Here are the three best things about Kuala Lumpur: the weather, my serviced apartment, the whole KLCC-Pavilion Shopping district.
I have not stopped moving since touching down in KL two weeks ago. Sadly I have not been partying or painting the town red. There was a wake and subsequent funeral to attend of our beloved Kepong Auntie. She touched so many people’s lives and I would say she is my favourite auntie amongst the dozen or so aunties I have on both sides of the family.
Funerals bring people together and so I have been meeting up with my cousins. Looking after my mother during the day means I do all my socialising and necessary shopping in the evenings. For this reason I am so thrilled to have access to the KLCC area on my doorstep.
Whilst the KLCC Park is a popular green space with dedicated walking/ jogging lanes, my exercise is of the indoor type. For this trip, the thing that has made me most happy is that I am walking without any knee pain. I spent the whole of my last trip with a torn meniscus which I neglected. I just had to carry on with the work I was here to do. Physiotherapy and swimming sessions back in London have helped so much on the road to recovery.
This is my seventh trip back to KL in the past two years. With each subsequent stay there is progress in all aspects of living in this city. It would be too long to write in detail about my daily activities, which are varied and interesting. I offer instead an updated list of the places I frequent in this part of town, which I fondly call my kampung (village).
Suria KLCC Mall
Supermarkets: Cold Storage and Isetan
Food Gifts: Kenny Hills Bakers, Royce Chocolates, Melting Pineapple Tarts from Top Cookies
Non-food Gifts: Books Kinokuniya
Pedicures (I work too much to have a manicure last more than two days): The Nail Parlour
Pharmacy: Guardian and Watsons
Sports clothes: Lululemon
Specialist shop: Za Altera clothes alterations
Cinema: TGV
My go-to canteen: Little Penang Cafe
My go-to takeaway: Madam Kwan’s
My go-to kuih and curry puff shop: Nyonya Colors
I had a coolbag whose handles had come off repaired at Za Altera
I eat way too many of these chicken and egg curry puffs from Nyonya Colors
A selection of cookies from Kenny Hills Bakers
Upmarket supermarket: Culina
Food Gifts: Supermarket (as above), Culina Bakery or Kenny Hills Bistro (takeaway section)
Sports equipment: Decathlon
My go-to hawker centre: Malaysia Food Village
The entrance to Shoppes at Four Seasons Place decorated for the upcoming Hari Raya / Eid festival
If you are looking for a niche food product, Culina is your place
Malaysia Food Village is the site of many happy extended family gatherings
Supermarket: Village Grocer
Pharmacy: Guardian, Watsons and Caring Pharmacy
Dim Sum: Peony by Canton Boy (non-pork)
The most useful stores in KLCC: Mr D.I.Y and Daiso
Specialist shop: Mr Minit shoe repair
Because of my busy work schedule (day) and social meetings (night) I have not yet managed a walk in the outdoor park. I have only just managed a token photo of this area’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Mr Gochugaru arrived this evening, thankfully without any delays on his London-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur journey. We start the day tomorrow with an early dim sum breakfast with Melbourne Cousin (who used to be Hong Kong Cousin but she moved to Australia). The Muslim fasting month, Ramadan, begins on Sunday and we have already planned two buka puasa (breaking of the daily fast) dinners with Travel Couple. Working with my elderly mother is intense and tiring, but the evening ‘specials’ as I call it really makes up for it. Work hard, play hard, and KL is just the right city for this.