Kuala Lumpur is a fantastically modern city, with towering skyscrapers, endless eating options and the ability to hop in an Uber within a minute or two (the average ride across town costs >$1).
“Chaotic” doesn’t even begin to describe the traffic in Kuala Lumpur; even “Frogger level 5000” doesn’t begin to describe the traffic in Kuala Lumpur. At any given time cars, motorcycles and pedestrians are in a free for all- both trying to reach their destination and avoid death with what seemed like little regard for cross walks, red lights, even big cautionary signs reading, “elderly people.” After several close calls in each and every one of our Ubers, we had one driver actually bump into a pedestrian in what happened to be a completely casual encounter. This made us very happy that we have (sub-par) health insurance that covers things like “air guitar” accidents and (hopefully) things like crossing the street.
Between Kuala Lumpur’s traffic, chaotic streets and Uber’s awful navigation, we were with one driver for 1 hour and 45 minutes who happened to be very open about her experience living in Malaysia. From what we heard from her (and other locals) the government is corrupt and despite widespread frustration, people seem pessimistic about Malaysia’s future; predicting that their current prime minister will stay in power after next year’s election. She told us that the workplace feels incredibly unfair in Malaysia: she said that people here are overworked and underpaid, that the only people to get promoted are those close with the boss and mentioned that if she were to speak up about her frustrations, she would likely be fired.
Here are some other things we did besides violating traffic regulations and talk about Malaysian politics:
Justin and I went to a fish spa where hundreds of fish nibble the dead skin off your feet. I (left) attracted the most fish by far because I have been using “cheap pedicures in Southeast Asia” as an excuse to forgo any self-foot-maintenance. I’m disgusting, there I said it.
We had some satay at Old Alor night market. Despite eating really good here, we’re experiencing severe taco withdrawals.
Justin and I went to the top of the largest twin towers in the world. Whenever you do something “touristy” here is Malaysia, there is always a photographer at the entrance engaging you in a full-scale photo shoot. Before taking the elevator up 87 floors, Justin and I took a picture smiling, then hugging, then forming a heart with our hands, then giving the thumbs up, then pointing at the corner of the room.
Our hostel only provided buttered toast for breakfast so we tracked down this hipster wonder. Note that I have not lost my sunglasses yet, which makes this the longest streak in recent history.
KUALA LUMPUR > TAMAN NAGARA