Kuala Lumpur
It is dark, pouring rain, and we are screaming through the storm at 100 mph. Trees fly past the window, their silhouettes repeatedly flashed against the black sky by lightning. Where the hell are we?
The Third World doesn’t typically excel at public transportation. Camel trains are interesting, but not particularly efficient at moving people. Tuk Tuks get the job done, but most people don’t like weaving through traffic in the smoke-belching, three-wheeled monsters. Buses are a proven method, but can we talk about lack of comfort? Trains can be romantic, yet often move at a glacial pace.
Fast forward to Kuala Lumpur, a beacon of technology smack in the center of the Malaysian Jungle. In KL, the buildings soar to the heavens, and shoppers ply huge air-conditioned shopping centers, escaping the intensity of the Malaysian jungle heat. Trendy bars and cafes line the streets, co-mingling with traditional street food vendors. Condominiums and luxury high-rises surround lush parks, and everything is connected with the latest form of modern transport.
Our introduction to KL came at the ultra-modern international airport 70 kilometers south of town. With no city in sight, we were forced to contemplate either an exorbitant taxi ride or a train to KL’s Central Station. Fortunately, we chose the latter. Five minutes after collecting our bags, we boarded the most advanced train either of us had ever seen, and within moments, we were flying silently down tracks toward the bustle of KL.
Kuala Lumpur has been around for centuries, but put itself on the map when it built the two tallest buildings in the world – the twin Petronas Towers – in 1998. It was a message to the world that KL and Malaysia were serious about their quest for foreign investment and technological success. Although there is now a taller building in Seoul, the Petronas Towers remain symbols of the confidence and success of Malaysia.
The other side of KL is more natural. Hundreds of acres of parkland carpet the city with huge swaths of green, and natural jungles sit untouched below towering office buildings. The crown jewel of this park system has to be the Lake Gardens, and its Aviary – the largest contained bird sanctuary in the world.
KL is far from perfect. It is difficult to walk in many parts of town, as superhighways have dissected traditional neighborhoods. The sky is often hazy with pollution, and the traffic can get heavy. Yet, we were pleasantly surprised. KL is clawing its way into the modern world, and is doing so with some success. Just look at the 100mph super-train from the airport, unencumbered by a nasty Asian monsoon, covering 70 kilometers in a mere 28 minutes. The future is right around the corner.
Enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Photo Gallery.
Enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Aviary Photo Gallery.
The Third World doesn’t typically excel at public transportation. Camel trains are interesting, but not particularly efficient at moving people. Tuk Tuks get the job done, but most people don’t like weaving through traffic in the smoke-belching, three-wheeled monsters. Buses are a proven method, but can we talk about lack of comfort? Trains can be romantic, yet often move at a glacial pace.
Fast forward to Kuala Lumpur, a beacon of technology smack in the center of the Malaysian Jungle. In KL, the buildings soar to the heavens, and shoppers ply huge air-conditioned shopping centers, escaping the intensity of the Malaysian jungle heat. Trendy bars and cafes line the streets, co-mingling with traditional street food vendors. Condominiums and luxury high-rises surround lush parks, and everything is connected with the latest form of modern transport.
Our introduction to KL came at the ultra-modern international airport 70 kilometers south of town. With no city in sight, we were forced to contemplate either an exorbitant taxi ride or a train to KL’s Central Station. Fortunately, we chose the latter. Five minutes after collecting our bags, we boarded the most advanced train either of us had ever seen, and within moments, we were flying silently down tracks toward the bustle of KL.
Kuala Lumpur has been around for centuries, but put itself on the map when it built the two tallest buildings in the world – the twin Petronas Towers – in 1998. It was a message to the world that KL and Malaysia were serious about their quest for foreign investment and technological success. Although there is now a taller building in Seoul, the Petronas Towers remain symbols of the confidence and success of Malaysia.
The other side of KL is more natural. Hundreds of acres of parkland carpet the city with huge swaths of green, and natural jungles sit untouched below towering office buildings. The crown jewel of this park system has to be the Lake Gardens, and its Aviary – the largest contained bird sanctuary in the world.
KL is far from perfect. It is difficult to walk in many parts of town, as superhighways have dissected traditional neighborhoods. The sky is often hazy with pollution, and the traffic can get heavy. Yet, we were pleasantly surprised. KL is clawing its way into the modern world, and is doing so with some success. Just look at the 100mph super-train from the airport, unencumbered by a nasty Asian monsoon, covering 70 kilometers in a mere 28 minutes. The future is right around the corner.
Enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Photo Gallery.
Enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Aviary Photo Gallery.
posted by Scott and Lynn at 8:32 PM
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