Last updated: November 2024
I was in desperate need of a change of scenery, some adventure, a close friend from back home, and some TLC.
And so I got on a plane and flew to Kuala Lumpur to spend Chinese New Year with Jasiminne and her family.
My London party and travel buddy for the past four years, Jasiminne has been inviting me to Malaysia for years, and so this year I finally went! And it was amazing.
We spent 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur, and then three days in Borneo for some R&R.
We packed so much into our 24 hours in Malaysia that I just had to write about it and tell you how you can see and do everything we did!
So, ready to explore Kuala Lumpur in 24 hours? Let’s go!
Also, all photos of me in this post are obvs courtesy of Jasiminne
I landed around 8am on Thursday morning and Jasiminne was waiting for me with a huge sign in the arrivals hall.
I’d had a teary flight as my emotions have been all over the place lately, and desperately needed the big tight hug she welcomed me with!
The driver was waiting outside for us, so we trundled out with my bags and jumped into the blissfully air-conditioned car.
Jasiminne handed me a bottle of ‘Alkaline Water’ and I was all like ‘WTF is this!?’ haha.
Apparently it’s the newest craze in Malaysia…
Batu Caves, Gombak
After a quick change and refresh at Jasiminne’s house, we got back in the car and drove to Batu Caves in Gombak.
The caves were really quite impressive, with a Hindu temple inside surrounded by mother nature.
The steps were hard work in the heat and humidity, but we managed it with aplomb and humor.
It was half way up the steps that we realised we perhaps weren’t dressed for the challenge.
Everyone else was in shorts and tshirts, and there we were with big hats to protect our fair skin, long flowing dresses, and expensive suede sandals.
We basically looked like Patsy and Eddie from Ab Fab in the Morocco episode. #yolo
We finally reached the top and thankfully the famous monkeys were nowhere to be seen due to the regular fireworks being set off to scare them away.
Lunch at Chocha Foodstore
We were getting a little peckish at this point so jumped back in the car and drove over to Chocha Foodstore for lunch.
You guys, this place is SO instagrammable!
And the food was incredible.
We went for; Kerabu Mango Rojak, Crispy Chilli Squid, and the Duck Confit Rice.
We then finished up with a delicious dessert that I can’t even remember the name of – it was some sort of coconut creme brulee concoction!
After food we were walking back out when we spotted *the* staircase.
Jasiminne wanted to get arty photos of me on this staircase…cue me following her instructions, looking like an idiot, the photos not working due to the lighting, and then all the staff gathering round to watch and laugh at us.
The below photo is my favourite, I couldn’t stop giggling at the situation! I promise I didn’t fall down the stairs.
Chocha foodstore had run out of soft drinks, and we were both desperate for an ice-cold Coca-Cola, so we popped next door to a hidden little cafe for a quick drink.
They sold THE most delish looking cakes, but alas, we were too full from lunch.
We sipped on our Coke’s and admired the foliage. It felt as though we were in the middle of a jungle, when in fact we were in smoggy KL!
Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
The humidity was high but we were determined not to give in to it, and so we walked down the street in search of two temples; Sin Sze Si Ya Temple (Taoist), and Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Hindu).
The Taoist temple was my favourite, it was so peaceful and tranquil, and felt very spiritual.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
The Hindu temple was much bigger and more open, and much cooler and less hot and stuffy.
Independence Square
Our next stop was Independence Square where the Colonial buildings are.
This is also where the I <3 KL sign/sculpture is, and a couple of museums.
There were *a lot* of bus tours here, so it was quite busy, but it’s a great place to see the older buildings in the city and get a cute viewpoint of the Petronas Towers from a distance.
Naturally we did a mini photoshoot in front of the adorbs older buildings.
Petronas Towers
And finally, it was time to see the Petronas Towers up close.
We drove over and went to the gardens at the back of the towers. There’s a bridge here that is perfect for getting you in the photo with the towers, and the gardens and water fountains are super pretty.
There’s also a massive shopping centre underneath the towers if you need some air-con, and a juice place at the lower level which does the best Watermelon and Lychee smoothie EVER.
We headed back to Jasiminne’s to get changed and ready for the Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner with her Dad’s side of the family, and spent the evening feasting on Chinese food, learning about the CNY traditions, and singing Karaoke with the Yip family.
Jasiminne’s dad is actually a really good singer, so we dueted to the Bee Gees, and then Jasiminne and I rapped to Goldigger, which made her grandmother double over with laughter.
I actually thought the poor woman was going to have a heart attack, she found it so hilarious!
Awww I had the BEST time playing host to you in Malaysia and I'm so glad you not only enjoyed yourself but you also rose to the challenge (that humidity is KILLER am I right?!). Reading this made me legit emotional, and I'm not afraid to say it. COME BACK TO KL BB!!!!
A Luxurious Stay at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai – Posh, Broke, & Bored
You two are always so fabulous! Kula Lumpur looks amazing!!
KL is one of my favourite places! Enjoy ladies 🙂
Mehreen Amira
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