Took a late flight out, and about a one hour drive to our hotel. We were pleasantly surprised to see sky scrappers and modern infrastructure. We arrived safely at our room about 1:00 a.m. Woke up to actually seeing where we were with a nice view of the twin towers. It`s the third tallest building in the world. We wandered down to eat our free breakfast and we felt like we were on Vancouver's nasty side of Hastings street.
Just like home?????? Drunks and druggies passed out everywhere with garbage and other stinky smells abound. We met up with Mas, our handler who took us on a tour of the city. The air was not polluted, and we were awestruck with all the developed areas. Nothing like Bangkok! We climbed 230 plus stairs to view the city and see a very large budda, Steve had a photo session with a couple snakes while I stood far enough away to get a good photo (yuck, I just don`t like those kind of reptiles). We had lunch off a cart, 4 of each, samosas, spring rolls and juice all together for 2 bucks. (this was the only time since we have been here to have a cheap meal, must of been because who we were with)!!! We see a pattern while traveling, one price for locals and one for the falangs(tourists), which pisses me off!!! We saw many incredible buildings both very old and some styling new ones. In so many ways it is like being in New York City but with a lot of men wearing turbins and ladies covered from head to toe (must be so hot). Later we did the touristy dinner theater and watched a traditional Malaysian dance show. Day two on our own we caught their sky train and headed to one of the high end malls. They had Gucci, Prada, Armoni,etc. and stores that we couldn't afford a pair of socks (not that we need them). I think there was 12 stories, very cool to just check it out. Booked our flight out to Vietnam and went to another mall and watched a movie, Sherlock Holmes. It was an excellent show, so well done. Off to bed to be up at 3;30 a.m.to catch our early flight, only to be denied access. We were told and Steve also looked on line that we could get our visa`s upon arrival, but no no no, so yet another hour trip back to the city, hooked up with Mas and off to the Vietnamese embassy. There we had to wait and wait and then pay big bucks to get visa`s that will allow us 30 days to tour around. The only clincher was we have to stay 3 more days here. So we happily moved to another area where we felt safe to walk around. Now unfortunately Steve has come down with a cold, so he spent many hours recouperating in the room. I wandered around Chinatown, (which is like a mini Koa San road in Bangkok) , and to our disappointment much like the nasty room we had there, above a bloody bar!!! Called and complained and we were swiftly moved the next morning. UUUGGGGHHHHH
I know Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur quite well if any one needs advice. Killed a day walking around alone. Steve is better and up for the task of changing flights and going back to the embassy to pick up our visas. Today is our last day here, hurray!!!!! Things we have seen and noticed is there are not all the dogs and cats wandering the streets (we hope they are spaded and neutured, not eaten), the people here wear their jackets backwards while riding their motorbikes, blocking wind and venting to the rear. They do recycle bottles, lots of honking, not a lot of smiling faces, and there are McDonalds and 7-11`s on every corner (wish we had bought their stocks years ago). At the embassy there was a sign that said travel broadens your mind, it hopefully does or it will make mine explode, so much to learn!!!! Breath in , breath out.
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