10th May 2012

Breakfast was at 7 a.m., and in the interests of gastrointestinal harmony, we opted for European-style dishes, though I’ll admit the curried fish heads were calling to me in a rather persuasive way. After fifteen minutes in the lobby, our mini-bus rolled up, already carrying about ten other guests from the hotel.

I’d set my expectations modestly for the city tour, but it turned out to be thoroughly enjoyable. Our guide was funny, well-informed, and loved his city. First stop: the National Malaysian Museum, packed with fascinating exhibits we could easily have explored for hours. Sadly, the rigid tour timetable meant our visit was more of a taster than a feast. Sue, meanwhile, fulfilled her love of long, slender creatures by posing with a snake draped around her neck.

Next, we explored the British Colonial district, its elegant buildings encircling a large grassy expanse apparently used for rugby and cricket. We paused for a cold drink at a mock Tudor pub, a surreal sight in the Malaysian heat.

From there, it was on to a pewter factory, where we learned about the metal’s history, watched artisans at work, and browsed the factory shop. A few pewter purchases later, we made our final stop near the Petronas Towers for the obligatory photos. As a trip to the top required advance booking, we had to give it a miss and returned to the hotel.

Refreshed and re-clothed, we decided to walk to the KL Tower. The trek to the base was fine, and a free shuttle whisked us up the hill. We explored the grounds, browsed the exhibits, visited the nearby native village, and cooled off with iced drinks. Then it was time for the main event. Tickets in hand, we took the lift to the top, where the city spread out beneath us in spectacular style. We snapped enough photos to fill an entire memory card before heading back down, chatting to Sarah on Skype while we waited for the shuttle. News from home: Jamie has landed a new job closer to Market Harborough.

After yet another shower and wardrobe change, we headed out for dinner at a Malaysian restaurant. The mains were delicious, rich, aromatic, and satisfying. The desserts, however, were a different story. They began promisingly enough, but then revealed unexpected ingredients like sweetcorn and beans. We made a mental note to give traditional Malaysian puddings a wide berth in future.

The rest of the evening was spent wandering Kuala Lumpur’s streets, observing the colourful chaos of street vendors and businesses, both official and questionably so. Back at the hotel, we rounded off the day with drinks in the lounge, accompanied by a live pianist and singer, before retiring for a well-earned sleep.