Malaysia, truly Asia

Malaysia, truly Asia - at least that's what it say on the Australian Rules Football players' jerseys who are sponsored by Malaysia Tourism. Random, I know. Well Malaysia is very much like the sign - closed to non-Muslim tourists. I flew from a meeting in Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. I took the train from the airport to the hotel. It seemed like the best option because it allowed me to see the beautiful country side.


I arrived on a Sunday so I was able to take a tour around the city. I did a hop on hop off bus tour. I wish they would have warned me before I got off at the Masques that I wouldn't be able to go into any of them. I ended up walking to the next location down a questionable highway. KL is an interesting place. Very East meets West. It seems that every city I have been to has British influence. The key sight in KL are the Petronas Twin Towers. The Petronas Twin Towers are Kuala Lumpur's most prominent landmark. At 452 meters-high, it is the world's second highest structure and was built in 1998. The towers' design and architecture are inspired by Islamic art with a modern outlook, reflected by its steel and glass façade. A sky bridge connects the two towers mid-way, and it is here that visitors can come up and catch a bird's eye view of the surrounding city.

It's hard to get around KL. They don't follow the typical methodology of street number, street name. Instead it's building name, city. Well, google maps can't handle that and the cab drivers can't handle my accent. Great combination. God was watching over me on one particular cab ride. One of my meetings was further than I had anticipated - a lot further. I was meeting with Malaysia Airlines. It was at the airport (obviously), so I asked the hotel concierge how many Ringgits it would be. Not so obviously, it was at a different airport. As I sat in the cab and watched the Ringitts tick up...I started to sweat. I was in the middle of nowhere, didn't have enough cash for the cab and they don't take credit card. What was I to do? Say excuse me, can you let me off? EEEK! As we pulled up to the office building - in the middle of nowhere - I was very relieved to see an ATM!!!!