WE STAYED AT THE HOTEL ISTANA KUALA LUMPUR is strategically located within Kuala Lumpur 's main Golden Triangle business and commercial centre. It is also within walking distance to the Bintang Walk shopping and entertainment hub, the Kuala  Lumpur Convention Centre, iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the nearby Chinatown (all within walking distance) while the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is only an hour's drive
away.

The Hotel is supported by an efficient road and rail transport system with the monorail terminal-stop located just adjacent to Hotel Istana. The convenience of a private limousine service and a public bus and taxi network complements the Hotel's easy accessibility. The five-star Hotel Istana features 515 well-appointed guestrooms and suites designed to suit every individual's personal and corporate needs. It also offers versatile banqueting and convention facilities and is complemented by authentic tastes from its three outstanding restaurants and two lounges.  

 

The people from Malaysia are very warm and friendly and very safe for men and women to walk late at knight and no one will bother you. Transport system is very sufficient bussess and taxi's (approximately between 8 - 10 ringets) are readily available  but if you negotiate with the taxi drivers make sure you close the deal before you slam the door (make sure your charge rate is in Ringets and not in US Dollars)or you can travel by Monorail (2.10 ringets per full trip) that stop at all major attractions.

 

Malaysian currency is approximately 3 to 1 you can exchange Rand in US Dollars and convert to Ringet in Malaysia. Food, cold drinks, water, sweets is cheap but alcohol like beers will cost you 30 Ringets approximately R90.00 - R95.00 per beer.

 

Climate in Kuala Lumpur is much the same as Durban with a humidity of between 70% - 85%. The island is approximately 240km from the equator that makes this city to experience instant sun rises and sun sets within a period of 15 munites. Kuala Lumpur is a tropical island which experience rain very quickly and can last for 2 - 3 hours in the mornings and in the afternoon. When it rains it rains with the bucket load.

 

Kuala Lumpur also have the largest indoor roler coaster inside Times Square shopping centre.

Cosmo’s World Theme Park, the Largest Indoor Theme Park in Malaysia has an overwhelming size of 133,000 square feet and is one of the main attractions in Berjaya Times Square. You can also experience the Cosmo's World Theme Park Theatre movie experience! Movie buffs can now enjoy a movie screen towering 5-storeys high, surrounded by 12,000 watts of digital surround sound! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a truly unique experience.

The following pictures will explain what it looks like with a short description.

 

Pictures below is inflight arriving at Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures below is arriving in the City where construction is taking place.

 

Pictures below is of the fantastic ***** Hotel Istana we stayed at.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views from the city Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

 

 

The KL Tower.

 

 

Views from the KL Tower 250m high viewing deck. When you reach the viewing deck which only takes 38 seconds to go up or down you will find 9 views of the city as seen below. One or two floors up is a restaurant but book approximately 3 days in advance as they only accept bookings.

 

View 1

 

View 2

 

View 3

 

View 4

 

View 5

 

View 6

 

View 7

 

View 8

 

View 9

 

The following pictures will show what the city looks like as well as the cleanlyness. No matter where you go you are safe and no one will bother you.

 

 

 

A play park for kids in the middle of the city.

 

Accross the road from the prominent Petronas Twin Towers.

 

The Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or just Twin Towers), in Kualu Lumpur, Malaysia and were the world's tallest buildings, before being surpassed by Taipe 101.  However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. They were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top, the original height reference used by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat from 1969 (three additional height categories were introduced as the tower neared completion in 1996)

 

As such, if the taxi is your preferred mode of transportation, you will have no problem going to the PETRONAS Twin Towers from in or around Kuala Lumpur. If you are from Sentral Station, the taxi fare should not be more than 12 Ringgit.

If you travel on KTM Komuter, the best thing to do is stop at Sentral Station and hop on the Putra LRT to KLCC. And if you enjoy taking the bus, you can board the RAPIDKL bus at Star Hill on Jalan Bukit Bintang or from Jalan Chow Kit. The drop-off point is Wisma Equity, Jalan Ampang, which is directly opposite the PETRONAS Twin towers.

You can also board the RAPIDKL bus from Jalan Silang, near the Kotaraya Complex and you get off the bus at Wisma Equity. If your preferred mode of transportation is the KL Monorail, the nearest station is at the Concorde Hotel on Jalan Sultan Ismail which is about 10 minute walk from the PETRONAS Twin Towers. On a hot day, it is a good idea to take a taxi from the monorail station. 

 

 

View of the KL Tower rom opposite the Petronas Towers.

 

Front view of the entrance to the Petronas Towers.

 

 

This is a snap shot of what the KLLC shopping centre look like inside the Twin Towers.

 

 

This is one of many banks in the city.

 

A six storey electronic store not far from Times Square here you will find anything you are looking for in PS2, XBOX, cameras, video cameras, softwear and hardwear in this store there are a lotof shops and believe me everyone is busy. The goods are cheaper than in SA.

 

Times Square centre in the city which is also located in the golden triangle with the largest indoor roller coaster and 5 storey movie theatre. The food is excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there is China Town here youwill find anything you are looking for from the real imitation branded watches, handbags, shirts, shoes, memorabilia etc. If you cannot bargain do not go to China Town you will not enjoy the experience. In the picture below right bottom corner is Barry Oats (Safety Smart KZN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now some pictures from the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang track. It is an experience to be at the race track to experience the different cultures around the world and to be there to see the F1 race.

 

 

New spec F1 Pertonas BMW.

 

Petronas merchant store.

 

 

Mercedes on display at the McClaren stand.

 

 

Ferrari Official Licensed Products a t shirt will cost you 180 Ringets (R540.00)

 

If you look at the track layout we were seated at grand satnd F you have a 67% view of the track.

 

I just had to pose with the beautiful Petronas girl

 

 

Dave poses with the LG girl

 

From left Darrol Brent (Safety Smart Johannesburg), Deon Wilson (Pienaar Tzaneen), Jacques Marx     (Sales Manager FTS Safety, Durban) and Dave Hammond (Winmar Nelspruit).

 

A view from the F grandstand.

 

Drivers track parade

 

 

 

 

 

Formation lap.

 

 

Rain caused the race to be stopped on the 23rd lap.

 

Jenson Button wins the Malaysian Grand Prix 2009.