Kuala Lumpur/Langkawi Malaysia

After Srinagar, Kashmir, we flew to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia; to check out KL and Langkawi Island. We flew from Delhi to KL on Malaysian airlines; way before MH370 had mysteriously disappeared over the Indian Ocean. On arrival at KL airport; we took an Uber to the St Regis hotel near downtown KL; arriving late evening into the city. This is a high-end hotel, which we had booked on Marriott points at a very reasonable rate.

A little about Malaysia. The country has its origins in the Malay kingdoms, which, from the 18th century on, became subject to the British Empire, along with the British Straits Settlements protectorate. During World War II, British Malaya, along with other nearby British and American colonies, were occupied by the Empire of Japan. After the war, Malaysia achieved independence on 31 August 1957. On 16 September 1963, independent Malaya united with the then British crown colonies of North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to become Malaysia. In August 1965, Singapore was separated from the federation and became an independent country.

The country is multiethnic and multicultural, which has a significant effect on its politics. About half the population is ethnically Malay, with minorities of Chinese, Indians, and the Orang Asal indigenous peoples. The official language is Malaysian Malay, a standard form of the Malay language. English remains an active second language. While recognizing Islam as the official religion, the constitution grants freedom of religion to non-Muslims. The Malaysian government however has strict policies against other Islamic sects, including a ban on Shia Islam, allegedly to “avoid violence” between the two faiths that has sometimes broken out in other parts of the world.

Our first stop was to get some massages as we were tired from the long trip we had; to Doha, Kashmir and now KL. So, we found a massage place nearby (Scott Hotel; Relax Too); where we each got 2hr massages by 2 blind people; all for about $35 for both of us. Not bad at all.

Next day, it was time to visit the National Museum of Malaysia, followed by the Islamic Arts Museum. Both the Museum’s turned out to be some of the best Museums we had ever visited. We started with the National Museum with the pre-history of the area (including the Perak Man, earliest sign of humans 10,000yrs ago), trading sea routes between Arabia and China and all countries in between, how various groups of peoples (Indians, Chinese etc) arrived, how Islam arrived. The Islamic Arts Museum nearby covered all the different Islamic dynasties over time and over different regions of the world, explanations of Islamic architecture for all different dynasties, displays of multiple old Koran’s, Islamic art, artifacts, and calligraphy. There were scale models of all the most important mosques in the world; including the Al Masjid Al Haram (Ka’ba or Kaaba); the Prophets Mosque in Medina, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, etc. Very informative and very good depiction of history (Islamic and pre-Islamic) and the different Islamic Caliphates and empires that ruled over a large part of the world. This Islamic Arts Museum has to be a must-visit when in KL.

Some images below from the 2 Museums. The exhibit in the Islamic Arts Museum was called “14 Dynasties & a Region” and is hopefully making its way around the world.

After the Museums, it was back to the hotel from the Islamic Arts Museum using a $1 Uber ride. To get around within KL, we took Ubers; they were plentiful and relatively cheap; rides cost us between $1 and $5. This is my kind of place 😊.

For Dinner, we went to the Jalan Alor Food Street (also called Bukit Bintang Food Street); This street becomes a pedestrian food street in the evenings with hundreds of people enjoying street food dining in the evening. We found a restaurant and had whole fried fish, rice and grilled vegetables, mango salad and mango sticky rice.

After our fish dinner & spending time simply people watching, we walked around the street and area around, & then called for an Uber to take us back to the hotel. A wonderful experience on Food Street.

Next day, we took it easy at the hotel during the day, catching up with work etc. We had been introduced to Reza, who lives in KL by our Dallas friend, Amir Didarali. So, we contacted Reza, and in the evening, we went to the Ismaili mosque, and after the mosque was over, Reza took us for dinner at an Indian Muslim restaurant called Mahbub. There was a long queue to get in, always a good sign. Not sure what Reza ordered for us; but it was several dishes with multiple side dishes of different sauces. The food was very, very tasty and each sauce imparted a unique and flavorful taste to the dishes. A must visit place when in KL, thanks to Reza. Reza then dropped us off to our hotel and we said our good-bye’s. So nice of Reza to host us.

Next day, was a visit to the Batu Caves on the outskirts of KL, a leading Hindu shrine.

360-degree view inside Batu Cave

We next visited Little India Brickfields or Little India; this was a collection of many shop, restaurants and temples selling all sorts of Indian goods, foods etc.

Little India street panorama

Some more scenes around KL that we visited

After a few nice days here in KL, we took a Uber to the airport and took a 1hr flight to Langkawi Island, which is 30km off the northern-most part of Malaysia, right next to the Thailand border. After landing, we took an Uber to the Ritz Carleton hotel, where we had booked to stay a few days for my birthday. We got a great deal on Marriott points, so we decide to splurge. The hotel was luxurious as expected and set up in rain forest which we were told was over 10 million years old. As a result, there were lots of monkeys around who over the years, had learnt that tourists provided a lot of food and other things they could steal from open balconies; so, we were warned to keep our balcony doors closed when not in the room. This was a spread-out resort, and we could call buggies (golf carts) to take us around the resort as needed.

That evening, we took an Uber to Pantai Cenang (local beach & restaurants), for a Lebanese salad, falafel and beef shawarma. Turns out there are a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants here.

Next day, it rained most of the day, so we stayed in. Breakfasts at the hotel were included for us, and the spread and choices of breakfast were huge, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western, fruits, nuts, herbal teas, coffees, mimosas etc. Later in the day, the weather improved so it was time to spend at the beach

The spread for breakfast at the hotel was over the top, daily. Its Roti Canai and Breakfast, not Roti Chennai & lunch

That evening, we took an Uber to the other side of the island to Kuah town, to the Alhamdullilah Restaurant, a Syrian family restaurant. The kebabs and fatuous were excellent and fresh, very nice. This was a cash only establishment, and when I asked the owner as to why he did not take credit cards, his response was that because when Trump (first term) came to power and banned people (muslims) from Syria (& middle east); the Malaysian Govt closed all Syrian owned business’s bank accounts (even if the business was Malaysian registered (so long as it had a Syrian or other middle eastern owners), so he had to go cash only.

Since most of Malaysia practices Islam, the middle eastern Islamic influence was visible, with multiple middle-eastern restaurants.

Coffee at the Smiling Buffalo Specialty Coffee shop

One evening, we visited the night market, and this market turned out to be quite a large market with not only fresh fruits, vegetables, but many vendors selling either prepared foods, or making fresh foods on the spot. It was lively, crowded and worth going to. Some scenes below from the night market

And so came an end to our Malaysian trip. We flew back to KL on Malaysian Air, then Doha on Qatar Airways, and from there back the USA on American Airlines.

Thoughts on KL and Langkawi; our smell and taste buds really enjoyed the many different ethnic foods here (Indian, Chinese, Malay). The Malay foods were a mismash between multiple ethnicities, and was exceptionally tasty. The sights and sounds of these different cultures were very nice to experience. People were very polite and nice everywhere. Costs were very reasonable here which was a pleasant surprise. The Museums we visited were exceptional; some of the best we have been privileged to be able to visit. These are definitely places with visiting, and I have remorse that we did not spend more time exploring more areas of Malaysia as there must be plenty of other interesting places to visit here; Malaysia is spread out between the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Borneo.

Our trip so far

This entry was posted in Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Malaysia

• 2022
• Batu Cave
• Brickfields
• Bukit Bintang
• Bukit Bintang Food Street
• Food Street
• Ikan Bakar
• Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
• Jalan Alor
• Jalan Alor Food Street
• Katsuri Walk
• KL
• Kuah
• Kuala Lumpur
• Langkawi
• Langkawi Island
• Little India
• Malaysia
• Merah Bakar
• National Museum of Malaysia
• Night Market
• Pantai Cenang
• Petras Towers
• Roti Canai