Kuala Lumpur is as hot and muggy as ever, if not hotter. I'm only reminded of that when I get there, though. There isn't that much time for non-essential considerations when it's a last-minute decision.
But it's not the kind of heat we've usually got. It's the kind where, if you're lounging in a fifth-storey spa in the Ampang district after a 1-hour shiatsu, taking in the KL sunset through the floor to ceiling windows, the sun is a fiery circle with no clear edge. It's like being separated from your sunset by a veil. Or maybe those windows are dirty.
Later, when you've had enough of lounging around in an over-sized bathrobe, night has fallen and the moon makes its appearance. Again, looking up into the starless sky out on the street, it's the kind of roundish light you see without your spectacles.
I believe it's the result of smog over the city.
Plans to go hiking are abandoned, but not because of that. Bukit Tabur just seemed unsafe to hike alone. Prior research showed that the trails didn't seem to be marked and some sections involve climbing up rocks. More significantly, the area isn't accessible by public transport, which is to say, how will I return to the city after getting there in a teksi?
So I spend 3 days pretty much indoors. Specifically, inside several of the city's expansive malls, including Times Square (I'm not even sure how many levels of shops it actually has) and 1 Utama. The latter, located out in the Bangsar suburbs, is so big it has 2 different and separate cinemas (I find that out the hard way).
It also houses Camp 5, an indoor sport climbing centre. Even though I'd forgotten my gear back home, I go there to see in the flesh their automatic belay system. It's drool-worthy indeed. The centre even organises monthly trips out to the Batu Caves for some real climbing. Wahay, the itinerary for the next time I'm in KL has planned itself!
But for now, I'll just have to be content with a RM9 movie, several cheap tops and a pair of sandals, and several meals of chicken hor fun and Ramly burgers.
Next stop, next month, India.
