The Hindu Business Line : It's fun time in KL

Skyscrapers, smooth roads, sleek cars, pubs, restaurants, parks, shopping plazas and, above all, a hearty welcome — `Selamat Datang'. This is Malaysia's federal capital Kuala Lumpur, says Sharmila Chand.

Talk of Malaysia and all one can think of are its islands or its shopping. But I stand up for its cities — organised, clean and modern, packed with loads of fun and activity for all age groups. If you are with friends, pubs and discs are enough to keep you busy, while families can have a great time staying in rented apartments or lovely resorts, offering the much needed space. If you don't fall in either of these groups, just keep walking on the roads and enjoy the massage right there at the pavement.

Believe me, you will not feel left out. Lastly, if you are in a corporate group, you will find this country an ideal destination for meetings and conferences, equipped with the latest state-of-the-art facilities.

Skyscrapers, smooth roads, sleek cars, pubs, restaurants, parks, shopping plazas and above all a hearty welcome — `Selamat Datang'. This is Malaysia's federal capital Kuala Lumpur.

Once a shanty mining outpost for the tin trade in the 1800s, today it is a bustling metropolis. Boasting of the world's tallest building — the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers, standing at 1,483 ft as well as the Menara Kuala Lumpur, the world's fourth tallest. Modern transportation that includes the Light Rail Transit System and a Rapid Transit Monorail System, currently under construction, mean getting around is a breeze.

I get too excited to see the city from the top. So I reach the linking bridge of the Towers as you can't go further up and have an enthralling overview of the city.

My next stop is the plush Suria Complex right at the feet of the imposing Towers. Armani, Esprit, Cartier, Nautica, Dunhill ... the complex is a haven for brand addicts.

Well, if you are not looking for branded stuff and missing your Delhi's Janpath or Palika Bazaar, I suggest you head straight to China Town or The Central Market. Please hone your bargaining skills before you go on a shopping spree here. Gucci and Roles for 20 Ringits each, Harry Potter DVD in 5 Ringits and three decent T-shirts, all in 10 Ringits.

Then `Malacca', the historical city of Malaysia, is worth a visit. It is traditionally believed that the history of Malaysia began with the founding of Malacca in 1400 by Parameswara, a Sumatran Prince.

Thereafter, the State flourished under the Malacca Sultanate and eventually became the region's largest emporium attracting traders from as far as China, India, Arabia and Europe.

The city came under successive colonial eras, when it was conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641 and finally the British in 1824. Hence, the city is a melting pot of culture today with some historical sites as A Famosa, Stadthuys and St Paul's Church. In this quaint city, antique lovers will find Jonker Street with its myriad shops, an intriguing place to hunt for treasures of the past.

For those on a gastronomic trip, the delectable variety of cuisine available here will leave you (especially for the non-veggies) yearning for more. From the local satays to continental cuisine, there is no end to the variety. `Rendang' and `Martava' (like our parathas in layers) seem to be very popular.

As my sojourn draws to an end, I leave with an impression of a place, which has everything — nature, modern infrastructure and above all, `warmth'. It is an arduous expression of the people who love to invite, eat, enjoy and celebrate.

Fact file

How to get there: Malaysian Airlines flies four times a week, each from Delhi and Mumbai and daily from Chennai.

Where to stay: International standard hotels, medium and budget hotels, youth hostels, rented apartments are aplenty.

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