Exploring Kuala Lumpur: A Weekend Adventure
This weekend, we decided to explore Kuala Lumpur, embracing a relaxed "lying flat" approach. We ventured out to see Chen Jing's "Time and Space" exhibition and experience a new mall, Lot 10.
Experiencing the City
The Kuala Lumpur weather has been pleasant recently, despite the 34-degree heat. The rain has made it much more comfortable than previous weeks. We were surprised by the amount of cultural and art activities available. We've previously visited the Malaysian National Museum and plan to explore more art museums in the future.
Discovering Lot 10
We were impressed by the lively atmosphere inside Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang. It was our first time visiting this mall and we were surprised at how much we'd been missing. The mall had a variety of attractions, including game machines and even a basketball area.
Time and Space Cube Exhibition
We visited the "Time and Space Cube" exhibition, which required purchasing tickets on-site. Foreigners pay 80 MYR, while Malaysians pay 70 MYR. A 10% discount is available by downloading the Estand app. The exhibition featured interactive displays, including mirror installations and a "universe" themed area. It was a fun, immersive experience.
Culinary Delights at Lot 10
Lot 10 offered a wide range of dining options, particularly Japanese cuisine. We enjoyed beef udon noodles and yuzisho at a restaurant with a counter-style seating arrangement, reminiscent of Harrods Hotel in London. The supermarket had a great selection of Japanese bento boxes, fruits, and snacks at affordable prices. We also found a matcha specialty store and a Japanese bakery. We even purchased some Japanese black snow fish (Gindela) to try at home.
Navigating Kuala Lumpur Traffic
After our shopping and dining, we headed back, encountering heavy traffic. The tail lights ahead of us stretched out. We observed the lively atmosphere and variety of attractions in the city.
Malaysia's Rising Tourism Popularity
We discussed recent news highlighting Malaysia's growing popularity as a tourist destination, surpassing Thailand in visitor numbers this year in Southeast Asia. This increase is attributed to relaxed visa policies, including extensions for Chinese visitors and visa exemptions for Indian tourists. Malaysia has attracted over 10 million tourists in the first quarter of the year, compared to Thailand's 9.5 million.
Factors Contributing to Malaysia's Appeal
Several factors contribute to Malaysia's growing appeal:
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Improved International Image: Positive reviews from Western YouTubers.
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Family-Friendly Environment: Perceived as safer and more orderly than Thailand.
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Upscale City Life: A blend of natural beauty and modern amenities.
Safety Concerns and Crime Rates
While Malaysia is generally considered safe, we acknowledged recent news of shooting incidents in Kuala Lumpur. However, statistics show that Malaysia's murder rate (0.7 per 100,000) is significantly lower than Thailand (3-5 per 100,000) and the Philippines (6-7 per 100,000). We compared these figures to global rates, including the United States and China. East Asia, excluding Taiwan, generally has very low gun crime rates.
Traffic Troubles and Navigation Challenges
Our journey home was complicated by confusing roads and multiple wrong turns. We admired the night view of Kuala Lumpur, including the HSBC headquarters building with its Islamic architectural elements. The extensive underground passages of TRX, designed to alleviate traffic congestion, added to the navigation challenges.
Past Insecurity Encounter
We recalled a past experience near Times Square where we were approached by a group of aggressive beggars. It was a slightly scary experience, especially since we had our young child with us at the time and communication was difficult due to the language barrier.
Final Thoughts
Despite the navigation mishaps, we concluded our vlog, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and wishing everyone a good night. While any country can experience isolated incidents, we felt that Malaysia, in general, is a safe place to live and visit.
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