If you are looking for a thrill-a-minute day trip from Kuala Lumpur, then Kuala Selangor is likely to prove a big disappointment. If, however, you just want a pleasant break from modern city life, then this sleepy town by the banks of Sungai Selangor (Selangor River) has a lot going for it. It is relatively … read the full post

My first piece of advice to anyone thinking of hiring a car to use in Kuala Lumpur would be: don’t do it! KL drivers may not be the worst in the world, but they come fairly close. Add in erratic signage, ever-worsening traffic jams, and a frightening disregard for road safety, and you can appreciate … read the full post

Malaysian intercity bus travel is a curious thing indeed. The journey itself is for the most part efficient, pleasant and good value for money. By contrast, the vast majority of bus terminals are hot, noisy, confusing, tout-filled nightmares. If the buses themselves do a good job of representing Malaysia’s first world aspirations, the places where … read the full post

For most of the year, pickings are rather thin for film buffs in Kuala Lumpur. Unless you are happy with the most mainstream of Hollywood fare, and the occasional Asian martial arts movie, the choice on offer at the city’s many cinemas is distinctly disappointing. Which is why this May is a special month for … read the full post

Banana leaf curry is an Indian thali, done with a distinctive Malaysian twist, and it’s something visitors really should try at some stage during a trip to Kuala Lumpur. I decided to check out a few places in order to find the best spot to indulge in the delicious meal. Popularity may not be everything … read the full post

Although live music in Kuala Lumpur generally consists of bland international pop, or amateurish pub rock bands, fans of jazz and blues are comparatively well served. Every month sees a steady stream of both local and overseas artists, playing to small but appreciative audiences. Here’s a selection of some of what’s on offer in late … read the full post

One of the curious anomalies about Kuala Lumpur is that while it is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to buy books, you hardly ever see anyone reading in public. I am beginning to think that every KL home is littered with stacks of unread tomes. Or perhaps I am committing some awful … read the full post

Kuala Lumpur is not so much the city that never sleeps, as the city that never stops eating. To say that the city’s residents like their food is a serious understatement. They are obsessed with it. Day to day life is planned around meals, not the other way round. And while the sheer volume of … read the full post

Falling in love with a city is very much like falling in love with a person: it has very little to do with logic, and everything to do with subjective sentiment. There’s no use trying to explain why one face makes your heart go giddy-up, while another one leaves you cold, that’s just the way … read the full post

It’s fair to say, that whatever KL’s virtues as a place to visit, having a thriving cultural and artistic scene is not one of them. Given that the most popular local pastime is hanging out at air-con shopping malls, this should not come as a surprise. But, it is possible, if you know where to … read the full post