(Special Post by Marta Velez) Europe vs KL

-
Hey! I am an expat in Kuala Lumpur and I love it. I have been here for a couple of months now and this city is still capable of surprising every day.  There are so many things to do, to see, to enjoy.  I have to confess that when I came here I did not know much about Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia I had never been to Asia before!
This was a really spontaneous, exciting decision. Moving to a different continent, a country that you barely know to start a new life… Why not?

I decided to focus this opinion article on comparing the western European world where I came from to the metropolitan Asian capital to where I moved to and the similarities are incredible. Kuala Lumpur is urban, modern, developed and energetic: in here it is possible to find anything that you see in Europe (and even more like the amazing rooftops), from the stores to the food to the clubs or to facilities, honestly the list is infinite. And where does Kuala Lumpur wins? Let’s base this on a football match.

Kuala Lumpur 1 -0 Europe


Shopping Paradise. From Louis Vitton to fake rolex you can find anything! Big malls (I mean BIG), Small malls, street markets (personal favorite), international or local, it is amazing. In my eyes, Kuala Lumpur offers much more options and variety. My main problem now is if one day I want to get back I will need to buy plain tickets for my suitcases!!

Kuala Lumpur 1 – 1 Europe


Cleanliness. This is a negative point around here. The streets are dirty, it is common to throw trash to the floor and it is a struggle any time I try to find a trash bin. In Madrid, for example, you don’t see trash on the streets as they are being cleaned literally 24/7. 

Kuala Lumpur 2 – 1 Europe


Food! Let me start by saying that I really miss the kind of bread that we have in Europe but except for that the food here is amazing. Indian tastes better (and there is Naan), the chicken tastes better (don’t ask me why) and besides having all this combination of fantastic Asian food (Indonesia, thai, chinese among others) you can also find really good western restaurants so I don’t actually miss home in that sense. The fact that Malay cuisine is mainly a mix of different others gives it a special taste!

Kuala Lumpur 2 – 2 Europe


Four seasons. No, I am not talking about the hotel chain but about winter, spring, summer and autumn.  Yes, warm weather during the whole year can be fun but each one of the four seasons has something special about it. The yellow leafs in the autumn, the snow in the winter, the fresh breeze of spring.  I am still trying to recognize that I am going to spend Christmas in my bikini (much probably)!!

To be political correct let’s consider it a tie. Both Europe and Asia have a lot of good features and at this moment I have to say that my heart is half here, half there! 

Popular posts from this blog

Hawker Center @Jalan MacAlister, Penang

-
Image
What will people think first when we talk about Penang? Penang Hill? Batu Feringghi? Hard Rock Cafe? I doubt any of them come first but their local food! Penang famous with their local foods and that is the reason there are a lot of hawker center at Penang. One of them is at Jalan MacAlister. No name for this hawker center but the local good foods are concentrated here. A lot of hawker stall like this here. There are just too many to choose from. Prawn Mee @RM5.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 2/5 - As I mentioned in my previous post at Raodifang, I just hate to eat a prawn mee with small prawns in it. Loh Mee @RM5.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 2/5 - Nothing special for an expensive small portion. Carrot Cake in chinese style @RM6.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - We ordered two plates and one plate is very delicious and fragrant but another one is too s
Read more

Bao Seng Durian Farm, Balik Pulau

-
Image
Have you ever stay in a Durian Farm before? No? At Bao Sheng Durian Farm, you can do it! This 6.7 acres durian farm has been established in Balik Pulau since 1959. It really took them full 60 years to get the fruit of their hard work. Their villa is well equipped with air-con, hot shower and LCD TV with hundreds of Blu-Ray quality movies in it! They have existing queen size or king size bed and extra bed can be requested. To get close and personal with the King of Fruit...the accommodation charges will be Deluxe Villa is charged at RM280/night and standard villa will cost you RM180/night. They only have 1 Deluxe Villa and 2 Standard Villa only. So it is very easy to be fully booked during the durian season. Advance booking is greatly recommended for at least 3 months ahead so that you will be able to choose the right schedule for the durian you wish to taste. Why stay in a durian farm? This is what you see when you open the window with all the durian trees around you. The fre
Read more

Champ's Bowling Centre, Sandakan

-
Image
Not really much entertainment in Sandakan even though they are just beside the sea. No nice beach for water activities and the nearest island like Pulau Selingan and Turtle Island are about 90 minutes away. As for the town itself, basically is this bowling centre called Champ's which has a very nice and good condition bowling alley, bowling shoes and bowling bowls if to compare with bowling centres like in KL.  Not very big at all for their bowling centre which only has 12 lanes. Their shoes look so new! Here is a demonstration on how to bowl. Looks pro...I wonder how is the end result. So what do guys think? Is it a strike? They have a lounge here as well. And a cafe too! The price of the bowling is cost at RM4.80 per game per pax. We went at their most peak hours so their price basically has not much different than our KL City price. As for the bowling shoes is chargeable at RM2.00 per pax. FYI, the prices not inclusive government tax of 6%. Seriou
Read more

Skyline Luge, Sentosa

-
Image
After taking the cable car from Harbourfront to Sentosa Island, Skyline Luge is what you will see when you reach there at Imbiah Lookout. Riding this can get you faster to the Siloso Beach and extremely exciting too! The price is as above and as you can see there is an express queue charges if you got bored of queuing. Luge is a very light sled where over here it is functioned by wheels instead of skate. It slides down the hill without using engines to run it. They have two types of trails which are Dragon Trail and Jungle Trail. Choose either one you prefer but if you choose more than 1 ride, you should try both! Luge is the most dangerous sports in the Winter Olympics. So it is the same goes to this. You must adhere to their warnings and instructions at all times to avoid any unwanted accidents happen which will spoiled your entire day.  The first thing to do is to get the right size of helmet. Then, you listen to the instruction on how to control the luge. Do not a
Read more

Trang An Boat Tour, Ninh Binh

-
Image
It’s known as the Ha Long Bay of the land. About 150 kilometers from the famous Vietnamese bay where hundreds of islands form a natural wonder is another equally as impressive landscape. This one, known as Trang An, is nowhere near the coast, though. The mountains are connected by rice paddies, not water. You can cycle to them, not sail. And – best of all – they are not full of foreign tourists. Such is the joy of a Trang An boat tour. Trang An Heritage Complex is a part of Ninh Binh province, it is about 100km away from Hanoi city center. If Halong holds an impressive and magnificent beauty, Trang An will be its best rival. Though smaller in size, you will be lost in a wonderland with the karst mountains, lush green forests, sparkling and crystal-clear river and the endless rice field running to the horizon. In general, the cost of entrance fees & boat trip of three routes is the same ( 200.000vnd/ person) on a shared- rowing boat (maximum 4 people/ 1 boat). You can ch
Read more

Restoran Makanan Laut Lau Heong, Bandar Baru Sentul

-
Image
This is my first time dining at Sentul and glad to know this great Chinese restaurant which is known as Restoran Makanan Laut Lau Heong. This is the crowd at 6.00pm on Sunday. Crazy right? Let you see from another angle. They just own one shop lot but seems like owning an extra 4 parking space but still they are people standing and waiting for their seat including me! Curry Fish Head @RM25.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - This is their signature. You can choose a normal fish meat or a fish head like this. The curry is not really spicy at all. It contains more coconut milk taste than the curry itself. The fragrance of the curry and the coconut milk work perfectly. I can smell it before it is served. The fish heads are soft, tender, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend to everyone to try. Ginger Squid and Prawn @RM18.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 4/5 - Hardly taste the ginger but what makes me
Read more

Kedai Kopi Lotus, Kota Kinabalu

-
Image
Kota Kinabalu doesn't have huge hawker center like you will see in Peninsular Malaysia or Kuching but I have to reckon that the best hawker center in Kota Kinabalu is in Kedai Kopi Lotus. Kedai Kopi Lotus themselves do serve their own food which was very terrible and beyond edible state. So do not eat anything from this restaurant. You just pick the stalls beside this restaurant. There are 4 stalls which I will introduce one by one to you but the only stall which will not be introduced is the stall which is selling Guo Tie ( a kind of dumplings) -  not my favorite. The best and the most popular stall of all is this chicken wing stall. Everyone is there lining up for them either taking away or dining there. You may need to wait for 15-20 minutes for it. However, it will be definitely worthwhile. RM2.65/pc for this chicken wing. The reason it is taste so good is because of the perfect combination of the honey and the BBQ fragrance. They blend it so well inside the fresh and
Read more

Fukuya Japanese Restaurant, Imbi

-
Image
Fukuya Japanese Restaurant @Jalan Delima beside Levain Boulangerie & Patisserrie is a sister company for Fukuhara Japanese Restaurant off Jalan Ampang. I have been there both and both have given me quite a creepy feeling especially at night. The reason is lack of lighting in their main entrance.  Welcome to Fukuya Japanese Restaurant. The restaurant will be lies behind this curtain. Fukuya is a built on a bungalow land which they modified it to become a Japanese Restaurant. This is their main hall. They have west and east wing for larger size patrons or customer who request for a private room. Nicely decorated napkin. Oh, let me introduce this rare looking face in my blog, May Lynne a.k.a Ginger but she is my friend for 5 long years already. She is a food lover and a BIG eater too! The amazing part about her is she has an authentic honest facial expression when facing food. Her facial expression will spill it all about the food quality with immediate response. So
Read more

Victoria Station @Jalan Ampang

-
Image
To me, The Ship and Victoria Station are just the same. They are hardly able to be distinguished. The Ship is using ship as their restaurant concept while Victoria Station are using railway station as their restaurant design. Both of them are famous for their steak and their pricing is about the same. Sometimes I really wonder if they are brother sister company. Anyway, let's try their steak first. 2 platforms with 2 trains which you can sit inside and dine! Obviously better than dining inside our  KTM Train . This is the train at Platform 1. Yup, we are at Victoria Station everybody! Complimentary bread! Yummy! Fresh Honeydew Milk Chef Recommendation: Air Flown Ribeye Steak (Medium Raw) Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 4/5 - The price of the beef is calculated by its weight. So the price may be vary. The meat is wonderful. According to my girl since she is the one who can eat beef, the meat melting slowly in her mouth and
Read more

Restoran Ole Sayang, Melaka

-
Image
There are 2 famous Nyonya restaurants in Melaka. First is the one I have blogged before which is Restoran Nyonya Makko . Second is this restaurant which is known as Restoran Ole Sayang.  You will be given a basket of rice like this to fill in the rice yourself. The charges is per head and not per basket. Puchok Keledek @RM10.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - I wanted to give a score of 4 for this after my first bite but after my subsequent bite the saltiness became greater and make me forget the good taste in the first bite. Ayam Pong Teh @RM12.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 2/5 - This is the signature dish for every Nyonya restaurant but this super hard chicken meat and salty gravy...I really do not know how to appreciate them. I rather eat the potatoes. Cincaluk Telur @RM7.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 1/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: 1/5 Overall: 1/5 - Looks like a common omelette, taste also
Read more