Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur.

Very educational and a must see if you wish to learn more about the history of the Malaysian flag, the influences of the Islamic world on our modern day and of course to see some wondeful miniatures of the world's most impressive and beautiful mosques. A nice way to spend one afternoon would be to visit the nearby bird park, the National Mosque and the Islamic arts museum and then enjoy a high noon tea at the newly opened Majestic Hotel.

 

 

For more information on the Museum have a look here:
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Pork only restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.

I read an article that made me chuckle in Female Magazine November 2012. It reminded me of how little I really knew about Kuala Lumpur before I moved here. Those days I wasn't sure how easy it would be to get pork in Malaysia!

The article talks about 3 pork only restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. There are plenty more restaurants that serve pork but for this post I have just mentioned the 3 in the article.

If you have other recommendations please do leave a comment. The more the merrier!

Here they are:

S.WINE:
 in Ben's Independent Grocer in Publika, Jalan Dutamas.
Click Link for more information.
S.WINE Contact Details


THE HUNGRY HOG:
Jalan SS15, Subang Jaya
http://www.hog.my/


THE PORK PLACE:
Lot 31, 101 Boulevard, Puchong
The Pork Place: Map


Another place not mentioned in the article is the German restaurant Brotzeit in Midvalley. They of course serve some very good german pork sausages.

BROTZEIT:
Brotzeit: Midvalley

Restoran Rose 911 in Pandan KL for original Malay Food

For a unique and in-expensive way to experience original Malay food from Negeri Sembilan you must go try out Restoran Rose 911 in Pandan KL!! The restaurant is simple like most Mamak stores but it is unique in the food that has on offer!

If you are taking foreign guests they will love the daging salai masak lemak (smoked beef cooked in coconut milk) which reminds one of smoked sausages/salami. The chicken and fish dishes are very tasty too and there are plenty of vegetable dishes and tofu for any vegetarians.

For more adventurous gustatory tourists, the tempoyak/sambal durian (fermented durian) will blow you away! There is no other taste like it in the world- as far as I am aware!! And there are also the "stinky beans" to try which make a nice accompaniment to any dish. The beans themselves do not stink, infact they are similiar in taste to peas. The stench is supposedly produced post consumption!

By the way very little English is spoken there, but most is buffet and you can point at things on the menu. Better still take a Malaysian friend to explain things to you!!

A very big thank you to my collegues, for taking me there for lunch!
For more details on the history of the restaurant and how to get there have a look here:

Restoran Rose 911

Durian Puffs and Fermented Durian in Kuala Lumpur

Now these are not for the faint hearted!! Durian is a much loved fruit by Malaysians but receives mixed reactions from foreigners! Therefore, I always try to ease my guests and friends very gently into Durian.
I must admit that we do have a great amount of fun surprising our friends with "Durian delights!"

One of these delights was recommended to me by my fellow blogger Stephanie-(Thanks Stephanie!).
They are called "Durian Puffs!" They look like profiteroles and can be bought in a delightfully simple bakery in China Town. They are creamy and fill your mouth with a "parfum of durian."

These Durian Puffs are a nice way to introduce people to Durian and get them used to the acquired taste.

For the more adventurous of you, you can try Durian fruit! Ideally start with the best quality known as Musang King. Fruit sellers can be found all over Kuala Lumpur and in Wet Markets such as TTDI.

If you still can't get enough of Durian then upgrade your taste buds to Sambal Durian/ Tempoyak (fermented Durian.) You can find this at the up- market restaurants Bijan or Songket or at a local restaurant such as Restoran Rose 911.

More information on these restaurants to follow: Bijan and Rose 911.
For Songket have a look here:

Songket Restaurant KL

Fish spa therapy in Kuala Lumpur.

If you haven't tried this yet you must-it is such a good laugh!!
It will be a foot massage that you will never forget! How does it work?
Different sizes of fish tickle and massage your feet by nibbling away at them. Don't worry it doesn't hurt but it will really get you screaming with uncontrollable laughter!
There is no describing the sensation- you just have to give it a go!!

Where in KL can you go and experience this?
There are several places and I have mentioned 2 of them below:

Central market, Pasar Seni, ground floor has one Fish Spa which is inexpensive and simple. Here you will find 2 sizes of fish as well as a hand spa (fish nibble your fingers!!)

The Pavillion Mall (Near Mono Rail Bukit Bintang) has a more expensive Fish Spa which offers other massages as well. Have a look at their website here:http://www.kenko.com.sg/

Enjoy!

National Science Centre, Pusat Sains Negara in Kuala Lumpur

A great outing for kids and adults alike is the National Science Centre in Bukit Kiara.
A magnificent glass domed building, with dinosaur shaped plants outside, a swimming pool area and lots of fun scientific tangibles inside. Not known to many but there is also a mini aquarium. Admission price for adults is 6rm as of April 2012. More information can be found here:
Science Centre Kuala Lumpur

Cleaning of the exterior glass is a mammoth task!

Mini Aquarium tunnel with freshwater fish.

Different view of a freshwater Sting Ray!

Educational view of an oil Rig.

Aung San Suu Kyi on the wall of Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Thean Hou Chinese Temple, Kuala Lumpur

As part of the cultural experience of Malaysia it is a good idea to visit one of the many Chinese Temples.
Thean Hou Temple is in a beautiful and leafy part of Kuala Lumpur with views of Bangsar, Kl Tower and Petronas Towers. Address: Persiaran Endah.

Karaoke Booths in Kuala Lumpur, Berjaya Times Square, Imbi

Here is another unique way for you or your kids to spend their free time: Karaoke Booths at Berjaya Times Square, 6th Floor, Monorail station Imbi.

Sungei Wang Shopping Mall and Roller Skating in KL

One of the oldest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. To get there take the Monorail to Bukit Bintang. The mall is connected to the Monorail station.

Mosque Tour: A must do in Kuala Lumpur.

I cannot say how fascinating a recent tour of a Mosque was for me!! Being Christian I haven't quite been able to explain why my "real" knowledge of Islam has been so faint and vague up until now. The tour of the Mosque was both informative and very surprising to hear the obvious links between Christianity and Islam. It was even more refreshing to hear a couple of surprising facts.
On the tour you are encouraged to ask questions so please do.
If religion doesn't interest you, I would still recommend that you go on a tour so that you can admire the magnificent architecture and the intelligent uses of space and shapes to accommodate all sorts of activities.

There are several magnificent Mosques in KL. Some of these are:

Masjid Jamek at the LRT station by the same name. This is said to be the oldest Mosque in KL.
Masjid Wilayah, very close to Solaris and Publika, Jalan Duta. This Mosque combines architecture of The Blue Mosque in Istanbul (hence the Blue Domes), Taj Mahal in India and The Shah Mosque of Isfahan.
Masjid Putra in Putra Jaya the administrative capital of KL, situated on the way to KLIA international airport. This Mosque has a pink dome and is built on the water. It is absolutely breath taking in the evenings!

Please respect the custom of modest attire before visiting any of these Mosques. Modest means that arms and legs need to be covered and ladies need to cover their heads with a long scarf. Shoes must be kept at the entrance. Some Mosques will give you a robe to wear but it would help if  you went prepared.

Masjid Jamek

3 photos of Masjid Wilayah

Tours are free of charge and you are free to chose whether to leave a donation or not.

To book a tour at Masjid Wilayah please email or call Rose Ahmad at:
rose.ahmad23@gmail.com   or +60122102650
In her absence you may contact Bob Borhanuddin at bob.borhanuddin@gmail.com or  +60123257578.

Kuala Lumpur Boleh! Things to know about Kuala Lumpur.

My new home city Kuala Lumpur is wonderful! Where do I even start to decribe all the great things I have
discovered and experienced. There is of course the food. Everyone talks about the food. In London we used
to talk about the weather, in KL we talk about the best meal we had yesterday and which restaurant to try out next. The trio of cultures that makes up Malaysia has influenced it's cuisine and also the number of festivities we foreigners and visitors get to enjoy. We are now experiencing Ramadan which will be punctuated at the end by the great celebration of Eid. To date we have laughed and clapped at so many festivities from New Years's Eve in January, Chinese New Year in February through to Muhammad's Birthday, Buddha's birthday and now we are waiting in anticipation for Eid.
As if that weren't enough jolly for a year, Diwali and Christmas still await us.

But it's not all about food and cultural celebrations. No, Malaysia has so much more to offer. There are the highlands in Cameron with it's cooler air and tea plantations. Then there are the Islands, so beautiful and a heaven for scuba divers and Robinson Crusoenians. There is Borneo for the nature lover in you and Mount Kinabalu magnetically draws you to challenge yourself up her granite slopes. With Malaysia's low cost airline: Air Asia, all these dream locations are possible within a weekend's trip from Kuala Lumpur.

I also love the tropical jungle that surrounds and decorates pocket areas within the capital city. It feels so lush and enjoyable to drive past these leafy lungs that cool the motorway air and allows the city to breath! No smog to be found here!

I could go on and tell you more about Batu Caves, Mega Shopping Malls, Durian......but I wouldn't want to give it all away! It would just be better for you to come and discover it all for yourself. Why read about it when Malaysia is waiting here for you to experience it?

Happy travels!

Things to try in KL.

If you never have before you must try yellow water melon. It is absolutely delicious!

Most people have at some point had fresh coconut juice. If not you must also give this a try as it is highly nutritious and refreshing on a hot day.



Fresh coconuts at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur.