly prohibited. And that’s what makes the experience so special: everywhere around us, the bushes are glowing, as if it were already Christmas.
