Tell me about Kuala Lumpur

[Tishabet]

So I'll keep it brief: Looks like in a month or two I will be headed to Kuala Lumpur for work. I will probably be there for 5-7 weeks, will be working on a project for a major bank and will likely be working out of their office which is located a block from the Petronas towers.

So... what must I see and do while I am there? I will of course be working quite a bit but would love to spend some time seeing the city and country. I think my wife will probably come out for a week as well.

I've been to Thailand before, but never Malaysia... I'm a very adventurous eater and much prefer "going local" to being a tourist, for what it's worth. Any insight from Pelicans with Kuala Lumpur experience would be great. Thanks guys!

[Dottore]

What can I tell you? I lived there 1998 and 1999. Had my office across from the Petronas towers.

The food is brilliant—since much of it is a fusion of Chinese, Thai, Indian and Malay influences. You will certainly put on weight.

The government is a nightmare. Keep your nose out of politics. The newspapers parrot the party line. If you like FOX news, you'll love the Malaysian media.

The country is Islamic—so censorship is strong. No porn. No skin. Nothing. They also have religious police who make sure you don't hold hands in public or eat when you're supposed to be fasting. They're supposed to leave foreigners alone, and baiting them is great sport. And in the evenings you can watch Koran Reading Competitions (the national sport) on the telly for hours on end.

The Chinese have the money and the smarts, but bumiputra politics give the indigenous Malays all the advantages, so there is considerable racial tension.

Great beaches on the east coast, and awesome jungles in the north, and of course on Borneo.

KL is an extremely live-able town, and remarkably pretty. Great shopping. Great hotels. Great car scene as well—though you have to seek it out.

There's a shuttle that flies to Singapore every 30 minutes. You'll be using that often to get away from the silly political and religious nonsense that omnipresent in Malaysia.

Because of the mix of European, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Malay people—you get some absolutely stunning women there. Women that will make you stop dead in your tracks—they are that gorgeous.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions. I have some great friends there still if you need any local help.

[javadog]

Make sure you visit Singapore as often as you can and spend as much time and money there as you can. In particular, eat out a lot.

JR

[Joeaksa]

Used to fly out of there and have friends who were based there for years.

If you are used to Thailand then its much the same, but with the frigging islamic influence.

The taxi drivers tried to get into political discussions with me about America and Americans. Finally I learned to remind them that America is made up of people from all countries and people from KL among them, so if they did not like Americans they must not like people from KL. That shut them up right away.

Very humid this time of year so dress lightly.

I enjoyed it but not my cup of tea for a long time gig...

[jriera]

+1

Been there many time while living in Singapore, Petronas was one of my clients.
- don't plan any business on Friday afternoon
- don't get a hotel in front of a mosque with the speakers pointing at your window, you are up for free wake up calls
- don't even try to shake hands as a form of introduction unless is initiated by the other party
- go to the Genting casino
- the city is big and not easy to drive around at first
- some ideas Kuala Lumpur Weekend Breaks in Malaysia - Guide for Weekend City Break to Kuala Lumpur - Travel Library
- NO TALK POLITICS
- FOOD IS AWESOME, use right hand only
- drive to Singapore via Johor Barhu

Originally Posted by Dottore

What can I tell you? I lived there 1998 and 1999. Had my office across from the Petronas towers.

The food is brilliant—since much of it is a fusion of Chinese, Thai, Indian and Malay influences. You will certainly put on weight.

The government is a nightmare. Keep your nose out of politics. The newspapers parrot the party line. If you like FOX news, you'll love the Malaysian media.

The country is Islamic—so censorship is strong. No porn. No skin. Nothing. They also have religious police who make sure you don't hold hands in public or eat when you're supposed to be fasting. They're supposed to leave foreigners alone, and baiting them is great sport. And in the evenings you can watch Koran Reading Competitions (the national sport) on the telly for hours on end.

The Chinese have the money and the smarts, but bumiputra politics give the indigenous Malays all the advantages, so there is considerable racial tension.

Great beaches on the east coast, and awesome jungles in the north, and of course on Borneo.

KL is an extremely live-able town, and remarkably pretty. Great shopping. Great hotels. Great car scene as well—though you have to seek it out.

There's a shuttle that flies to Singapore every 30 minutes. You'll be using that often to get away from the silly political and religious nonsense that omnipresent in Malaysia.

Because of the mix of European, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Malay people—you get some absolutely stunning women there. Women that will make you stop dead in your tracks—they are that gorgeous.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions. I have some great friends there still if you need any local help.

[red-beard]

It's been 10 years since I was there, but we had a great time with the night life. I don't know exactly where in the city, but it was a couple of british style pubs. We had fantastic food and great place.

Watch out that they drive on the other side of the road, look BOTH ways before crossing...

[Tishabet]

Wow guys, lots of info here! No politics, check! Visit Singapore, check!

I just checked online and it looks like I can fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for around $100-$150, woo!

This whole thing hinges on closing a particular deal, though it looks very good right now. The latest is that the project might get pushed until Q1... and I might be there more like 6 months. If that is the case, my wife might come along for some or all of the time. Any special considerations for her in this country as a woman? She is a commercial banker and might try to consult, or might take it easy and enjoy a bunch of cooking classes. TBD.

Any insight on typical banking/business wardrobe, business customs etc?

[vash]

meh..she probably shouldnt run around in a bikini..but other than that..western dress is cool. if she wants to visit some temples..they will even loan her a robe.

KL was cool. lots of great food there. the towers, i took the tour. i think i remember them saying that construction of the tower..it was the first time they used high strength concrete..amazing.

the unrest in bangkok calming down yet? i heard the happy locals are not so happy anymore. they look crestfallen. even the tsunami couldnt beat them down..but political unrest was too much..

[jriera]

Skip Bangkok, Chiang Mai good, hit ****et and Phi-Phi islands (James Bond movies), Langkawi is good.

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Wow guys, lots of info here! No politics, check! Visit Singapore, check!

I just checked online and it looks like I can fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for around $100-$150, woo!

This whole thing hinges on closing a particular deal, though it looks very good right now. The latest is that the project might get pushed until Q1... and I might be there more like 6 months. If that is the case, my wife might come along for some or all of the time. Any special considerations for her in this country as a woman? She is a commercial banker and might try to consult, or might take it easy and enjoy a bunch of cooking classes. TBD.

Any insight on typical banking/business wardrobe, business customs etc?

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Any insight on typical banking/business wardrobe, business customs etc?

Wardrobe? Same as anywhere else. Even though it's friggin hot. If you're in the banking biz you'll need a suit and tie.

[Tishabet]

Time to buy some summer-weight suits I guess... I own three very good suits, but none of them would be very comfortable in 90 degrees and humid. Thanks again for the info guys, I'll let you know if this whole thing pans out.

[vash]

i love bangkok..i dont take "full advantage" of the offerings..but it is super fun.

still the unrest there. my friend is from there. he said people are bummed.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by vash

i love bangkok...

Ditto. Bangkok has it all.

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy...

[Seahawk]

I can buttress that remark, flying or otherwise. Like every city, a little local knowledge makes all the difference.

Originally Posted by Dottore

Ditto. Bangkok has it all.

Concerning the unrest, just don't wear a cowboy hat with half a pheasant's a$$ stuck to it and you'll be fine.

[Tishabet]

Yeah, proximity to Bangkok and the potential to explore SE Asia on the weekends is one of the major draws for me. The wife and I spent a week in Bangkok in 2007 and loved the city.

[Zeke]

I think you can buy some new suits over in SE Asia for a great price. Custom tailored.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

Time to buy some summer-weight suits I guess... I own three very good suits, but none of them would be very comfortable in 90 degrees and humid. Thanks again for the info guys, I'll let you know if this whole thing pans out.

If you want a good tailor in Hong Kong, let me know.

He has made all of my suits, uniforms and better shirts for the last 20 years. It fits YOU, not the rack and the quailty is excellent.

I just ordered three more shirts from him. They will be on their way in a couple of weeks... or you can do it in HK in two or three days.