Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur with Teachers Travel Web

Kuala Lumpur is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombek rivers. It is approximately 35 km from the coast and is the largest city in the nation. "If we consider the Klang Valley we have a population of 2.2 million," says one member," We actually live right beside the zoo and yet we are in the city. When we arrived here I remember thinking how misleading the population and the definition of the city were. There is KL, Selangor and Klang valley and they are all really the city. The city is huge and the traffic is horrendous."

WHERE CAN I TAKE THAT VISITOR?
The following is a compilation by the Human Resource Manager at the school where our members work and we have taken excerpts from it for you .

The Malaysian Tourist information complex is housed in a very historical building. It started out as a wealthy miner’s house in 1935, was used as a war office by the British Army, became the headquarters of the Japanese Army, the venue for the first sitting of the Malaysian parliament and witnessed the installation ceremonies of several kings, a religious affairs office, and art gallery - and finally after extensive renovation work in 1988, a one-stop visitor centre where you can get most of the information you need to plan your tour round malaysia. Watch out also for cultural performances (Tue, Thu, Sat,Sun ) and theatrical shows.

KL Tower completed in 1996 and standing at 421 metres, the KL tower (or menara kl) is the fourth tallest commuinications tower in the world. It's observation deck accessed by high speed lifts which take about 1 minute to reach it, provides a spectacular view of Kuala Lumpur. Pause to admire the beautiful inset mirror designs on the ceiling of the lift foyer,which were created by Iranian craftsmen.

In the botanical and bird parks of theLake Gardensone is treated to the beauty and variety of Malaysia's plants and animals. Landscaped grounds are a delight to stroll through.You will find the Zoo and aquarium comprising some 26 hectares of well-laid out exhibits in a forest setting, you can view indigenous Malaysian fauna as well as species from around the world.

They are built around an artificial lake, it encompasses 91.6 hectares of undulating greenery interspersed with flowering shrubs, shady trees, and exceptional botanical gardens, There is a children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations, and rowing boats.There is an elephant show, a seal show and penguin exhibit. also visit the reptile house. The adjacent aquarium features a number of varieties of aquatic animals.There is also a camera charge.

The Orchid Garden showcases thousands of international varieties of orchids.The garden contains over 800 species from Malaysia alone.
The Hibiscus Garden is a small terraced garden which provides a strikingly colourful panorama of countless varieties of hibiscus.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the largest bird park in South-East Asia, holds thousands of birds representing nearly every major species of this part of the world.

Thirteen kilometers north-east of Lumpur is the National Zoo. It contains hundreds of different species of animals, birds, and reptiles. The aquarium has an extensive collection of marine and freshwater species.

Petaling Street The center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy

The Deer Park

Located in the undulating slopes and sprawling valley of the Lake Gardens.Close to the bubbling stream at the edge of the valley are several mousedeer.
The mousedeer is the world's smallest hoofed animal and a popular figure in local folklore due to its legendary wit
In Malaysian folktales, the mousedeer, Sang Kancil, is usually depicted as a clever, tricky animal. It is always finding itself in numerous scrapes with predators yet somehow manages to escape each time. Sang Kancil embodies courage and wit that lies between each and every one of us

Central Market The art-deco structure of the Central Market is a centre for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, and dance classes.It is just opposite the magnificent dayabumi building This art deco building which was built in 1936 as wet market selling fish, meat and vegetables has been converted in 1986 into a cultural centre and souvenir shopping haven. The riverside amphitheatre outside is the venue for regular performances of traditional and contemporary dances and music.

Having the world's largest reserves of tin, it seems appropriate enough that Malaysia also produces what is widely regarded as the world's finest pewter. Most of it is produced at the Royal Selangor Pewter Factory,which lies just outside of Kuala Lumpur.
The factory was founded in 1885 by Yoon Koon, a Chinese artisan who crafted objects only for the aristocracy. Today Royal Selangor is the largest single manufacturer of fine pewter in the world, and it is still run by Koon's third-generation descendants. The factory gives a full tour of the production floor, and visitors to the gift shop have the privilege of buying any of the items duty-free.

Kuala Selangor fireflies
Watch male fireflies light up to signal their desire to mate and willing females light up to attract with flashes of their own. You need to head to Kuala Selangor and and the firefly park resort in Kampung Bukit Belimbing.You purchase a rm10 ticket and head to the jetty for the boatman to take you along the river.
There is also a nearby nature park which is worth a visit. Kuala Selangor nature park was officially established in 1987. The park comprises 240 hectares of mangroves, secondary forests and mud flats, and is a refuge for 160 bird species as well as the silver-leaf monkey and long tailed macaque.A wooden boardwalk into the mangroves allows visitors to view swamplife.

Melaka was founded in the closing years of the 14th century by a refugee prince called Parameswara and is the birthplace of the Malay Sultanate.It is an historical city just after the Melaka toll.Turn left to visit the butterfly park
. The Butterfly Park houses some 6,000 butterflies of over 120 species. The park is an imitation of the butterfly's natural habitat. It includes more than 15,000 plants from 100 species that have been used to recreate a Malaysian rainforest atmosphere. There is a nursery and breeding area for the butterflies.

Turn right and travel a few kilometres to view the Chinese sculpture garden at Auyin Hill resort.
Taman Mini Malaysia, not far after the toll on the left, displays traditional crafted house from the 13 states of Malaysia,including a longhouse from Sarawak. Nearby is mini Asean with examples of house from Asean countries. Make sure you have easily removable footwear - you cannot wear shoes inside the houses.

Just after Mini Malaysia is the Melaka zoo and opposite it an Orang Asli museum and crocodile park. Move into Melaka town and see the historical area with its museums, model of a portugese galleon,St Paul's Church on the hill which was first built in 1521 and the Dutch gravestones. There are lots of craft stalls along what used to be the waterfront. Don’t miss the Istana museum, modelled after a palace and the museum of beauty.
Take a bullock ride. take a river cruise - pays to check the times when you arrive as the river is tidal and you could miss out.Stroll along among the old chinese shophouses and the Baba Nyonya museum is a must-see.

Batu Caves situated in a massive outcrop of limestone cliffs are Hindu shrines and there is an adjacent art gallery. The main temple cave has a ceiling looming over 100 metres overhead. It is the destination for some two million devotees and visitors during the main Hindu festival of Thaipusam. Access to the caves is by climbing 272 steps.
Pictured is a statue of Lord Shiva in the galleria at Batu Caves

Templar Park Further north from Batu Caves (about 12 kilometres) is Templar park and there are a number of nature walks through secondary and primary jungle. Accessible through the park is Bukit Takun (Takun hill) which is a massive limestone column, 350 metres high formed about 400 million years ago .This 500 hectare park about an hour from KL has some magnificent waterfalls, hiking trails through the jungle, and is a must see if you're ever around here. If you're quiet while walking along the trail, you're very likely to spot a band of monkeys playing in the trees. Take a picnic lunch and bring along your swim trunks, the water is really nice after the long hike

Recommended books to plan your holiday in Malaysia

Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
by Chris Rowthorn, Clem Lindenmayer, Paul Hellander, David Andrew The reviewer said,"This is the best book that I have found which gives great details about places in Malaysia and Singapore. As an expatriate working in Malaysia, I find this book as a valuable resource when I travel. Recommended".

Culture Shock! Malaysia
by Heidi Munan "This book an invaluable resource for anyone traveling to Malaysia. Did you know it's highly offensive to hand someone an object with your left hand? This book explains the local customs and cultures, so you will be a welcome guest, not one who is just tolerated. " says the reviewer.

Useful Phrases

          Yes - Ya
          No - Teedak
          Hello - apa kabar
          Good bye - se la mat jalan
          Thank you - Sa ma Sa ma
          Excuse me - Ma fkan say-ya
          Do you speak English? - Ta-hoo-kah ber -da ha sa Ingris?
          I don't understand - Sa-ya tee dak fa-ham
          Help! - To-long!
          Please bring me the menu - To long bawa untuk say-ya me-noo
          Please bring me the bill - To long bawa untuk say-ya bill

That was the quick look at Kuala Lumpur and the huge variety you will find there.With the huge population, it is a real advantage to have the privilege of staying with locals who can help you work out your day's sightseeing.