17th March 2010
Today we took the bus from Melaka onto Kuala Lumpur. We took a taxi to the central bus station in Melaka and managed to get onto one of the many buses leaving for KL at 11am.
We arrived in KL at about 1pm and checked into our hotel. A sparse affair, even for the deluxe room that we’ve booked, but clean and comfortable never the less, with a great view of the KL Tower and the tips of the Petronas Towers and even tea making facilities - bonus!
After a spot of lunch we wandered around some of the market stalls in Little India selling all sorts of counterfeit goods.
We decided that because of the heat it would be a good idea to take a wander around the National History Museum in cool comfort for the afternoon, so we headed to Merdeka Square.
Merdeka Square is in Kuala Lumpur’s colonial district and is its symbolic heart. It is a formal parade ground around which pose the architectural legacies of Malaysia’s successive conquerers, both Islamic and European. The nation’s independence was proclaimed here in 1957.
Unfortunately when we arrived at the beautiful, old museum building a notice informed us that it was currently closed for refurbishment with the exhibits temporarily on display at the National Museum.
Since we were a long way from the National Museum, but a short hop to Chinatown, this is where we decided to head. Once there, our first port of call was the Central Market which is housed in an art deco buildng and sells Malay arts and crafts along with general tourist rubbish.
We wandered around for a while then went onto the markets, here they were still setting up, ready for the late night trade so we decided to go back to the hotel for a rest then explore the markets later.
When we did arrive at the markets after dark they were really busy, everyone hawking for business, stall after stall of ‘genuine copies’. All the big names, Chanel, Prada, Gucci and in all shapes, handbags, purses, sunglasses, watches. All vying for your attention and your business.
Among the many stalls, I found a Diesel bag I quite liked and stopped to look. The guy came up and got it down and handed it to me so I ‘could get a good look’. I asked him the price and he told me, but, not really sure I wanted it, I said no. The stall holder gave me the calculator and asked me to put in my price so I put in 100 Ringitts just to see what happened and he said no, so I went to walk away because I still wasn’t sure. Next thing I know, he’s saying I could have it for 100. Since I still wasn’t sure, I said no thanks and walked off, but he chased after me. Ed says because I had said a price which the stallholder had agreed to I had to then purchase at that price - news to me, but I am now the proud owner of a blue diesel bag even if truth be told I would have prefered a green or brown one. However, it will serve my purposes and I have learnt my first lesson in bartering (I *told* you I was no good at it!!) only offer up a price if you want something. On the plus side, I did manage to knock him down 30% so I’m getting better at it!
With my newly acquired bag, we found a great little satay stall on the side of the road in Chinatown for tea, washed down with 2 very expensive Tiger beers - they cost more than the meal did! A first night treat :D.
