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MY WEEKEND IN KUALA LUMPUR

I got to go to KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia!! Second time, but in 2002 all we did was change buses here….it’s got some spectacular scenery….
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There really were two parts to the weekend—from the time I left Manila at about 9:00 p.m. Thursday a week ago until Friday evening was the first part, which I call The Tour. The second part will be a different post, and that’s the Friday evening, Sabbath morning, and Sabbath afternoon Faith/Science Conference.

Everything began at my front door, when the taxi driver arrived around 4:15 in order to be sure that I got to the airport two hours ahead of flight time. It can take anything from 60 minutes to more than two hours to make the trip to the NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, because the route is one of the most congested in the city. As it turned out, my driver knew what he was doing, took a “short cut” that added 10 kilometers to the trip, but he avoided the worst of the congestion and we made it in about an hour and a quarter. That means I sat around for 3+ hours, but that’s fine—much better than being late!

I was glad for the extra time, too - after checking in and getting my boarding pass, there were a couple of fellows in front of the second security checkpoint who insisted on weighing all the carry-on baggage. I had everything in one rollaround, and it weighted 12 kilos or so. They said nothing over 7 kilos could be carried on, and sent me back to the checkin line. I removed my laptop case and slung it over my shoulder, plus put some stuff in my pockets, and got the bag down to 7.7 kilos and the lady gave me a sticker that made it OK.

Once through the security point, it appeared that this airport is still under construction, which made for a strange vista….
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Notice all the flat panels where shops ought to be….this was the standard in the front part of the terminal….
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’
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There was at least one place where the effect was kind of spectacular…..and in this area, there were some shops…..
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After going through one of only TWO passages through the long plywood “wall” separating the gate area from where shops will be, I entered this long and gloomy “tunnel”....
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I sat down and ate my meager peanut butter sandwich and an apple - it reminded me of grade school days! But, I figured I’d have plenty of peanuts (at least) on board…...
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Out the window, I could see the airliner—from CEBU PACIFIC AIR. The low-cost lines do it differently out here - I’m told they rent low-cost gates and then (apparently) buy the low-cost departure and arrival times.
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That’s why I was leaving at 9:00 for a 12:30 a.m. arrival in Kuala Lumpur - the return was MUCH worse…they wanted me to board at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning….I said no, thanks.

Anyhow, once we were on board, it took more than 20 minutes of taxiing to reach the flight line….we passed a LOT of darkened buildings - I have zero idea about where on the airport we started.
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Once in the air, we flew over the city, giving great views of the lights
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It really was nice….and then the flight attendants began to “serve”.
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Only on this low-cost airline, nothing whatever is free - not even the WATER, for pity sake. Without money, you get absolutely nothing if you’re riding Cebu Pacific. Ah well…..fortunately, the security guys had let me through BOTH of the baggage checks with both my water bottles. I was incredulous and specifically ASKED at the second one—no problem, take them on through. Eventually though, hunger won out and I bought a bowl of instant noodles. They tasted fine, although almost US$3.00 was a bit much—about triple the price at the market—that’s worse than Pac Bell Park, I think…..

At least there were cavernous overhead bins, easily taking my rollaround bag, despite what the gate attendant had said as she tried to talk me into checking it.

When I got to Malaysia, I passed through immigration, and went to customs, which was quick “Nothing to declare” and I was done. Outside, C. James Edward was waiting for me - he works at the mission and had arranged the weekend. We drove for a little over an hour and arrived at De Nice Inn….obviously it didn’t look this way at 1:45 a.m., but…...
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I didn’t really notice the lobby that night
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but there was no missing the elevator
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Wow!

Upstairs, the hall was an incredible contrast—and it didn’t matter if it was day or night….always kind of dismal.
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Inside, however, was a very pleasant room. This was my first focus…..
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but I did take a shower first - it was wonderful…...
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This kind of “all-in-one” bathroom is common out here in the east - at least in lower-cost hotels. We used to see them in South America…maybe it’s the price we’re willing to pay for sleeping.

Anyhow, there was a TV, a desk, and a “closet”, too…...
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Out the window, there were interesting building views, but happily the lot directly across the street had not yet been developed and presented a nicely verdant scene.
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This is what the lot next to our apartment in MERIDA in VENEZUELA was like - filled with greenery. Be sure to click the Merida link - things have CHANGED in 35 years!! Although the cable car is “temporarily” out of service again…..

I didn’t use the desk much - it made a lot more sense to sit on the bed and use the stool for my computer. I had no Internet access, so I worked on my talks whenever I had a few minutes.
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I slept like the dead until 8:30 a.m. on Friday….then got up and slowly took care of the morning stuff, including a cup of the (complimentary) COFFEE-TEA, something I’d never heard of, but which was quite pleasant….. About 10:00 a.m., James Edward showed up and took me to breakfast—how good is THIS!?
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Oh, it was Yummy….not solely because I’d had so little the day before. This was from a buffet, and along with the chicken and rice, I had a lovely bowl of okra, another of carrots and cucumbers, and a small bowl of curry. Fabulous.

From breakfast, we went to the mission office and I was introduced to all of the officers and allowed to do a bit of e-mail. And then it was downtown….we parked underneath the Petronas Towers
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I experienced a moment of DEJA VU as we headed for the elevators…
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The sense of UNION SQUARE in SAN FRANCISCO was strong. At the top of the elevator, I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud when the door opened and we were met by this
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and as we exited, this was the vista!
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This in a modern Muslim nation—and we could only wish that this is the future of Islamic nationhood…..I’d feel a lot safer, if MALAYSIArather than SAUDI ARABIA were the model. One can only hope that the former isn’t headed for a future more resembling the latter.

The Mall is a mall…..pretty glitzy, and blessedly cool….
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Our first goal was the museum, where they had fascinating displays explaining the design, showing the construction process, and even a wonderful lightning chamber illustrating how the design of the building prevents damage from the numerous storms that roll over the city. Here’s a visual
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and the description
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It’s an amazing structure…highly impressive.

Downstairs, I had another bout of deja vu when we entered the rotunda
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This is definitely a bigger space than the old CITY of PARIS in downtown S.F.
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and it’s definitely not BEAUX-ARTS, but James told me they used to put a giant Christmas Tree in here every December - I didn’t query about why it was stopped…...hmmmmmm.

Next we headed downstairs to the bakery and grocery to buy my breakfast….
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The prices were spectacular - and considering what they must pay in rent to get this location, maybe it’s understandable….
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These prices are in Malaysian Ringits, which are about three to the dollar….Oh! and all prices are per/piece of fruit. We got two of the Chinese Fuji apples, which were around US$.75 each, plus a couple of savory pastries. They were good, as were the apples…although like most FUJI APPLES these days, they’ve exchanged a pretty exterior for the wonderful flavor of the earlier (and uglier) variety. These were beautiful…also sweet, crisp, and juicy, which is all that most Americans demand from an apple - I miss the old days when Fuji was rather ugly, but had genuine flavor to offer. Ah well. Grow your own and you may see what I mean….just be sure to get the original strain.

Upstairs, we passed the Malaysian Postal Service box…..
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and I laughed as I reflected that it’s unlikely that POS carries the same connotation for Malaysians as for (some) Americans. Our next stop was outside….and nearby was my favorite building in this area
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This entire City Center is an integrated area, at least according to this map….
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We didn’t have time to try and relate this to the reality on the ground….we were just goggling at our surroundings!
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I asked if there was any of the old colonial city left, and James said precious little. We headed for it, first meeting up with the downtown monorail….
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that also marred what was left of Old Kuala Lumpur…
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It made me kind of sad to see this….and grateful for GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, with its entire quarter of colonial-era SHOPHOUSES. Gail and I had such a great time walking up and down those streets when we visited in 2002.

The more spectacular colonial buildings seem to be doing pretty well in KL…James took me down to the old British parade ground
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They were setting up for some big shindig, and one of the old government building was being repaired
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but another was standing out in all it’s glory….
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Another time, maybe we’ll spend a couple of days seeing KL…..or maybe we’ll just extend our stay in Penang or the Cameron Highlands. I have had my dislike for millions of people milling about in a big and chaotic city confirmed by my time in Manila and KL…...

Here’s a moment of incongruity from the last of our city tour - these tend to happen a lot in a developing country that’s increasing in prosperity….
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Inside this “mall” was a money-changer/bank that James had found gave him good rates, so he went in. I was fascinated with the “drive-in” fast food service in front…..don’t see it? Look closer…
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The guy in the car pulled in off the street and placed his order….and the guy who has the “restaurant on a trike” went back to his kitchen and filled the order. He passed the food into the car, took the money and was ready for his next customer. The disorientation occurred when I looked up from this (for an American) rather strange transaction and saw this
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Ace Hardware Kuala Lumpur!! Here in Manila I saw a Home Depot the other day! Shakey’s Pizza is all over the place here - do they still sell pizza in the States? Anyhow, it’s wonderful that economic well-being is increasing over here—one hopes for a transparent government with the rule of law in place so that the well-being actually gets to the common citizen who needs it so badly. The best analysis of the problems of developing countries is Hernando de Soto’s wonderful book THE MYSTERY OF CAPITAL. I think of it every time I’m in a promising country like the Philippines, and also Malaysia. So much promise, so far to go…..

Soon, a post about my wonderful experience with the conference I came to do….but first, from the MegaMall in Manila, where I met Woody and Peggy Whidden….read and enjoy:
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Isn’t that GREAT?

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