Roll up, roll up…new candidate for worst journey of the entire trip (including Melbourne death flight) courtesy of horrendous cab driver. Can only imagine he learnt to drive from bumper cars or Stevie Wonder! Cab looked like a tin can. So glad there were 2 of us…just to prove it actually happened and to have someone to hug when we survived and arrived at lobby!

Walked into Shangri La hotel…all was well. This hotel is beyond beautiful! Scent of fresh lemongrass everywhere, amazing staff and service. Upgraded to club lounge level and it was amazing. Headed to the lounge for afternoon tea canapés and cocktails served daily. Food was beautiful gin tasted all the sweeter as I felt we’d earned it after the journey!

Spent the afternoon living the life of true luxury! We went for a night time swim in the pool under the lights of the iconic Petronas Towers, watched the lightshow at the KL telecom tower from the water! Sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and one seriously good night’s sleep in our club room…..just how I like to “backpack”! #glampackers #imtechnicallyunemployed

Spent the Wednesday wandering the streets…KL is not a city designed for pedestrians! Not really any pavements at all, or traffic laws, or logic……or humanity! Literally just close your eyes, step out into the road and hope for the best!!! Another seriously sweaty day! Visited 3 of the top 10 attractions according to guidebook…did it all within an hour…all soulless shopping malls. Weird array of shops as demonstrated by Claire below.

We went for lunch at famous hawker market on ground floor of Lot 10, at “famous ducking”….verdict: was “ducking” gross…so disappointing. Maybe in contrast to great food in Singapore was always going to be a let down.

We headed back to hotel to chill in the lounge and ventured out to the markets in the evening. Armed with our inherent bargaining skills (thanks dad!) we wheeled, dealed and haggled our way to some great purchases. Got “genuine” Kate Spade & Longchamp handbags, “designer” prada purse and a few other bits and bobs for a grand total of £25. Result. Our favourite stall was one where we bought our Ray Ban and Fendi sunglasses, owned by a fabulous transvestite man in a pink dress. Colourful place full of all the wonderful people he world has to offer. Bloody marvellous! Took our haul back to 5 star hotel and pretended it was all genuine!!!!!

Took a trip to the iconic Petronas Towers on Thursday. Classic low angle selfies (vetoed the ones where we have 4 chins each! #unflatteringanglealert) and pottered in yet another shopping mall!!!

We were hit by wall of screaming teenagers once we got inside, so we went over to investigate. Turns out it was South Korean actor and heartthrob Lee Kwan Soo (?!?!) making an appearance at the mall to promote the Samsung Galaxy S7….people screaming, fainting, generally loosing their shit….fans told by tannoy not to request signing of any body parts again?!?!

Went to KL Tower revolving restaurant, by expert recommendation of Mr Wall…since he excercises all round impeccable taste in all aspects of his life I was expecting big things. I am delighted to say it was lovely, well done Steve! Just a shame we had such a foggy day…and they insisted on playing christmas songs for the first 10 minutes! Entertainment picked up when the live band started, 2 guys singing with a piano and sax; one was the spitting image of Wolf from Gladiators but had an insanely good voice, just like Lionel Richie. Pretty remarkable! Nice views and great to watch the city turn from day to night.

We headed back to the Petronas Towers this evening to see them all sparkly and lit up. They really are impressive. Took some more snaps and snaked our way past “selfie stick, selfie stick for you pretty ladies” blokes who seem to be everywhere!

 

Returned to the hotel to say bon voyage to our beloved lounge….cheers Horizon Club, you have been good to us! We will miss you..and all the gin!

General verdict of KL is that it’s all little bit shit to be honest. Glad we have the gorgeous hotel to make it – a nice few days pit stop mid trip. Getting really excited for Hong Kong tomorrow and final few days of peace before carnage of The Dragon Trip begins on Monday.