Kuala Lumpur

The city that we (have to admit) just did not understand and enjoy much. Probably not to be it's fault. Just 3 nights and days are not enough to fully get under the skin it's variety and vibe.

We have arrived after the 4 hrs drive from the Johor Bahru. Accommodated at the (budget optimised) Mayview Glory Hotel at Bukit Bintang quarter. 1 dbl + 1 sgl bed, private bathroom, aircon, clean, with a simple breakfast buffet included ** hotel. Not much style but in terms of value/money hard to object. Everyone with a nice approach. 26€/night. 7/10.

Lukas went to return the car to the airport which is almost 50km out of the KL city. And it took him over 4hrs to come back. By a bus (the SkyBus to the KL Sentral station, 10 RM), by the Monorail (2,50 RM) and by asking several people for directions as his phone was completely discharged. Meanwhile, Katerina took kids to the KLCC (the KL "twins" center) nerby park water-playground. (Truly a great idea to have such a fine place for kids there!). Using "GoKL" buses which run for free around the city centre.

Simple india restaurant dinner and pretty fast into the sleep fade-out followed our early evening family reunion.

The next day morning. Breakfast. Grab (5RM) to the "Islamic Arts Museum". (We just did not know how to get there easily enough by the public transport.) The museum is not spectacular but was interesting and surely is worth a visit.

Followed a walk towards the KL Bird Park. Which Lukas had pre-evaluated as not worth (overpriced) to visit. As his mood was somehow disbalanced, he had a thunderstorm moment there, so the visit to the restaurant open to the aviary happened without him.

To (re-)establish our "family peace" again a stroll through the KL Botanical Gardens was the optimal program to follow. Not as spectacular as those in Singapore but still pleasant enough to spend almost 5hrs there. Several playgrounds (no water thought), very nice (and stylish architecture) Bamboo house (for Olive to have an afternoon nap) and also quite a lot of fauna around (squirrels, birds and even one snake spotted).

Unexpected minor, but annoying struggle was to get back out of there. (It is pretty simple actually..). Maybe this was just not well planned ahead and maybe (also) the public transport system in KL is just not simple, clear or marketed enough. Anyway, it took us over an hour to get back to the Bukit Bintang. And to a food street to have a diner.

This would not be any interesting evening if a heavy downpour do not start. This ment we had to walk back to our hotel in the rain which all of us actually truly enjoyed (it was a very hot day). The most the kids. Tad has been taking a natural shower while still at a restaurant and under not fitting roofs joint water stream. To an amusement of all other guests and people passing by. And Olive, singing various songs out of her personal jukebox. All the way to the hotel, while carried by Lukas on his shoulders. With a plastic bag over her head and another one weared as a jacked. No wonder almost everyone we have passed smiled and greeted her "hello baby".

The next morning. Breakfast. "GoKL" bus to the "Central Market". Full of souvenirs. But absolutely nothing to be interested in. Global schmaltzy stuff. We have very shortly continued to the "Museum Negara" (the national museum). Bit an old school and not a special one (5 RM). More interesting and much smaller was (for also 5RM) native tribes (Orang Asli) museum just next to it.

After we were going to the KLCC from there, by MRT train. Shopping mall late lunch (not a good one). Followed by another water playground visit. By Kaczi and kids as Lukas was not in the mood (again) and rather walked away back to the hotel separately.

The last day in Malaysia. Practical. Early morning breakfast. Grab to the KL Sentral station (6 RM, 15 min) and a bus to the KLIA 2 (12 RM, 45min). Check in. Icecream for the kids to spend last RM. The departure (immigration) photo of the Tad with a chocolate all over his face must be just awesome!

And....Good bye Malaysia and "Terima Kasih"!