By Paul Rubio

 

Often overlooked on the Southeast Asia tourist trail, Malaysia shines as the continent’s cultural melting pot, where disparate flavors, trends, and customs create a single nation. Though the country stands divided ethnically and politically between its diverse Malay, Chinese, and Indian populations, for the average tourist Malaysia is a cultural wonderland, flaunting a world showcase of intriguing opulence, bizarre foods, and social conundrums.

 

Most Americans will recognize the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur (called by “KL” locals), from the 1999 hit film, Entrapment, with Sean Connery and Katherine Zeta Jones. The worlds’ tallest buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers (petronastwintowers.com.my), formed the backdrop for the characters’ final heist, engulfing the skyline, jetting 1200 feet towards the heavens. Though the Petronas Twin Towers lost its tiara as the world’s tallest building in 2004 to a Taiwanese skyscraper, it’s still one of Kuala Lumpur’s most impressive, mind-boggling attractions and just the beginning a city filled with unexpected surprises!

 

Malaysia’s Grand Dame

An entire village dedicated to both business and leisure envelops KL’s twin towers. The surrounding Kuala Lumpur City Center or KLCC (klcc.com.my) houses outdoor parks, recreation centers, and the mother of all shopping malls, with every upscale store imaginable spread over three connecting mega-malls, an entire floor of Asian restaurants, and two floors of food courts (You’ll quickly realize that shopping and eating are Malaysia’s two national pastimes). Naturally, the city’s premiere hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, (mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur) is also found smack dab in the center of the KLCC neighborhood, doling out prime views of the twin towers and city’s magical skyline.

 

The Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur offers instant immersion into the finest ingredients of the KL melting pot, fusing western trends with Asian inspiration. The guest rooms and suites exude Mandarin Oriental’s signature sophisticated Asian style with elegant wood furnishings accessorized by tasteful gold and copper drapes, pillows, and linens that sparkle in the reflection of the KL skyline. The view-heavy outdoor pool area satisfies the western hunger for sun-drenched afternoons filled with delicious cocktails and poolside relaxation. The hotel’s ten food and beverage outlets reflect the country’s diversity with venues that have become true social and eating institutions. For example, Lai Po Heen, the hotel’s contemporary Cantonese restaurant, teems with sexy, multinational businessmen and fabulous lunch ladies (ready to become the next Real Housewives of Kuala Lumpur) sampling traditional Chinese specialties like “Bird’s Nest Soup” and more regional items such as the “Crepe Durian Pancakes.“ Downstairs at Casbah, the party rages nightly at the hotel’s trendy Arabian-style lounge, packed with glamorous socialites in the latest couture.

 

A bit more understated, the Mandarin Oriental Club Lounge caters to both business travelers and leisure travelers with ample space for work and relaxation, along with multiple opportunities to delight in local and regional dishes at breakfast, afternoon tea or during cocktail hour.  You may not have quite the variety of the famed food hawker stalls of Jalan Alor but you may very well find your plate filled with dishes like pineapple fritters, curry fish head, banana leaf rice, roti canai, and otak otak.

 

Not to Miss

Though you can literally eat your way through the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and endlessly bask in the hotel’s luxury offerings, it’s worth spending several days exploring the greater city. After living in KL for over a year, these are my top sights not to miss!

 

Lake Gardens and Independence Square - With postcard perfect views, Independence Square faces the elaborate and lavish Sultan’s building, also known as KL’s “Big Ben.” A short walk away, the highly manicured Lake Gardens area is home to the National Butterfly Park (once the largest in the world), a Deer Park, an Orchid Park, a Hibiscus Park, a Bird Park and a National Planetarium. Prepare to see curious monkeys by the roadside, in trees and on fences, preening each other, jumping from branch to branch, and trying to balance themselves on telephone wires.

 

Brickfields Blind Massage – This micro-enterprise supports the independence and prosperity of blind individuals, who are trained as massage therapists, using their impeccable sense of touch.  Everyone from the secretary to the cleaning people and the masseuses are blind; and the massages are divine!

 

Batu Caves – This sacred Hindu shrine on the outskirts of town is a must see. You’ll be out of breath after the 350 stairs to the cave entrance, but soon you’ll succumb to the overpowering nature of the cave. About half a million people come here during the Thiapuism festival in January, when Hindus repent by piercing their faces and bodies with spears and fishhooks. Most men will put about 50 large fishhooks through their chest or backs and stick a rod from one cheek to another, going through the mouth. You have to see it to believe it. Oh, and don’t feed the monkeys!

 

Kampung Kuantan  - This day/eve trip to the Selangor River allows you to enjoy a night float down the river to watch masses of fireflies (kelip kelip) congregate and light up the entire sky!

 

Blue Boy - Malaysia's oldest gay club is still its most popular. It’s definitely no frills and a bit rough around the edges but it’s a guaranteed good time! There’s an undeniable gay presence in Malaysia despite government efforts to quell the country’s gay scene. Nightlife is often segregated between Muslim Malays, who patronize Blue Boy, and Chinese Malays who frequent an ever-changing array of  “mixed” trendy nightclubs. Utopia-Asia.com provides up to the minute listings.