Year of Review - Part Three

FuFu Year in Review 2009
September 2009 (Summer) | Part Three |


Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ampang.

Right after the China backpacking trip, i had been travelling to Kuala Lumpur couples of times to settle the two year visa for my stay in Frankfurt, Germany. To utilise my purpose and bus ticket (roundtrip RM14) down to the city, i decided to walk around exploring Kuala Lumpur like other tourists. Once obtaining the visa, quickly i headed down to Singapore, terminated my bank account and took all dollars back home. After that, i started my short journey north to Ipoh and Taiping. It's my second visit to Ipoh after the one hour Mathematics Olympiad Competition at St. Michael's Institution ten years ago.


It's been ages since FuFu last saw Bunga Kertas.


Gonna leave the lovely Bunga Raya land to Deutschland.


Another modern way of making advertisement?


Masjid Jamek, one of the most significant mosques in Malaysia.


Masjid Jamek is nested in the core of high rise office buildings.



Kuala Lumpur actually has retained a number of historic buildings and enriched cultural heritage sites of which the area is highly reminiscence of its interesting history. Starting from Masjid Jamek, an old majestic Moorish styled mosque which is within walking distance to Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Independence Square. Also the Moorish styled tourist attraction, Kuala Lumpur railway station that built in 1911 is one nice spot for photography with its notable mixture of Eastern and Western designs.



In this typical downtown, ethnic and religious communities are standing side by side while working together to preserve their own custom and heritage. The peaceful coexistence between these temples and mosque shows the vibrant culture and tolerance in the multi religious country, the only downtown that playing an important role as an arena to showcase the country’s diversity to the visitors. So, hey you guys out there listen carefully, please stop torching the churches and throwing the pig head!


Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the prominent historical landmark.


Seven years hasn't celebrated Merdeka already. T.T


Sultan Abdul Samad Building seen from Independence Square.


The square for triumphant shouts of Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka.


Wonder if you guys ever observed the fountain carefully?


What creatures are they? Can somebody explain?


Weird? Who said Malaysian (Chinese) can't visit mosque?

E : Are you from Japan?
F : No. Aku ni anak Malaysia. (Nope, i am Malaysian.)
E : Jarang kaum Cina datang. Biasa pelancong dari China, Korea, Japan, dll. (Rarely Chinese come here. Usually visitors from China, Korea, Japan, etc.)
F : Aku ni katak di bawah tempurung. (I am the frog underneath coconut shell.)
E : *laugh*
F : Betul, aku ni serius. Tak pernah kunjung masjid kat Malaysia sepanjang hidup selama ni. (It's true seriously. Never been to any mosque in Malaysia.)
E : Macam ni ke. Jemput lah masuk. Tapi kena pakai ni... (Come in then please. But you have to wear this...)


Be it fountain or other street furniture, everything is in star shaped.


Surprisingly Kuala Lumpur has quite a number of pocket parks.


KTM Berhad seen from National Mosque.


The frontal design is comparable with Masjid Jamek.


This train will bring you to Johor Bahru.


Sang Sura 24126. PC 3510 and now C 64. Get it, lady?


KTM Commuter now connects to FuFu's hometown and Ipoh.


The authority seriously needs to promote our graffiti, Pasar Seni.


Central Market had been upgraded! Clean and neat. Cool!


Please love Kuala Lumpur. Stop the vandalism!


It's Petalling Street (Chi Cheong Kai), not Chinatown!


Please design better and reliable signages!


Nice contrast with prewar shophouses over the high rise buildings.


Again, Malaysia real has good quality of unique graffiti.


Graffiti is an art! Spice it up.


Proceeded to Jalan Masjid India for the Ramadhan market.


Diverse culture and colourful drinks? Get them both in Malaysia!


Absolutely regret didn't try any one of them. Missing Malaysia food!


Nasi Ayam Goreng Padang~


Kuih-muih, can anyone DHL FuFu some?


The crossroads of the shopping precinct, Bukit Bintang.

Kuala Lumpur has much to offer to the tourist especially the downtown which is one of the only historical sites where visitors would get to see the real picture of this multi cultural country. However, there remains the lack of clear directional signages and the interpretation panels at the key attractions as well as the availability of comprehensive road maps.

All tourist destinations (Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Independence Square, Central Market, Petaling Street, Masjid Jamek, and other Chinese and Hindu temples, etc) are not linked with good pedestrian networks or the connectivity is still weak to offer visitors a comfortable, safe and pleasant historical walking tour. Soon a city planner, FuFu you gotta improve the layout of Kuala Lumpur!


Well, another five hour bus trip to Singapore on one fine day.


Watching Taken and Angels And Demonson in the VIP coach.


Said arigato to Guan Yin Ma for taking care of FuFu in Singapore.


Giant Mooncake at the centre of a pedestrian street at Bugis.


People were busy getting stuff needed for the festival.


So many special lanterns for the kids nowadays.


How these Hello Kitty lanterns work?


Haji Lane, narrow and nondescript back lane filled with restaurants.


Love its intricate design, Sultan Mosque, Arab Street.


Singapore is working hard to preserve its own asset shophouses.


Obviously, they are much more attractive than Malaysian ones.


This back lane definitely caught FuFu eyes!

After coming back from Singapore with S$1200, i continued my journey north to Ipoh. Actually i had my layover at Ipoh for a night before heading up to my destination, Taiping. The truly Asia, Malaysia indeed is a crouching tiger with plenty of hidden dragons. I was stunned when i was showing around Taiping by Calvin. Really wish i could have explored Malaysia thoroughly. Anyway i promise i will do so once i have completed my studies in Germany.


It took nearly three hours from Tanjung Malim to Medan Kidd, Ipoh.


A very vintage bus station. The meeting point with Calvin.


Mouth watering Ipoh Bean Sprouts Chicken with hor fun (noodle).


Late teatime had to be with Old Town coffee and snacks.


Ipoh old town where you can find blocks of pre-war shophouses.


Breakfast with Old Town coffee again. Nice!


Calvin, one of FuFu juniors who currently studying in Japan.


Ipoh's dimsum was not that bad though.


Finally could head to Taiping from Medan Kidd.


Taiping's bean sprout chicken rice.


Dessert at Ansari that famous for cendol.


Yummy yummy.


The logs gotta be heated in the cone for more than 10 days.


Most of the charcoals is exported mainly to Japan.


The largest and oldest mangrove forest reserve in Malaysia.


FuFu with his 190cm tall junior, Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.


Port Weld curry prawn noodle + ais kacang = orgasm.


Port Weld (Kuala Sepatang ) is another awesome fishing village.


Boat is the main transport mode linking the people in the village.


Men in Port Weld must be real KUAT. Guys, jot the number down.


The magnificent sun set over the fishing village.


Wantan mee with char siew.


Ultimately like this picturesque Lakes Garden, Taiping.


Taiping Lakes Garden looks pretty similar to FuFu heaven.


I wish these were the ruins, but apparently an element of the garden.


Do you know Zoo Taiping was the first zoo established in Malaysia?


Lunch at stall No. 49, the food court block away from the main road.


Keow Teow Goreng with fishball and char siew.


Love the historical downtown of Taiping as well.

Next : Last review of 2009 - Wake FuFu up when September ends.