Kuala Lumpur - Are we still in Southeast Asia?

On February 1st, we're going from HCMC to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Originally, Malaysia wasn't really on our agenda. We thought we would go from Vietnam to Cambodia, which would have made geographical sense. But somehow Cambodia didn't appeal to us. Everyone only visits Angkor Wat and maybe Phnom Penh, of which most people don't have anything good to say. For some reason, we find Malaysia more interesting, even though we know virtually nothing about both countries. So off we go, and into a slightly different Southeast Asia. The airport alone already impresses us, as we have to travel by train between the individual buildings of the airport. Simply huge and modern. Furthermore, Malaysia is Muslim and the women wear headscarves, which naturally presents a different image. Malaysia is a total multicultural country and a prime example of how well that can work. 60% of the population are Malays, 25% are Chinese, and 7% are Indians. The rest is made up of various minorities. This also means that there are many different religions represented, with Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism dominating.
Thankfully, we don't need a visa for Malaysia and we can simply enter. We're taking the bus to the city, and conveniently our hostel is within walking distance from the bus station. We've booked a 6-bed dorm for 2 nights. First, we explore the city and here comes the second 'shock'. Over 30°C and incredibly high humidity. I start sweating just standing still, without having taken a single step. Disgusting, but hopefully we'll get used to it. The third thing that surprises us a lot is the noise level. How can such a big city be so quiet? Really unbelievably relaxing! While we stroll through the city, we can have a conversation without having to shout, and crossing the streets is really easy. The traffic is completely different from the other countries.
1. Few vehicles, which can be due to the existing public transport (subway) and the fact that Chinese New Year is approaching, so everyone is going on vacation or visiting relatives. Since over 50% of the population in Kuala Lumpur are Chinese, many of them are probably flying to their families in China.
2. There are hardly any scooters and therefore hardly any honking. People here drive cars. This is probably due to the prosperity of the country. Not only the wealthy people can afford cars here. That's why you see cheap and older cars here again, but of course also the fancy ones. In the other countries, people either drove scooters or flashy cars. The middle class seemed to not exist.
This is why we find it so pleasant here compared to HCMC and can hardly believe that we are still in Southeast Asia. Organized traffic, recognizable traffic rules, sidewalks to walk on, trash cans at regular intervals, and therefore a very clean city. These are the things that we noticed first. If the climate weren't so humid, I could easily imagine spending a longer time here. Because so many ethnic groups live together, the city is very interesting, there is a great variety of restaurants, and many new things to discover. Right next to our hostel, for example, there is a Hindu temple, where daily Indians dressed in colorful clothes with red dots on their foreheads, henna tattoos, and red-dyed partings come to light small incense cones and candles. It's a completely different scent than the incense sticks from the Buddhist temples, and the temple visit is much louder and livelier. It's really interesting to watch, even though I don't know anything about the customs or body jewelry of the Indians. We also browse through the Indian kiosks and supermarkets with great interest, as if we landed in a different world. Maybe we should visit India after all? After all, we have become the biggest fans of Indian food by now.
After exploring our neighborhood and paying a visit to the TV tower, we treat ourselves to a well-deserved draft beer in a cozy bar. Even though we have to pay 8€ for our two beers, it had to be done. However, we will probably reduce our alcohol consumption in Malaysia again to almost zero. After the after-work beer, we head to the Walking Street, where we try out the food offerings. We go for dim sum and homemade mochi. We sit at one of the plastic tables with our peanut-filled mochi when a pavilion is frantically set up above us, and not 10 seconds later, a heavy rain shower starts pouring down. That was good timing! After a few minutes, a small river has already formed under our chairs, and all sorts of small items are floating past us. That explains why it was so incredibly humid today. The sky had something to let go. After the rain, we sit on the rooftop terrace of our hostel with a view of the illuminated TV tower, and we enjoy our second dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango <3

The next day, some sightseeing is on the agenda. Since our hostel doesn't offer breakfast, we stop at a popular Indian restaurant. The place is full of Indians, which is surely a good sign, and our food is also very tasty and plentiful!

After being refreshed, we head to the oldest mosque in the city: Masjid Jamek. At the entrance, I get a free hooded robe, and we're allowed to take a look at the mosque. Everything is very well-kept and white. Thankfully, there are also hardly any other tourists. In the mosque, there are a few women who answer our questions and tell us a bit about the mosque and the rules. By the way, almost everyone here speaks very good English. That really makes it a lot easier, and there are fewer misunderstandings. The Muslim women are all very open and don't look at me strangely because of my shorts. Very likeable and it presents the religion in a much more positive light again.

After visiting the mosque, which was free by the way, we visit the government district with the impressive administrative buildings. Really very beautiful buildings! Especially the combination of old stone buildings with round domes and pointed windows, and modern skyscrapers reflecting the sun, makes the city very special. There's a bicycle race going on at Independence Square, and in between, the children of the cyclists hold a balance bike race. Really cute and hilarious :-D How they shoot around the corner on their balance bikes equipped with motocross helmets and short little legs—some more motivated than others. But of course, the last child is cheered on and celebrated like a winner.

As it's getting too hot for us, we make our way to the botanical garden. A huge park that includes the largest open-air bird park in the world, a planetarium, a butterfly house, an orchid garden, etc. However, shade and ice cream are enough for us.

The next stop is the 3D Museum, and it was chosen, among other reasons, because of the air conditioning. It feels really good to spend a few hours in air-conditioned rooms xD

Thank God he could still hold on!

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

Unfortunately, my night ends after 4 hours. For breakfast, we go back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit in bed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D

In the evening, we lie comfortably on the XXL bed, watch a series, and snack on our purchases. It's handy to have a small kitchen. So the next day, we can also eat muesli and fresh fruit inbed. Really lovely. It almost feels like the weekend is coming :D.

Later in the day, we meet Nele and Tim, who we met on Phu Quoc in Vietnam and who are also currently in KL. We have a cozy drink in our hostel before heading out to dinner in the city. We spend a very nice evening until we fall into bed dead tired at 3 am.

After 4 hours, unfortunately, my night is already over. We're drawn back to the Indian restaurant from yesterday for breakfast, and then we change accommodations. Because our hostel was so cheap, we're now staying for one night in a small, modern apartment with an infinity pool on the 48th floor, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers. Chacka! Nele and Tim have booked this place for a week, and we're just joining for one night. The highlight of the apartment, besides the rain shower, is the washing machine. Hooray! And for the first time in 3 months, our clothes are clean. What the hell did the laundry service do with our laundry? Pieces of clothing that have been brown for months because we either sat in dirt or drove over dusty tracks (Laos) are suddenly clean again. And I was already thinking about throwing the clothes away. We're so excited that we immediately put the machine on our Amazon wishlist.
Of course, we also have to test the pool with the amazing view and, just like everyone else there, take photos with the famous Twin Towers in the background. We meet Nele and Tim again and spend the rest of the afternoon together. At night, we meet at the pool again to take photos in front of the great backdrop in the dark. We definitely make full use of the pool :-D