The Golden Triangle

If you are looking for the center of all the action in Kuala Lumpur, then this is most certainly it

Kuala Lumpur is said to derive its name from the muddy confluence of two rivers—The Gombak and The Klang—merging, the swirling waters were originally muddied by the explosion of tin mining upstream during the early 1800s that drew many Sumatran and Chinese migrants to the region and helped lay the foundations for Malaysia’s present-day cosmopolitan capital city.

IMG_2331

This year Malaysia celebrated its independence on Friday, August 31st and Vietnam celebrated its independence on Monday, September 2nd. So, if you happened to work between KL and HCMC you could enjoy a four-day long weekend. Utilizing the holiday, we flew down to KL on the Friday for our annual company staff trip. We found the city’s buildings adorned in Malaysian national flags for the holiday.

Driving into the city, the Petronas Twin Towers come into focus as the defining apparition that materializes on the skyline in the last 10-15 minutes of the journey to Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle. The area that extends between Bukit Bintang, the Jalan Sultan Ismail five-star hotel strip, the Jalan P. Ram-lee party street and the entire Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

The Federal Hotel had the delicate fragrance of sandalwood incense as we entered the lobby to check in.

The hotel’s construction was completed just three days before the country’s Independence in 1957, making it and the Malaysian nation 61 years old. The hotel has hosted many foreign dignitaries and famous people such as Sir Robert Menzies, the former Prime Minister of Australia, and even “The Champ” Muhammad Ali.

IMG_2348

Dinner in The Federal’s Kontiki restaurant was a smorgasbord of seafood, carving stations, desserts and delights that was well worth the RM78 per person. After dinner, sipping cocktails and listening to the live music from the piano player and singer duo performing in the verandah lounge was a pleasant way to finish the evening on our first night.

IMG_2299

Hiring a minivan for the afternoon, our first stop was the KL butterfly park, which houses an estimated 5,000 butterflies, a museum and gift shop. Inside the enclosure is a tropical garden wonderland where sparks of vibrant colorful winged specimens dance among flowers, foliage and fountains.

IMG_2305

The next stop was the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Formerly housing the British colonial administration, it is now home to both the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia. Across the street is the Kuala Lumpur city gallery. Outside at its entrance is the “I [heart] KL” sign, which is a favorite place to pose for the perfect postcard picture.

We then headed for the 421-meter tall Kuala Lumpur tower, the seventh tallest tower in the world. Unfortunately, a sudden tropical rainstorm, accompanied by thunder and lightning, caused the tower to be closed to the public. So we quickly jumped back into the minivan and headed for the undercover central markets.

IMG_2345

Established in 1888, the markets sell a variety of art, jewelry, handicrafts and knickknacks. I was lucky enough to buy a limited edition Royal Selangor (Disney approved) Star Wars edition quality pewter Yoda figurine.

P60926-222701

The sun had set and we were dropped off at the Petronas Twin Towers, KL’s most famous attraction. When it was completed in 1999, the Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world. Although no longer holding that title, today the towers still remain as the tallest twin towered structure in the world. Suria Mall at the base of the towers has over 300 specialty stores and is one of the best shopping malls in Malaysia for luxury items. An interesting fact about the construction of the towers is that tower 1 was built by a Japanese consortium while tower 2 was built by a Korean one. The Koreans won the race and completed construction of tower 2 first. A great place to snap a high-quality shot of the towers while enjoying a drink is at the lounge bar located on the 32nd floor of the Traders hotel.

IMG_2347

At Changkat Bukit Bintang you can drink late into the night in an entertaining part of the golden triangle. Here, upscale Chinese food can be found at the Opium bar or classic British pub food at the Magnificent Fish & Chips bar, where a Mini Cooper is almost driving out the building and exploding off the balcony.

IMG_2124

No Lion, Tigers or Bears, Oh My

Before leaving HCMC I checked online what shows were playing in KL and discovered that the Moscow Circus was touring Malaysia. The Bolshoi and Nikulin Moscow circus companies have combined to put on an eight-month tour throughout cities and towns in Malaysia. Sunday night was their last performance in KL before heading to Penang. In recent years, the Moscow Circus has revolutionized itself and discontinued using live animals, and now has a human team of trapeze artists, acrobats and clowns. In KL, the big tent was set up on a field outside the Amcorp Mall, well-known for its weekly flea markets.

An entertaining clown in baggy trousers held up by suspenders kicked off the show by using a duck whistle to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Then came the illusionist dance duo, Mykhaylo dressed in a yellow suit like Jim Carrey in the film The Mask, while Lyana did a dazzling outfit change every 30 seconds to the crowd’s amazement. Juggling three balls is a skill but juggling six or seven balls gets applauses and awe from the audience. The high wire act and flying trapeze acts were supported by skilled workmen behind the scenes who adjusted pulleys and cranks to keep the wires and cables taut and in place so that the performers could complete their many somersaults and death-defying antics.

IMG_2847 copy

Come Monday and the circus was packing up the big tent and departing  for Penang, while we headed to the airport to return to HCMC. Inside the international terminal is a large display of large model airplanes of all the carriers that arrive and depart from KL. It’s a good place to take the final travel shot to complete the weekend album. Independence Day was the last national holiday in Vietnam for the year and so it’s back to work until New Years 2019. A great weekend of entertainment, fine hawker food, performances and great shopping had come to an end. The melting pot of cultures in KL lends to a diverse range of different threads that makes a city’s tapestry rich in heritage, culture and cuisine.

Share this story, choose your platform!

About the author:

Leave a Comment

Vietnamese athletes in the Olympics 2024

As 2023 came to an end, Vietnamese sports fans celebrated three remarkable athletes who clinched the official berth for the Paris Olympics 2024 in France. The Vietnam sports authority is hoping to take 12-15 athletes to represent their nation at the Olympic Games in France, but only five have qualified so far. That puts them

Read More »

Momentous Sporting Events in Vietnam

Vietnam has always been known for its resiliency, history, and culture. These qualities are only further exemplified in the sporting events that they hold in the country. This Southeast Asian has been the stage for many milestone moments for the country and the region as a whole. It doesn’t look like Vietnam is about to

Read More »

THAIFEX- HOREC Asia 2024

Shaping the Future of HoReCa Bangkok, Thailand – The Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Koelnmesse are thrilled to announce the upcoming THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2024. Scheduled from March 6th to 8th at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, this premier event is poised to redefine the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and

Read More »

Adventure Travel in Uganda: Rafting, Hiking, and Wildlife Safaris

Uganda, often called the Pearl of Africa, is a hidden gem for adventure seekers. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from dense forests and snow-capped mountains to vast savannas and majestic rivers, Uganda offers a wide array of thrilling activities for those looking to explore the wild side of Africa. From adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting on the

Read More »

Streets, Stories, and Pho: A First-Timer’s Guide to Hanoi

Hey there, Hanoi Newbies! Welcome to the chaos, charm, and downright deliciousness that is Hanoi! Buckle up because we’re about to dive headfirst into this city where every street has a tale to tell, and the aroma of Pho is practically a love letter to your taste buds. This first-timer’s guide is your golden ticket

Read More »