Honeymoon in Kuala Lumpur & Malacca

Malaysia_trulyAsia,goes the tag line. A perfect start is to fly on Malasia Airlines-a superb flight with a persona; TV and specialised food on pre-booking. Arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport can leave most tourists bewildered-for this is a new airport so advanced, it is based on a 30 year plan! An electric train connects the landing terminal and the immigration and baggage buildings! The only drawback is that the KLIA is almost 1 3/4 Hours from the city, best accessed by coach, for a fee of 25 Ringit. At this point the journey seems interminable.

Kuala Lumpur has beautiful roads, with even the lamp posts being works of art, carrying filigreed patterns have an Islamic theme, giving the place a definite architectural distinction, barring the few remaining colonial buildings, churches, Indian and Chinese temples. Huge shopping malls co-exixt with the original 'kadai' or sjop located in the original shophouses. The cream of all shopping centre is of course, the Suria KLCC, sited between the towering Petronas Towers, now the very symbol of Kuala Lumpur. The huge complex houses designers fashion stores, craft shops and restaurants, including a stylish Indian one called-you guessed it-Bharat! Mid Valley Mega Mall, Sogo, Ampang Park, Bintang Walk, all offer shopping. The Globe Silk Store is the oldest department store, the target of most Indians.

For beautiful local atmosphere, one must go to the Central Market. Like Convent Garden, this too was once the biggest fresh produce centre, now refurbished and renovated into a centre for art, craft, clothes, footwear-and food. Lovely local clothes and handicrafts, as well as those from all over the Orient can be bought here. All manner of food is served on the upper level.

Malaysian craft is of a very high order-cane basketry, embroidery, pewter ware, kelantan silver, and the local costumes. All this and the colorful kites, can be found at Karyaneka-a must visit place for a treasured keepsake. The MTC on Jalan Ampang is open 24 hours to provide tourist information. Cultural shows, multi cuisine, handicrafts shops, etc., are part of the attraction here. A perfect place for a first timer to the city and country, for one can check out the Web what to see in Malaysia, and make one's travel arrangements here.

The Jalan Ampang and Jalan Masjid India near the Central Market are the little India areas of Kuala Lumpur. A frantically alive place, one can see stores like Nalli catering to local Indians. Indian streets vendors sell freshly made South Indian snacks, even fresh 'kozhakottai',while the small mess or canteen-like eateries (kittingi) serve vegetarian and non-vegerarian South Indian food. If at all, Kuala Lumpur can displease, it is only in the matter of vegetarian food, a bit hard to come by. Bangsar is famous for its night market and food outlets, about 1/2 an hour away from the city centre. Of course one can virtually eat off the streets, living it up on succulent satay, dipped into the piquant peanut sauce, profered in open stands everywhere, The ketupat, or rice packet in its cocunut leaf plaited casing is eaten with curried meat, a wholesome meal right off a corner stand.

The Mariamman temploe is a good spot for newly weds to pray for a good life. Right in Chinatown, the temple proves the courageous faith of early South Indian immigrants, staying on in a strange land, bolstered by their implicit faith. Walking from the temple into the streets of Chinatown is a grand experience, the area throbbing with life late into the night, and alive with street side bargains. One can pick and choose the latest VCDs- a more 40 Ringit for three. Clothes, clogs, Chinese eats, dried plums, red laterns-its a different world.

The Lake Gardens with its orchid and hibiscus gardens, along with a large bird park, make a delightful picnic spot. The 70 hectare landscaped expanse can be comfortably seen by the mini tram, for a small fee. Taxis are fine to get about with but a bus ride is an experience. The conductor and driver wait and rustle up passengers till the bus is packed and stop wherever you want enroute.

A lovely road trip to Malacca takes you to the place where the history of Malaysia began. Occupied in turns by the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British, Malacca is easily reached by a comfortable a/c coach ride, costing just 8 Ringit each way. All along the route one can see the old wooden homes on stilts, amid huge plantations. Its absolutely picturesque, and with a light blue misty rain, quite out of this world. At the Malacca bus station are many guides and touts, waiting to show the arriving innocent 'historical Malacca'-an enclave within the town. The best way to get on is to hire a taxi driver for a guided tour, for 20 Ringit per hour. The friendly chap ushers one into the cool taxi, out of the fierce sun and decides we have to be further pampered! On come the latest Hindi melodies from 'Kabhi Khusi Kabi Gham'! With all this joyful crooning, giggles from us and tuneful whistling from the driver, we embark on the rich sights of Malacca, which somehow seen to stand before me today, here in faraway Madras.

Christ Church(1753) on to St. Xaviers Church, the Fort, the Vinayagar Temple (proof of the many Tamils here), the Straits Home-a private museum, the street shops selling many keepsakes - all charm's one. But it is Jonker Street that is the highlight of the visit- a maze of streets housing many antiques. One can also buy expensive beaded slippers in the Perankan style as well as embroidered gowns, tops and bags. This area should be done on foot, or in trishaw - a highly decorated rickshaw, many driven by friendly Tamils. A light and sound show is a fine way to finish the visit. A trip to Malaysia can be a long one for there is so much to see, spread out over a relatively large country. KL and Malacca is but exploring the tip of a delicious surprise. It needs many more trips to experience the beauty of a land slowly gearing itself to the demands of tourism.