Taxis/Cabs in Kuala Lumpur

Don't be offended if a Taxi driver refuses to take you to your destination. This is just one of those things you need to get used to in Kuala Lumpur. Below are some tips and things to be aware of:

1. Taxi drivers do not always know all the destinations. Well known hotels and landmarks are not a problem but a condominium in a suburb like Mont Kiara may be a bit trickier. The rapid growth of Kuala Lumpur has been difficult to keep up with (satellite navigation fails here as well)

2. All taxis/cabs have a meter but some taxis refuse to switch it on, preferring to haggle a fixed price with you. Always take a metered taxi.

3. There are however, official fixed price booths for taxis such as the one in KL Sentral. Use these ones if you know there will be heavy traffic as this would be very expensive on a per meter basis.

4. Some taxi drivers are very jovial and welcoming. Others are grumpy and tut a lot. Don't take the latter too seriously. Most taxis have the drivers name printed on the driver's door.

5. Friday afternoons (during prayers) and when it rains: taxis become very scarce. Plan for this if you have an important appointment.

6. Traffic is horrendous during rush hour so plan extra time.

7. The large blue taxis/cabs are the most expensive.

8. After midnight there is a 50% surcharge to your usual fare. ( 2011 price)

9. Be prepared to pay for toll fees on top of the meter fee, unless it is stated otherwise.

10. All taxis run on gas so they have a huge gas tank taking up space in the boot. If you travel with more than 1 large suitcase you will need to hire a larger taxi.

11. When traffic is flowing you can get in and around the main city centre for about 15 -20 ringgit (2011 prices: about $5 to $6.5) Price is significantly higher from the airport into town on average around 90 -140 ringgit from KLIA.

October: Free NLP Event in KL!

For those of you who are curious about NLP pop into the Violet Flame in Bangsar for a free talk and discussion about it. A good opportunity as well to meet expats and locals a like in a cosy setting.

Date: Thursday October 20th 2011 at 19.30.
Venue: Bukit Bandaraya, 67-2 Jalan Bangkung
Upstairs 1st floor.

To register call:    03-20959868       or email: info@thevioletflame.com.my

For more info and a map visit: Violet Flame Free Event

Compare the cost of living: Malaysia versus your country.

This is a really cool site that allows you to compare the cost of living between 2 countries.
Check it out via the link below:

Cost of living comparison

Moon Cake, Lantern, Diwali, Deepavali: festivals in Kuala Lumpur

We are so blessed with festivals and public holidays in Malaysia. We have past the Moon Cake (Zhongqiu)  festival & Chinese Lantern festival and now we look forward to Diwali, the hindu festival of lights.

In Brief:

Moon Cake & Chinese Lantern festival:
is a mid-autumn chinese festival that involves buying and sharing delicious Moon cakes with their various fillings such as red bean paste and jujube paste. Red lanterns and lanternsof all shapes and sizes are used to decorate streets and homes. This festival is also a time for moon watching or lunar worship and seems to have several origins.
A) It is said to be linked to the mythical goddess Chang E (Mood Goddess of Immortality). The cakes often have chinese symbols of "harmony" and "longevity" imprinted on them.
B) The second possible origin was said to be during the Soong Dynasty when the chinese were being opressed by the Mongols. Moon cakes were used then to smuggle secret messages amongst the rebels to plot an attack to overthrow the Mongol oppressors. Permission was granted for these cakses to be distributed because the rebels pretended to use the cakes to promote the longevity of the Mongol empire as a PR stunt. Hense the imprinted symbols.
Whatever, the origin, we are glad these delicious festival still survives for us to enjoy in the 21st Century.
This year the festival fell on the 12th of September.
For images please click here:   Moon Cake and Lantern Festival Images

Diwali/Deepavali:
This is still to come this year on the 26th Of October 2011 and marks the Hindu New Year. The various names for this festival when translated means "row of lamps/lights" therefore, it is also fondly known as the " Festival of Lights". Several activities collide on this day from cleaning homes, prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, igniting fireworks, lighting diyas/dipas (clay oil lamps) to sharing good food and gifts. It is a celebration too of Good overcoming Evil and Light overcoming Darkness: so an all round positive, bright and devotional day. We can't wait to witness it!!

Street food in KL: Traditional Ice cream

I just love roasted maize, reminds me of home. So I was over the moon when I came across these guys opposite Sephora near the Pavillion Shopping Mall. The maize was delicious and so in-expensive.
You must try some if you come across this anywhere in KL.

Have you tried some traditional Ice cream delivered on a motorbike? The ice cream comes in square cubes. I have never seen ice cream like this before and they were selling fast!!

Pandan is  Pandan or Screw Pine Leaf
Keladi is Yam
Kelapa is Coconut
Jagung is Maize

Yummy flavours!?!