Getting to Know Kuala Lumpur

To begin with, most Americans don't even know where it is, let alone how to pronounce it. Before getting to know Kuala Lumpur, let's have a little geography lesson.

Malaysia is located in the South China sea next to Indonesia and Thailand. Due to it's location, Americans don't need a heavy jacket or a coat. Malaysia is hot and humid all year round. The federal capital is Kuala Lumpur.

Even though the official languange of the country is Bahasa Malay, leave the language guide books at home-English is widely spoken and understood. It's a Muslim country, but because it's a very cosmopolitan city, you're as likely to see women in western dress as well as veils and long dresses.

How do you pronounce the name of the city? You could pronounce it KOO AH LAH LUM PORE, but do yourself a favor.Do as the locals do and just call it by its initials, KL and you can't go wrong or offend anybody.

To get aquainted with KL, stop at the tourist center at the sleek and impressive airport, Kuala Lumpur International or KLIA for short. As KLIA is an hour or more from the city, there are many ways to get into town. There is the KLIA Express, which takes 28 minutes, taxis, which you pay for with a voucher that you get from one of the booths at the airport, and even an airport bus that either takes you to your hotel or even one of KL's very efficient and clean subway or light rail stations.

One word of warning to first time visitors to to the country: Leave the medical marijana at home. Drugs are a very big no no in the country. Any type of drugs not prescribed by a physician found on you results in the death penalty.

Unlike Japan and some countries in Europe, Malaysia is very affordable. Even four or five star hotels are affordable, not to mention dining. You can find such well known eateries such as McDonals, KFC, Kenny Rogers' Rotissiere Chicken, and of course, Starbucks. But why go all the way over there to eat at places that you have back home?Try something new.

The currency of Malaysia is Ringitts. One US dollar equals 3.80 Ringits. You'll find your money goes very far in the city as there are many places to spend it.. Some shopping districts in KL to "Shop till you drop" are the Central Market, Jalan Impi, Jalan Bukit Bintang, among others. If you want to practice your haggling skills, try the Petaling Street night market in Chinatown.

KL is also know for it's fine pewter ware.For those of you who are upscale shoppers, there's the Suria KL, which is located at the base of the Petronas Towers, which dominates the skyline.

Some of you movie fans might recognize the building from the movie, "Entrapment."

Along with the Petronas Towers, the other building that dominates the skyline is the Menara KL or KL Tower. For all the modern buildings and shopping malls around the city, it hasn't forgotten it's history.

Be adventurous and take a tour of the city. Notice some of the buildings such as the old railway station, which is still in use, Masjid Jamek, and the Sultan Abdul Samad building, with its impressive clock tower. Get to know the history of modern Malaysia as you stand in Merdeka Square, where in 1957, the country gained its independence from Great Britain.

On your final day in the city, you take time to reflect at the National Monument. As you look at it, something looks vaguely familiar the statue, which honors the Malaysian soldiers who fought to keep the country free from Communist insurgents.The statue looks like the Iwo Jima statue in Washington, DC. There is a reason it looks familiar, they were designed by the same scultptor.

Like most large cities, there are many things to see in Kuala Lumpur, these are just some of them. Forget the fact that it takes so long to get there,(18 hours from the West Coast, 21 hours from the East Coast.), get to know thie lively and very vibrant capital of Malaysia.